First Date Friendly Bars in London
I am no longer a member of the Hinge community as I’ve resigned myself to the fact that my husband is presently very busy commanding financial markets in the EMEA region and so simply doesn’t have time to create a Hinge profile.
In fact, he doesn’t have time to have any online presence whatsoever apart from updating relevant promotions on his LinkedIn. Therefore, I anticipate we will meet at some point in the near future whilst competing against each other in a pub quiz (my team will win, his will place second and the rest will be history.)
Prior to this epiphany, when I was actively dating, I always opted for a drinks-forward first date and at times had to rack my brains for an appropriate bar for the occasion.
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, I have compiled a list of what I think are first date friendly bars below.
My metrics for a first date friendly bar are as follows:
It’s not a huge chain- I feel like this is self-explanatory but maybe I’m just a snob.
It’s got good transport links- if it’s accessible by more than one tube station it’s not only easier for both parties to get to, but it also gives you the option of pretending you’re going home in different directions, hence, saving an awkward tube journey if the date didn’t go well.
Has romantic lighting- for ambience
Is the perfect combination of busy yet intimate- so that you can get to know each other without having to shout over loud music nor whisper to avoid the bar staff third wheeling.
Reasonably priced- nothing ruins a first date more than having to dry your eyes in-between sips because you’ve just paid £17.50 for ice with a side of cocktail.
Disclaimer: I’ve never actually been to any of these bars on a first date but noticed they would be good candidates whilst attending with friends.
Reminder to ask yourself at the end of the date: Was the date actually good? Or are you just a charismatic, cool cat who converses with ease?
1. Homeboy Bar, Islington | 108 Essex Rd, London N1 8LX
Closest stations: Angel- 12min walk, Highbury & Islington- 15min walk, Canonbury- 18min walk
Plays live music Thursdays & Sundays from 20:00 - 22:00
Cocktails £12 - £14
The entire cocktail menu can be made to takeaway, do with that information what you will.
2. Discount Suit Company, Spitalfields | 29A Wentworth St, London E1 7TB
Closest stations: Aldgate- 6min walk, Liverpool Street- 7min walk, Shoreditch High Street- 15min walk
Delicious and affordable drinks- the most expensive cocktail on the menu is £11
I went on a Monday and it was still pretty full so I would recommend making a reservation with a good amount of notice.
The entrance to the bar is through this small doorway and down the stairs.
3. Cocktail Trading Co, Shoreditch | 68 Bethnal Green Rd, London E1 6GQ
Closest stations: Shoreditch High Street- 6min walk, Liverpool Street- 16min walk, Old Street- 17min walk
Out-of-the box cocktails which are good for stirring discussion if you’re grasping at straws in terms of conversation.
All cocktails are £12.50 including classics which are not listed on the menu
The bar partners with the dating app Breeze: so I was informed that it is quite the first date hotspot!
The Naked and Infamous cocktail is served in a sachet inside this PS game cover.
4. Twice Shy, Earl’s Court | 14 Hogarth Pl, London SW5 0QT
Closest stations: Earl’s Court- 4min walk, West Brompton- 12min walk, Gloucester Road- 12min walk
£10 for classic cocktails Sunday - Thursday from 5pm - 7pm - this is a great one for a straight from work date if you’re reasonably close to Earl’s Court and can benefit from the happy hour. Outside of happy hour the cocktails are £14 each.
They serve Focaccia
Twice Shy regards itself as an ‘experimental’ cocktail bar and so I presume the fact that there is not an online menu to share is because the menu is constantly evolving. In addition to cocktails, they also serve wine.
The Nougat + Vodka signature cocktail is probably the best cocktail I have ever had in my life. I was told they might take this off the menu- cry. If that is the case, the Passionfruit & Yuzu is also scrumptious.
5. Satan’s Whiskers, Bethnal Green | 343 Cambridge Heath Rd, London E2 9RA
Closest stations: Bethnal Green- 3min walk, Cambridge Heath- 5min walk, Whitechapel- 18min walk
I was debating whether or not to include this one as it’s such an established landmark in the London bar scene, but just in case you didn't know: Satan’s Whisker’s is widely* known as a ‘bartender’s bar.’ (*3 bartenders have informed of this)
It frequently places on the the World’s 50 Best Bars List.
Cocktails are £12-£13
They serve bar snacks and sharing foods such as nachos, cheeseboard etc.
Satan’s Whiskers has a daily changing drinks menu and has done since it opened over 10 years ago, but they always offer the classics.
Walk-ins are welcomed but a reservation is highly recommended.
As pictured: blogging in the wild. I was a few cocktails down when taking this photo and didn’t have the foresight to not stand in front of the window.
