Best Date Ideas in the City

The Best Date Ideas in the City of London

According to a recent study we never actually got round to making, working hours in the City leave its workers with an average of just 2.74 minutes to themselves a week.

Which is why – unbeknownst to the rest of London – they’ve been hiding away a load of the most instantly romantic, no-planning-required, last-minute-but-you’d-never-know-it date spots in town.

But don’t worry. We’re onto them. And so here are the very best date ideas in the City of London…

Play pétanque at Baranis

Conduct a scientific investigation into whether you’re better before, or after, absinthe.
Details: 115 Chancery Lane, WC2A 1PP | Book here

Take a taxidermy class at St. Bart’s

Then take a tour round all the creepy pathology exhibits after.
Details: 3rd Floor Robin Brook Centre, St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, West Smithfield, EC1A 7BE | £50, book HERE

Browse the London Silver Vaults

Try to find the most extravagant pepper shaker in this subterranean labyrinth of vintage and antique silver dealers.
Details: The London Silver Vaults, Chancery Lane, WC2A 1QS

Find a Plethora of Date Ideas in the City of London Distillery

Tour the place, or distil bespoke gins for each other.
Details: 22-24 Bride Lane, EC4Y 8DT | £125, book HERE

Play ping pong at Bounce

…And get each other’s pulses racing.
Details: 121 Holborn, EC1N 2TD

Visit London’s highest Champagne bar

Because, duh.
Details: Tower 42, 25 Old Broad Street, EC2N 1HQ

Find the old smugglers’ tunnels at The Olde Wine Shades

Or, failing that, drink lots of very nice wine.
Details: 6 Martin Lane, Cannon Street, EC4R 0DP

Go (Virtual) Clay Pigeon Shooting

With cocktails, and snacks from a former Ritz chef.
Details: 55 Moorgate, EC2R 6LL

Play a round at Flight Club

And hope that Cupid has better aim than you.
Details: 2a Worship Street, EC2A 2AH

Browse Leadenhall Market together

Choose yourselves a bottle of something real nice to take along to…
Details: Gracechurch Street, EC3V 1LT

Go for a picnic in St. Dunstan-in-the-East

And sneak Champagne-into-the-park. (Image credit: Peter Trimming)
Details: St. Dunstan-in-the-East, St. Dunstan’s Hill, EC3R 5DD

Have a midnight feast at Duck & Waffle

…Although their sunset game’s pretty good, too.
Details: Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, EC2N 4AY

Have a snoop around Two Temple Place

And do your best impressions of Loyd Grossman in Through The Keyhole. (Image credit: Gary Ullah)
Details: 2 Temple Place, WC2R 3BD

Take a stroll through the Barbican Conservatory

Then get all cultural at the Barbican Centre. (Image credit: Leon Brocard)
Details: Sundays, 12-5pm | Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS

Bring the chicken kiev counter down to zero at Coin Laundry

But not until after you’ve played Twister.
Details: 70 Exmouth Market, EC1R 4QP

Climb the Monument

And play the world’s highest game of “bogeys”. (Image credit: Tom Page)
Details: Fish Street Hill, EC3R 8AH | £4.50

Whisper sweet nothings at The Whispering Gallery

…or play the world’s quietest game of “bogeys”.
Details: St. Paul’s Cathedral, St. Paul’s Churchyard, EC4M 8AD | £18

Main image: Eric Hossinger

You’ll be hungry after TOTALLY CRUSHING all the date ideas in the City of London. Luckily, there’s a list of the area’s best restaurants right here…