Best For A First Date in London

Discover the best places for a first date in London with our hand-picked guide. As if first dates weren't stressful enough! The last thing you want to do is end up spoiling that big day by going to the wrong places at the wrong times. Whether you're looking for a snug speakeasy or something a bit different to get the conversation flowing, we've got it covered. 

Last updated on 23rd August 2023




Vagabond - Various Sites

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.

The Escapologist

Happy Hour and 4 other offers

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.

Found

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.

Steak & Lobster - Various Sites

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.

Toulouse Lautrec Jazz Club

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. 

The Big Bakes

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. 

Miro

Boasting intimate, slinky interiors, with low lighting and a buzzing atmosphere, Miro is an ideal spot for a first date. Dive into the fine dining menu that takes inspiration from the four corners of the world, plus make sure to check out the unique cocktail list for something to pair.

Map Maison

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.

Humble Grape - Wine Bars in London

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.

Opium

20% off drinks with Theatre tickets.

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.

The Murdér Express Part Deux -Jewel Of The Empire: Award Winning Immersive Theatrical Dining Experience

@ Pedley Street Station on Various dates from Sunday 24th September 2023

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.

Nightjar Shoreditch

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.

The Cocktail Club - Various Sites

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.

Amelie's Wine House

Looking to impress your Tinder date? Amelie's Wine House is coming in hot with its rustic decor and intimate setting. Situated in Fitzrovia, the quaint venue slings out cheese boards, grazing platters and light nibbles, alongside a wide variety of vino.