After a couple of dates in central London with my now boyfriend, we both turned to the internet for more creative date ideas and found that almost all of the lists that popped up were either things that, having lived in London for years, we'd either both already done, or which simply seemed excessively expensive, so we created our own list of fun and affordable dates for Londoners and those visiting the city.
You can tell your date that it was your own idea though... I won't tell.
1. Chapter 72, Bermondsey The best espresso martinis in London (I thought so at the time, and Google confirms that I'm not the only one who thinks so) with a great design. Although they do also offer great coffee in the daytime. 2. Get cocktails and tacos at Isla Ray The only dinnertime food served at Isla Ray (a cosy cafe/bar with a colourful, plant-filled interior and relaxed atmosphere) is tacos, but they're great for sharing and the cocktails are great too. 3. Visit the Barbican Conservatory Located on level 3 of The Barbican and free to visit, this beautiful hidden oasis is the second largest conservatory in London and home to more than 1,500 species of plants and trees. Book free tickets in advance. 4. Climb 311 steps up to the top of Monument About a fiver and offers amazing views at the top. 5. Try out crazy golf in the City/West End at Swingers I've never been to the West End location, but the City venue is tucked under the Gherkin and an over 18s venue only. They offer reasonably-priced (for London) drinks, a chilled atmosphere and it looks cool inside. The one in the City also has a Pizza Pilgrims in, and I loveee Pizza Pilgrims. 6. Download a London walks podcast (not as antisocial as it sounds) Download a map and follow your podcast guide... sounds a bit antisocial to have your headphones on and it's perhaps not a way to kickstart a date, but the Guardian's 'Ghostly Bermondsey' walk is good fun and doesn't last too long, so you could do it before or after a pint in Bermondsey. Probably better after one. 7. Visit a City farm, Mudchute A free-of-charge visit to Mudchute in the heart of east London would make an adorable date. Text received by a friend after a date there: "date went really well, followed 4 baby goat instagram accounts after we left, I'm obsessed." So the animals are pretty cute. 8. Board Game cafe - Draughts Hackney/ Waterloo A huge range of games, craft beer, halloumi fries and a chance to blow your date away with your board game skills; what more could you want? Makes a great double date location too. 9. Get an outstanding hot chocolate in winter or top-notch ice-cream at Dark Sugars (opposite Greenwich market/Brick Lane) The best ice-cream in summer and hot chocolate in winter I've ever had, and the queues outside suggest other people think the same. It's also right by Greenwich park, so you could head there after. 10. Try a cat café at Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium in Shoreditch This was first recommended to me by a friend. "Oh, it's lovely," she said enthusiastically, as she showed me some adorable photos of the cats inside, "just irritating that the guy was totally allergic to cats." I don't think that date ended too well. If you're not allergic to them, though, then it's a great idea. 11. Drury 188-189 The slogan of this cosy cafe is 'Meet. Eat. Chat', and they've built it without wifi to encourage just that. I've had a first date here and it's a really wholesome atmosphere for it (with good coffee). 12. Share a half&half pizza at homeslice You can get a quality, MASSIVE pizza at homeslice that is 1/2 one type of pizza and 1/2 another. Pretty wholesome for a date night, although potentially a bit cringeworthy on a first date? 13. Buster Mantis A Jamaican restaurant in East London with really good food and a pretty interior. It takes its name from the first prime minister of Jamaica, Sir Alexander Bustamante, 14. Deptford Market Yard This place is SO underrated. Get food in one place (would recommend pizza at Taproom) and drinks at another (try the cocktails at Little Nan's Bar.) 15. The Anchor Bankside A well-known, pretty pub by the river and next to Borough market. 16. Bar Elba, Waterloo A great rooftop bar offering views over the city. They also have a skating rink around Christmas time. 17. Skygarden Remember to book free tickets in advance for the best views of the city. 18. Top Secret Comedy This is my favourite comedy club in London, located by Covent Garden. Check out their website to see what's on - they often have celebrity guests performing there despite the low ticket price.
19. The Sherlock Holmes Pub You might want to check that they appreciate Sherlock Holmes first, but this pub by Trafalgar Square has a complete recreation of Holmes and Watson's study and sitting room, so if you watch the show, it's a good pick. 20. Visit the deer and flower garden in Greenwich Park I recently discovered absolutely adorable baby deer in a secluded part of Greenwich park near the flower park, which is also really pretty. 21. Mercato Metripolitano (ideally in Mayfair location) A lot of people have been to the Elephant & Castle location, but the Mayfair one is located in an old church and might have better vibes for a first date. 22. Visit the Wellcome Collection (near Euston Station) If you're looking for a lesser-known, free museum, Wellcome Collection always has something interesting going on. 23. Tate Modern (and the viewing platform) Pretend to understand the art for a while and then head to the viewing platform for top-notch views. The cafe would also be a good go-to in the daytime. 24. Watch sunset from Primrose Hill Walk through Regent's Park to Primrose Hill and watch sunset from the top. Can't go wrong. 25. Columbia Road Flower Market, Bethnal Green So there's really no excuse for your date not to get you flowers. This market is only open on Sundays, though. 26. Old Spitalfields Market, by Liverpool Street Station Visit Nosteagia/ Humble Crumble. 27. Expore Canary Wharf: Crossrail Place Roof Garden At the back of one of London’s lesser-known yet largest rooftop gardens, there's a Story Station where you can print off free very short stories on recyclable paper, like a vending machine, which is pretty sweet. Just below the garden, there's the colourful tunnel 'Captivated by Colour' by Camille Walala, which is worth seeing, and chat over a coffee at nearby Notes Coffee Roasters.
28. The Dickens Inn/ Bravas Tapas, St. Katherines Docks St Katherine Dock is like a pretty little oasis hidden away from the rest of the city. Bravas Tapas serves Modern Basque small plates and Spanish cocktails, and the Dickens Inn is a unique pub with a restaurant housed in a beautiful 18th century warehouse. They also have a beer garden you can visit in summer. 29. Take a stroll from Greenwich to Blackheath (then get coffee and cake in The Ivy Cafe) If you want to feel like you're escaping the city without actually doing it, walk over to village-like Blackheath for coffee & cake. 30. Explore around Kyoto Gardens in Holland Park A traditional Japanese garden with waterfalls, Japanese maple trees and a pond full of koi carp.
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