Bored of Standard Dates? Ideas for Alternative Dates!

Andrea Davis Wright

3.6k Reads

Updated: 7 Jun, 2023

Table of Contents

Mix up date ideas to break the dinner-and-movie rut and try something playful outside your routine.
Choose activities that require cooperation and you’ll build closeness as you support and laugh together.
Plan a shared adventure that takes you outside familiar spaces and you’ll grow closer as you navigate new memories side by side.

Of the past 15 dates I’ve been on, 12 of them were dinner dates. The other 3 were movie dates. Why is this? What can you do on a date besides dinner? What are good date ideas other than dinners and movies?

Have we become so stagnant in regards to dating that we cannot fathom going on a first date that might risk a little awkwardness?

So, what are good date ideas? Or, alternative date ideas that break the rut of boring, standard dates?

Don’t get me wrong, you can’t really go wrong with dinner and a movie, but nevertheless, I decided to get out there and find out the best alternative dates, to help spice up the scene. Read more if you dare and want to know what can you do on a date night that you haven’t done already.

Here is a compilation of alternative date ideas that are much more exciting than dinner and movies.

1. Maybe go to a comedy club

Hey, maybe if you’re at a comedy club your date will make the association that you are funny because let’s be real, we all enjoy our own jokes more than anyone else does.

Especially puns. It can be cheap as well! The top-secret comedy club in Covent Garden has a 1 pound/free entry every Tuesday. Now that is a very cheap alternative date. Just remember to buy your date a couple of drinks so they don’t think you’re cheap for bringing them somewhere free.

Outside of this, you could always try and get tickets for some of the more expensive places in London, such as the Leicester Square Theatre or Downstairs at the Kings Head – these might be a little more pricey, but you can’t put a price tag on a good date ;). This one definitely tops the list of fun, alternative date ideas!

2. Or one of the quirky alternative date ideas?

Quirky alternate date ideas My friends dragged me along to a cool, lowkey bar called Bounce which is an upbeat bar/ping-pong place!

If you want to try an up and coming alternative place for a date, I would highly recommend checking out Bounce. If this doesn’t interest you for an alternative date, maybe you would prefer something that requires thinking (but still involves drinking, obviously): The Grid could be the perfect spot for you.

Based in central London, you and your date will attempt to “save the world”, as you enjoy the evening with cocktails. This could be the ideal place for an alternative date if you value intelligence or just want to try out and an escape room. Just remember not to drink too much as you do need to save the world from. Well, whatever the escape room is detailed around during your night!

A third option in the list of alternative date ideas for you all, could be to check out Roof East as an alternative date.

They have a range of different events going on, including mini-golf, outdoor movie screenings, food pop-up events and many more. It’s also located on an old parking garage so it’s definitely a good experience for all of you who enjoy the hipster vibe for their alternative date.

3. How about something sporty?

Sporty date ideas If you’re like me, and would prefer to get out and move around, then why not have an outdoor/sporty date as one of your alternative date ideas?

If you’re not sure what to try out, then I would advise you go and have a look at the different options available in and around London. There are tons of sporty alternative date options! One of the many exciting outdoor adventures you and your date could embark on, is GoApe. It’s conveniently close to most people living in and around London – and you can have your very own treetop adventure!

If this sounds like the thing for you, check out the GoApe online for more information on a possible alternative date.

If this isn’t quite what you were looking for then maybe you’d like to try something less scary, you can check out Oxygen Free jumping at the O2 (or other locations around London). Despite being relatively costly, the hour you get is always extremely fun! Essentially, it is just a huge area filled up with trampolines of all sizes and shapes, with foam pits and other activities to keep you occupied.

As alternative date options come, this is a very fun one! If you’re worried about this not being for adults, then don’t be. They specifically mention that it is for people of all ages, and I can confirm that it is a great time.

If you want something totally out of the box, consider taking a small trip/holiday with your date; this is the ultimate alternative date (though this might be better for those of you who aren’t going on the first date)!

For those of you who have watched the TV show Master of None, you’ll be familiar with this alternative date. If both you and your date are comfortable with the idea, you could take your date on a night or two somewhere on holiday.

Not only is this completely out of the box, but you’ll get to know the other person very well during your time together. Furthermore, according to this dating report singles are looking for travel companions and adventure seekers.

Consider somewhere cheap and not too far away, such as somewhere in the south of England or another close, cheap destination (possibly somewhere in France, Spain or Belgium?).

If you dare to venture outside the box, then you’re most likely doing something right. It would make for a great How I Met Your mother story if things work-out!

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Andrea Davis-Wright

I am a 26 y.o. London based woman who works as a Business Development Executive at CLiKD (The London dating app). I enjoy writing blogs about dating and about my experience so far.