Autumn Date Ideas

As September rolls in and we wave goodbye to summer and its rooftop bar, picnic in the park dates, we've got a whole new selection of autumn appropriate dates planned out for you. Whatever romance vibes take your fancy, here are a variety of suggestions for the next couple of months: 

Free Films at the Scoop

Whoever said open-air cinema was contingent on a balmy evening? Chillier weather is all the better for snuggling closer to your date anyway. Already underway over by London Bridge, there are three films a week playing at 19.30 until September 24th - and it's FREE to attend. Cheap daters rejoice! Features that will be playing include The Theory Of Everything, Still Alice and Zoolander (aka catering to all tastes); food and comfy cushions are  available to buy there. For full details, click here.

V&A

The beautiful building that houses the vast collection of the V&A is enough to qualify for a brilliant date destination in itself. Whether you and your date share an interest in the artistic histories of the museum's autumn exhibitions on Indian Storytelling or the History of Shoes (not just for ladies; this is a collection that I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!) or you just want to check out one of London's most famous institutions, the V&A is a brilliant place to spend a date. Follow up your culture with a slice of cake in its incredibly ornate cafe downstairs. 

Deer-Spotting in Richmond Park

While Richmond Park can feel a little too off the beaten track for those of us who aren't Sheen locals, it's certainly worth travelling out to for a crispy leafed, snugly jacketed stroll one weekend.

If that's not a tempting view I don't know what is. Whether it's sunny and cold or plain old cloudy and cold, the huge expanses of space in Richmond are so unique in London that they inevitably make for a backdrop to truly lovely days out, especially when they feature the herds of deer that roam within the park. Treat your date to coffee and cake at nearby Petersham Nurseries afterwards.  

Merge Festival

This is another option for those of you looking to get out and about and make the most of London. Merge is an annual festival running from 18th September-18th October, that involves performances, installations and general happenings in the Bankside that draw their inspiration from the rich heritage and contemporary culture of the area. Details of individual events can be found on the festival website. And if the idea of a funky filled month of art and creativity doesn't draw you in, could I tempt you by the fact that most of the events are free? 

Inhale your drink at Alcoholic Architecture

Step back in time/ into a literal cloud of alcohol at notoriously wacky bar Bombas and Parr's latest installation; a walk-in cloud of breathable cocktail. As the bar itself is located on the site of an ancient monastery, the drinks list is comprised entirely of spirits and beers created by monks; Chartreuse, Benedictine and Buckfast - a fortified wine against which Scotland's parliament is allegedly passing laws to stop it entering their country - to name a few. Don't worry about becoming too intoxicated - you're only allowed to be inside for 50 minutes, and breathing in the cloud is only equivalent to one drink. I might not recommend this one for a first date (unless you're feeling particularly adventurous) but it's a very unique and fun place to try at some point.

The Thames Festival

Totally Thames brings the river to life with a month-long season of river-related events: art, music, open days, talks, walks and boats galore. Browse the events on their website - there are literally too many great ones on offer to know what to recommend, although TimeOut has given it a go! There are discounts and deals for riverside dining and 2 for 1 tickets on river transport - i.e. a romantic river cruise followed by dinner overlooking the twinkling city lights... Is there anything more romantic? 

Open House London

London's annual nosy-parker dream weekend is happening on September 19th and 20th: the chance to go into some of the city's most intriguing and iconic buildings that are usually closed to the public. Most destinations are free; all you need to do is show up. Browse their website to choose which buildings you'd most love to go into and plan your day by location or type of building. This is a fun and unique way to spend a date, and offers loads of conversation topics between you and your date. 

Pop Art at the Tate Modern

Last art feature I promise, but the highly anticipated World Goes Pop exhibition is another one not to be missed. Won't your date be impressed by your vast artistic intrigue and knowledge?! Celebrating Western consumer culture with its bright, bold displays, the exhibition also highlights the role that this art movement played in political dissent across the world in the 1960s and 70s. Plus, after a whizz round the exhibition you'll find yourselves wonderfully close to the buzzing Southbank and its endless riverside happenings. The perfect chance for you to get involved in the Thames festival! 

Alice in Wonderland Inspired Drinks

QUICKLY - the quirkiest of summer pop-ups comes in the form of Chambord Chapter Eight Games, which will be in full swing from 10th-13th September in Dalston. Find the special door and emerge into a world of curious delights, highlights of which include delicious cocktails, scrumptious French-American burgers from Le Bun and, naturally, flamingo croquet. A game that few can play well but most of us can take an optimistic crack at, an evening of croquet is surprisingly enjoyable when spend sipping on a raspberry liqueur cocktail. 

So with that diverse selection of date ideas to keep you busy for the next few months, make sure you've signed up to HelloYou to find yourself a special someone to enjoy them with!

Brunch Date Ideas

More than just instagram fodder for rich and famous twenty-somethings, brunch is a meal that manages to be settling, savoury and cheekily sweet all in one go. It’s so wonderful that not even first date nerves can taint it. In fact, it’s the ideal date situation; none of the formality of dinner nor the platonic vibe of lunch, and even if you overdo it on bloody marys you’re unlikely to be at risk of drinking yourself under the table. Even if the date itself is a disaster, it won’t have been a total waste because you will still have eaten brunch! Brunch is never a waste. Here’s where we recommend for a getting-to-know-you over a plateful of that sacred breakfast lunch combo:

Regency Café

                                                    

Tucked away in the backstreets between Westminster and Pimlico since 1946, Regency’s art-deco exterior and Formica-topped tables are true greasy spoon originals. You order at the counter before getting your table, and although there’s a permanent queue it’s fast moving and gives you time to decide what you want to order. This isn’t much of a dilemma though - arrive hungry and go for the set breakfast of egg, bacon, sausages, beans, toast and tea or coffee for £5.50. Slick service, huge portions, and your order is announced loudly from the counter when it’s ready. This is a charming piece of old London and definitely worth a visit.

The Wolsely

Going to the Wolsely comes with a luxury sense of occasion; book a table in advance and impress your date with a morning of refined grandeur that’s somehow cosy at the same time. The Full English is well worth the food coma that comes after it, the scrambled eggs and smoked salmon offers a lighter, similarly tasty alternative, and the huge choice of pain au delicious pastries shouldn’t be ruled out either. Its lesser known sibling, The Delauney, is another special spot worth visiting.

Granger & Co

Go early to avoid queues (before 10am), and order a takeaway coffee for while you’re waiting if you do get there a little later. The Australian themed menu puts a light, healthier slant on your traditional brunch choices and is particularly known for its magically fluffy scrambled eggs and ricotta hot cakes. The bright, relaxed atmosphere of Granger & Co is ideal for easy conversation with your date while you eat.

No 67

Situated within Peckham Road’s South London Gallery, No. 67 boasts a soaring space, huge windows and bright natural light. Whether you’re seated inside or out in one of the winding gardens, it’s a brilliant place for brunch followed by a browse through the gallery’s exhibitions. The ‘Full Spanglish’ is a particularly popular Spanish-fusion option that we would recommend.

Kopapa

Kopapa offers creative, innovative fusion meals throughout the day, but their weekend brunch between 9am and 4pm is particularly unique and not to be missed. Try not to arrive before your sweet tooth kicks in for the day, because the salted caramel shake is to die for. Whether you go for lighter options like their fruit salad and granola mix or something a little heartier, such as their renowned ‘Turkish Eggs’, the unusual blend of tastes won’t disappoint.

Greenberry Café

Greenberry is more than just another of Primrose Hill’s pop-up cafes; it has a comfortable, fresh atmosphere and menu to match, both of which are worth going there for. The later it gets the more it fills up with families and dogwalkers on a weekend, but if you’re there early-ish or on a weekday you can get breakfast with an inoffensive twist and enjoy it in the café’s lovely interior. Hickory smoked baked beans and chorizo on toast are amazing if you fancy something warming, and ordering their quinoa porridge is a quicker and probably more delicious alternative to making that health-craze porridge variation yourself. 

Duck and Waffle

40 floors up, Duck and Waffle at the Heron Tower isn’t a bad place to have brunch. Many of the window tables (these have the best views) are for two diners only, making this an ideal restaurant for a date. Prices are also sky high, but with the glass lift and panoramic vistas of London, you’re paying for more than your food. Opt for the signature dish of duck and waffle; it might seem like an unusual combination but let the success of the place speak for itself and trust that it’s a tasty dish!