You can never go too wrong with a classic wining and dining, or even Netflix and chilling – but why not try something a little different? Impress your date this Valentine’s with one of our creative date night ideas.
For a successful date (with hopefully a second one lined up), firstly take the time to find out what the apple of your eye enjoys. Just as equally important is choosing a something you’ll enjoy too. The more relaxed you are, the more smooth the date night should go.
So whether this is a first date or your 100th, take your pick from our 14 creative date night ideas… and thank us later.
1. Alternative Bingo
You may have not hit retirement quite yet, but whatever your age, bingo can be a lot of fun! With prizes and a little healthy dose of competition involved, you and your date can share an experience that you very well may share into your old age.
Event organisers have cottoned on to the perks of bingo dating with some great alternative bingo nights! These include drag bingo, musical bingo, drunken bingo and even Valentine’s bingo…
And you never know, the prizes could set up your next date.
2. Stand-Up Comedy
Okay, live stand-up comedy can be a total hit or miss. Either way, you will be sure to come out laughing somewhat. Just don’t blame us if it’s from sheer awkwardness. We jest.
“If love is the treasure, laughter is the key.” – Yakov Smirnoff
Now go forth and find a comedy night that fits your interests. Are you and your date anti-Valentines? There’s plenty of comedians ready to divulge about the pains of a relationship.
Top tips: If you don’t want to be picked on (and humiliated in front of your date), then we suggest you don’t arrive late, sit far back enough so they can’t spot you, and do not heckle!
3. Sports Night
What local sports activities are on offer? Give rock climbing, bouldering, or trampolining a go to get the blood flowing and the endorphins running. This one is great for ensuring you both leave the date on a high.
If neither of you are that into playing sports, maybe you’ll want to get the adrenaline rushing by watching your local team. The competitive streaks will be sure to come out…add fun to the game and add some light betting.
4. Dance Class
Where do we start? The sensuality of salsa. The passion of tango. The intimacy of waltz. Maybe swing or jiving is more your vibe. Whatever your level of experience, a creative date night of dancing is for you to let loose and have some fun – with the added bonus of intimate non-sexual touching!
Not feeling like a dance class – alternatively, hit up your favourite club and dance the night away.
The way you move your body may very well inspire some moves for after the date.
5. Hit a Karaoke Bar
Just as dancing can set the mood, duets can be a great bonding experience. Remember you don’t have to be a good singer to enjoy Karaoke. Prepare a couple of your favourites in the shower beforehand, and sip some dutch courage, so you don’t get cold feet!
6. Fun Fair
It may be a cheesy classic from the movies, but this creative date night idea is sure to win a couple of brownie points.
Treat your date to some cotton candy, or show off your coconut throwing skills, and win them a giant cuddly toy! Get up close and personal on the ghost train, but don’t do too many spinning rides, or you may have to cut your night short!
7. Night at the Museum
In most cities you can find galleries and museums that open up to the public after hours. This creative date night idea will leave you feeling pretty cultured and give you something to talk about when you inevitably bag the next date.
Not sure where to look? TimeOut has some great suggestions for late night culture in London.
8. Evening City Walking Tour
Walking and talking are great ways to get to know someone, but also some place. Become a tourist in your own city. Find an organised walking tour. Or go totally rogue and plan your own.
Stroll, flaneur and get utterly lost in your own city. Thanks to smartphones you should still be able to find your way home. Just pack a portable charger, do a bit of research beforehand and pick a part of the city that you know has a lot of history or culture for the perfect creative date night.
9. Sunset Hike
Find a good spot with a view. Maybe hike to the top of a hill and watch the sun set. You may just see the glow of your city’s light pollution. Either way, this creative date night idea is a pretty romantic gesture.
A couple of things to pack: Picnic blanket, couple of torches for the way back, thermal (or hip) flask of your favourite beverage and, of course, snacks.
10. Swing
So swinging could mean a couple of things. We’ve already mentioned a swinging dance class… You could watch a swing jazz band? Swing together in the park? Or, maybe, you guessed it – attend a swingers party.
Unless you found your date through one of these kinky dating apps, maybe save this one for a later date. But if this seems like the perfect date for you, make sure to gauge what type of party you and your partner would go well with. We have a few suggestions if you aren’t too sure.
Pleasure Island Parties are for the super sensual swingers. Welcoming for beginners to pros, the night’s begins with a “guided touch tour” to help you get in the mood.
Killing Kittens‘ parties are designed for you curious kittens out there, they host a range of events, the most popular being for couples and single women keen to explore their bi-curiosity and threesome fantasies.
Or for those on the more BDSM end of the spectrum, take a tantalising trip to Torture Garden and dive straight into the sex dungeons in your PVC suit.
Once you’ve had your fun exploring the outside world, you may want to bring the creative date night ideas back home…
11. Games Night
Board games and puzzles don’t have to be reserved for a rainy day. Get techy with your games on the Wii or online.
Download the Desire app for games designed for couples, including sending truth or dares, and “shaking your phone for a quickie”. You compete each other for points to send “spicier dares”. This is a perfect creative night activity for spicing up a relationship or for adding fun when getting to know someone early on!
12. DIY Crafts
Get your creative juices flowing with crafts! Prepare with buying some materials from your local art store. Paper, pens, paint. You name it. Become a kid again and just play. Or turn up the heat with some clay and recreate that oh-so-steamy scene from Ghost.
There will be no judgement in your creative skills and you can take away something more than just a memory from your date night. On a better note, you may want to gift your creation to your date as a Valentine’s gift.
13. Cook Together
The best way to someone’s heart? Through their stomach, of course. Depending on how great your date goes, this one could translate into a midnight feast. Cooking together can be a totally bonding experience too! Indulge in these natural aphrodisiac foods, and rustle up something delicious to drool over…or even incorporate into your sex life.
If sploshing is your thing, you may want to feed each other and even lick delicious flavours off different parts of your body.
There is even a whole “luxury” fetish called “body sushi”. Nyotaimori is the Japanese practice of eating sushi off of a woman’s body, and Nantiamori involves eating sushi off of a man’s.
14. Spa Evening
Book yourselves into a spa, dip into the jacuzzi, and finish with a couple’s massage for a most blissful evening.
Alternatively, you can create a wonderfully relaxing spa experience from the comfort of your own home. Put on some calming music, light some scented candles.
Seduce your partner with a sensual massage during your DIY spa evening. We have bonus tips and expert advice from a Sensual Masseur in our downloadable guide too.
