Sometimes it feels like the whole of London is on a date. Art dates, dinner dates, romantic dates, mate dates… you get the picture. Break out of your date rut (the Tate, bowling, brunch… sound familiar?) and try something new. You might like it. Or even better, you might like the person you’re with.
Crank up the crazy golf scores
Bar, Restaurant, American, $$$
Swingers | Courtesy of Swingers
At Swingers – City you can pick one of three crazy courses, waitresses bring you cocktails as you putt and there’s plenty of food in the clubhouse afterwards.
Ramp up the va-va-voom at Baranis where you can play pétanque or, if it’s a nice day, head to Cleaver Square in Kennington to watch locals play in deadly serious matches (while you sip pints from the square’s posh pub).
London’s huge winding river isn’t just for strolls and selfie backdrops. Adventurous couples should get on a kayak tour that takes you past Westminster.
DUKES Hotel in Mayfair will pack you up a picnic that will make M&S look shoddy and it comes with rugs, gazebos if it rains and a butler to serve you – you’ll be the envy of the park.
Make like the A-listers and spend an afternoon hanging out at London Fields and Broadway Market. Sitting outside The Dove pub see how many famous faces you can spot.
And only buy foods beginning with B at Borough Market. Bread, burrata, beer, beefburgers… before wandering down to the Italian market Mercato Metropolitano opposite Southwark Playhouse for negronis and wine.
At the Electric in Notting Hill you can book a sofa, while at Genesis in Stepney Green you get a sofa, table and wine.
Try and get seats at Hoppers
Restaurant, Asian, $$$
It’s the best Sri Lankan food in town. A two-hour queue will be the making or breaking of your relationship. Give up after 10 minutes and end up in Byron Burger.
Printworks in Surrey Quays is London’s best new club, but its raves are daytime affairs. Emerge blinking at 10pm and be home cuddled up on the sofa by midnight.
The Distillery not only has a 100-strong gin list at its bar, it also offers gin-making classes and has sultry rooms, so you don’t have to catch the last train home.
