20 first date ideas for every budget and personality
· 2 min read
The best first date is short, relaxed and gives you something to talk about. Here are twenty ideas grouped by mood, plus a simple way to choose.
What makes a good first date
Keep it simple: a place where you can talk, an easy way to leave after an hour if it is not working, and an easy way to stay longer if it is.
An activity helps when you are nervous, because there is always something to look at and comment on. A drink or a coffee is perfect when you both love to chat.
Free and cheap ideas
- A sunset walk with an ice cream or a hot chocolate
- A picnic in the park with a few things you both like
- A free museum day or a small art gallery
- A flea market or vintage market on Sunday morning
- A viewpoint over the city, with a thermos of tea
- A bookshop visit: each picks a book for the other
- A free outdoor concert or a local festival
Ideas for shy people
- A coffee in a quiet café, short and sweet
- Mini golf, bowling or table tennis
- A cooking class or a pottery workshop
- An aquarium or a botanical garden
- A board game café, where the game does the talking
Something a little special
- An aperitivo on a rooftop
- An open air cinema or a comedy night
- Karaoke, if you both like to laugh at yourselves
- A street food tour, sharing small plates
- A bike ride to a place neither of you knows
- Stargazing outside the city
- A dessert crawl: three desserts in three places
- A concert of a band you both like
How to choose: let them pick
Not sure what they would like? Offer a few options and let them choose. It takes the pressure off you and shows you care about what they enjoy.
An interactive DateYay invitation does exactly this: you choose the moods, food and activities, they pick their favourites and the day, and you get the plan back on a receipt.
Questions
How long should a first date last?
Plan for about one or two hours. It is long enough to get to know each other and short enough to stay light.
Who pays on a first date?
Whoever invited usually offers, but splitting is common and fine. Talk about it lightly if you are unsure.
What is a good first date if we are both nervous?
Choose an activity like mini golf, a market or a board game café, so there is always something to do and talk about.