100 London Date Ideas
Chances are fairly high that you’re either in a relationship, or single.
Whichever it is, you need date ideas.
And that’s where we come in, because while yes our entire website is filled with amazing London date ideas we’ve also created this: a humble collection of 100 date ideas which will help you to not only uncover the very best of London, but also secure the lifelong devotion of whomever it is you’re trying to impress.
Which is known in some all circles as a “win-win”.
NOTE: Want to verge a little further off the beaten track? Enter a world of private chef’s tables; preview dinners at new restaurants; secret happy hours; VIP tickets; off-menu feasts; exclusive prix-fixe tasting menus; and insider perks at some of the best restaurants and bars in London…. by becoming a member of The Nudge here.
1. SNEAK BOOZE INTO THE LONDON EYE
Westminster | £££
These guys totally managed it. VIEW MORE INFO
2. GO TO THE ZOO. DECIDE WHY THE ANIMALS ARE IN PRISON.
Regents Park | £££
That zebra’s wearing a comedy burglar outfit. VIEW MORE INFO
3. WATCH A PLAY UNDER THE STARS AT SHAKESPEARE’S GLOBE.
Bankside | £
Just try not to pick one with too many death scenes. VIEW MORE INFO
4. HAVE DRINKS ON A ROOFTOP OVERLOOKING THE CITY
Various Locations | ££
There are even a few heated options for the winter months. VIEW MORE INFO
5. PRETEND TO START A RAP BEEF AT HIP HOP KARAOKE
Fitzrovia | ££
But actually don’t. VIEW MORE INFO
6. GET IN COSTUME, GO TO SECRET CINEMA
Various Locations | ££££
And fool people into thinking you’re part of it. VIEW MORE INFO
7. HIT THE FREE POOL TABLE AT ORIGINAL SIN
Stoke Newington | £
Oh, and have some cocktails too. VIEW MORE INFO
8. GO TO THE TATE MODERN
Bankside | £
Talk about the signs, doors, and chairs as if they were exhibits. VIEW MORE INFO
9. GO TO CHINATOWN. PLAY RESTAURANT ROULETTE.
Chinatown | ££
And after you’ve chosen somewhere to eat, play dim sum roulette too.
10. GET THE OPERA SINGERS TO SERENADE YOUR DATE AT SARASTRO
Covent Garden | £££
Order the rack of lamb, it’s delicious. VIEW MORE INFO
11. PLAY A FEW ROUNDS OF DARTS AT FLIGHT CLUB
Finsbury Square | ££
Use the board to determine what you drink. VIEW MORE INFO
12. GO TO MR FOGGS, AND DRINK ONLY COCKTAILS FROM COUNTRIES YOU’VE BEEN TO
Covent Garden | ££
Tell eachother stories from your travels there. VIEW MORE INFO
13. CHALLENGE ANOTHER COUPLE TO RACE PEDALOS AT HYDE PARK
Hyde Park | £
And make damn sure you win. VIEW MORE INFO
14. DRESS UP ’40s STYLE AND GO TO CAHOOTS
Soho | £££
Remember to be a lady/gentleman. VIEW MORE INFO
15. TAKE SELFIES IN FRONT OF THE VIEW AT SKY GARDEN
Bank | ££££
Then drink cocktails. VIEW MORE INFO
16. BRING A BOTTLE TO BYOC
Covent Garden / Camden | £££
And invent cocktails for eachother. VIEW MORE INFO
17. ‘PRESS FOR CHAMPAGNE’ AT BOB BOB RICARD
Soho | ££
Trust us, it’s glorious. VIEW MORE INFO
18. CLIMB UP TO THE ST PAULS’ WHISPERING GALLERY
St Pauls | £
And whisper racy things to eachother at gradually increasing volumes. VIEW MORE INFO
19. GO TO AQUA SHARD
London Bridge | ££££
Share the T-bone while the sun sets over London. VIEW MORE INFO
20. GO HORSE RIDING IN HYDE PARK
Hyde Park | ££
It’s something you can do! VIEW MORE INFO
21.GO TO GORDON’S WINE BAR
Embankment | ££
…And definitely get a cheese sharing platter. VIEW MORE INFO
22. STROLL THROUGH THE NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY
Charing Cross | £
Come up with new names and backstories for the people in the pictures. VIEW MORE INFO
23. TAKE A TOUR OF WILTON’S MUSIC HALL ON A MONDAY
Whitechapel | ££
Then stay for the performance. VIEW MORE INFO
24. BUY CHEAP THEATRE TICKETS
Soho | £££
And spend the savings at The Palomar for dinner. VIEW MORE INFO
25. STOCK A WICKER PICNIC BASKET AT BOROUGH MARKET
Southwark | ££
Then, um, have a picnic. VIEW MORE INFO
26. GO FOR BRUNCH AT THE WOLSELEY
Piccadilly | ££££
They have truffled eggs. VIEW MORE INFO
27.BRAVELY ORDER FOR EACH-OTHER AT ARCHIPELAGO
Various Locations | £££
He’ll have the crocodile. VIEW MORE INFO
28. GO TO A TAXIDERMY WORKSHOP
Shoreditch / Holborn | ££
Create a backstory for your animals. VIEW MORE INFO
29. SLEEP TOGETHER
Stepney Green | £££
That is, make a serious effort to win the ‘Best Pyjamas’ prize at Bedtime Story Nights. VIEW MORE INFO
30. PLAY TABLE FOOTBALL AT BAR KICK
Shoreditch | £
Decide which countries you’re going to be in your ‘world cup’, and only drink booze from there. VIEW MORE INFO
31. BOOK THE PRIVATE ROOM AT QUO VADIS
Soho | ££££
Arrange a bottle of Champagne for your arrival. Bask in the romantic glow. VIEW MORE INFO
32. GET DINNER AND A MOVIE AT THE SAME TIME
Stepney Green | £££
… At Studio 5 at Genesis Cinema. VIEW MORE INFO
33. GO TO THE GEFFRYE MUSEUM
Hoxton | £
Talk like it really is whatever era the room is dressed as.
34. GET A SOFA AT THE ELECTRIC
Notting Hill / Shoreditch | £££
Then break the decency laws when the lights go down. VIEW MORE INFO
35.HIT THE OLYMPIC TABLE AT BOUNCE
Holborn / Shoreditch | ££
Then invent victory dances. VIEW MORE INFO
36. PLAY BOARDGAMES TOGETHER AT DRAUGHTS
Hackney | £
Do NOT play Monopoly if you want there to be a second date. VIEW MORE INFO
37. GET ON BORIS BIKES, AND GO ON A MONUMENT CRAWL
Various Locations | £
We recommend including the Monument itself, the view is amazing. VIEW MORE INFO
38. GO TO PORKY’S FOR BEER PONG
BOXPARK Shoreditch | ££
Beer. Pong. VIEW MORE INFO
39. GO TO CIRCUS
Covent Garden | ££££
And share blowtorch sushi while trapeze artists swing above you. VIEW MORE INFO
40. GO TO ALL STAR LANES
Holborn / Bayswater / Brick Lane | ££
And see who can come up with the most puns about balls, pins, and splits. VIEW MORE INFO
41. BUY A ROUND. AT URBAN GOLF.
Soho / Smithfield | ££
Then hit the best 19th hole in Smithfield for cocktails from the Nightjar family. VIEW MORE INFO
42. GO TO THE MUSEUM LATES AT THE NHM
South Kensington | £
See who can ask the most ‘Jurassic Park’ questions. VIEW MORE INFO
43. GO FOR A WHISKEY TASTING AT MILROY’S VAULT
Soho | £££
Buy a bottle to share at home. VIEW MORE INFO
44. FREAK EACHOTHER OUT AT THE BOX
Soho | ££
You know, if you’re into that stuff. VIEW MORE INFO
45. TAKE A COCKTAIL MAKING MASTERCLASS AT 69 COLEBROOKE ROW
Islington | ££
Then drink your homework. VIEW MORE INFO
46. TAKE A BOAT RIDE DOWN THE THAMES… WITH LIVE JAZZ
Various Locations | ££
You’re guaranteed not to get the blues. VIEW MORE INFO
47. ORDER THE DUCK AND WAFFLE AT DUCK AND WAFFLE
Bishopsgate | ££££
Best do it at 4am. Because you can. VIEW MORE INFO
48. TAKE A SELF-GUIDED GRAFFITI TOUR OF SHOREDITCH
Shoreditch | £
Maybe add a little of your own, too. Just kidding. But seriously.
49. SOMEHOW GET SEATS AT SUSHI TETSU
Clerkenwell | ££££
Order the omakase. Make slightly orgasm-ey noises as you eat. VIEW MORE INFO
50. GO TO DANS LE NOIR. ORDER FOR YOUR PARTNER.
Clerkenwell | £££
And don’t tell them what they’re getting. VIEW MORE INFO
51. TRACK DOWN THE SEVEN NOSES OF SOHO
Soho | £
They’re right under yours. VIEW MORE INFO
52. FEED EACH OTHER OYSTERS AT J SHEEKEY
Covent Garden | £££
They’re true heroes in a half shell. VIEW MORE INFO
53. 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). VIEW MORE INFO
54. GO FOR THE SING-A-LONG AT THE PRINCE CHARLES CINEMA.
Leicester Square | ££
Because if you’re the sort of person who would enjoy that, and they’re not… well that’s the sort of thing you need to find out ASAP. VIEW MORE INFO
55. DRINK COCKTAILS INSIDE A BAR HIDDEN THROUGH A BOOKCASE
Earls Court | £££
Try to work out what secrets your fellow guests are keeping from their partners.. VIEW MORE INFO
56. FILL UP A CARD AT VAGABOND WINES, DRINK DOZENS OF SAMPLES.
Various Locations | ££
Then buy each-other a bottle. VIEW MORE INFO
57. SHOUT SUGGESTIONS AT THE COMEDY STORE.
Soho | ££
Then attempt to ‘volunteer’ your date to go on stage. VIEW MORE INFO
58. GO GLASSBLOWING
London Bridge | ££
Then go glass drinking at Tanner and Co. VIEW MORE INFO
59. ORDER ONLY COCKTAILS INVENTED IN THE AMERICAN BAR AT THE SAVOY
Covent Garden | ££££
They include the Hanky Panky, White Lady, Corpse Reviver #2, etc. Ask your bartender. VIEW MORE INFO
60. LISTEN TO SOME LIVE JAZZ AT RONNIE SCOTT’S
Soho | £££
You won’t be disappointed. VIEW MORE INFO
61. TRY ON ROLEXES FROM THE YEAR YOU WERE BORN AT BURLINGTON ARCADE
Mayfair | £ (£££££££££££)
Actually buying them however is more of a ‘thrid date’ kind of thing.
62. SEE A SILENT FILM WITH A LIVE ORCHESTRA AT THE BARBICAN
Barbican | ££
Nothing fires up the passions like some Harold Lloyd. VIEW MORE INFO
63. DELIBERATELY GET LOST IN THE HAMPTON COURT PALACE MAZE
Richmond | £
Then try to find eachother. If you do, it’s fate!
64. GO TO A BURLESQUE SHOW AT THE SAVOY
Covent Garden | £££
Take notes for your own burlesque show later. VIEW MORE INFO
65. TAKE A CANAL BOAT RIDE FROM LITTLE VENICE TO CAMDEN
Various Locations | ££
Sing Venetian gondola songs along the way. VIEW MORE INFO
66. GO ALL OUT FOR TROUSERLESS TUESDAYS AT NOLA
Various Locations | ££
Only do it on a Wednesday…. VIEW MORE INFO
67. GO ON A COCKTAIL CRAWL OF EAST LONDON
East London | ££
We have a couple of suggestions. VIEW MORE INFO
68. MAKE EACHOTHER BOTTLES OF GIN AT THE GINSTITUTE
Notting Hill | ££
Then take them home for a nightcap. VIEW MORE INFO
69. SEE WHO CAN HAGGLE THE BEST DEAL AT PORTOBELLO MARKET
Notting Hill | ££
While buying eachother gifts, of course.VIEW MORE INFO
70. NERD OUT AT FOUR QUARTERS
Peckham | ££
Show off your disturbingly good video game skills at Four Quarters. Loser buys a round of craft beers. VIEW MORE INFO
71. GET DINNER AND A MOVIE THE OLD FASHIONED WAY
Various Locations | £££
At the Everyman Cinema. VIEW MORE INFO
72. FEED ANIMALS AT THE HACKNEY CITY FARM
Bethnal Green | £££
Then eat those animals at the Typing Room. VIEW MORE INFO
73. GET STARTERS, MAINS, AND DESSERTS FROM THREE DIFFERENT SOHO RESTAURANTS
Soho | ££
Here are some good spots to check out. VIEW MORE INFO
74. PLAY TIME RUN TOGETHER
London Fields | ££
And win together. VIEW MORE INFO
75. PLAY PETANQUE AT BARANIS
Holborn | ££
See how long you can speak only in French for. VIEW MORE INFO
76. GO FOR A WINE TASTING AT LONDON’S ONLY WINERY
Earls Court | ££
Refuse to spit. VIEW MORE INFO
77. DRESS UP PROPERLY FOR A BLITZ PARTY
Secret Locations | ££
Down a couple of B-52s. VIEW MORE INFO
78. SHOOT CLAY PIGEONS TOGETHER
Enfield | £££
Invent revenge backstories, then say cool payoff lines before you hit them. VIEW MORE INFO
79. GO ON A THAMES TRIP
Greenwich | ££
Take a picnic, a bottle of wine, and a riverboat trip at the Greenwich Observatory. VIEW MORE INFO
80. WATCH MEXICAN WRESTLING, CREATE CHARACTERS FOR YOURSELVES
Bethnal Green | ££
(And maybe wrestle a little later yourselves). VIEW MORE INFO
81. DO A LITTLE FLAMENCO DANCING AT BRADLEY’S SPANISH BAR
Oxford Street | ££
Split a jug of Sangria first, of course.
82. HAVE A DANCE-OFF AT TONTERIA
Sloane Square | ££££
No matter who loses, the crowd wins. VIEW MORE INFO
83. WATCH FRENCH FILMS TOGETHER AT THE INSTITUTE FRANCAISE
South Kensington | £££
Then go for a French meal after. VIEW MORE INFO
84. WANDER DOWN THE SOUTH BANK AT SUNSET
South Bank | £££
Whichever way you go, make sure you end up at The Rumpus Room. VIEW MORE INFO
85. HIT THE FRIDAY LATES AT THE V&A
South Kensington | £
Get Jazz, red wine, and culture. And a second date. VIEW MORE INFO
86. BUILD-A-BOUQUET AT THE COLUMBIA ROAD FLOWER MARKET
Bethnal Green | ££
And no, a single rose doesn’t count. VIEW MORE INFO
87. SHARE FONDUE AT ST MORITZ
Soho | £££
Cheesily spoon it into eachother’s mouths. VIEW MORE INFO
88. HAVE A CHEESE TASTING AT LA CAVE
South Kensington | £££
Then hit Piano Kensington nearby. VIEW MORE INFO
89. SPEND A LOOOONG TIME BROWSING TOGETHER AT COCO DE MER
Covent Garden | ££££
Best save it until after the first date, though. Bit creepy otherwise. VIEW MORE INFO
90. GO TO ELTHAM PLACE, PRETEND TO BE ROYALTY
Greenwich | £
Of course, bring a picnic to have on the stunningly well-manicured lawn. VIEW MORE INFO
91. GO ON A PERSONAL GHOST WALK
Various Locations | ££
And terrify eachother with scary stories. VIEW MORE INFO
92. GO TO THE OLDEST PUB IN THE CITY, ORDER THE OLDEST BOOZE THEY HAVE
Hampstead | ££
Wine? Whiskey? Forgotten can of Tennents? VIEW MORE INFO
93. GO TO KEAT’S HOUSE. RECITE POETRY TO EACHOTHER.
Hampstead | £
Challenge your date to tell if it’s Keat’s or yours. VIEW MORE INFO
94. WATCH CABARET ON A BATTERSEA BARGE
Vauxhall | ££
…after getting dinner at The Counter. VIEW MORE INFO
95. GO TO KATZENJAMMERS, LISTEN TO OOMPAH, DRINK BEER, HAVE FUN.
London Bridge | ££
It works for the Germans, and they’re very romantic people. VIEW MORE INFO
96. GO UPSTAIRS AT THE BRIDGE, LIE ON THE CHAISE LONGUES AND PSYCHOANALYZE EACHOTHER.
Shoreditch | ££
Just don’t mention your mother.
97. CANOE DOWN THE THAMES
Various Locations | £££
Consider changing your commute. VIEW MORE INFO
98. TRY THE MAZE AT CRYSTAL PALACE
Crystal Palace | £
They have a sphynx!
99. GO UP THE O2
Greenwich | ££££
It’s a long climb. Perfect for checking out, or improving, your date’s stamina. VIEW MORE INFO
100. PLAY THE MOST ROMANTIC ROUND OF CRAZY GOLF EVER AT SWINGERS
The City | £££
Remember: in golf, being sub-par is a good thing. VIEW MORE INFO
(Main Image: Sky Garden, 20 Fenchurch Street)
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