where to meet?
You have texted, talked and decided that you would like to meet for half an hour – so now you need a location. On the first meeting, it should be a public place like a local café, juice bar or quiet(ish) wine bar where you can get to know each other a bit better. For safety purposes it should be somewhere that is easy for both of you to find and to arrive under your own steam. It should also be somewhere that you can concentrate on each other without being interrupted by lots of your friends (No, it WON’T impress the other person to have lots of your mates stopping to say Hi.). You probably know your own area really well and have the perfect place in mind however, just in case you are struggling, we have made some suggestions of where you could meet with links to appropriate websites.
The various chains of coffee shop - Starbucks, Costa, Pret a Manger and Café Nero - have their own location finders where you can easily search for a venue to suit both of you. If you prefer the independent coffee shops I’m sure there is one close to you otherwise bizwiki.co.uk lists most coffee shops in the UK.
Not everyone likes coffee and a more refreshing, healthier option of meeting would be to find a juice bar near you. Most of the bars on this website come with telephone numbers so it would be an idea just to call to make sure you they have plenty of places to sit...
If you are looking for somewhere a bit different to meet, many of the art galleries or museums around the UK have cafes. It’s a great idea if you are nervous or a bit shy about meeting up and it may give you something to start off the conversation. To find one near you just type in to google ‘museums with cafes in ….. ‘ or ‘art galleries with cafes in ….’ listing your nearest town or city
Perhaps you would prefer to meet over a drink in a wine bar or pub. Try to pick one that’s not too loud or busy, and remember that you are only meeting for half an hour. The last thing you want is to get carried away on the first date and drink too much.
Where ever you meet just remember to relax and have fun. This could be the start of a great future together – fingers crossed!!!!
city links:
If you are looking for somewhere a little bit different to meet up near you, here are some suggestions for the larger UK cities. Not all of these would be recommended for the first meeting but if that one goes well, it may take the pain out of the where to go on your first proper date.
Cardiff Links:
Cardiff, meaning ‘Fort on the Taff’ was once the richest city in the world thanks to the docks and the coal industry. Nowadays the docks are a bustling haven of fabulous restaurants, bars and fun things to do. The rest of Cardiff nightlife centers around the West End with late night bars such as Walkabout, Edwards and Life, and the East End where there are smart cocktail bars such as Fat Cats and trendy bars such as 33 Windsor Place. There are quieter areas to socialize around the castle district and the millennium stadium and a buzzing gay scene. Cardiff has many restaurants to suit every taste and budget including, if the weather's good, a great selection with outdoor seating. Otherwise, enjoy a sightseeing tour on an open top bus or wander through Bute Park. If you would like to take your date to Cardiff’s most visited tourist attraction, then Cardiff Castle is a must.
London Links:
Why not arrange to go for a tour of London on an open top bus. It’s fun, interesting and would give you lots to talk about. If you are a fan of museums, many of them have a café attached providing a relaxing way to spend either your first date or finish up a further date. Many of the parks in London have restaurants and cafes, as are there many overlooking or close to The Thames.
Glasgow Links:
The largest city in Scotland has many places to drink, eat and be merry. Alternatively, discover some local culture in the many museums and art galleries, all of which are free. The Gallery of Modern Art is the second most visited modern art gallery outside London and has a café in the basement or the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum has recently been refurbished.
Click below for more cities: