First Date Ideas to Make a Good Impression

If you are planning on taking someone special on a first date sometime soon, you will want to make sure you are giving them the right impression from the moment you meet up. There is certainly a fine art to choosing the perfect location and activities for your first date and much hinges on your ability to pick something that you can both enjoy. 

Everyone will have a different idea of what makes the perfect first date so if you want to impress it can help to have something of an idea of what your date likes and does not like. For example, if you know your date doesn't like noisy and crowded places then you may not want to take them to a pop concert, or if they are vegetarian you may not want to take them to a BBQ restaurant. 

The problem is, your first date is often the beginning of your association with a person and so you might not be too sure of their personal preferences yet. In this instance it is best to choose something that is more traditional and crowd pleasing rather than trying way too hard to impress and getting it wrong!

Coffee at your favourite book store

A classic choice for people who love books, you and your date will be able to enjoy a relaxing coffee, good conversation and a spot of book shopping if you plan your first date at your favourite book store. Most bookstores have small cafes inside them, so plan to order up a coffee and a slice of cake to enjoy while you talk about your favourite works. 

The genres and authors you enjoy say a lot about who you are as a person so a book-themed date is sure to allow you to get to know each other and will spark some easy going conversation. You will get bonus points if you can find an independent bookshop to explore together. 

Go for a light meal 

Rather than taking your date for a more formal meal in a restaurant, choose something less stuffy and more casual. You don’t even need to stick to conventional meal times and can feel free to meet up with your date for some breakfast, a spot of brunch with mimosas, or an afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, cakes, pastries, and lashings of hot tea. This is a more modern approach to taking your date out for a meal and will instantly put them at ease. 

If they prefer something a little more traditional but you don’t feel like doing something too formal then look for a tapas restaurant or a casual restaurant. If you want to try something a little more unexpected and more relaxed then take them on a date to your favourite street food vendor and then find somewhere scenic outdoors to sit together and enjoy your casual meal. 

Do something artsy

There are lots of options to those who love the arts and want to engage in something cultural on a first date. For example, you might like to visit an art gallery or museum, or go to the theatre or an opera or ballet. The great thing about choosing an artsy first date is that it can cost as much or as little as you like and many attractions will even have free entry. If you want a quieter, more intimate time when visiting a gallery, museum or other similar activity, try to attend on a weekday when the crowds will be smaller.

Take a walk

Whether its a wander around town, a hike in the countryside, or a walk in the park with your dogs, getting outdoors on foot is a fantastic, simple, and very enjoyable first date idea. You could even stop by your favourite coffee place for a break, or get some drinks to go and enjoy your date at your own pace. 

If you are both feeling a little more adventurous, you could choose a trail at a local beauty spot and make a longer day out of your hike. Just be aware that some people are not comfortable spending time in isolation with someone they may not know that well, so just be sure they’re up for it before you meet them.