From rooftop cocktails and comedy nights to crazy golf and live music, here’s where to plan your next date in Leeds.
Looking for date ideas in Leeds? There’s more to life than dinner and a movie. Whether it’s a first date, an anniversary or just an excuse to spend quality time together, these ideas are guaranteed to make your next date memorable.
Need more inspiration? Check out our guides to the best first date bars in Leeds and things to do for couples in Leeds.
Looking for a specific type of date?
Best first date ideas
Go head to head at a board game bar
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First dates can be nerve-wracking, but board games make the perfect ice breaker. Visit Chance & Counters on Merrion Street and you’ll find more than 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. And if the conversation dries up? Just whip out another game.
Best for: Breaking the ice on a first date.
Split your sides at a comedy club
Laughter is one of the best ways to ease those first date nerves, and Leeds is home to 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!
Best for: Laughing away any first date nerves.
Watch the view from a rooftop bar
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From Belgrave Music Hall to The Rooftop Social, 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 few things feel as romantic as watching the sun set over the city with a drink in 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.
Best for: Upping the romance with sunset drinks.
Sit down with a slice of coffee and a cake
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Sometimes all you need is a daytime date and grabbing a coffee and a slice of cake is the perfect low-key activity. 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.
Best for: A laidback, no-pressure situation.
Food & drink dates
Get your fill at this craft beer and food hall
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Can’t decide where to eat? Food halls let you both order exactly what you fancy while sharing a drink and enjoying a laidback atmosphere. There’s no better pick than 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.
Best for: Sharing plates without having to compromise.
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.
Best for: A cocktail date that’s a little out of the ordinary.
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!
Best for: Adventurous foodies looking for a memorable date.
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.
Best for: Special occasions and anniversaries.
Fun & competitive dates
Go bonkers at crazy golf
If sitting down to dinner feels too formal, 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!
Best for: Competitive couples who can’t sit still.
Go wild at a retro arcade bar
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Whether you’re reliving your childhood or introducing each other to new games, arcade bars are all about having fun together rather than worrying about awkward conversation. NQ64 is a neon-drenched gaming paradise, packed out with retro arcade machines and classic consoles. It’s the perfect choice when you want to find your player 2.
Go old-school with Tetris, battle it out at Street Fighter or put pedal to metal with a game of MarioKart. 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.
Best for: Gamers and anyone looking to get nostalgic.
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 competitive 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.
Best for: Building your own mini-tournament and sussing out any pool sharks.
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.
Best for: Letting loose with your other half.
Romantic date nights
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!
Best for: Impressing your date at one of the coolest spots in Leeds.
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.
Best for: Making a special occasion feel even more special.
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 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.
Best for: Slowing down and switching off.
Creative & unusual date ideas
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.
Best for: Stepping outside your comfort zone – while upping the passion.
Create your own masterpiece
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!
Best for: Getting creative together.
Cook up a storm at a cookery class
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Want to impress your other half with your cooking skills? Head to Chaophraya, where you’ll pick up a whole host of tips for cooking Thai food – perfect for recreating at home.
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.
Best for: Learning a new skill and working together.
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?
Best for: Creating a memento of your date.
Outdoor date ideas
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.
Best for: Long walks and even longer conversations.
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.
Best for: Finding out about your new partner’s style.
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?
Best for: Animal lovers looking to escape the city.
Classic date ideas
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?
Our pick? It has to be 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.
Best for: Discovering your new favourite band together.
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.
Best for: Inspiring deep conversations.
Catch a film in one of Leeds’ historic cinemas
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It’s one of the oldest dates in the book, and luckily 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!
Best for: Cosying up after a long week.
Cover image credit: Adam Capper
