Bored of dinner and drinks? Whether you want to treat your main squeeze or break the ice with someone new, give these unusual dates a whirl.
Running out of date ideas? Fret not, we’ve got you. You and your special someone could try your hand at water sports in Leeds city centre, brush up on your cooking skills or even let out your inner Picasso for an artsy afternoon on these unusual date ideas in Leeds. There are loads of unique and wonderful ways to enjoy each other’s company, and you might even learn a thing or two while you’re at it – so what are you waiting for? Get a date in the diary.
Get dressed up at Tailors
Why not introduce your date to one of Leeds’ lesser-known drinking dens? A tailor shop by day, speakeasy by night, Tailors is the perfect date destination to trip the light fantastic in style. Here you can throw it back to the 1920s with Great Gatsby-esque attire and a few Prohibition-era tipples. Come as you are, because the dress-up chest is open for you to take your pick of tasseled flapper fits and tweed to get you suited up for the occasion.
Where? Tailors Gin, 23-24 Grand Arcade, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6PG.
When? Open 6pm to 1am on Thursdays, 6pm to 2am on Fridays, 2pm to 2am on Saturday and 4pm to 10:30pm on Sundays.
How much? A deposit of £5 per person is required to reserve a table.
Play away at NQ64
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This retro arcade bar is the ideal setting for a one-of-a-kind date with no shortage of fun. They boast 30 arcade machines, nine retro consoles and two pinball machines, along with a vibrant menu of unique beverages. All the consoles are free to play and the arcade machines can be played with tokens, which you can purchase from the bar. Challenge each other on everything from Street Fighter to MarioKart before commemorating your victory (or commiserating your loss) with a lip-smacking cocktail. Peach on the Beach, anyone?
Where? NQ64 Arcade Bar, 11 Merrion Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6PG.
When? Open 4pm to 2am on Monday to Thursday, 4pm to 3am on Fridays, 12pm to 3am on Saturdays and 12pm to 2am on Sundays.
How much? Roam & Play bookings start from £18 and include games tokens and two drinks.
Scale the wall at the Depot
Got a head for heights? The Depot is one of the best climbing centres in the city and a prime destination for a fun and challenging yet unusual date idea in Leeds that’s a world away from the ordinary. Whether you’re a first timer or a seasoned climber, everyone is welcome to get stuck in. The walls here range in difficulty, starting out with easy climbs and going all the way up to expert ascents, so you can team up or go up against each other on the verticals.
Where? Depot Climbing, 1 Maybrook Industrial Estate, Armley Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS12 2EL.
When? 6am to 10pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm Saturday and Sunday, and 9am to 10pm on bank holidays.
How much? £13.50 for adult non-members.
Twist and turn with Salsa Rocks
Credit: Kevin Mcclean
Want to get a little bit closer? Get down to Kerala Restaurant on a Wednesday evening for a spot of salsa. Hosted by Salsa Rocks, you’ll be given expert tuition from their team of skilled salsa addicts who know every move by heart. First time? Their classes are designed for everyone, from total beginners to intermediate salseras and salseros. Here, you and your dance partner can really let go and immerse yourselves in the rhythms of salsa.
Where? Salsa Rocks, Kerala Restaurant, 2 Eastgate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7JL.
When? From 7:45pm to midnight every Wednesday.
How much? Classes are £7 per person or £12 for two classes on the same night (cash payment only).
Unleash your inner artist at Pinot & Picasso
You can put brush to canvas at Pinot & Picasso. Their classes span different themes, from plants and sweet treats to femme fatales and your own furry friends. Once you arrive, you’ll get a warm welcome from the hosts and a glass of vino from the bar, before sitting down to unleash your inner artist. Not the biggest wine fans? They’ve got Black Lines pre-batched cocktails and craft beers from North Brewing Co. Music and lighting set the scene and you’ll even be able to take your work home to remember your rendezvous by.
Where? Pinot & Picasso, 22 Central Arcade, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6DX.
When? Classes run from 6pm to 10pm Friday to Saturday and 2pm to 5pm on Sundays.
How much? Prices start from £39 per person.
Go walking with alpacas at Treeside Alpacas
A walk with alpacas in the beautiful Leeds countryside – it doesn’t get any more romantic (or unusual) than that. Treeside Alpacas is a family-run business, offering you the chance to get up close with arguably South America’s cutest and coolest four-legged creatures. You and your date could be off on a trek around Oulton’s Moss Carr farm, a fully-functioning farm with gorgeous woodland paths and countryside views – it’s the perfect photo-op filled date.
Where? Treeside Alpacas, Moss Carr Farm, Newmarket Lane, Oulton, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS26 9DW.
When? Treks typically take place on weekends and bank holidays from 11am to 2pm.
How much? Prices start from £25 per person or £40 for two people sharing one alpaca.
Enjoy a unique cocktail tasting experience
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Know your mojitos from your margaritas? You’ll love The Maven’s cocktail tasting experience. You and your other half will have an assigned bartender who’ll present six drinks to you in turn, all served with an edible garnish or side to match the flavours of your tipple. Each visit promises a different tastebud journey as the menu changes with the seasons, so who’s to say you can’t keep going back for more?
Where? The Maven, 1 Call Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 7DH.
When? From 5pm to 11pm Wednesday to Sunday.
How much? A tasting session costs £30 per person.
Cook up a storm together
If you’re a foodie and looking for one of the most unusual date ideas in Leeds, why not head to one of Leeds Cookery School’s classes? You can commandeer the kitchen at either Leeds Kirkgate Market or The Old Fire Station in Gipton. Thai takeaways, pizzas, Greek feasts – you can cook your way around the world here, and even learn knife skills to sharpen your technique. What’s more, after all that hard work, you can eat the end result – win win!
Where? Leeds Cookery School, The Old Fire Station, Gipton Approach, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS9 6NL & Leeds Kirkgate Market, George Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7HY.
When? Times depend on which class you book.
How much? Classes start from £65 per person for Street Food Express.
Tuft your own rug
If you and your date are feeling crafty, you should set your sights on Huffletuft. A rug making workshop, you’ll have your chosen design drawn up for you, before you both take turns with a tufting gun – ready to work your magic? You can both glue, shave and cut your way to rug perfection and compare whose is better at the end. There’s an array of workshops to choose from, so go for the mini if you want short and sweet or the large if you want to make a day of it.
Where? Huffletuft, 1A, Open Source Arts, Aire Place Mills, Kirkstall Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS3 1JL.
When? Times depend on which workshop you book.
How much? Workshops start from £30 per person.
Go paddleboarding at Leeds Dock
Credit: Sean Lamb
Are you the type of couple who loves to try new, unusual things? Test the waters on a paddleboarding date at Leeds Dock. Yes, you heard that right! You can do water sports right in the heart of the city. The certified instructors at Leeds Dock Paddleboarding run stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) sessions every Thursday and Sunday. It’s open to beginners and with just a little bit of moral support from your partner, you’ll go from kneeling to standing in no time.
Where? Leeds Dock Paddleboarding, Leeds Dock, The Boulevard, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS10 1PZ.
When? Introduction to Paddleboarding sessions take place from 6pm to 8pm on Thursdays and Sundays.
How much? Sessions cost £20 per person, including equipment.
