Punxsutawney Phil may have said that winter was ending early on Groundhog Day, but cuffing season is still going strong for at least another month. Whether you’re playing the long game or trying to lock something down for Valentine’s Day, you want to be ready and prepared at any moment for a date.
As stressful as the prospect of securing a date can be (assuming, of course, that you aren’t an asshole on Tinder), carrying out the planning a first date can be just as terrifying. From figuring out how to act to nailing what to wear, every bit of the process can feel like it needs to be calculated to perfection.
Establishing what you’re going to do on the date is, without question, the most essential part. With so many options available, it's easy to get stuck, lost and frustrated with coming up with a solid plan.To take the stress out of figuring things out, we’ve put together an easy-to-reference list of first date options, from staycations to living out A Star is Born fantasies. This our list of 14 solid first date ideas.
Movies
A trip to the movies is always a safe bet for a first date. The key, however, is switching it up in a way that doesn’t just see you two sitting in captivated silence for an hour and a half, occasionally making awkward eye contact and smiling. Grab dinner first, take a long walk to the theater, go to a drive-in—just do something different.
Mini Road Trip
In the same vein as a staycation, taking a small trip to somewhere close to your city can be an engaging way to connect with somebody new. You’ll want to limit the commute—who wants to be trapped in a vehicle for that long with somebody?—but time spent traveling offers the perfect chance for you and your date talk about everything and anything, especially when you break down your adventure on the way back home.
Food Truck Park/Farmer’s market
What’s sexier than grocery shopping? If your city hosts a local food truck and market hybrid, it can act as the perfect environment for a first date. The variety of food options allows for an opportunity to figure out the other’s likes and dislikes and, to be honest, will probably save you a few more bucks on food expenses than if you’d had a sit-down meal.
Bar hopping
Bars are loud, occasionally smelly and often imposing. Why not get what you’re there for (namely, help getting drunk) and then move your night along? Hopping from bar to bar, whether you’re in New York or New Orleans, is a fun way to see your city with your date.
Arcade
Low stakes competition, food, and drinks; a winning combination.
You and your date can work together, go head to head, and overall find a plethora of ways to impress the other. Got a secret skee ball technique to show off? Now’s your chance to put that bad boy in action.
Karaoke
There are a few ways that karaoke can play out on a first date. You and your date can hop up on stage, sing a world-shattering rendition of “Breaking Free” from High School Musical and leave the world a different place, or you can just sit back and passively enjoy the entertainment unfolding in front of you. Either way, you’re going to have something to bond over.
Museum
Self-proclaimed sapiosexuals, this one is for you. A stroll around a museum, whether historical or artistic, could be the perfect stimulant not just for your brain, but for the conversation between you and your date. The choice of date venue already has a chance of setting you apart, and following it up with discussion offers an opportunity to establish yourself as thoughtful, and a good listener.
Park Hang
Weather permitting, spending some time outside with your date is the perfect way to relax and get to know each other in a casual setting. Bring picnic supplies for an afternoon rendezvous, or (if it’s legal in your city) bring a bottle of something bubbly and an oversized blanket to watch the sunset. If you both love animals or even have a pooch of your own, consider heading to a dog park for some active fun.
Trivia Night
Being a smarty pants has never felt so good. Trivia nights are a popular enough bar trend these days to find one every day of the week, so brush up on your Game of Thrones or Kanye West knowledge and get ready to show off. If you fail miserably, at least you shared a pitcher of beer with your crush. If you win that crisp $25 gift certificate to the bar you’re at, next round’s on you, and you can hopefully keep the good vibes going.
Be a Tourist In Your Town
Forget that you know your city like the back of your hand and spend a day doing as the tourists do. Find whatever obscure monument or activity your town is known for, or hop on a guided tour you might find recommended on TripAdvisor. Not only will you learn more about the place you live, but you can spend some time getting to know your date in a laid back setting meant for vacationers. Educational, but make it sexy.
Live Music
We’re not saying you have to go head banging on your first date with a new suitor (unless you’re into that, of course), but checking out an open mic night at your local coffee spot or finding a jazz night to share a drink at is a tension-free destination for first-time daters. With live music in front of you, all bets are off on having to make incessant small talk. You could even flex and buy tickets to a real show—just make sure your date is into concerts and your tastes align before you blow your paycheck on Travis Scott tickets.
Thrift Shopping
Going on a bargain shopping adventure for a first date is the perfect two-for-one deal; you can learn more about your shopping buddy, and buy yourself some fun new trinkets to take home. Whether you land a new sweater from a consignment store or pick out a few vinyls from the dollar record bins, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to talk with your date and see what kind of stuff they’re into. Shopping at second-hand stores won’t break the bank or force you to deal with big crowds of people, giving you the perfect setting for poking around with your new friend.
Comedy Show
Seeing a stand-up comedy performance on your big night out is a surefire way to get your date laughing with you. Comedians can often be hit or miss, but either way should swing in your favor: if they kill it, you’ve got a solid foundation for a fun night on the town; if they bomb, there’s real potential for you to show off your own funny bone. More adventurous comedy fans can grab a few drinks before a local improv showcase, or an open min night. These ones tend to be a dice roll, but even a couple of laughs shared on your first date can be worthwhile.
