Dating in London is a minefield. Whether you’ve found your latest squeeze on Tinder, Happn or Guardian Soulmates, met them in a bar or flirted with them by the photocopier, it’s hard work securing a first date. And that’s just the start of it – then you have to find somewhere awesome to go. The ideal venue tells your new playmate: ‘I’m a cool, balanced, interesting individual and none of my pals can understand why I am still single.’ The fate of your love life and future happiness hangs in the balance. But help is at hand in the form of our essential guide to London date spots. We’ve stuck to bars (who wants to worry about spinach in their teeth?) and will keep all our fingers crossed for your success. Happy dating!
Cafe Boheme, Soho (above)
It’s “not as ‘boheme’ as it was back in the day”, but this Soho classic is still a useful all-dayer and a diamond spot for people-watching. When we were carrying out our research, Cafe Boheme was recommended for its late opening hours (3am) – so dive-in here if you don’t want to call it a night. Useful tip: the secret exit means you can escape unnoticed if necessary.
Cork & Bottle, Leicester Square
Wine bars have come full circle since this old faithful opened in 1971 in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it basement next to a sex shop; but Cork & Bottle remains a cosy time warp amid the detritus and touristy tack of Leicester Square. If all goes well (and we mean really well), you could suggest popping next door to pick up some props before heading home… Fingers crossed neither of you bottles it.
Gordon’s Wine Bar, Covent Garden (above)
Crepuscular, candlelit cellars will appeal to anyone who values raffish character above clean-lined corporate clones. They will no doubt also attract couples engaged on a first date or clandestine tête-à-tête. We’re sure the 120-year old arches under which this bar is housed have seen some things. Why not add to the, uhh, history?
Happiness Forgets, Hoxton (below)
The term ‘speakeasy’ is overused, but this basement bar offers the real deal, with its hidden entrance, low lighting and excited hubbub. It’s just the place to secrete yourself away from prying eyes, so you can whisper sweet nothings to a prospective lover. And if it all goes a bit Pete Tong, come back the next day to happily forget with your best pals…
The Hunter S, Islington
The Hunter S is exactly the kind of pub you want to have up your sleeve so you can ‘casually’ steer your date towards it. The assorted stuffed bison, antelopes, peacocks and bears provide a talking point if the conversation is running dry, as do the saucy pictures decorating the loos…
Mark’s Bar at HIX, Soho (below)
This “brilliant” Brit Art bunker looks like an exclusive members’ club, so if you can’t quite afford membership to such an establishment, Mark’s Bar is a good place to hang out until you can. English gin and rum punches, sherry cobblers and claret cups are sure to please even the fussiest of dates.
The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town, Spitalfields (below)
If you aren’t au fait with this speakeasy’s cunningly concealed door, examine The Breakfast Club’s retro Smeg fridge. That 1950s chiller conceals a thriller wherein killer cocktails start at £9. Grab your date’s hand, enter through the fridge and get giggly on drinks such as Beacause I’m Worth It (we only hope your companion agrees).
Original Sin, Stoke Newington (below)
Word of mouth draws discerning palates to the darkened basement of this Dalston den. Entice your date with promises of hunky Highballs, cosy booths and a pool table. Whether either of you gives in to temptation is another matter entirely.
Purl, Marylebone (below)
This Victorian warren looks like a place where Dr Jekyll might hang out: full of dark corners for doing dark deeds. Head to its compact bar and you’ll find modern-day alchemists conducting experiments in molecular mixology involving dry ice, liquid nitrogen, foams, fogs, tinctures, distillations and evaporations. We hope your date is equally exciting.
Refuel at The Soho Hotel, Soho (below)
Be it a chilled flute of vintage Champagne at the zinc-topped bar or a devil-may-care cocktail in a squishy armchair, a drink at this very discreet Soho bolt-hole won’t disappoint. Refuel’s anonymity makes it Soho-cool, and 99% of the time you’ll spot a celebrity here – which makes an excellent talking point if you’re in need of verbal lubrication.
Satan’s Whiskers, Bethnal Green
Swiftly establishing itself among the elite of east London’s hip cocktail bars, Satan’s Whiskers nevertheless keeps a very local feel. Lighting is low, decoration comes from old advertising posters and offbeat taxidermy, and staff have a yen for hip hop music. It’s the place to be, date or no date.
This article was published 10 September 2015