1. Theatrical Cocktail Experience | Alcotraz
Shoreditch, London
£££
Alcotraz is a Bookado favourite! From the moment you step in the venue, you’ll be surrounded by in character staff members. You’ve been omitted to Alcotraz prison annd whilst in your cell (being served cocktails), you’ll interact with prisoners, guards and the feared warden. You’ll play a part in the story that unravels whilst enjoying exciting and vibrant cocktails. This is a perfect date idea, it’ll keep you both entertained and if you so choose, suitably drunk. By the way, it’s BYOB of spirit!
Activity time of day:
Cost per person:
£36.99RRP, £31.44 for Bookado Members (An amazing 15% off as a Bookado Member)
Location:
Perfect for:
2. An Avatar-themed Cocktail Experience | Avora: A New World Cocktail Experience
Shoreditch, London
£££
Bookado Members also get 15% off at Alcotraz’s sister venues; Moonshine Saloon and Avora. The 15% offer is valid every day except Saturdays at both venues. At the Avora experience, you’ll start off in the lab where you’ll be given a purpose-built jumpsuit for your Avora mission. After trying your first cocktail, you’ll move through to the forest of Avora where you’ll be struck by the mystical woodland. Finally, as day turns to night, you’ll witness the lush magical world really come to life!
Activity time of day:
Evening
Cost per person:
£40pp RRP, £34 for Bookado Members (An amazing 15% off as a Bookado Member)
Location:
Shoreditch, London
Perfect for:
Double Dates or First Dates
3. Boom Battle Bar | Wandsworth
Wandsworth, London
£
This is great for first dates. Doing an exciting activity on a date allows you to get past any awkward moments of conversation that would otherwise arise. You can book games at Boom Battle Bar from £3.50, including; Axe Throwing, Pool, AR Darts & Shuffleboard. By showing your membership card, you’ll get one round of drinks for free, saving some vital ££ if you’re a dating regular.
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First Dates
4. Art classes | MasterPeace
Belgravia, London
£££
Connect with your partner on a spiritual level as you unleash your creative side and learn the art of painting. The masterpeace classes are set in a calm, welcoming atmosphere and offer a range of courses, from sketching to painting. Whether this is the start of a shared hobby or an unusual date idea, masterpeace classes will have you going through life more mindfully and inspired.
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Couples
5. Cooking Class | The Avenue Cookery School
Wandsworth, London
££££
The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, as the old saying goes – it certainly applies to women, too!
Whether you need an activity to ‘break the ice’ on the first date or you are just wanting to spice up your relationship, The Avenue Cookery School have you covered! With bottomless wine on the table, this is the perfect activity to show your partner your culinary potential – even if you’re a beginner you’ll be walking out like a pro! With over 75 different classes there is a class available for all tastes and abilities (from fancy dinner party menus to Indian street food and everything in between). Together with your partner, you will not only learn how to prepare, season and serve your food but you’ll learn extremely useful techniques that can spice up your everyday cooking. Of course, to finish things off you will enjoy the ‘fruit of your labour’ at the end of the class with the other participants!
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Cost per person:
£45 – £90pp (£10 off each ticket as a Bookado Member)
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6. Escape Room | AIM Escape
Aldgate, London
££
Want to test how well your date works under pressure? An exciting date alternative to the good old pub is Escape Rooms. Locked in a room filled with danger, mystery and puzzles, you have one hour to make it out alive. Only a dream team can beat the clock and this hair-raising trend is the perfect way to find out if you harmonise. Most Escape Rooms are for 6 players or more, so why not double date with your two favourite couples?
AIM Escape Rooms are conveniently located in Aldgate East. The high-tech rooms have names such as Patient Zero, Spy Heroes, Psychopaths Den and Hangover Déja Brew. Due to it’s raunchy nature, Hangover Déja Brew comes out as our top pick for escape rooms.
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Cost per person:
£25- £40 (From £21 for Bookado Members)
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Perfect for:
Stay-At-Home Alternative:
7. Shuffleboard | Electric Shuffle
Canary Wharf & London Bridge, London
£
Shuffleboard is a fantastic game for a first date. An easy game to for beginners, yet exciting enough to encourage competition. Our favourite Shuffleboard venue in London is Electric Shuffle, the game will be explained to you by the electric screens, so there is no need for yuo to do your own points scoring. Electric Shuffle have created a range of different games for you to play to keep it interesting too. This venue also serves food and drink right to your table, if you’re a Bookado member, the first drink is on the house too!
Activity time of day:
Day and Evening time (off-peak for two people)
Cost per person:
£11 per person – minimum of 6 people during peak times (A free drink on arrival for Bookado Members)
Location:
Canary Wharf & London Bridge, London
Perfect for:
First Dates
8. Virtual Reality Experience | Zero Latency VR
Wembley, London
££
Want to get the adrenaline pumping on a date? This Virtual Reality experience is absolutely ground breaking! Not only will you be fighting off hoards of Zombies or Robots, but you’ll also be navigating your way around this virtual world. This experience really fully immerses you, you’ll really hesistate when it comes to walking over a large gap on only a thin plank. Situated in Box Park, it’s the perfect place to unwind after you’ve sent your heart rate through the roof!
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9. Social Bingo | Dabbers Bingo
Aldgate & Hackney, London.
££
Bingo has been recreated by some talent companies within the event industry and is now popular among the younger generations. With amazing prices, entertaining hosts and lots of audience participation, young Bingo venues are popping up all over London. Bingo a great date activity once you’ve perhaps got to know the person a little more and are looking for something fun to do!
Activity time of day:
Evening and Weekend Daytime
Cost per person:
RRP £10 – £15pp (Get 20% off as a Bookado Member)
Location:
Aldgate & Hackney, London.
Perfect for:
Second date onwards (unless you’re really confident your date loves Bingo!)
10. Indoor climbing | Vauxwall
Vauxhall and Harrow, London
££
Looking for an after-work activity that’s not the pub down your street? Combining fun and exercise, indoor climbing is the perfect sport to unwind after work and power yourself out. Take your date to your nearest climbing station and share exhilarating moments as you reach new highs and step out of your comfort zone. Idea: the person who gets to the top last has to pay for the first round.
Activity time of day:
Cost per person:
£8.50- £12.50
Location:
Perfect for:
11. Bowling | All Star Lanes
Holborn, Bricklane, Stratford and White City, London
£
The shoes might be out of style & old fashioned, but bowling is an evergreen activity choice for a reason: the brightly-lit bowling lanes, the cheering crowd and the good vibes make this the perfect place to have some fun together. It doesn’t matter if your technique is right or who makes more strikes, this one is all about having a laugh and a great time.
Activity time of day:
Cost per person:
£10 for two games (Only £5pp per game as a Bookado Member)
Location:
Perfect for:
12. Cricket Batting Nets | Sixes Cricket
Fulham, Fitzrovia and Westfield, London
££
If you don’t like Cricket, don’t run away, this is different. Sixes have turned what some would view as a dull sport into an extremely entertaining and competitive activity. Rent your own batting net and compete against your partner to try and hit the ball against the different points targets, beginners mode available! Enjoy this date activity with some food and drinks from the bar!
Activity time of day:
Daytime & Evening
Cost per person:
£9.50 – 13.50 (Save 20% as a Bookado Member)
Location:
Fulham, Fitzrovia and Westfield, London
Perfect for:
Double Dates
13. Sherlock Holmes Mystery Escape Room | Sherlock: The Game is Now
Shepherds Bush, London
££
Fancy taking on a challenge during your date? Then we recommend heading to try out Sherlock: The Game is Now! You and your partner will travel through iconic sets from the show, working together to solve puzzles and crack clues. Bookado Members get 20% off Sherlock bookings too!
Activity time of day:
Cost per person:
£35 – £45 (Save 20% as a Bookado Member)
Location:
Shepherds Bush, London
Perfect for:
Couples who know each other well or double dates.
14. Indoor Mini Golf | PUTTSHACK
White City, Bank and Lakeside
£
Not only do PuttShack courses create a unique vibe, but unlike any other crazy golf course, they offer a different interactive game at EVERY hole. That means you can be working on your Beer Pong skills at one hole and then testing out your pop culture knowledge at our True or False hole. You can’t find this anywhere else.
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15. Social Darts | Flight Club
Islington, Shoreditch, Victoria and Bloomsbury – London
£
Another great activity that has risen in popularity over the last few years is Darts. Flight Club is a venue that has made darts enjoyable with it’s electronic games master and scoring system. If you book your date at flight club you’ll get a whole oche (dart board) for yourself. From there, you’ll be able to order food and drink to your table so that you can focus on competition and good conversation!
Activity time of day:
Daytime & Evening
Cost per person:
£8.00pp (Free welcome drink for Bookado Members)
Location:
Islington, Shoreditch, Victoria and Bloomsbury – London
Perfect for:
Double dates and First Dates
16. Mini Golf in the park | Putt in the Park
Battersea, Wandsworth & Acton Park, London
£
A classic date for those looking for a laid back daytime activity. Set in some of London’s greenest parks, Putt in the Park also allows you to catch some fresh air. Working your way through the charming golf course and its challenging holes, you can show off your skills and get to know your date in a casual atmosphere. Wait for the next sunny weekend and book a slot.
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17. Sunrise Canoe Trip | Back of Beyond Adventures
Richmond, London
££££
Is your date into water sports? Perhaps this could be a tad cold and would be one to check the weather apps for but there is nothing more romantic than a sunrise canoe trip! To be fair, the departure time of 5:30 doesn’t sound very appealing but watching the sunrise over the river and its tiny islands is an amazing experience. The 2.5 hour paddle tour boasts scenic views and guarantees you to kick off the day right. Not an early bird? This canoe trip can also be done later in the day.
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18. Speed Boat on the Thames | Thames Rockets
Waterloo, London
££
One of you is new to the city or just feels like being a tourist for once? Hop on a speed boat on the Thames and buckle up for an exhilarating speed boating tour along London’s most iconic sights. Pressed back in your seat with water splashing around you, there’s hardly a more adrenaline-boosting way to do your sight-seeing. This is the perfect date idea for active thrill-seekers.
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19. Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) or Kayaking | Back of Beyond Adventures
Richmond, London
£
This is for the laid-back seeking an active, chill date, preferably after work. Look out for the very last of the summer sun and take that special someone for a SUP session in Richmond. Watch the sunset as you paddle next to each on the calm waters and enjoy the scenic views. You will float across a few charming pubs giving you inspiration for that post-exercise drink. And who knows? Maybe you just found your new hobby for next summer?
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20. Go Karting | Brentwood Karting
Brentwood or Grays, Essex
££
Feel a need for speed? An afternoon at the go-karting track might be just what you’re looking for. It’s a fun, fast-paced idea your date will probably not expect. Long eye contact or your speedy kart – what will get your heart racing more? This is the ultimate activity for thrill-seekers and those looking to get an adrenaline rush!
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21. Seasonal 360 views of London | Skylight, Tobacco Dock
Peckham and Wapping
£
Soak up the seasons with your date at Skylight Tobacco Dock. Skylight spans four levels. In summer this beautiful destination bar transforms into an urban lawn club, complete with croquet lawns and in the Autumn get ready for Pumpkin spice & everything nice with a Pinterest worthy Pumpkin Patch. In winter Skylight Tobacco Dock transforms into a Winter Wonderland, complete with Europe’s only rooftop ice rink!
Activity time of day:
Daytime or Evening
Cost per person:
Price depends on activity, from £10. (In Winter Bookado Members receive 20% off Igloo bookings in Skylight Tobacco Dock)
Location:
Peckham and Wapping
Perfect for:
First Dates and Long Term Couples
22. Food market | Free Tours By Foot
£
Dating a fellow foodie? Chances are he or she might appreciate a spontaneous stroll through the market much more than a candlelight dinner in a fancy restaurant. London is the hot spot for pop-up food festivals selling new, exotic dishes but also has a ton of established markets, like Borough Market. Eat your way through the stalls as you share your finds and rate them.
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23. Pub crawl | Free Tours By Foot
£
What’s better than a pub? Five pubs! When they open once more, you should make the most out of some of the brilliant outdoor areas that have been created by pubs in London. Turn this popular evening activity into a fun walking tour with your date. You can do bar-hopping in your area to pop in your favourite places or explore a completely new area in London. Great areas are Shoreditch, Soho, and Camden. There are also pre-made tours across London available, such as the Circle Line pub crawl taking you to 27 bars at each stop of the circle line.
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24. Helicopter Ride | Adventure 001 & Ebg Helicopters
Essex, Surrey and London
£££££
If you’re looking for a date for a special occasion like a wedding anniversary or an unforgettable thing to do on a trip to London, a helicopter ride is for you. Admire London’s incredible buildings and monuments from above and watch the River Thames wind its way through the city. From sleek Canary Wharf to the green, lush acres of Hyde Park, a helicopter tour over London allows you to discover the beauty of the city and collect precious memories.
Activity time of day:
Cost per person:
£99 – £134 (Bookado Members SAVE 10% on all bookings)
Location:
Perfect for:
25. Cycle Tour | On Your Bike
££
Whether you cycle to work every morning or barely remember the last time you took your dusty bike out from the basement, cycling is a great way to break a sweat and get to places quickly. Take your date for a day out in London, cycling along Regent’s Canal, to Richmond Park or wherever your heart desires. You decide the pace and can make as many stops as you want. Bring your own bike or hire one for little money. Alternatively you can use the London Satander Bikes!
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26. A Hot Tub or BBQ Boat on the Thames | Skuna
Canary Wharf, London
££££
Being on a boat is of course something that’s nicer to do in the summer, especially around sunset where it can be incredibly romantic! However, if you’re feeling a little nordic, you could also take these Hot Tub or BBQ boats out in the winter too! With specials offers available for couples, this could be a fantastic surprise date activity.
Activity time of day:
Daytime or Evening
Cost per person:
£125 – £225 per boat – Save 10% – 30% with code GROUP10 or COUPLE30.
Location:
Canary Wharf, London
Perfect for:
London Date Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where should I go on a first date in London?
On a first date, you want to find out how the other one ticks and if there is a spark. Since you’re never met this person before, you might worry there will be awkward silences and no real connection. That’s why an active date is the best choice to keep it casual and the conversation flowing. Day time activities like mini-golf, cycling, speed boating and kayaking allow you to get to know each other in a playful way. If you’re looking for things to do in London after dark, why not dance it out in the roller disco or dive into otherworldly spheres in a VR centre. Luckily, all these activities are compatible with drinks or some yummy food.
What are good date night ideas?
Looking for fun date night ideas in the capital? As the sun sets, what is there to do in London after dark? There is nothing wrong with playing it safe with a lovely dinner in your favourite restaurant or some cocktails in a bar. London has more pubs than you will ever be able to visit and don’t forget about the array of pop-ups selling trendy food and exotic drinks. Many bars now come with a fun twist where you play games such as mini-golf, beer pong or darts whilst enjoying a drink or two.
Those looking for something active can explore the city lights by night with a cycle or walking tour or challenge their date with a round of laser tag or a game in a VR playground in London. Fighting evil villains with a gun and your partner in crime by your side will get your blood pumping for sure.
Where can you double date?
Your mates decided to join you on your date? No need to panic, if you pick the right activity it won’t be awkward but tons of fun! Try to keep everyone engaged and give them the chance to mingle and get to know everyone in the group. Battles like paintball, VR games and tag archery are perfect to feel some competitive spirit whilst getting an adrenaline rush and working together as a team. There are both indoor and outdoor venues in and around London in case you experience poor weather conditions.
Another fun group date activity is Escape Rooms. This thrilling race against time requires you to work together as a unit. You’ll find yourselves locked up in a room full of dangerous creatures and mysteries. Only if you can solve all the puzzles before the time is up, you can make it out alive. Choose from a large range of scenarios, play a secret agent, run from a mad psychopath or star in your own version of “Hangover” as you recollect what happened last night. Check out our London Escape Rooms here.
What are cheap date ideas in London?
Dating is fun but, when done frequently, can get quite expensive. Luckily, there are plenty of things to do on a date in London for little or no money. Have a romantic walk through the park or visit one of the free museums or art galleries are great activities to bond and chat with. Finding the best happy hour in town can also be fun and save you lots of pounds whilst exploring new bars and pubs. Hopeless romantics can take their date to a viewing platform or hill to watch the sunset. If you want more cheap date ideas, check out our blog for date activities starting at less than £10.
What can couples do in London?
Whether you’ve lived in the city for a long time or are just here to visit, there are many things to do in London as a couple. From trying exotic dishes in a restaurant and visiting London’s charming vintage or food markets to picking up a new hobby like crafting, sports or cooking. We have plenty of activities in London and beyond available, from kite surfing and footgolf to horse riding and climbing designed to bring couples closer together.
What are the most romantic spots in London?
Knowing your city and its most beautiful spots will definitely get you some brownie points from your date. London is known for its skyline and scenic views, so any high building will double as a viewing platform and setting for a romantic date. Visit one of London’s iconic buildings like the Shard or Sky Garden or climb up Primrose Hill. Secret tip: only a few people know about Westminster Cathedral near Victoria station that boasts a 360 view over London.
