If you are an adult human being, you’ll undoubtedly be familiar with the sheer and unrivalled discomfort first dates can bring.
Conjuring fun, preferably un-awkward as possible dates can be stressful (as if going on the thing isn’t already stressful enough to begin with), which is why we’ve done the hard bit for you and have come up with 8 unique date ideas that aren’t completely awful, whether it’s your first or thirty-first date.
If you and your date are foodies check out our ‘Top 9 Activities for the Foodie and Drinkie Couple’ blog.
1- Go to a Jazz Bar
Often situated at the end of a winding subterranean staircase taking those who enter it far below the hustle and bustle of the city above them, jazz bars exude an irreplaceably romantic atmosphere.
The dimly lit establishments often offer an array of house made cocktails sure to impress your date, and the live jazz music provides a handy buffer, guaranteeing approximately zero awkward lulls in conversation (and if there are any - a funky sax solo will make it bearable).
Jazz bars make for a unique date night idea out.
2- Mystery Picnic
If the prospect of having to stare intently into your date’s eyes at a cosy candlelit table - possibly sharing a bottle of red wine - is enough to send you into a nerve induced wreckage, a meticulously thought out Mystery Picnic adventure offers a welcome alternative.
But what is a Mystery Picnic, we hear you ask inquisitively? The all inclusive foodie adventure is brought to you by the kind folks over at AmazingCo and consists of you and your date banding together to solve a number of riddles and clues that lead you to different boutique food stores. Only when you find these boutique stores by solving the clues will you be able to pick up your delicious picnic pieces and ultimately be led to your scenic picnic. The experience is all go, offering a casual and fast paced date for those on their first, or fiftieth rendezvous.
Check out AmazingCo’s Mystery Picnics here.
Picnics make for a unique and laid back date activity.
3- Pretend You’re Tourists In Your Own City
If you’re already nervous about the date and don’t want to risk the location, play it easy by going to local hotspots around your city (or a favourite restaurant that you know will never disappoint).
There’s something special about pretending you’re a tourist in your own city; you and your date will be able to view your hometown with a fresh set of eyes, possibly even discovering some gems you’ve always been too busy to explore.
A great date idea is taking a stroll through the city, pretending you’re tourists!
4- Go on a Board Game and Coffee Date
While in actual fact just a coffee date, throwing in the words ‘board game’ or ‘card game’ exudes the illusion that you have put more thought into the matter and helps set a casual, laid back mood for the date. Either invite the lucky girl or guy home, brew your own cup of Joe and lay out the Monopoly, or if it’s your first time meeting grab some games and head to your favourite coffee shop instead.
5- Go on a Mystery Weekend Away
If you’re a bit further along in your relationship, it may be time for a trip away together. Road tripping with your partner, as much as it is fun, also makes for a super nifty bonding exercise, especially when it’s a fresh relationship.
Set the scene with a road trip playlist, enjoy long conversations, and stop along the way to stock up on some much needed snacks.
But where will you stay? AmazingCo offers a Mystery Weekend, perfect for couples with a sense of adventure. The element of mystery manifests in the fact that you two don’t actually know exactly where you’ll be staying… to uncover your little gem of an accommodation you’ll need to solve a number of clues and riddles to get there.
The experience is perfect for couples in the honeymoon phase of their relationship, as well as seasoned road trippers in search for a getaway with a twist.
Check out AmazingCo’s Mystery Weekends here.
6- Go on a Bike Date
If coming up with riveting conversation topics isn’t exactly your strong suit and the thought of conversing for hours on end with someone you barely know is sending you into an anxious tizzy, do not fear - bike dates are here!
No really, if you don’t already own one, rent a couple of bikes and scour your neighbourhood for the prettiest cycling locations (along the foreshore, through a park, around the river bend), stopping intermittently for snacks and a coffee.
You and your date will still get to bond when taking breaks, but won’t be forced to sit still for hours at end. Plus, the exercise you’ll be getting will increase your heart rate and endorphins, boosting your mood and making you a more pleasant individual (not that you weren’t already putting your best, charming foot forward).
Cycling makes for a unique date idea, especially through the park.
7- Have a Movie Night
If you’re feeling slightly aghast (and to be frank, quite offended) by the current price of movie theatre popcorn, skip the cinema and invite your date home to watch a movie instead.
Ensure you’ve got plenty of blankets, pillows and snacks to up the cosiness of your date night - and if you don’t have a popcorn maker, just mix some popcorn kernels with butter and salt, letting them simmer in a pan over high heat until they pop.
If you two prefer a proper meal, order some takeout for the ultimate night in - or better yet, cook up a storm together (nothing brings people together like a good old fashioned stir fry or pasta extravaganza).
8- Get Arts and Crafty at the Park
Unleash that inner artist of yours - or at least attempt to look like you know what you’re doing and cite ‘abstractness’ as your inspiration if all else fails - and impress your date with a seriously unique arts and crafts date.
If the weather permits, set up shop in a park - and don’t forget to bring along a picnic spread or bottle of wine if you think you two will get snacky. You’ll both get to do something creative while you get to know each other (think water painting, scrap booking or taking photos on a disposable camera), and will have something to keep occupied with rather than sitting across from each other for hours on end, manically attempting to pluck another interesting conversation starter from your already nervous brain.
So there you have it, 8 unique date ideas that aren’t completely awful - perfect for those nervously approaching their first date (there'll be no lulls in conversation or questionable sub topics here, thank you very much), and long term partners seeking new ways to revitalise their time together.
Now go forth, and sweep your partner off their pretty little feet!
