London date ideas: from the aqua Shard to Pop Brixton here are the best places for you and your beau
It’s date night and your turn to decide what to do but you’ve spent all day on Wikipedia trying to find out what Kris Humphries is doing now post-Kim K and fantasy house shopping instead (Oooo Belsize Park looks nice!) and now it’s panic stations. If you and the S.O (that’s significant other for all you guys not in the know) are stuck in a rut and need forcibly dragging out of a Netflix-induced relationship hump, then feel free to nick our date night ideas and take all the credit. Just make sure to reference us in your engagement speech and let us know about your London Dating Stories.
The Cool and Edgy Date
Want to seem cool and edgy and ontop of all things cool and edgy in London? Then Pop Brixton is the answer to all your dating dilemmas. The new space supports local jobs, training and enterprise by hosting a new generation of independent start-ups and businesses from the Brixton and Lambeth areas. We’d recommend Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen, Miss P’s Barbecue, Kricket and Donostia Social Club for some grub.
The All-in-One Date
Oh, chocolate, how we love you. You’re just so tasty and loyal and…apparently cultural? The Menier Chocolate Factory on Southwark Street used to play host to the French chocolate business but now features a theatre show, restaurant and gallery all in one, so you and your date can do a bevy of activities without even leaving Zone 1.
The Date with a View
Located on level 31 of The Shard (aka, that tall building South of the river) aqua Shard is the perfect place for breathtaking views (and Instagram photos, amirite?) and a few glasses of wine. Just make sure you’re not wearing flip-flops.
The Weekend Date
Not quite ready to let go of date nights that include you and your partner sat on a sofa watching an endless loop of TV shows? We’ve got you. Try out the Weekend Film Club at the Charlotte Street Hotel, Covent Garden Hotel or The Soho Hotel for a way to ease into a new routine of date nights. Bed down in their cosy cinemas (some of the best around, trust us) with a glass of champers after indulging in a three-course meal at one of their restaurants.
The Activity Date
Sacked off the gym this morning but need to burn off some of that mid-day Battenberg you had? Head to Bounce and get competitive playing ping-pong while you sip cocktails and nibble on a sharing board. If you go on a Friday night you can play while listening to some old school RnB and Hip Hop anthems while you reminiscence about the first time you kissed while listening to R. Kelly’s Ignition. A treat, we’re sure.
The First Date
The place to bring a first date - who you may or may not have met on Tinder - because of the sheer amount of activities that are nearby and the crowds (which make it easy to run away if they tell you they love you after only ten minutes) is the Southbank. Book tickets to the Carsten Holler exhibit – where you can literally fly BTW – or just make it your mission to rate all the street performers out of ten. Make sure you get a Bleecker Burger before you leave, whether it be in celebration or commiseration about the quality of your date.
The Conquering Your Fears Date
Absolutely terrified of heights and all things that are above 2 metres off the ground? Then this is the date for you! Conquer your fears with your loved one (and either fall deeper in love or fall out with them by the end of the day) by climbing the O2. You can now go up at all hours of the day and night, so just pick your time, slip on one of their attractive blue jumpsuits and prepare to wimper silently to yourself.
The Skint Date
Payday not for another month and you’ve already spent it all on a pair of very impractical heels? You’re our kind of girl. Subtly suggest a free date walking around Primrose Hill and market it as a celeb spotting exercise. First one to catch a glimpse of Harry Styles’ long locks or Nick Grimshaw walking his dog wins.
The Night Owl Date
Did you bond with your S.O over your inability to sleep until the early hours (could it be that you both used to watch an endless stream of ‘Funny Cat’ videos on YouTube until you eventually fell asleep dreaming about cats playing keyboards?) then you could use all that extra time productively by learning together at one of the Natural History Museum’s late nights on the last Friday of every month. With free admission, food, drinks and even a live band, you’re set. The Tate Modern is also open until 10pm on Friday and Saturdays while the Tate Britain has a lates on the first Friday of every month. Cultural.
Research by Lauren Baulch
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