Best For A First Date in London

Did you happen to match for your love of footie? Celebrate the beautiful game at this quirky first date destination in Islington. Foosball Club will have you and your date hitting world-class foosball tables with a wide choice of craft beer and pizza to keep you refreshed between games. 

Stylish, relaxed and bursting with excellent bottles of wine, this unique bar brand is a top spot for making that first date a good one. With venues across South West and Central London, you're sure to find one that makes the perfect meeting spot, while their collection of around 100 wines are sure to impress even the most discerning drinker.

Fancy finding out whether your date is a top-notch chef in the making? Then be sure to check out The Big Bakes at various London locations for some non-stop fun. Not only will you have 90 minutes to whip up something tasty, but someone will also be crowned the winner. 

When it comes to first dates in London, you can't go wrong with that classic dinner spot. Not only is Cocotte promising interiors that'll really impress, but the menu is just as good. Think bottomless brunch on the weekend and casual eats during the week.

If you're on the hunt for some top-notch grub, Peruvian-Japanese fusion restaurant Ayllu is a firm choice. Set the scene for date night beneath the grounds of Paddington Central, with swoon-worthy dark green interiors and plush seating, alongside a crackin' menu to boot.

First date? No problem with Swingers on your side. Combining a bar, eatery and activity in one go, the City spot provides two 9-hole crazy golf courses, three street food vendors and five cocktail bars to get stuck into, alongside a chic club house for that all important post-match debrief.

You and your date should head over to Artillery Lane where, hidden behind a fridge in The Breakfast Club, you'll find a quirky speakeasy fronting some seriously bold cocktails. Packed full of vintage furniture and tasty bar snacks, it's the ultimate icebreaker for any first date.

Blink and you might miss it, but this secret little bar beneath Bishopsgate is well worth the hunt. The barebrick walls, low lighting and wooden finish give the bar an intimate feeling. Try one of their beautifully crafted cocktails and get a bite to eat from the kitchen - the toasties are a real treat.

The Parisian chic of this luxurious Soho bar is certainly fit for impressing on a first date. Discover the indulgent dessert bar, Basement Sate and together you can reach a sweet Nirvana, lined with silky cocktails and handmade patisserie specials that are quite literally a piece of melt-in-the-mouth deliciousness. 

In need of the perfect spot for a first date in London? Then make your way to M Restaurant on Threadneedle Street. This stunning venue not only offers houses private dining spaces, but also houses a destination cocktail bar and wine-tasting room, perfect for romantic evenings.

Searching for that first-class haunt for a first date? Look no further than Act Bar in Notting Hill. This stunning venue will not only set the tone with Insta-worthy interiors, but there is also a great selection of Indian small plates and bespoke concoctions to enjoy together. 

In need of an intimate date spot? Aspen & Meursault in Battersea offers up an extensive wine list, as well as small plates and nibbles to enjoy throughout the evening. With boozy cheese boards and botanical décor, this venue evokes nothing but romance.

Keep things cool but casual at The Hawk's Nest in Shepherd's Bush, where a gorgeous covered and heated space, cocktails and pizza await. Topping it off? A lineup of events like live music and seasonal specials, alongside a pool table for getting competitive.

Found is definitely a go-to for a first date in London. Hidden away down Ravey Street, an unobtrusive door leads into a room with barely enough room to swing a cat, however the cocktails are well worth a little cramp with one London's most renowned mixologists at the helm - and who knows, closer quarters might work out for the better.

A cool pub in Wapping with a gorgeous outdoor area, The Turks Head is a great shout for first date ideas in London. Not only is it a hidden gem that'll earn you brownie points with your beau, but it's also handily located near the Thames in case you fancy a romantic post-drink stroll.

Do something a little different for your first date and head south to Toulouse Lautrec Jazz Club. Offering a wide roster of entertainment, covering life drawing, live music and cabaret, this place also serves a swoon-worthy menu of classic French dishes. 

Fancy taking your lovely date to a gorgeous sky-high restaurant and terrace bar? We thought as much. Head on over to Aviary located on the 10th floor of the Montcalm Royal London House Hotel in Finsbury Square, for some mouthwatering grub or lip-smacking bevvies.

The Racketeer has a long history of mischief, and it's that kind of character that'll keep the sparks flying on a first date. Relaxed, welcoming and boasting its own secret garden, this charming Essex Road pub is the type of spot you stop in for a fwe pints and end up staying until closing time. 

Based upon the HQ of the secret society that ran Victorian London, The Escapologist is a beautifully designed basement bar pegged as 'part modern-day Victorian men's club and part Masonic Lodge'. Ideal for a relaxed first date, this vintage-themed bar serves a fun yet refined list of cocktails and cheese-drenched pizzas in the heart of Covent Garden.

One of the best places for a first date in London, 163 Upper Street is a sleek cocktail joint in Angel serving swoon-worthy tipples inspired by the 80s. Sip on mixes like the Le Freak with gin, mint, cucumber tonic and absinthe, perfectly paired with a menu of tasty bar snacks.

Imagine rocking up to a first date and whisking your love interest 180 metres into the sky for cocktails atop one of London's most famous skyscrapers. We can make this happen. Normally reserved for private members only, we've had a word with the guys at Searcy's and secured exclusive access to the top of the glass dome for DesignMyNight users.

A very slinky spot down on Kingsland Road, MAP Maison is the perfect choice if you've got a date with a cocktail lover. Home to some of the area's slickest concoctions, the expert bartenders are on hand to whip up almost anything your heart desires, including a selection of speciality Japanese cocktails made with spirits from their extensive bottle list.

Located down in the already picturesque Hackney Wick, just a stone's throw from the Olympic Park, Barge East is a bar and restaurant aboard a century-old Dutch boat. Offering tasty plates and an excellent selection of wine, cocktails and craft beers, it's a calm and quiet spot to get to know your date.

Perched just off the main Islington strip, Little Bat is a cosy and comfortable neighbourhood bar that's brought to us by the cocktail whizzes behind the award-winning Callooh Callay. With banging drinks, charming vibes, plenty of quirks by candlelight and friendly service, Little Bat is an absolute must try date night venue in Angel.

A sumptuous space of warmth, mystery and magic, Oriole leaves the stressful streets of London behind in favour of a glorious, disconnected outside world. Settle in for drinks with an exotic influence, made using ingredients and flavours from all corners of the globe. There's grazing plates if you're peckish, and live entertainment comes in the form of live jazz, swing and blues music throughout the week.

London is blessed with plenty of fantastic speakeasy-styled cocktail bars, and many would have Nightjar down as the very best in town. An elusive spot where discerning drinkers gather to enjoy spectacular prohibition-themed cocktails and a soothing programme of live jazz tunes, it goes without saying that a table for two here would knock the socks off that person you've always had a thing for.

When it comes to finding a truly impressive location for a first date, rooftop bars are always an excellent shout. Head over to the City where Jin Bo Law is offering panoramas across London, alongside some vibrant drinks to get stuck into, and plush interiors to really set the scene.

This secret restaurant and bar in the heart of Chinatown is the perfect place to impress that person you've always quite fancied. Tracking down Opium is by no means an easy task, but stumble upon this nondescript green door and make your way inside to find a winner of a bolthole known for its fire-cracker cocktails and delicious baskets of dim sum, with a lovely atmosphere to match.

Looking to impress that someone special? We know just the place. A Borough bar with oodles of personality, Amazing Grace simply screams date night vibes. Head along and get to know each other over delicious food, top-quality cocktails and live music.

Looking to impress that special someone? Then show off your knowledge of London's coolest bars by taking 'em over to The White Horse. This jolly joint is a pub-cum-wine bar, boasting one of the best drinks lists around. Plus, it offers an intimate, candlelit atmosphere if you wanna do a little romancing.

Have a hot date on the cards? Then make sure to impress them by showing off your knowledge of London's best bars. Diogenes the Dog is the atmospheric spot that's decked out with romantic lighting and indoor foliage, boasting a fabulous selection of wines, meat and cheeses.

Break the ice with an experience like no other at Pedley Street Station. Head along to The Murdér Express Part Deux - Jewel Of The Empire: Award Winning Immersive Theatrical Dining Experience, where you'll solve the mystery and enjoy a menu designed by renowned chef, Louisa Ellis.

Swift Soho is here to cure your first date nerves with its gorgeous interiors and fabulous cocktails. Located on Old Compton Street, this much-loved haunt offers an elegant upstairs space for a quick bevvy, alongside a chilled downstairs area for those who fancy a few bespoke concoctions. 

Renowned for its prowess on the London bar scene, Aviator at Hush is certainly one of the more esteemed first date bars in London. With a gorgeous 60s-inspired setting and a menu of globally-inspired cocktails, your date will feel like you've taken them far further than Mayfair.

Crazy golf has always been a date night classic, but Puttshack are doing things a little differently. One of the city's most high-tech golfing experiences, this Shepherd's Bush hotspot is keeping arguments to a minimum with interactive and detailed scoring - so let's just hope neither you or your date is a sore loser.

Impress your date with an evening full of cabaret, jazz and burlesque accompanied by an exquisite British dishes and delicious cocktail concoctions. The 1920's themed bar provides an entertainment experience like no other and an evening oozing with glamour. With various shows on offer, choose the one that suits you the most and enjoy the amazing atmosphere - it's sure to get you a second date.

Keep that first meet-up cool and casual with a few drinks at King's Cross's Drake and Morgan. With a pretty alfresco terrace for soaking up some spring and summer sunshine, it's the perfect place to split a bottle of wine or sink some tasty cocktails until late into the evening.

Slick, sexy and a little bit secretive, Callooh Callay is renowned for its date night credentials. With a menu of signature concoctions, the drinks alone should add a little extra spark to conversation, but if you're really looking to impress, show your date their even more secret members bar, JubJub.

London's first dedicated video games and e-sports bar and restaurant has all you need to ace that first date. Giving you food, drink and a quirky activity, this spot is sure to make a lasting impression and give you just the right amount of healthy competition. 

So you're into the finer things in life, and so what? Show your date what you're about with a trip to one of Steak & Lobster's beautiful London venues. Treat them to a taste of the high life with classic cocktails ready for the sipping, and a plate of juicy lobster and meaty steak.

Cool, casual and perfect for impressing that special someone, KIBOU is the Battersea restaurant with a passion for fresh sushi and steaming ramen. Their menu offers a range of bites for all budgets, but we'd recommend the bao if you're looking for something super tasty.

We know first dates need to be super romantic, so get those butterfly feels with SpiceJazz Soho at The Spice of Life boozer. Gaze at one another while enjoying some top-notch entertainment from some of the best jazz artists in the city. Feeling hungry? They have an awesome menu for that.

Is there anything more romantic than sharing some tapas-style plates? We thought not. Make your way to Berwick Street's Ember Yard for an extensive range of Spanish and Italian-inspired cuisine, cooked on a top-notch charcoal grill. Think smoked bream or pork belly. Yum.

This iconic little cocktail den in Covent Garden is awash with beautiful bespoke art and luxurious décor that'll make any first date happy. And when you've both indulged in a theatrical drink, and listened to the roster of live music or tunes from the best local DJs, the second date is all but guaranteed.

There's an unmistakable party spirit to the The Cocktail Club's venues, which comes out to play no matter what time of the week you're visiting; perfect for impressing a date that doesn't take themselves too seriously. Better yet, the drinks are spot on too.

A sister site to Chai Ki, Toddy Shop Bar takes its inspiration from the spirit of coastal drinking dens, serving a selection of quality drinks and enticing small plates. Open from dawn to dusk, the innovative Indian is a firm choice for a first date. 

Bounce's buzzing atmosphere and playful nature will quickly get rid of any first date nerves. Found just a little walk away from Old Street in the heart of Shoreditch, bond over a few games of ping-pong (remembering it's just a game throughout) then chat over delicious Italian cuisine and cocktails afterwards.

Looking for the best bars in London for a first date? Restaurant Ours is a sprawling Knightsbridge venue offering sumptuous sharing plates, handcrafted cocktails and more against a backdrop of pretty floral interiors - it's sure to make that special someone swoon. 

Humble Grape is a truly charming little hangout that's sure to make your sweetheart swoon. Head down into multi-level, industrial-inspired hangouts and snuggle up on a pew together. Spend your evening chatting, laughing and flirting as you sip on some premium vino in this charismatic cavern.

For those seeking a top-notch spot to cut the awkwardness with gorgeous decor and lip-smacking drinks, Supermax in King's Cross is a great choice. With interiors and cocktails inspired by Italian culture, this hotspot is perfect for first dates. 

We've all heard of cuffing season, now why not really labour the bit and take your date down to the Jailhouse Bar for a few cocktails and charming conversation. Housed in a former Magistrate's Court, the Old Street this chic watering hole houses some extraordinary artworks, alongside a selection of hand-crafted cocktails and tasty bar bites.