Eight places to take a first date in York

So you’ve managed to bag a date with someone fantastic, but where do you go and what do you do?

It is no secret that York is a beautifully romantic city but it’s never easy thinking up something fun and different to do on a first date.

With Valentine’s Day coming up it seemed like the right time to get this sorted. Here are my top eight places to take that special person on your first date in York that are guaranteed to break the ice.

Let’s get quizzical

For a relaxed and fun night that will show off your playful side, try the pub quiz at Thomas’s of York on Museum Street.

Every Tuesday at 8.30pm it is described as an ‘Einstein free zone’, so don’t worry about looking stupid. However if you email ahead and tell them you are coming, they will give you an answer to one of the questions to make you look super smart and impress your date.

And the silly games – like a paper aeroplane building contest – are bound to get you both giggling.

Mix up a love potion

If a group date is more your thing to make the date more comfortable and avoid those awkward silences, book yourselves on a cocktail master class at the Revolution bar.

After being handed a cocktail as soon as you get to the Coney Street venue, there are hands-on fun and games which are bound to dispel first date nerves and gets the conversation flowing as fast as the mojitos. You can also choose to add a selection of party nibbles and a two or three course meal to the class from £30 per person.

Heart racing fun

For a frighteningly good time, you could always try the famous York Dungeon as a way to scare your date out of their shell. Learn about city history in an entertaining way – and jump into one another’s arms at the scary bits…

Jumping for joy

Hit the heights of romance at the Energi Trampoline Park on Rose Avenue.

For a strictly adult session more suited to a date, grown-ups night takes place every Saturday at 8pm (£9.85 each). A range of music from different decades is played for you to jump along to and you can take a break at the Energi café and have a chat.

This is a great alternative to a night out drinking which will raise your endorphins and hopefully ensure that the date works out as well as your body has.

The love trap

If you really want to test your compatibility right from the off, try the Gr8Escape. This Colliergate live escape room gives you one hour to solve a series of puzzles to escape the room. It requires teamwork and logical thinking.

A word of warning: if the date takes a turn for the worse, you’re could be stuck together for quite a while…

The art of passion

Is art the way to your date’s heart? Then why not try the Corner Gallery’s life drawing class? There’s no need to book ahead as you can just drop in to the class on Scarcroft Road.

Release your inner Picasso by drawing a live model in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere environment. Even more appealing for the Yorkshire romantic, you can bring a friend to your first lesson for free – all for £10, making it a very cost-effective bit of courting.

Let’s do brunch

From February the Old White Swan on Goodramgate will herald the return of their acoustic brunches.

Allow the live music in the pub’s courtyard to ratchet up the romantic atmosphere while you make witty small talk over Sunday brunch. There’s a lot of tasty food to choose from on the breakfast menu, all served till noon – try the buttermilk pancakes. This is ideal for an understated, more casual meet up.

Cruising for romance

If you want to go full-blown traditional, how about a moonlit cruise along the River Ouse? YorkBoat‘s evening jaunt lasts 70 minutes. Take in the sights of the city while getting to know each other over a beverage or four from the on board bar.

This is a summer-only option though. From May onwards you can set sail on the city’s own love boat, from 8.45pm at King’s Staith.

If you’ve got any great ideas for a first date in York, drop us a line or pop the details in the comments