In charge of choosing the venue? We’re here to help.
Google ideas for first dates and you’re likely to get all sorts of picnic, cinema and museum type ideas, but we think the right bar or restaurant can do a lot of the heavy lifting. The venue just needs incredible drinks to give you something to talk about as soon as you sit down. Standout snacks always help, too, in case that ‘let’s just grab a drink’ plan turns into something more. Great tunes, cosy corners and a buzzy atmosphere are among our other must-haves, along with staff who treat you like a regular – your date doesn’t have to know you’ve never actually been there before.
Sound like your kind of place? If you’re in Melbourne and chasing a bar for that perfect first date, we have some ideas. While every venue in our collection of reviews could arguably fit the bill in some way, we’ve narrowed it down to just eight. Like bowling, where the usual over-stimulus of fluoro lights, blaring Top 40 and excited kids’ parties is subbed for old-school decor, great beer and pub-style snacks. Or a wine bar that’s such a welcoming institution it makes you wish you were a local.
There’s nothing too fancy in this list – just places to go for a very good time, even if your date doesn’t work out.
