Not All First Dates Are Equal
Forget messaging on Tinder. Cancel having a hurried chat at the water-cooler. And no, you're not hanging out with a group of friends to act as a buffer this time. A first date is set apart from all rest; it will be entirely different to any of your interactions with each other thus far. The whole point of this scheduled activity is to see if sparks fly and whether you two have a future together as a couple. That's the essence of every first date and no matter if you're going on one in 1919 or 2019 - this part doesn't change.
What does change, however, is the circumstances in which you arrive at first date. No, not by car or by bus silly, we mean how you arrived in the situation! For teens embarking on a first date, you may know each other from school or from hobbies you pursue outside school - and this could be your first ever first date! If you're older, you may be co-workers (you spend most of your time at work, stranger things have happened) or you may have been set up by mutual friends with match-making ambitions.
If you're a young teenager, wanting to keep the date causal, or even if you just prefer to be in bed nice and early, a day time date is probably the way to go. Good first date ideas don't all have to occur exclusively when the sun goes down, nor do they have to involve alcohol. Additionally, some of the most unique dates are the ones that take place during the day. If you're both busy beavers, a night time date may be your only option, so you'll need to find some fun local activities that take place after 5PM.
Here are 10 fun first date ideas that are as flexible as they are cool!
1. Take in some live music
Don't like awkward silences? No problem! Just go to a venue that's all about the sounds! A live music date doesn't mean you have to hand over hundreds of dollars for tickets. Meet up for a few cocktails at a live jazz venue or head down to an open air concert in the park.
Cost: Depends on the artist and venue.
Suitable for: people who like the same genres of music.
2. Do a coastal walk together
Want to show your date breathtaking views without breaking the bank, and just don't know where to go? The beach, that's where! You don't have to the stamina of an Olympic athlete just to enjoy a nice stroll out in nature, and it's a date idea that suits all ages.
Cost: free!
Suitable for: people who love long romantic walks on the beach (that's everyone right?)
3. Head to a sporting match
No need to worry about what you're going to wear, just throw your team colours and get yourself down to the stadium. Go and support your local club or go to a big match with a high-energy atmosphere. It's great if you both support the same team, but it's just as fun if you're sworn rivals. Opposites attract, as the saying goes.
Cost: Depends on the venue and if you will have to travel far to get there.
Suitable for: dedicated sports fans
4. Meet for brunch
It's 2019 - brunch is where it's at!
If dinner date ideas sound way too formal, meet for a brunch date instead. Brunch is a relaxed, casual affair and it's the perfect chance to showcase the amazing cafe culture in your suburb.
Cost: It will depend on the cafe and where you live.
Suitable for: When you want to keep things chill.
5. Try an Escape Room
Before you decided if you want to be locked in a relationship, why not get locked in a room together first? Escape rooms are live-action games that usually cater to groups, but many of them have two-player rooms on offer as well. You usually have an hour to work out a series of puzzles and escape the room (although you're never really locked in, but shhh, that ruins the fun!)
Cost: It will depend on the company. Rooms with a lot of electronics and sets can cost around $60 per person.
Suitable for: People that love a puzzle.
6. Go to a stand-up comedy event
Who doesn't love laughing so hard that they feel a 6-pack coming on? That's why stand-up comedy is an ideal first date. Don't sit in the front row though, unless you plan to be inspire some new material - people on first dates are easy pickings for seasoned comics! If you're lucky, you might get to watch a professional comic strut their stuff, because sometimes they return to small stand-up venues to test out their new material.
Cost: Prices range from free to around $30, but it can cost more if some big name acts are due to appear. Remember to bring extra cash if you plan to eat and enjoy a few drinks.
Suitable for: people who love to laugh and don't give a damn who knows it!
7. Go to a Paint 'n' Sip
You'd don't have to sip, but the option is there! Paint and Sip classes are all the rage, popping up everywhere from major cities to small towns over the past two years. Here's how it works: you join in a painting class lead by a professional and enjoy a nice glass of wine while you do so (just don't drink your paint water by accident!) No artistic flair is required, so it doesn't matter if you haven't done Art since Year 8. You can both just attempt to paint a giraffe and laugh and the results instead!
Cost: Prices typically range between $50 - $60 per person, and most classes are BYO
Suitable for: fans of wine or any type of beverage who dislike awkward silences.
8. Visit an art gallery
We can't all produce great works of art, but we can at least appreciate them. Art galleries are great places to go for dates, especially if there is a new exhibit to see or a workshop to take part in. Whether you go somewhere local to see homegrown talent, or to a museum in the heart of the city that has internationally renowned works, you'll won't run out of things to talk about.
Cost: Many local and even state galleries are free to go into, but some exhibitions will charge a fee, especially if the artist is famous.
Suitable for: culture vultures.
9. Check out a local food festival
Check out what's happening in your local area this weekend and see if any food festivals are scheduled to take place. Food festivals happen during the day as well as during the night, so there will be a time slot to suit everyone. The only thing you'll end up arguing over is what you should both try next!
Cost: $30 should be enough to sufficiently cover one person, although its typically free just to stroll through the general area.
Suitable for: food-fanatics.
10. Go to a cat or dog cafe
If you think your date is cute, wait until you get to the cafe! Cat Cafes and Dog Cafes are in most major cities, and are so popular that you'd be unwise to show up without a booking. As long as you or your date aren't allergic, this is bound to be a memorable date for all the right reasons.
Cost: Around $30 for an hour session, but check the prices in your area.
Suitable for: animal lovers and people after a winning selfie.
Theses are 10 things to do on a first date, but in the end it doesn't matter what you end up arranging. As long as you both have a good time, you can count the date as a successful one!