The Top 10 Guide to Dating in London
eHarmony Advice has 10 Tips for Dating in London.
Below, you'll have an opportunity to give us your tips for dating in London, so let us know what you think!
Forget the uptight old image. Walk down the streets of London and you’ll find a mix of diversity, culture and strange haircuts as in no other city. Here’s your guide to dating in foggy Londontown, home to 7.3 million people.
1. Pony Up
London is a place to drop some serious quid. Expect to spend at least £100 to £150 for dinner for two (with wine) and tickets to a concert or play. To find art walks, concerts in the park, boot sales and other free activities, pick up a Time Out London magazine.
2. Be a Slick Spender
To spoil your sweetie on a budget, buy discounted musical theater tickets at Leicester Square on the day of the show.
3. Location Matters
Kensington, Chiswick and Hampstead are expensive, sought-after places to live. If you want to surround yourself with the beautiful—and hopefully single—people, consider sharing a flat. Having a roommate will defray the costs—and could lead to romance if that roommate can introduce you to available friends and co-workers.
4. Get Outside
English gardens are famous for a reason. On a clear day, take advantage of the Royal Parks and get to know each other away from the hubbub of the city. At the Regent’s Park, hire a boat and work up a sweat together as you row across the Boating Lake. Or escape from the melee of the city to the Green Park, a refuge that’s perfect for an intimate picnic with your main squeeze. If you’re woodsy types, then head to Richmond Park and take bets on how many deer you’ll see. The loser has to pay for ice cream at the park’s Roehampton Cafe.
5. Mix it Up
Tolerance is the buzzword, so don’t be shy about asking out someone of a different race or religion. There are large Hindu populations in Brent, Harrow and Southall, while the north London communities of Stamford Hill and Golders Green are home to significant Jewish populations.
6. Strike a Fashion Balance
In this fashion-forward city, you can wear something no one has seen before if you have the confidence to pull it off. It can take the wardrobe-challenged a few months to catch on to London’s avant-garde style, so show that you’re en vogue without being too out-there. Blokes, skip the trendy-yet-androgynous man purse in favor of classic jeans and a tee with a fun accessory, like an impressive watch or a cool track jacket. Ladies, opt for figure-flattering jeans or a flirty sundress with one killer conversation piece, such as a pair of lace-up heels or a funky headband. And if you’re thinking of trying a cutting-edge hairstyle, go for it.
7. Eat Like Royalty
Despite England’s reputation for culinary mediocrity, London is home to some world-class restaurants. Treat your date to a meal at the Capital Restaurant in Knightsbridge. The wine list is impressive and chef Eric Chavot’s French cuisine is world-renowned, but the decor is dressy-casual, so you can wear a jeans and a nice shirt and still be yourself on the date. Prices are steep—the three-course lunch menu is £29.50 per person and the three-course dinner menu starts at £58 per person—so save the Capital for that special someone.
8. Compliment your Lady
Call it the Posh Spice effect, but every London woman seems to want smaller thighs, perkier breasts and more lustrous hair— and they’re more than willing to try the latest fad diet or Hollywood beauty secret to get the look. Birds, to set yourself apart from the pack, wear something that flatters your figure, but then strut your stuff like you’re the queen. Confidence is sexy. Blokes, keep chivalry alive and compliment her best features. If she knows you think she’s a goddess, she’ll be more likely to eat that box of mint chocolates you brought her from Ackermans.
9. Pamper your Guy
Regardless of where you live, some guys like frou-frou face products and strive for David Beckham’s abs. The next time you’re at Harrods, pick up some Acqua di Parma shaving cream or Molton Brown lip balm for him.
Londoners are about something, whether it’s wearing fake fur, complaining about the prime minister or advocating hip-hop. No one likes a whiner, but a cause you care deeply about will help you connect with like-minded people and show off your passionate side.
Have Ideas for Dating in London? Post them Below!
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21 Comments View this thread in our community
FoxAche
November 9,2010 at 01:01 pmCovent Garden - loads of good places to eat, and the street entertainers give plenty to talk about. Or Camden Lock, again, loads of weirdos to discuss, and plenty of bars and the lock on a nice day is a great place to be
PY_2
August 3,2010 at 04:26 pmHey I think you look gorgeous for an English man!!:p
bigfincat
August 3,2010 at 04:14 pmbigfincat
August 3,2010 at 04:09 pmEvery date must consist of seeing Big Ben...Parliament......... Big Ben...Parliament...........Big Ben...Parliament..........Big Ben... Parliament.................Big Ben...Parliament...........Big Ben... Parliament..............Big Ben...Parliament......... Big Ben...Parliament...........Big Ben...Parliament..........Big Ben... Parliament.................Big Ben...Parliament...........Big Ben... Parliament
LuvsSunsets
August 3,2010 at 03:20 pmIf an englishmen refers to their american girl friends as "cousin" is that putting us in the friend zone?? or is this a typical way of addressing us from across the "pond"??
mickyodus
June 18,2010 at 11:53 amnice meeting u
tornado
October 13,2009 at 12:39 pmThanks a million for the tips, pgh52 and trixie1868!! Especially the detailed bits and names of restaurants and places.
I'm having a busy month, as does 'he', so we'll be meeting in London in November. I'll just blame you if the date doesn't go well... ;)
No, seriously, thanks so much!! :)
trixie1868
October 3,2009 at 07:23 amOooh! I can help. The British Museum is round the corner from Soho so you should have a little meander up and down the streets. There's lots of modern bars to pick from and a few traditional albeit tiny (original Victorian tiling on the walls and quite lovely) ~ The Dog and Duck is my favourite.
Eating in the West End is usually a bad idea, over priced and rubbish. Old Compton Street is in the middle of Soho and busy, busy, busy but if your date goes well and you feel like splashing out a bit then there's Cafe Boheme which is good moderately priced eating, Valeries Patesserie for coffee and cake and a pizzeria that I really like called Pulcinellas.
Round the corner on Frith Street is Cafe Em which is very reasonable and pretty good food.
The thai all you can eat buffets aren't bad. If you venture into China Town (which is next to Soho) then you need to spend good money to eat well in my opinion. Plum Valley on Gerrard Street is very good.
A walk round Leicester Square (home of the English film premiere) is something people do but most of the restaurants and bars round there are pretty tacky.
If you end up on the South Bank just walking up and down by the river is a good way to spend a couple of hours. Lots of street acts going on and Gabriels Wharf offers a couple of good places to eat.
If you've got more time try to visit Greenwich (Gypsey Moth pub is a good place to eat) and Camden is fabulous if mental. The market in Camden will feed you with amazing curries, chinese and mexican food for very little money indeed but the Gilgamesh restaurant is a gorgeous pan asian place that wouldn't shame some of the fancier places in Vegas.
Have a really lovely time, I'll keep an eye out for ya! . :)
pgh52
October 3,2009 at 06:08 amYes the Brits are coming, as for where to go and what to do on a date in london, I'm meeting one of my matches in london, it is half way between us both, so what we have done is look at every website and agreed on a hotel, (note: having travelled in the states our hotels can be a disappointment trip advisor can help though), there are a number of good sites which will show you different priced restaurants from 15-20 dollars for 2 courses to what you are willing to pay. There are many places to visit that cost nothing, a 3 day travel card for the tube, bus and light railway systems only cost about 20 dollars.
I would recommend picking a selection of things to do from Theatre, museums, monuments, galleries, parks, gardens, lots of bars and restaurants. Maps for all these are easily downloadable from the net.
Ok the air fare can be a deal buster, but I have been to the states on a number of occasions and managed to find cheap flights with some of the less well known airlines.
As a brit I'll report back on just how I feel about my capital city after the visit!!
tornado
October 3,2009 at 05:27 amOkay, here goes. I'll actually be going on a date in London in a few weeks. We'll meet up and visit the British Museum. - An ideas on what else to do? He and I have both been to London before, but neither has been out on a date there. Don't even know a good restaurant there (I mean, one that doesn't have me max the credit card).
Help!
:confused:
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