101 London Date Ideas

101 London Date Ideas | Quirky Things To Do For Date Night

Chances are high that you’re either in a relationship, or single.

And whichever it is, well, you’re going to need date ideas.

And that’s where we come in, because while yes the whole of The Nudge is filled with amazing London date ideas, with hidden spots and romantic nooks for you to explore, we’ve also just updated this: our humble collection of 101 London Date Ideas which will help you to A) Secure the lifelong devotion of whomever it is you’re trying to impress, and B) Have fun discovering the very best of London while doing so.

We’d call that a win-win.

1. CATCH A SHOW AT WILTON’S
Wapping | ££

Step into London’s last remaining Victorian music hall, then go for post-show drinks at the 300-year old Mahogany Bar.

Details: 1 Graces Alley, London E1 8JB | See what’s on
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2. SLIP INTO A COCKTAIL BAR BELOW A DELI
Soho | ££

And show that when it comes to hidden bars, you know your onions.

Details: 18 Brewer St, London W1F 0SG | Book here
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3. WATCH FILMS ON THE ORIGINAL 16mm REELS
Hackney | ££

At Ciné Real’s incredibly special screening nights.

Details: First Floor, 64 – 66 Brooksby’s Walk, London E9 6DA | Book tickets
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4. ORDER ABSINTHE FOUNTAINS & BREAKFAST AT 3AM
Soho | ££

At Balans, one of London’s legendary 24-hour restaurants.

Details: 60-62 Old Compton Street, W1D 4UG | Book here
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5. DINE WITH LIVE MUSIC AT BRASSERIE ZEDEL
Piccadilly Circus | ££

Then sip cocktails in their authentic 1930s bar…

Details: 20 Sherwood St, London W1F 7ED | Book here
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6. STOCK A PICNIC BASKET AT ONE OF LONDON’S BEST FOOD MARKETS
All Over London | ££

Then take it to one of the many lovely parks in London.
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7. GO LEAF PEEPING FROM ABOVE THE TREETOPS AT KEW GARDENS
Kew | ££

Then get steamy in the Victorian glasshouses.

Details: Kew, Richmond, London, TW9 3AE | £10-24
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8. LISTEN TO REAL LIFE STORIES IN A BREATHTAKING SPACE
Islington | £££

Then share some of your own over dinner at Trullo.

Details: 8th December | Union Chapel, 19b Compton Terrace, London, N1 2UN | £25+
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9. TAKE ROMANCE TO NEW HEIGHTS AT LIFT 109
Battersea | ££

By ascending the chimneys of Battersea Power Station.

Details: Circus Rd West, Nine Elms, Battersea, SW8 5BN | £15.90 | Book here
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10. TAKE A STROLL ALONG REGENT’S CANAL
Paddington to Hackney | Free

And wind up at Barge East for mulled wine on the water.

Details: Sweetwater Mooring, White Post Lane, London E9 5EN | Book here
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11. WATCH A HALLUCINATORY ART SHOW… WITH YOUR EYES CLOSED
Dalston | ££

David Levene

Then follow with a little Eastern Mediterranean food and some live music – check out our full Dalston date idea here.

Details: Until 3rd December | Hackney Downs Studios, 17 Amhurst Terrace, E8 2BT | £15
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12. GO (WILD) LIFE DRAWING
Across London | £££

Invent pet names for each other. And the models.

Details: Regular events – see what’s on here
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13. RUN AWAY FOR THE DAY
Not London | ££

These lovely places are all reachable in 2 hours, but we’ve included some hotel suggestions if you wanted to stay…
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14. GO ICE SKATING, AND STROLL UNDER THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Mayfair & Soho | £

Throw in a little fiery fine dining and some live jazz, and you’ve got yourself the perfect wintry date in Mayfair.

Details: Start at Skate West End, Hanover Square, Mayfair, W1S 1JA | £12.50
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15. MAKE CANDLES TOGETHER AT EARL OF EAST
Soho | £££

Though obviously, nobody holds a candle to your date…

Details: Regular dates | Unit 2, Quadrant Arcade, Regent Street, London W1B 5RL | £55pp
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16. LISTEN TO SOME LITERALLY LIFE-CHANGING MUSIC
Wapping | ££

At One Track Minds, a mash-up of TED Talks and Desert Island Discs…

Details: 24th & 25th November, 18th & 19th January | Wilton’s Music Hall, 1 Graces Alley, London E1 8JB | Book here
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17. PRESS FOR CHAMPAGNE AT BOB BOB RICARD
Soho | ££££

Trust us, it’s glorious.

Details: 1 Upper James Street, Soho, W1F 9DF | Book here
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18. CHECK OUT ONE OF LONDON’S NEWEST RESTAURANTS AND BARS
Across London | ££

Or plan ahead, with our guide to restaurants opening soon.
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19. GET STUFFED AT AFTERNOON TEA
Across London | ££-££££

These places somehow make egg and cress an aphrodisiac.
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20. SPEND A DAY EXPLORING SPITALFIELDS MARKET
Spitalfields | Free

Compete to see who can find the most hilariously old-school record cover.

Details: 65 Brushfield St, London E1 6AA
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21. THEN MOSEY DOWN BRICK LANE
Brick Lane | £

Mooch round the vintage stores, go bowling, feast on Indian food and get the city’s best hot chocolate at Dark Sugars.

Details: Brick Lane, E1 6QL
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22. TAKE A CANDLELIT WINE BATH TOGETHER
Strand | £££££

It’s how you’ll be living out your retirement years, so test the waters (so to speak) now.

Details: 2-3 Robert St, Covent Garden, WC2N 6RL | From £98pp | Book here
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23. TAKE A POTTERY CLASS
Across London | £££

Teachers looove it when you do the ‘Ghost’ thing.
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24. GET YOUR PRESCRIPTION AT THE MIDNIGHT APOTHECARY
Rotherhithe | £

Namely: a candlelit garden with firepits, unlimited marshmallows for toasting, and botanical cocktails.

Details: Brunel Museum Rooftop, Railway Avenue, Rotherhithe, SE16 4LF | £8 | Book here
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25. TOUR LONDON’S UNUSUAL MUSEUMS
Across London | £

First to find UCL’s famous Jar of Moles wins.
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26. BRAVE A TAXIDERMY CLASS
Hackney | ££££

And give each other crabs!

Details: Regular dates | Secret location | From £45
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27. SPARK OLD-SCHOOL ROMANCE AT A JAZZ BAR
Across London | £

It’s hard to beat.
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28. LEARN TO JIVE AT THE RIVOLI BALLROOM
Brockley | £

With live music and properly authentic 1950s surroundings.

Details: Monthly events | 350 Brockley Road, Crofton Park, SE4 2BY | £18 | Book here
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29. TAKE IN AN EXHIBITION
Across London | ££

Naked people! Edible people! An interrogation of complex cultural notions of beauty!
^

30. ENTRUST THE BARTENDER WITH AN OMAKASE COCKTAIL EXPERIENCE
Knightsbridge | ££££

And leave with a bottle of your favourite to take… somewhere else.

Details: The Aubrey, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, 66 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7LA | £198 | Book here
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31. MAKE YOUR OWN BESPOKE PERFUMES
Covent Garden | £££££

Now you’re making scents.

Details: 53 Monmouth Street, WC2H 9DG | £175+
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32. PLAY GUESS WHO IN THE NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY
Charing Cross | Free

David Parry

Then sip hot toddies overlooking the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree at St. Martin-in-the-Fields’ pop-up bar.

Details: National Portrait Gallery, St. Martin’s Place, London WC2H 0HE
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33. HIT UP A RESTAURANT WITH A VIEW
Across London | £££

With a view to impressing your date. 
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34. GET ON YER BIKES, AND GO ON A MONUMENT CRAWL
Around London | £

A proper London date. We recommend including the Monument itself, the view up there is amazing.
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35. GO CRAZY GOLFING IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Across London | £

Or, you know, Barnet.
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36. GET LOST IN THE BARBICAN CONSERVATORY
Barbican | Free (but book ahead)

A pop up bar, terrapins, and 1,500+ species of plants…

Details: Barbican Centre, Silk St, London EC2Y 8DS | Book here
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37. TAKE A STROLL ALONG THE SOUTH BANK
South Bank | Free

Grab a bite at the Southbank Centre’s food market, take in an exhibition at the Hayward, watch a show at the National, and sip award-winning cocktails at Lyaness.
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38. HIT THE ICE AT CLUB CURLING
King’s Cross | £

And restore all those burnt-off calories at Coal Office.

Details: Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross, N1C 4DQ | £8
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39. PLAY THE MOST ROMANTIC ROUND OF CRAZY GOLF EVER AT SWINGERS
Oxford Circus/The City | ££

Remember: in golf, being sub-par is a good thing.

Details: 8 Brown’s Buildings, St. Mary Axe, EC3A 8AL | 15 John Prince’s Street, W1G 0AB | £11+
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40. FLOAT ALONG THE CANALS IN A HOT TUG
Canary Wharf | ££££

It’s literally a hot tub. That’s also a boat.

Details: Off Hertsmere Road, West India Quay, Canary Wharf, E14 4AL | £157.50+
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41. SEE SOMETHING AMAZING AT THE THEATRE
Across London | ££

Remember this? It’s like Netflix, but 3D. 
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42. SIP DRINKS ON A WINTER ROOFTOP OVERLOOKING THE CITY
Across London | ££

Hot cocktails, amazing views, and most importantly, heaters.
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43. PLAY A FEW ROUNDS OF DARTS AT FLIGHT CLUB
Finsbury Square/Bloomsbury/Victoria/Islington | ££

Use the board to determine what you drink.
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44. TRY FRESH VEG-TURNED-FINE DINING AT TURNIPS
Borough | £££

Ex-City Social chef Tomas Lidakevicius plucks ingredients right from Borough Market and whips them into tasting menus on the spot.

Details: 43 Borough Market, Borough, SE1 9AH | Book here
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45. TACKLE THE BERMONDSEY BEER MILE
Bermondsey | ££

For some pint-sized fun.
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46. THEN STROLL THROUGH MALTBY STREET MARKET BY NIGHT
Bermondsey | £

Create your own banquet with a course from each stall…

Details: Fridays 5.30-9pm | Ropewalk, Maltby St, London SE1 3PA | Free entry
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47. EXPLORE ABANDONED TUBE TUNNELS BELOW GROUND
Across London | ££££

Don’t let your date say you never take them anywhere nice.
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48. LISTEN TO LIVE MUSIC IN A CHURCH CRYPT
Charing Cross | ££

It’s surprisingly lively down there…

Details: Regular events | St Martin-in-the-Fields , Trafalgar Square, WC2N 4JJ | £8-25
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49. NERD OUT AT FOUR QUARTERS
Peckham | £

Show off your video game skills. Loser buys a round of craft beers.

Details: 187 Rye Lane, Peckham, SE15 4TP | Book here
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50. SURPRISE YOUR DATE WITH AN UNUSUAL RESTAURANT
Across London | ££

For when you feel like wildebeest tonight, like wildebeest tonight.
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51. TAKE A BOAT TRIP TO GREENWICH
Greenwich | ££

Hit the rink at the Queen’s House, and then drink like sailors at one of Greenwich’s best pubs.
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52. CLIMB THE O2 BY TWILIGHT, DRINK CHAMPAGNE AT THE TOP
Greenwich | £££

It’s a long climb. Perfect for checking out, or improving, your date’s stamina.

Details: The O2, Peninsula Square, London SE10 0DX | £38
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53. INVITE YOUR DATE TO PLAY SQUID GAME AT IMMERSIVE GAMEBOX
Southwark | £

It’s probably not exactly like the show. Probably.

Details: Arch 3, 83 Scoresby Street, Southwark, SE1 0XN | £37+ | Book here
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54. WATCH A FILM SOMEWHERE BEAUTIFUL
Across London | ££

Cocktails, blankets and cinema beds. 
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55. TAKE A COCKTAIL MASTERCLASS
Across London | £££

When you feel like shaking things up.
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56. WATCH TOP COMEDIANS IN A HISTORIC CHURCH
Highbury | ££

They’ll have you rolling in the aisles.

Details: Monthly gigs | Union Chapel, 19b Compton Terrace, N1 2UN | £27.50
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57. GO TO THE THURSDAY LATE AT NOVELTY AUTOMATION
Holborn | £

Play a friendly game of Divorce, then make up over a glass of wine.

Details: Thursdays, 12-8pm | 1A Princeton St, London WC1R 4AY
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58. DO EVERYTHING AT THE HORNIMAN MUSEUM
Forest Hill | Free

They’ve got a butterfly house, a farmers’ market, an outdoor musical garden, a pygmy goat enclosure, an aquarium, a functioning bandstand, a Dutch barn, 16 acres of gardens… aaaand a giant overstuffed walrus.

Details: Open daily | 100 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ | Free
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59. DRINK COCKTAILS AT NIGHTJAR
Old Street | ££

They have 100 year-old Pimm’s, and considerably younger musicians.

Details: 129-131 City Road, EC1V 1JB | Book here
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60. SEE WHO CAN HAGGLE THE BEST DEAL AT PORTOBELLO MARKET
Notting Hill | ££

Paul Hudson/Flickr

The most quintessential of London dates.

Details: Saturdays | Portobello Road, London W11 1LJ
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61. TAKE THE BOAT FROM TATE BRITAIN TO THE TATE MODERN
Bankside | £

Then talk about the signs, doors, and chairs as if they were exhibits. 
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62. TAKE A STROLL ON HAMPSTEAD HEATH
Hampstead | Free

Take in the Pergola, Kenwood House, and a pub. Or two. Check out our full Hampstead Heath date idea here.
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63. SCALE THE WALLS OF A STOKE NEWINGTON CASTLE
Stoke Newington | £

Because it actually houses a rock climbing centre.

Details: Castle Climbing Centre, Green Lanes, Stoke Newington, N4 2HA | £16.50
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64. DRESS UP ’40s STYLE AND GO TO CAHOOTS
Soho | £££

Order one of their ‘Dig for Victory’ vegetable cocktails.

Details: 13 Kingly Court, London W1B 5PW | Book here
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65. BLOW YOUR MINDS AT AN OPTICAL ILLUSIONS MUSEUM
Oxford Circus | £££

Dan Weill Photography

It should put a spin on your typical London date…

Details: 248 Oxford Street, W1C 1DH | £18-33
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66. TAKE YOUR DATE TO THE FAIRGROUND
Canary Wharf | ££

The kind with adrenaline-fuelled mini-games, street food, and boozy candy floss.

Details: 25 – 35 Fisherman’s Walk, Canary Wharf, E14 4DH | £15 | Book here
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67. GIVE CUPID A RUN FOR HIS MONEY
The City & Canary Wharf | ££

Sharpen your aim with virtual clay pigeon shooting at Clays.

Details: 55 Moorgate, London EC2R 6LL | 1 Cabot Square, W India Ave, London E14 4QJ | Book here
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68. GO BOWLING AT ALL STAR LANES
Holborn / Westfield / Brick Lane | ££

And see who can come up with the most puns about balls, pins, and splits.
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69. HIT UP ONE OF LONDON’S MOST ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS
All Over London | ££

Carol Sachs

Some beautiful London date spots, with a little candlelight, a little live music, a little love in the air (which here, smells a lot like steak).
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70. EAT CHEESE TOGETHER. ON A BARGE.
Paddington | ££

The key to anyone’s heart. Except the lactose intolerant.

Details: Sheldon Square, London W2 6DL | Book here
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71. SPEND AN ENTIRE DAY IN VICTORIA PARK
Hackney | £

Start with a Sri Lankan breakfast at Pavilion, then take a hot pudding from the Happy Endings hatch for a walk in the park.

Details: Victoria Park, Grove Road, E3 5SN
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72. KAYAK YOUR WAY TO CRATE BREWERY
Hackney | ££

And quench your thirst when you get there.

Details: Start at the Canoe Shed, Limehouse Basin, Limehouse, E14 7JZ | £49.99
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73. BUILD-A-BOUQUET AT THE CHISWICK FLOWER MARKET
Chiswick | ££

Check out our full Chiswick date idea here.

Details: First Sunday of every month | Old Market Place, Chiswick High Road, W4 2DR
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74. STROLL THE GLASS WALKWAY ABOVE TOWER BRIDGE
Tower Bridge | ££

Then look back on it over dinner at Tavolino.

Details: 2 More London Pl, London SE1 2RR | Book here
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75. VISIT THE HUNTERIAN MUSEUM
Holborn | Free

And see who gets grossed out first.

Details: The Royal College of Surgeons, 38-43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PE | Free
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76. SIP ABSINTHE AT THE LAST TUESDAY SOCIETY
Hackney | £

Then descend into Viktor Wynd’s cabinet of curiosities below…

Details: 11 Mare St, London E8 4RP | Book here
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77. ATTEND A CONCERT IN A SUBTERRANEAN, VICTORIAN CAVERN
Rotherhithe | ££

They say Brunel was building a tunnel… but really, he was creating a Grade A date spot.

Details: Regular events | The Brunel Museum, Railway Avenue, SE16 4LF | £35 | Book here
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78. GET YOUR SKATES ON AT FLIPPER’S ROLLER BOOGIE PALACE
Shepherd’s Bush | ££

It’s the revival of an iconic LA roller disco. Backed by Usher.

Details: Ariel Way, London W12 7SL | £11.50+
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79. HIT THE OLYMPIC PING PONG TABLE AT BOUNCE
Farringdon / Shoreditch/Battersea | ££

Invent victory dances.

Details: 241 Old St, London EC1V 9EY | Book here
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80. ORDER THE DUCK AND WAFFLE AT DUCK AND WAFFLE
Bishopsgate | £££

Best order it at 4am. Just because you can.

Details: Salesforce Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AY | Book here
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81. BROWSE THE STALLS AT LONDON’S FLEA MARKETS

Buy each other an obnoxious piece of bric-a-brac, and insist they display it in pride of place at home.
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82. TOP UP A TAB CARD AT VAGABOND WINES, DRINK DOZENS OF SAMPLES.
Various Locations | ££

Then buy a bottle of your favourite for your next date.

Details: 18-22 Vanston Place, London SW6 1AX | Book here
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83. WATCH UN FILM ROMANTIQUE AT THE INSTITUT FRANÇAIS
South Kensington | £

That’s French for ‘a romantic film’…

Details: Ciné Lumière, 17 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2DT | Book here
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84. SMUGGLE BOOZE ONTO THE LONDON EYE
Westminster | £££

These guys totally managed it.

Details: South Bank, London SE1 7PB | £25.50
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85. SIP COCKTAILS AT JOIA
Battersea | ££

The mother of all date spots. Plus, you can take a spin on the Glide ice rink (before, not afterwards).–

Details: art’otel Battersea, 1 Electric Boulevard, SW11 8BJ | Book here
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86. TRY NOT TO PROPOSE AT CLOS MAGGIORE
Covent Garden | £££

It’s craaaazy romantic there. If you book a table in the right room (this one).

Details: 33 King St, London WC2E 8JD | Book here
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87. PLAY BOARDGAMES TOGETHER AT DRAUGHTS
Dalston/Waterloo | ££

Do NOT play Monopoly if you want there to be a second date.

Details: 41 Kingsland High St, London, E8 2JS | £7 | Book here
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88. TAKE A CANDLELIT TOUR ROUND SIR JOHN SOANE’S HOUSE
Holborn | £££ (Free by day)

Feat. salvaged architecture, an imaginary monk, and moving walls… 
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89. WANDER ACROSS ACRES OF URBAN WETLANDS
Walthamstow | Free

Then hole up in Tottenham’s tiniest pub.
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90. HAVE A SHUFFLEBOARD CONTEST
London Bridge | ££

Then toast your victory with cocktails at Swift Borough.

Details: 10 Bermondsey St, London SE1 2ER | £13 | Book here
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91. GO FOR A DIP IN A HEATED LIDO
London Fields | £

Peter Smith/Flickr

And if you still need warming up afterwards, grab a couple of small plates at Bambi.

Details: London Fields West Side, London E8 3EU | £5.70 | Book ahead
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92. GO TO LONDON ZOO. DECIDE WHY THE ANIMALS ARE IN PRISON.
Regents Park | £££

Those zebras are wearing comedy burglar outfits.

Details: Regent’s Park Outer Circle, London NW1 4RY | £27-31 | Get tickets here
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93. HIRE YOUR OWN BOAT FOR THE DAY
Paddington | £££

And speak like pirates all day.

Details: Merchant Square, Paddington, W2 1AS | £85
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94. GO TO ELTHAM PALACE, PRETEND TO BE ROYALTY
Eltham | £

Better yet, go in the evening and check out the Christmas at Eltham lights trail with a little mulled wine.

Details: Eltham Palace, Court Yard, London SE9 5QE | £16+
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95. GO FOR BRUNCH
Across London | ££

Because if the date doesn’t go well, at least you’ve had brunch.
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96. DRESS UP IN RIDICULOUSLY FANCY OUTFITS
Covent Garden | £

And book £9 tickets to see the Royal Ballet.

Details: Royal Opera House, Bow St, London WC2E 9DD | See what’s on
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97. WANDER THROUGH A SPITALFIELDS HOUSE TRAPPED IN TIME
Spitalfields | £

The candlelit evening tours are silent – so you can save all your best jokes for dinner at Brat afterwards.

Details: 18 Folgate St, London E1 6BX | £15+ | Book here
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98. PIT YOUR WITS AGAINST AN ESCAPE ROOM
Across London | ££

If you can survive an hour of high-intensity puzzling while locked in a room together, it probably bodes well. 
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99. TAKE A DAY TRIP TO A VINEYARD NEAR LONDON

Resist the urge to sing I Heard It On The Grapevine over and over.
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100. OR STAY PUT, AND VISIT LONDON CRU
Fulham | ££

You can literally squeeze grapes with your squeeze.

Details: 21-27 Seagrave Road, London SW6 1RP | Book tours here
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101. GO DEER-SPOTTING IN RICHMOND PARK
Richmond | Free

Then have dinner at the effortlessly romantic Petersham Nurseries.

Details: Church Lane, Petersham Road, TW10 7AB | Book here

Looking for more London date ideas? Take a look at what’s on in London this month