Alternative date ideas in London

Moving on from the age-old bar date, we present some alternative date night options from cruising Regents Canal to yoga overlooking London daytime raving we look at 5 of the best alternative to shake up your dating game.

London markets

With many markets on offer around London, a wonder around your favourite market on a Saturday or Sunday is a great way to organically get to know your date. Discover the things that might interest them based on what catches their eye at the market! You can turn your afternoon market date into dinner by picking up some fresh produce to make dinner with your date. Always interesting to learn how creative your date is in the kitchen.

 #FLOFavourite: Borough Market is a great location for produce, bread, cheese and wine and if cooking is not your thing, there are plenty of great places to eat there. Portobello Market is also a perfect prelude to a daytime session exploring Notting Hill! And what happens in Notting Hill stays in Notting Hill!

Best for?

Not really, a first date kind of thing, definitely more so for the second date or after.

Gallery Lates

 A Gallery Late, is one of the best date locations for a date. Most galleries open for a late-night session once a month where you can enjoy arts, drinks, cool workshops and live music. Get to known your dates taste in art, wine and music!

#FLOFavourite: You can dance the night away at the Sciences Museums silent discos for over 21s or indulge in some late-night live music and wine on the viewing terrace at Uniqlo Tate Lates , you’ll see Van Gogh in a whole new light! There are several bars available to make a pit stop and chat. The V&A Lates are also a must, the courtyard is a great place to get to know your date in between exhibitions.

Read more on London Art Galleries and Museums Late Openings

Best for?

A good option for a first date.

Price: Free (some exhibitions may have additional costs)

The Barbican Conservatory

The Barbican Conservatory is a mini Kew Gardens in the heart of London. A great escape from the hustle and bustle and also a good location to get to know a date and if the date is going well the Barbican has many other fascinating art and cultural events to prolong your date, including a cinema. Located a short distance from Shoreditch, there is no shortage of bars to visit if you the date is going well…

Best for ?

A good option for a first date. 

Price: Free

Location:

Silk St, Barbican, London EC2Y 8DS

Nearest station:

Moorgate Station

Go Boat

Enjoy your very own booze cruise along the canal. Bring your own food, booze and music and self drive your way along Regents Canal, with no licence needed! Choose from a 1 hour cruise along Little Venice to a 3 hour cruise from Paddington to Camden Lock.

Visit their website for more information on Go Boat.

Best for?

Double dates in summertime or winter if you are brave…

Price:  Prices start from £59 for 1-hour cruises through Little Venice.

Locations:

You can Go Boat from Paddington or Kingston

Opening hours:

7 days a week 9 am – Sunset

Sunrise Yoga

A yoga class followed by a tasty brunch is a great date option. This is not just for the fitness fanatics among us, a fitness date is a great way to relax around your new date. Get sweating then get eating after!

#FLOFavourite: Take in the panoramic views of London with sunrise yoga on the 36th floor of the Sky Garden, followed by breakfast. Classes run for an hour in the beautiful indoor gardens overlooking the city of London. The only hitch with this offer, yoga starts at 8 am on Saturday or 8.30 am on Sundays.

Best for?  

We would controversially say this would be a good first date location. At least if the date goes bad you have still had a good yoga session out of it! 

Price: Visit their website for more information.

Location:

Sky Gardens, 20 Fenchurch St, London, EC3M 8AF

Nearest station:

Monument Tube Station