Whether the weather is making you wish for a date that doesn’t go outside or you’re looking for something that doesn’t involve a lot of travel, you might be wondering whether to choose an indoor location for your next date – and one that isn’t just your local coffee shop. While we’ve got plenty of date ideas for those who like to escape into the great outdoors, here are some suggestions for those who like their dates to be more hygge than a hike!
Here are 6 great indoor date ideas.
Play your cards right at a board game cafe
Very little can be as comforting as taking the board and pieces from a box and settling down to play a board game. Who hasn’t kept a favourite from childhood stashed away at home! Board game cafes cater to that sense of nostalgia in a cosy, public setting – but the games on offer have come a long way from that old favourite Monopoly!
At cafes dedicated to board games you’ll find quick and silly games that may be very familiar, like retro favourites Hungry Hungry Hippos and Operation, as well as classics like Settlers of Catan, and many games you might never have heard of.
You could engage in some amiable rivalry or pick a game specially designed for teamwork. Whatever you choose, a gaming date will give you plenty of time to chat and learn about each other as you study strategy and find out whether your partner is competitive or cooperative, or a perfect blend of both.
Make it a showstopper date with a bake off
Whether you’re a whizz in the kitchen or more of a sunken souffle, choosing a baking class date can make sure no one has a soggy bottom! Look for baking classes in your area if you and your date are fans of culinary pursuits – or just like baked goods…
Lots of artisan bakeries offer classes in everything from bread making to biscuit decorating, usually in small, intimate groups. It doesn’t matter if your efforts are creative or catastrophic, the teacher will make sure you have something warm and tasty to take away.
For a date that combines comfort, collaboration and a little indulgence in a cosy kitchen setting, it’s time to get set: bake!
Be on the ball with mini golf
Joining the list of outdoor sports popping up in indoor settings is the ever-popular mini golf. Many towns and cities now offer their own indoor golf courses, often with quirky themes (or theme nights!).
If you’re the sporty type but the weather isn’t playing ball, or you’re just looking for a unique date idea and think trying to score a hole in one without knocking out the teeth of a giant clown sounds like fun, mini golf could be the date for you.
No one takes mini golf too seriously, so the real goal is just to enjoy each other’s company, and have a laugh along the way. The compact courses means you’ll never be too far away to chat. Most indoor golf locations also offer food options, so you can grab a cosy bite together afterwards as you analyse your performance.
Glide along at a skating rink
Ice skating might sound more cold than cosy, but wrapping up warm and visiting an indoor ice rink can be the perfect romantic option for a date indoors. Gliding across the ice glove in glove, trying to keep your balance (or perhaps heroically saving your partner from a fall) are the stuff that meet-cutes are made of. Many ice rinks offer evening skates with twinkling lights and music that adds to the atmosphere.
After you step off the ice you’ll have more than earned a hot chocolate, which is a great excuse to extend the date and stop at a cafe to warm up together.
Get closer at an escape room
Cosy dates don’t need to be low adrenaline. For those who love a challenge, but don’t want to compete against each other, getting together to take on an escape room could be a perfect date. You’ll find escape rooms to suit every taste, so whether you lean more Sherlock Holmes or James Bond there will be something for everyone.
Working together to solve puzzles, find clues and beat the clock will help you and your date get to know each other in record time, and you’ll feel you’ve accomplished something together when you find the solution and beat the room. It’s not the cosiest date on our list, but there’s something very warming about that sense of satisfaction!
Take the traditional route
It might be obvious, but the classic dinner date can be hard to beat for a cosy indoor setting. From an inviting Italian Trattoria to a rustic French bistro, look for something that matches both your tastes. Choose a restaurant with warm lighting and equally warming dishes on the menu, and ask for a spot away from the hustle and bustle so that you can relax, unwind, and focus on connecting.
Whatever indoor date idea you opt for, you’ll find opportunities to focus on and get to know each other in a comfortable, compact setting. There’s something for everyone, so why not ask the person you’re getting to know which they’d choose, and then work on making it happen, together?
What are your favourite indoor date ideas?
Find more inspiration for fun dates here
