Date nights needn't be stale when you're visiting London, thanks to the wide variety of fantastic venues and experiences on offer, each sure to keep you both entertained! A city of this size serves up lots of inspiration for date night, so whether you're meeting for the first time or want to impress a long-term partner, why not try something quirky?
In this blog, we'll take a look at some of the most impressive date ideas in the city...
Go cycling together
London might not have the same reputation for cyclists as some other European cities such as Amsterdam or Copenhagen, but there's still plenty of great opportunities to head out on an early evening bicycle ride while staying at boutique hotels in London.
It might be an unusual option, but its certainly far from dull – and you can make use of the local Santander Cycles to take an eco-friendly, economical approach, rent bikes from a London venue or even bring your own. We recommend trying areas such as Richmond Park, which provides acres of cycle-friendly land, or a trip through the Greenway cycle route.
Try some Crazy Golf
The city provides a surprisingly large number of Crazy Golf courses, and the imaginatively-titled Swingers is one of the very best. Here you can discover who is the best at this traditional sport, while navigating through wild and wacky golf courses.
This option is lots of fun, and there's also refreshments and food available on-site, providing the ideal all-in-one space for a unique night out.
Play a game of ping pong
This popular game can be played at London restaurant Bounce, which also provides room for table tennis, an active happy hour and sharing platters. For competitive couples, this date idea will be hard to beat, and the space is also suitably relaxed for a casual date night.
Thankfully for guests staying locally, the venue can be easily accessed from hotels in Shoreditch.
Visit a pop-up cinema
Outdoor and pop-up cinema are hugely popular in London, and while this is usually a tradition with particular appeal during the summer months, autumn and winter still provide plenty of opportunities to get involved.
Backyard Cinema operated all year round, with films shown in unusual settings throughout the city. Cinema is a tried and tested date idea – this simply helps add a new dimension!
See a play at the West End
London's West End is the hub of the British theatre scene, and includes a wide selection of world-class venues, as well as showcasing plays, musicals and more from some of the most talented creative teams working in the UK.
Here you can find everything from long-running productions to more recent hits, all while soaking up the rich history of the area itself. It is normally advisable to book in advance, but if you're feeling spontaneous you can simply take a stroll around and visit the in-house box office at your favourite space.
Visit a rooftop bar
Another quirky yet enjoyable date night idea is to head for one of the city's rooftop bars. This is a great way to see the city from a unique vantage point and enjoy a few drinks – thankfully for our guests, we offer a Finsbury Square hotel rooftop in the form of the Aviary Rooftop Restaurant and Terrace Bar, where you can see the sights in comfort.
This is also a great place to enjoy a meal, making it a wonderful go-to date idea for visitors to London.
Head for a museum or gallery after-hours
London's museum scene is famous around the world, and its art galleries have attained the same hallowed status. There is as much variety as there is quantity with the city's venues, allowing you to immerse yourself in culture during your next visit to The Montcalm London.
Throughout the year you'll find lots of opportunities to see these spaces in a new light, with extended opening hours and special 'late' entry for particular events. The Natural History Museum is particularly fond of this format, with exhibitions and other great ways to explore while the crowds have subsided. For art fans, the Tate Modern is a good go-to for events including workshops and live performances, which help to really bring the space to life and provide plenty for you to talk about!
Take a trip on the Thames
You can't miss the Thames while you're in London, so why not take a trip on it for your date night? From high-octane boating in the early evening to more relaxed barge trips (which frequently include a meal and drinks), there's so many different ways to enjoy this impressive city waterway, and you can see some of the city's top landmarks along the way.
See a film at Electric Cinema
If outdoor cinema doesn't appeal, then you can still see a film – this time adding some more comfort to the experience! Electric Cinema in Notting Hill is arguably the best spot for a luxurious new take on cinema-going, and you can book a space here complete with your own sofa and individual table lamp in lavish surroundings which hark back to the golden age of the silver screen.
Films shown here range from the classics to modern new releases.
Watch the sunset in a Royal Park
The city's Royal Parks are spaces of great beauty, and there's also often something exciting happening – ranging from live music to sport and foodie-friendly events. If you want to keep your date night simple, then head to Primrose Hill for a stunning view of the sunset.
To surprise your date, why not bring a picnic or impress them with your local knowledge? Another great space for views of the city is Hampstead Health, and you'll be in a great area for local exploring, leaving plenty of room to discuss the sights you've seen on the way.
