Types of Dates & Great Date Ideas

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Dating in the 21st century is more complicated than ever. There are no simple and easy rules, so most people have trouble planning the perfect date, especially the first date. Most people get stuck doing the same uninteresting dates, so the time has come to step up your dating game. Here is a list of different types of dates that serve as inspiration when planning a great date, whether it is your first date or 100th.



What you have to remember is the perfect date depends on you, your date and what works for you two together. I can't tell you what will work for the two of you. But I hope you will get some inspiration.



Casual Dates

The go to standard for dating is a casual coffee in the afternoon. You can meet, talk and get to know each other. While lots of people chat online before the first date, it doesn't mean that the will be comfortable with you when you actually meet. So it is just about seeing how you vibe and give each of you the chance to easily make excuses and leave after the coffee.



Hint: When planning a casual date, make sure that there is something to do afterwards. Some examples include choosing a cafe near or in a park so you can go for a walk afterwards. It can be next to an art gallery, near a place with live music and many other options. After all, if the date is going well, make sure it keeps going.

Romantic Date

Dinner, candlelight, a live violin player, not to mention flowers when you meet. Don't forget the view, ideally over moonlit waters. Oh, maybe this dinner should be on a boat cruising down the river or on a harbour. Afterwards, it would be nice to see a show. Romance is not dead, and this sort of date really cranks up the emotional connection and is good as a 2nd or 3rd date. Let's not talk about the price tag though.



Hint: A show afterwards is good, but remember it can be a little rushed eating before the show, so make sure you have plenty of time. Also, know when to move up to this type of date. It may not be the best first date, but it all depends on how things are going between you and them.

All Out Date

Do you want to impress someone, then you may want to go all out on date night. That usually means, something like dinner at a fine dining restaurant, good tickets to the hottest show in town, followed by cocktails in a bar with a view, and maybe some dancing in a place where you can wear the fancy clothes you wore out for the evening. Don't forget the limousine to pick up, drive you around and drop you off. Sometimes it is worth going all out.



Hint: When you try to do anything perfectly, even planning a perfect date, it creates stress. You don't really have to go all out to achieve an All Out date, just take them somewhere impressive, and maybe have plans for the other parts later, but keep it open.

Lifestyle Date

See the picture below. I took it on top of Mt Ngungun in Queensland's Glass House Mountains and the couple in the photo was on a first date. A first date that was going so well that they asked me to send them the photo. Some of you are thinking, that hiking up a mountain would be a terrible date, but it is all about your lifestyle. Hikers can go hiking together, gym junkies can have a date in a gym, and if you are both into chess, go have a date in a chess bar or cafe. Nothing connects you with someone better than a date related to a common activity. More importantly, this is a place where they feel the most comfortable, and that will make them feel comfortable with you too.



Hint: Don't push your lifestyle on them and don't just follow them to do something you don't like. This is ideally about something you both enjoy doing. Sometimes you can plan something around your casual interest and their obsession.

Adventure Date

An adventure is about trying something you haven't done before. It could be kayaking, learning SCUBA, abseiling, tree top challenges, bridge climbs and much more. You will be surprised how many adventures are out there. Think anything from indoor skydiving to shooting firearms at a shooting range. Love is an adventure, as is life. Time to find out if your date is up for an adventure.



Hint: An adventure date is something that pushes both of you to do something different. The trick is to choose something that will be a true adventure for both of you. If they are going to take a leap on a date they are more likely to take a leap in their love life too.

Shopping Date

Okay, okay, I know, shopping for some people is a lifestyle. But for a date, it is something a bit special. Browsing and shopping let you both interact with things. You can even spend money on your date. Some great shopping options include markets, shopping streets and of course op shops if you are both into op shopping. Antique stores are also cool. In the end, a good shop with the right person can help build a relationship.



Hint: There is a whole dynamic here about money here, and who will buy what for whom. Shopping dates let you feel out of this aspect of a relationship. The trick is to keep an open mind and open wallet for this.

Play Date

I personally connect better with people when we are doing things. It also helps to find out if the other person is fun or not. I mean there are couples out there that are not fun at all, which is fine, and that is what they prefer, but for many couples, having fun together is important. The trick is to find somewhere fun to go. There are cafes and bars with games, there is mini-golf, table tennis, bowling, laser tag and heaps of other things you can do.



Hint: The places with board games are good because you can select something you both like to play, or just ignore the games and talk if you prefer. Also, avoid anything too competitive.

Party Date

Do you like drinking and dancing? Does your date like drinking and partying? Then party on dudes and duderenoos! There are lots of places where the party is happening, from bars, nightclubs and festivals. You do need to find a place with a fun crowd. Often the best parties are music festivals as these usually have a great atmosphere and the party keeps on going, but with the right attitude, the party can be anywhere.



Hint: You have to watch the energy level of your date. If you are going strong and they are fading, then it is time for the party to wind up, or dump them there and keep the party going.

Up For Anything Date

So you start your date with maybe coffee or a few drinks, and then you wake up in a hotel room in Singapore with a tattoo on your buttocks. The Up For Anything date is great for some people, but you have to be ready because anything could happen. It requires the right personality to make this sort of date happen, but it basically involves ignoring any plans and just going for it. I mean it can mean just deciding to drive to another town to go to a particular restaurant or popping into a theatre to see if they have any tickets for the night's show. Though you might be swimming nude in the moonlight or sneaking into a concert you don't have tickets to.



Hint: If you are going out with someone who is up for anything then you need to be prepared as well. Wear the right clothes, shoes appropriate for different situations and do your homework beforehand so you can suggest ideas or know how to do things. Oh, don't forget to make sure your phone is fully charged. If you are not up for anything in one night, just make another date to do that activity.

Virtue Signally Date

These can be a bit creepy, but I should mention them as they can be genuine, but people should watch out for them. Examples include asking your date to come volunteer with you or to go visit the RSPCA dogs up for adoption. Creepy versions include a guy I knew who puts a pile of old blankets on the passenger seat of his car, and when he goes to pick up his date he says "Oh, I put them there because I was going to donate them for the rescue dogs at the RSPCA, just throw them in the back of the car for me." Of course, Barack Obama took his future wife Michelle out to a community organising event that he was involved in, and that must have worked as they got married.



Hint: Works great if it is genuine. Can creep people out if it is not. It also works as a way to easily spot people who are fake because they talk about what they will do, but never do it.

Intellectual Date

Walking around galleries talking about art. Going to talks on topics ranging from AI to climate change. Book club meetings. A nice game of chess. Escape rooms. It can be great to spend time with someone who is smart. It is about listening and learning from your date, and hopefully, they are listening and learning from you. Ideally, it means sharing ideas, and even solving problems together. Most importantly, don't look for someone with the exact same ideas as you, then your relationship will only last up until the other person has a different idea. This is looking for someone who will expand your thinking.



Hint: Make it part of the date. You know, go to a cafe then pop into an art gallery. Go to a lecture before having dinner. That way you can connect in other ways too.

Media (photographs or video) date

So what is a media date? Well, it is where you go somewhere to take photos, make videos, and post cool things online. I could call it an influencer date if the couple both have big social media followings. It is all about going and making media. Maybe you will photograph them, maybe they will photograph you, or maybe you will get some good couples photos. Or maybe you will do activities and film them. But the goal is not just the location but the photos, so bring your good camera, clean your lens, and maybe even dress up nicely.



Hint: Your goal is to make the other person look good. The selfie camera on your phone is terrible at this as it is usually a wide-angle lens. So bring a tripod and a remote for your phone or camera. Don't bring a 3rd wheel to take the photos but you must ask other people for help.

Mystery Date

I am not a big fan of mystery dates because it can all go wrong. Maybe your date wears the wrong shoes or clothes, perhaps they arrive late and there is a specific starting time, and there is always the possibility that they are not really into the thing you are taking them to. Oh, let's not forget that they might have already been to the thing you are trying to take them to. But when done well, it can be amazing. I have planned a few mystery dates and have been taken on a couple of great ones too.



Hint: It works best when you know each other better. That way you can choose the right surprise date.

Overall

Too many people get caught up in the same dating pattern. But if you are looking for love or want to improve your relationship, think of something different by understanding that there are many types of dates. But choose the date that is right for you, your partner and your relationship and it will be fantastic.

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