9 Cosy & Affordable Date-Night Spots In London
FOR MOCKTAILS & LIVE MUSIC:
God's Garden, Marylebone
This new winter terrace opens on Friday 4th November. In the gardens of One Marylebone (the cool church turned events space you’ve probably spotted on TikTok), couples can enter through a secret passage behind the greenhouse into a hidden courtyard decorated with sparkly lights, outdoor rugs and heaters. There’ll be a bar serving warm mocktails, plus an outdoor kitchen for snacks and street food. The terrace will also host après-ski brunch parties on Saturdays and live music events on Sundays.
1 Marylebone Road, Marylebone, NW1 4AQ
Visit GodsGardenLdn.com
FOR GOOEY FONDUE:
Lilly's Winter Terrace, Covent Garden
Lilly’s opened inside the five-storey townhouse 3 Henrietta Street last year. Now, the café has opened an outdoor terrace by Covent Garden Piazza with a fun fondue menu. Tuck into a bubbling pot of Swiss gruyere and emmental cheese with new potatoes and bread for dipping. Treat yourself to a glass of mulled wine or the 'Sleigh Ride' cocktail mad with cognac, Cointreau, orange, and cranberry juice, topped with champagne.
3 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 8LU
Visit 3Henrietta.com
FOR IGLOOS & CABINS:
Neverland, Fulham
Neverland is known for its SW London beach parties in the summer, but come November, it’s transformed into a winter wonderland complete with outdoor igloos, winter chalets and cabins, and a Bavarian-inspired tent. Order pizza, burgers and drinks from the bar, before cosying up in a ski lift bubble (£5pp) kitted out with blankets and twinkling lights. Challenge your date to a game of darts, beer pong or mini basketball, then get an Insta snap in the photobooth.
Wandsworth Bridge Road, Fulham, SW6 2TY
Visit NeverlandLondon.com
FOR FUN BOARDGAMES:
Draughts, Waterloo & Hackney
The original Draughts is in Waterloo’s famous Leake Street graffiti tunnel, but there’s also a second outpost in Hackney. The clue is in the name: this venue is all about draughts and retro boardgames that will transport you and your date back to childhood. There are more than 1,000 games to choose from, including Monopoly, Cluedo, Mouse Trap, Articulate, Ludo and Jenga. Once you’ve settled the score, order tacos, nachos, burgers and more.
Arch 16, Leake Street, Waterloo, SE1 7NN; 41 Kingsland High Street, Hackney, E8 2JS
Visit DraughtsLondon.com
FOR A DOUBLE DATE:
Coppa Club Igloos, Tower Bridge & Putney
Coppa Club will reopen its outdoor igloos next month – but you’ve got to be quick if you want to nab a spot. With London sites in Tower Bridge and Putney, the newly designed pods have twinkly lights, blankets and festive decorations. Ideal for double or triple dates, igloos seat up to eight – but can be set up for two if you’re feeling romantic. You can order three-course meals, or choose more casual dishes from the menu, like pizzas, fresh pasta and small sharing plates. Be sure to leave room for a dessert like sticky toffee pudding, vanilla cheesecake or chocolate mousse.
Three Quays Walk, Lower Thames Street, Tower Bridge, EC3R 6AH; 29 Brewhouse Lane, Putney, SW15 2JX
Visit CoppaClub.co.uk
FOR TACOS & DANCING:
Dōna, Stoke Newington
You might recognise Dōna from Insta or TikTok – its dreamy interiors look like something straight out of Mexico. Tucked away behind a bright red sequin door, the bar has velvet sofas and a pink marble bar where couples can order drinks and listen to live music. We recommend the ‘Mary’ mocktail, made with cucumber syrup, lime and ginger beer. Every night from 6pm to 10pm, you can also order tacos and small plates from Tigre Tacos upstairs.
92 Stoke Newington High Street, Stoke Newington, N16 7NY
Visit BarDonaLondon.com
FOR AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE:
Backyard Cinema
Backyard Cinema has reopened for its winter season. At its Wandsworth studio, there’s a new backdrop to transport you into a different world. Couples will arrive on the platform to collect tickets for the show, before hopping aboard a 1920s train to reach the comfy seating at the Backyard screen. Snuggle up with snacks and drinks on the beanbags to watch new films like Elvis or Halloween classics including Hocus Pocus and The Nightmare Before Christmas. Stick around afterwards for live music, drag performances and comedy inside the circus tent.
2-4 Armoury Way, Wandsworth Town, SW18 1SH; until January
Visit BackyardCinema.co.uk
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FOR A CASUAL EVENING:
Acme Fire Cult, Dalston
This Dalston hotspot is buzzing with DJs and hipsters during the summer months, but now is a great time to drop by its outdoor terrace for small BBQ plates and drinks. Cosy up to your date on a wooden bench kitted out with sheepskin rugs while Acme’s chefs cook up a storm on the outdoor grill and smoker stand. Look out for dishes like smoked potatoes with tahini, fillet steak with chimichurri sauce, and a hazelnut and chocolate ganache pudding. There are local beers on tap from 40FT Brewery, but if that’s not your thing, there are plenty of soft drinks.
Abbot Street, Dalston, E8 3DP
Visit AcmeFireCult.com
FOR QUIRKY DRINKS:
Eve Bar, Covent Garden
In the basement of Adam Handling’s Covent Garden restaurant The Frog, Eve is an atmospheric bar with cool, romantic interiors. Couples can sit at the bar or settle down on a velvet sofa with comfy cushions and candles. There are some quirky drinks and mocktails on the inventive menu, including the ‘Soft Serve’ made with malt, coconut and vanilla, and the ‘Champless’ featuring lychee, grapes and soda water.
34 Southampton Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 7HF
Visit EveBar.co.uk
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