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 20th March 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.

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. 

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.

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

@ Pedley Street Station on Various dates from Friday 24th March 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.

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.

Searcys at the Gherkin

Afternoon Tea at The Gherkin and 1 other offer

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.

Proud Cabaret City

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

The Turks Head

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Big Shots Golf

Looking for a first date destination that's going to break the ice? Big Shots Golf has everything you need, from ranges fronting high-speed games that transform the sport to a choice of down-to-earth grub at the bar afterwards.