Updated October 2026
For a first date in London, try Gordon's Wine Bar, Bar Termini, or Sky Garden. Weekday evenings are calmer; on Friday and Saturday, book ahead where you can.
A good first date in London is short, central and easy to get to for both of you. A drink somewhere with atmosphere beats a long dinner you booked two weeks ago.
Here are ten real places for every budget, from free views and museum lates to a special-occasion dinner, plus a few unusual spots at the end.
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Wine barCharing Cross££All ages
One of London's oldest wine bars, with candlelit vaulted cellars and a large garden terrace by Embankment Gardens. Romantic, reasonably priced and walk-in only, so arrive early.
47 Villiers Street, London WC2N 6NE · Walk-in
Café barSoho££30s
A tiny 1950s Italian-style bar serving espresso by day and excellent negronis by night. Small and intimate, perfect for a short first date that can easily turn into dinner in Soho.
7 Old Compton Street, London W1D 5JE · Takes bookings
Viewpoint and gardenCity of London£All ages
A free public garden at the top of the Walkie Talkie tower with sweeping views over the Thames and the City. Book a free ticket online in advance; a drink at the bar makes it an easy, impressive and cheap date.
1 Sky Garden Walk, London EC3M 8AF · Takes bookings
Museum lateSouth Kensington£All ages
A free, drop-in evening at the V&A on the last Friday of most months, with talks, DJs, performances and bars among the galleries. Plenty to look at and talk about, so conversation flows easily.
V&A South Kensington, Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL · Walk-in
MuseumBankside£All ages
Free entry to the collection and late opening until 21:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. Pair it with a walk along the South Bank or across the Millennium Bridge to St Paul's.
Bankside, London SE1 9TG · Walk-in
ParkPrimrose Hill£All ages
A grassy hill north of Regent's Park with one of London's protected skyline views. Bring coffee or a picnic for a free, relaxed date; on summer weekend nights the hill closes at 10pm.
Primrose Hill, Prince Albert Road, London NW1 · Walk-in
CinemaNotting Hill££All ages
One of the UK's oldest cinemas, with leather armchairs, footstools and double sofas, plus drinks and snacks brought to your seat. A classic cosy date, followed by a stroll along Portobello Road.
191 Portobello Road, London W11 2ED · Takes bookings
RestaurantCovent Garden££All ages
A buzzy Bombay-style café with great food at fair prices. Tables for two are mostly walk-in after 6pm, so expect a short queue, which is a good time to chat with a drink.
12 Upper St Martin's Lane, London WC2H 9FB · Walk-in
Jazz clubSoho£££30s
London's legendary jazz club since 1959, with intimate table seating and nightly live music. A special-occasion date; book the downstairs show in advance.
47 Frith Street, London W1D 4HT · Takes bookings
RestaurantCity of London£££30s
A 40th-floor restaurant with panoramic views, open 24/7. Ideal for a memorable special-occasion dinner or a late-night date when everything else has closed.
110 Bishopsgate, Heron Tower, London EC2N 4AY · Takes bookings
Unusual places worth a special trip when you want a date nobody forgets.
Neon gallery and caféWalthamstow£All ages
A warehouse packed with vintage neon signs and film props, with a small café and bar inside. Free to enter, open Friday to Sunday, and one of the most photogenic date spots in London.
Unit 12, Ravenswood Industrial Estate, Shernhall Street, London E17 9HQ · Walk-in
Themed cocktail barSoho££20s
A 1940s-themed bar set in a mock wartime Underground station, with swing music, playful cocktails and staff in character. Great fun for a second date; booking is recommended.
13 Kingly Court, London W1B 5PW · Takes bookings
Restaurant (dining in the dark)Clerkenwell£££All ages
You eat a surprise menu in total darkness, guided by visually impaired hosts. Without looks or phones, you only have conversation, which makes it a memorable and surprisingly intimate date.
69-73 St John Street, London EC1M 4AN · Takes bookings
Popular places to meet people in London include Flight Club Shoreditch (social darts bar), Draughts Waterloo (board game café), and Mercato Metropolitano Elephant & Castle (food market). All of them are easy to visit alone or with friends.
Pick an indoor spot such as Gordon's Wine Bar or Bar Termini. Both work well for a first date in any weather.
In the YesTonite City Index, London is number 16 of 112 cities for dating, with a dating score of 7.7 out of 10.
Open YesTonite and see who in London is going out tonight. Say hi, agree on a time and meet at one of the places on this page.
Checked October 2026. Opening hours and prices change, so call or check the website before you go.
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