(Editor’s note: This is the second part of a two-part post about the many, many options for date destinations in London. You can jump to Pt. 1 here.)
I am a big fan of British dating. Whether it’s the dating shows or the tacitly established two pints rule in a first London pub date, I just find the whole thing fascinating. It’s not to say I don’t also find it confusing, exhausting and sometimes scary, but I see the joy and the silly nature of it all, and I smile.
One thing that remains a constant quest, however, is finding the right place for the first, second or even third date. I’m hoping karma serves me right and that the two-parts guide I’m gifting you with in my infinite wisdom, comes back to me twofold.
Here’s Pt. 2 of my best date destinations in the Big Smoke:
The bohemian experience
One of the things that always fascinates me about London is its capacity to be everything, all at once. It is so unapologetically itself that it manages to take you away in tiny corners of its enormous maze and transport you to another era or another place.
This is exactly the case of the Troubadour in Earl’s Court.
The word troubadour itself comes from my little corner of southeast France and was used in the Middle Ages to designate travelling songmeisters. The bar, café, enchanting garden and live music venue in Earl’s Court is reminiscent of such antique charm and will give a quaint, exciting vibe to your date.
The Crafty
Has it been said that seeing how someone quite literally handles things offers great insight into their character? Well, it’s been said now. Whether you are a great potter yourself or just want to try your hand at the wheel whilst sharing wine and trading stories, the Clay Garden in Twickenham and Hammersmith offer just the right setting for that.
Book a private session or join one of their wine and discovery classes and enjoy a good few hours of unleashing your inner craft master. If in Twickenham, be sure to ask for Karl or Tahir as your instructors, they’re the best in the game.
The wine lover
Sometimes, a traditional date setting such as a cozy wine bar is just what the heart yearns for and what it shall thus receive. Forza Wine Bar in Peckham (they also have a very cool branch at the National Theatre which is quite glam from them if you ask me) offers the perfect backdrop to a summer evening. Its roof terrace looking out on the city will make dreams and anecdotes as rich as the choice of wine on the menu.
The pub crawl
Have you ever been on one of those dates where things just flow so well you don’t ever want the night to end and all of sudden, you’re bar hopping like a fresher on their first week of university? Here’s to hoping the next date goes just like this.
Here is an itinerary to an Islington centric pub crawl perfect for summer days:
• Start off at the Albion in the heart of Islington, just off Barnsbury Estate. Enjoy their lovely summer garden and try their nibbles.
• Second pit stop, head to the slightly more affordable Hemingford Arms, closer to Caledonian Road station.
• Depending on the weather and if you’re happy to stand up, either go on to the Hope and Anchor, legendary home to a punk rock gig venue and its inherent eclectic crowd or try the Comptons arms just off Upper Street where you can stand in a cute mews like street.
• To finish the night – and depending on what day it is – either join the dancers at The Old Queen’s Head on Essex Road (open till 2 a.m. on the weekend) and feast your eyes on the gorgeous interiors of the pub or try Slim Jim’s Liquor Store on Upper Street (open till 3 a.m. on the weekend and 2 a.m. during the week).
The theatre kid
You can’t go wrong with classics, and this is why I have included a suggestion of movie theatre and proper theatre for the usual movie-and-a-drink which will be lively with the dissection of what you’ve just seen. In terms of Theatre, I am a big fan of the Arcola Theatre in Dalston after which you can head to café Oto next door, or push a bit further towards The Victoria, a wonderful pub with a hidden nightclub room on the weekend.
Speaking of classics, the Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square shows both re-runs of movies of all ages as well as new releases and is a persona favourite.
If the night is still young, head over to Chinatown or Soho for a night cap.
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Read more about London in Dispatches’ archives here.
See more from Zoé here.
Zoé Manset
Zoe Manset is a French actress, writer and producer based in London, UK. After growing up in the Fragrant Harbour otherwise known as Hong Kong, Zoe moved to London in 2018 to pursue a BA in Art History at the Courtauld Institute of Arts. Missing the stage too much, she then completed a two year MFA in drama school and is now living the freelance actor life at full speed. Zoe is a fashion history lover, a great pub amateur, a dancer and a big foodie!
