Where to Meet your Tinder Date in London

Where to Meet your Tinder Date in London

London’s Tinder scene is a force to be reckoned with. It’s an overwhelming, never-ending world of swiping left and right, and debating whether or not the two tube rides, bus and ten minute walk to get across town just to meet this stranger is worth the effort or not.

When you do feel the time is right, be sure that your meeting point of choice is a) public and safe, and b) a healthy balance between entertainment and intimacy, so that awkward silences never last too long. Here are a few of London’s Tinder hot-spots.

Hyde Park in London

A date in a park? Groundbreaking. But I start with this one for anyone who maybe isn’t fully convinced by this Tinder meeting yet, and needs somewhere void of time constraints.

Unlike dinner or a movie, a park is an easy date to cut short if things are just not working. One lap around the pond and going your separate ways is less awkward than finding yourself sat at a bar with the person for the next three hours.

Hyde Park – by Gwen Ong – Unsplash

If your park date goes well, you have access to multiple attractions to keep the day going. There are lawns you can picnic on, boats to be rowed, even a park cafe on the edge of the lake that will welcome you both for lunch and drinks.

In the summer there will be street artists and musicians, ice cream vendors and the occasional spontaneous puppet show from time to time. In the winter, Hyde Park is transformed into a wonderland complete with ice skating and theme parks — another fantastic date idea!

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday to Sunday — 5am to 12am

Metro Station: Hyde Park Corner

Swingers City in London

Before the name gets you into a frenzy, Swingers City is not what you think it is.

This is an entertainment venue that was designed with first dates in mind. As were most things in Central London, even the good old free guided walking tours.

Swingers City is a two story clubhouse containing five cocktail bars and three street food vendors all wrapped together by a nine hold miniature gold course, indoors.

Swingers City in London – by Swingers City – Uploaded by them

It’s the perfect balance of entertaining yet intimate, with golf to cure the awkwardness and good food & drink for the moments in between. It’s something different, and your date will be nothing short of impressed at your suggestion (or even knowledge) of this spot.

Because of the competitive element to the golfing section, double dates thrive here too.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday to Sunday — 12pm to 11pm

ADDRESS: 8 Brown’s Buildings, London EC3A 8AL, UK

Metro Station: Aldgate

High Tea in London

Perhaps an odd suggestion to add to the mix, but hear me out.

Some of the best connections we make with other human beings happen when one is stone cold sober. Yes, it’s fun to meet someone via an app, meet them in a bar and drown our vulnerability in tequila until they like us back, but perhaps the Brits are on to something bigger?

High tea is a bucket list activity for all who visit the British capital, why not experience it with your internet stronger?

by Jelleke Vanooteghem – Unsplash

You’ll have to sit and talk, really talk, without alcohol or loud music as a crutch. You’ll drink fine teas, snack on delicious treats and experience this person’s table manners from day one (which is a make or break, you know).

I took a look at some of the most weird and wonderful high teas in London not so long ago. I would approve them all as date worth; click here to read more!

The Aeronaut in London

Of course, the idea of a sober and quiet first date is enough to make some people’s skin crawl. Some need the chaos, the distraction and the whiskey in their glass to face this potential lover that they swiped yes to.

The Aeronaut is a circus themed bar and restaurant in west London. Aerial performances, circus acts and cabaret take place throughout the space while you drink and converse in any of the little nooks.

The Aeronaut in London – by The Aeronaut – Uploaded by them

When the inside becomes too energized, there’s a beer garden in the back with mood lighting and delicious craft brews that are made on site. You can also enjoy a traditional pub dinner, or Sunday roast.

Rumor has it there is a virtual reality room somewhere on site. I’ve not been in, so if you do take a date here you’ll have to hunt it down. 

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday to Sunday — 12pm to 12am

ADDRESS: 264 High St, Acton, London W3 9BH, UK

Metro Station: Acton Central

Up the Creek Comedy Club in London

There is nothing like a good comedy show for when the ice really needs to be broken. Up the creek is in the far east of London, on the edge of the River Thames across from the Isle of Dogs (book a guided walking tour here!).

The club does great food, wine and beer alongside multiple comedy sessions throughout the day. Check in on their social media to see who is performing and what time, so you don’t miss the slot.

Up the Creek Comedy Club in London – by Up the Creek Comedy Club – Uploaded by them

A word from someone who has been in this situation before: never, ever sit in the front rows or tables at a comedy show while on a first date. You are fresh bait for the comedians who can’t see further than row 3, and you will be roped into many if not all of their content.

Sounds like fun, until you’re asked something on cringe level ten and have to skip the country after the date.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday to Sunday — Various Times

ADDRESS: 302 Creek Rd, Greenwich, London SE10 9SW, UK

Metro Station: Greenwich