If you’ve got a big date coming up in Leeds, look no further than these absolutely belting date night ideas.
Dating is tricky, there’s no doubt about that – but it doesn’t have to be, not with all the wonderful things you can do with your (soon to be) other half in Leeds.
Looking for a specific kind of date?
Whether you’ve got those first date jitters or you want to keep the magic alive after years together, if you want to push the boat out or just keep it chill, Leeds is chock-full with places, activities and attractions that will help you woo that special someone. So, what do you say? Get that date in your diary!
First Dates – Breaking the Ice
First dates are a delicate art. You want somewhere to get to know each other, but without any awkward silences. These icebreakers are sure to do the trick.
Go head to head at a board game bar
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Board games, we can’t get enough of them! Well, with Chance & Counters, how can we not? You’ll find this gaming paradise amongst the hustle and bustle of Merrion Street, with 500 board games to play, spread across two floors.
You and your date can try your hand at known favourites like Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit, or get competitive with A Game of Cat & Mouth. But it doesn’t stop there, oh no. They also have an epic menu of smash burgers, loaded fries and more, which you can pair with a treat from their 10 lines of delicious craft beer and cider.
Split your sides at a comedy club
On the hunt for unusual dates in Leeds? If so, why not head to one of the city’s many comedy nights?
Whether it’s a household name on a country-wide tour or newcomers showcasing fresh stand-up material, in the corner of the dimly-lit HiFi basement or high up in the stalls of first direct bank arena, there’s no better way to spend your first date than laughing the night away. Top tip – make sure you and your date sit in the front row if you really want to make a night of it – just bear in mind there’ll be no holds barred!
Watch the view from a rooftop bar
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From Belgrave Music Hall to IF Rooftop, Green Room to Headrow House, it’s clear that Leeds can’t get enough of rooftop bars, and there’s good reason for it. The city has a cracking skyline, and what better way to watch the sun go down with your date than with a pint of the good stuff in your hand?
If you’re looking to make a good impression, why not take the lift up to the 13-storey high Sky Lounge? Elsewhere, there’s a secret beer garden tucked away atop Roland’s on Call Lane, but shh, you didn’t hear it from us.
Go bonkers at crazy golf
Long gone are the days when you and your first date had to sit down at a stuffy restaurant, so how about a round of crazy golf? Leeds is packed with outlandish crazy golf courses, some doubling as bars, each as weird, wonderful and wacky as the next.
Whether you want cocktail-fuelled neon madness or a good old fashioned mini golf experience, there’s no arguing that crazy golf is one of the best date night ideas in Leeds – just try not to let the competitiveness get the better of you, we know it’s hard!
Go wild at a retro arcade bar
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If you and your date have a shared passion for gaming, NQ64 is bound to be one of the best dates in Leeds. Drenched in neon and packed out with retro arcade machines and classic consoles, it’s an excellent choice for you and your player 2.
Whether you want to go old-school on Tetris, battle it out on Street Fighter or put pedal to metal on MarioKart, it’s all here. And there’s no shortage of top-notch cocktails and bevvies from the bar to help give you a power-up before you unlock some more gaming action.
Catch a gig at legendary music venues
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If you’re music lovers wanting one of the best first dates in Leeds, why not catch a gig at one of the city’s legendary gig venues?
There are loads of great options, from City Varieties to Belgrave, but we can’t get enough of Brudenell Social Club. They have live music on pretty much every night of the week, whether it’s renowned international artists or up-and-coming local bands. Plus, they have a brilliant beer and crisp offering… a pint of Virtuous and a bag of Scampi Fries is sure to woo even the most nervy of dates.
Battle it out at the city’s gaming bars
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No first date is complete without a little bit of healthy competition, so why not try your hand at one of the city’s many gaming bars?
Whether you’re in the mood for shuffleboard at Roxy Ball Room, electronic darts at Flight Club or prosecco pong (yep, you heard that right) at Boom Battle Bar, you’re bound to be in for a whale of a time while your completive heckles are up. Throw in tropical cocktails and street food sharing platters and you may just have yourself one of the best first dates in Leeds.
Sit down with a slice of coffee and a cake
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Java, cuppa, a cup of Joe… whatever you call it, there’s a place in Leeds that’ll sort you and your date out. Grabbing a coffee and a slice of cake is the perfect way to spend your first date. With no loud music to shout over, you can pick a quiet corner and properly get to know each other, all while sampling the delicious fare that Leeds’ cafes have to offer.
Whether you want a cuppa in the grandeur of The Tiled Hall or a cinnamon roll at Coffee on the Crescent, there’s somewhere in Leeds for you.
Get your fill at this craft beer and food hall
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Ten lines of craft beer? Check. Three delicious street food vendors? Check. Frozen cocktails and cool, laid-back vibes? Check and double check – it can only be The Northern Market.
The brainchild of legendary Leeds brewery Northern Monk, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better first date spot in Leeds. If you’re asking us, you can’t go wrong with a crisp pint of Faith and a tasty Six Slice naan pizza topped with Makhani butter sauce to share while gazing into the eyes of your date.
Second Dates – Making a Good Impression
Congrats, you’ve made it to the second date! It’s time to take a step up, and these dates in Leeds are the perfect way to do so.
Try a cocktail tasting experience
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Now, you’ve heard of a cocktail tasting experience, but you haven’t seen one like this before. The Maven’s cocktail tasting experiences are brilliant if you’re looking for second dates in Leeds.
For £30 per person, you’ll be guided through five of the finest of tipples, with the menu spanning a theme of Famous Drinkers. From Ernest Hemingway to Cleopatra VII and Andre the Giant, it’s a unique approach to mixology that is big on fun and bold on flavour.
Go on a charity shop crawl
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Now, you’ve heard of a pub crawl, but how about a charity shop crawl? Headingley is home to an array of thrift shops where you and your date can rummage, root and rifle to your heart’s delight. Kick things off at Mind and grab some pre-loved clobber, before heading on up to Oxfam to root around their vinyl selection.
Then, take the short walk up to British Heart Foundation where you’ll happen upon an epic selection of bric-a-brac and homeware. It’s cheap and it’s fun and there are loads of cafes and bars nearby to compare your finds – what more could you want from a second date?
Make some furry friends
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After one of the most wholesome dates in Leeds? Set your sights on one of the city’s many farms. Whether you want to visit Meanwood Valley Farm, an equine sanctuary or a garden nursery, there are loads of places in Leeds to fawn over cute animals and get to grips with husbandry while having a pleasant stroll.
What’s more, most farms have on-site shops, where you’ll find fresh meat, tasty cheeses and seasonal produce – why not take the date even further and stop off for a picnic?
Browse Leeds’ beautiful art galleries
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If you can manage to take your eyes off your date for a minute, how about a trip to one of Leeds’ awe-inspiring art galleries?
The city has a thriving art scene – marvel at Henry Moores and Barbara Hepworths at Leeds Art Gallery, discover up-and-coming artists at Sunny Bank Mills, but if you really want to impress, how about a trip to Basement Arts Project? You’ll find it in the basement of a terraced house in Beeston, filled with cool and quirky exhibitions from artists near and far.
Explore the great outdoors
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A ramble around the stunning countryside has to be one of the best dates in Leeds. You can enjoy some quiet time away from the hustle and bustle, take in staggering scenery and really get to know each other. But where to?
The Meanwood Valley Trail starts just minutes from the city centre and takes you as far as Golden Acre Park if you like – we recommend sitting on Woodhouse Ridge and admiring the views over the Meanwood Valley. Elsewhere, you can explore the city’s history and enjoy local scenery with the Leeds Canal Walk from the city centre to Kirkstall and Shipley.
Catch a film in one of Leeds’ historic cinemas
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The second date is perfect for catching a film – luckily for us, Leeds has some of the best and most unusual cinemas around. Take Hyde Park Picture House, a 100-year-old gas-lit cinema that screens Hollywood blockbusters and independent gems alike – you can even grab a pint of Virtuous beer if you so please.
Cottage Road Cinema up in Headingley offers more old-world charm, while across the city, the loveseats at Everyman in Trinity Leeds are perfect for snuggling up in and sharing a bucket of popcorn – just no arguing over sweet or salted!
Go underground at a cool jazz bar
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Stuck for romantic date night ideas in Leeds? Why not head to The Domino Club? Take the stairs behind Lords’ Barbering in Grand Arcade and you’ll happen upon this not-so-secret hidden jazz bar, where bands play live music until the wee hours every day of the week.
Grab a unique cocktail (or two) from their expert bartenders, before finding a booth in a dimly lit corner and tapping your feet along to funk, jazz, soul and more. Fair warning – it often has queues of up to half an hour, so make sure you get in there early!
Sing your heart out at karaoke
We sure hope you don’t suffer from stage fright because otherwise, you’d be missing out on one of the best dates in Leeds – karaoke at Hello Music Lounge. House of Fu’s dedicated cocktail bar, you can slurp down a bowl of noodles in the restaurant before heading upstairs to buzz through to the neon, 70s-inspired haven.
Dedicate a ballad to your someone special (too early?), duet to Islands in the Stream, or channel your inner Beyonce – it’s up to you! After, the oh-so-cool vinyl-mad bar next door is the perfect place to end the night.
Eat your way around Leeds
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If you and your date are foodies, then boy, do we have the perfect date in Leeds for you. With expert guide and founder Ellen Miller at the helm, Leeds Food Tours will take you on a tantalising tour of six of the city’s best independent food venues, with a bite to eat at each one.
Their Hidden Gems tour is our favourite and will see you stop off at centuries-old pubs, modern restaurants and stalls in Kirkgate Market, all while learning about the history and fun facts behind them all – you’d better come hungry!
All the Rest – Keeping the Magic Alive
We know, we know, you’ve been there and done that, but here are some date ideas in Leeds to keep you going for the long-run.
Sip and paint the night away
Got your wine glasses and paintbrushes at the ready? Pinot & Picasso‘s sip and paint evenings are perfect for date night if you want to unleash your creativity, and they hold events all over Leeds.
Arrive and put your apron on before being guided step by step through a masterpiece, be it The Kiss or Starry Night. It’s easy – all the equipment is included in the price, and you can take home your work of art at the end. Be warned, though, as drinks aren’t included in your ticket!
Cook up a storm at a cookery class
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Ready, steady, cook! With a selection of Thai classes at Chaophraya, you’re never too far away from emulating Gordon Ramsey with your impressive new culinary skills.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better date night idea then their ‘A Royal Occasion’ class, which will see you whip up two all-time favourite dishes with steamed dumplings and Massaman curry. Prefer Pad Thai? Opt for their Street Style class to learn what it takes to be a top Thai Street Hawker.
Relax with a couples massage
One of the most relaxing dates in Leeds has to be a couples massage at one of the many parlours dotted around the city.
In our opinion, though, you can’t beat a trip to Rosa’s Thai Massage – owner Rosa has venues dotted around all around the city, and incorporates elements of both Thai and deep massage. She uses a special homemade balm that aids the relaxation of any muscle tension, so lie down beside each other, take a deep breath and get ready to be taken to cloud nine.
Take a trip to the theatre
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You and your other half will find an ever-changing selection of shows at Leeds’ theatres, with everything from thought-provoking plays at Leeds Playhouse to West End musicals at Leeds Grand.
But that’s not all, Northern Ballet and Opera North produce a constant flow of critically acclaimed work, while the Northern School of Contemporary Dance and Riley Theatre bring cutting-edge choreography to the stage, leaving you positively spoilt for choice, each and every month.
Tuft your own rug
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If you and your other half are feeling crafty, you should definitely set your sights on Huffletuft, Leeds’ first rug tufting studio. Owner Alex has set up shop in Aire Place Mills, so head upstairs to his studio where you’ll have your chosen design drawn up for you before being armed with a tufting gun.
After a little shaving, shaping and cutting, you’ll have your very own piece of perfection to take home with you and proudly display – something you can show off to the grandkids, eh?
Dance the night away at a salsa class
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Trying out your moves at a salsa class is the perfect way to get hot, hot, hot. Whether you’ve got two left feet or you’re a seasoned pro, it’s a great way to spice up your relationship and get those hips moving.
We recommend trying out the ‘Leeds Salsa Club’ at The Dance Studio Leeds, where you’ll get to grips with leading and following, body alignment and non-verbal communication. It’s suitable for complete beginners and by the time you’re done, your partner won’t even recognise you.
Try out the city’s best tasting menus
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Want to push the boat out for your next date in Leeds with that special someone? There are loads of tasting menus across the city that are definitely worth dining out on, and some are surprisingly affordable.
Whether you sit down at Chef Jono at V&V to sample the delights of the Signature Tasting Menu, or go for a more budget-friendly, yet still tasty, themed six-course meal at Six By Nico, it’s a great way to leap out of your comfort zone and enjoy all of the delicious food that the city has to offer.
Cover image credit: Adam Capper
