First dates are make or break.

Being that the person you’re dating is probably a stranger you matched with on Bumble you two know nothing about each other and thus have little to base your opinions of each other on.

One triggering pet peeve, wrong hand placement, or dull joke could put the kibosh on your fledgling love affair.

That’s why it’s so important to put yourself in a position to succeed.

The best way to do so is by choosing low key first date ideas that you know she’ll be into.

Why Is A Low Key First Date Idea The Way To Go?

If you’re MegaDating, first dates are everything.

To be clear, MegaDating is simply a proactive dating approach. It involves dating prolifically in order to cut down the time it takes to find your forever partner.

The thing is, if you’re going to be dating multiple women at once you’re going to have to follow certain guidelines to optimize your experience.

That means:

• Spending no more than $20 on a first date
• First dates should last around one hour
• Take place during the daytime in a public place if meeting someone you don’t know

When you go out with someone for the first time you’re basically going out with a stranger.

Why sign away your entire Friday night and blow $150+ on someone you may be repulsed by the second they open their mouth or sit their butt down on the cushion at that fancy French restaurant?

This is why we always advocate for going on low key (yet still super fun) first dates.

What Are The Best Low Key First Date Ideas?

Low key doesn’t have to mean overly romantic or boring. Low key just means chill and easy.

The following low-key first date ideas are the opposite of grandiose. No spontaneously booking a trip to Paris or watching a Broadway play.

Nope.

Instead, I’d like to pitch the following.

Ice Cream + Lovely Jaunt

Coffee can be lame.

Unless you’re going on a coffee tour, a coffee and epic one hour stroll, or hitting a coffee tasting leave the coffee idea for the guys that will never score a second date.

Instead, ask her to grab a cone and enjoy a walk along the water or in the park.

Chances are she won’t carve out time in her weekend to enjoy ice cream with some stranger so ask her to meet you right after work.

When asking her out say something like, “I could really treat myself to an ice cream after today. Want to meet me at Fritz’s at 6 for some double banana? We can grab a cone and walk the beach.”

Asking her out midweek means she probably doesn’t have plans and is stoked for an excuse to get out of the house. A laid-back date like this means she’s also not signing up for a four-hour expedition with a total stranger (something she wants to avoid at all costs).

Two things to keep in mind.

1) You should craft a date idea that she’s into. If she hates ice cream and walking, pick a different date.

2) The date location should take place close to her work or home, this makes it all too easy for her to say yes to your date request.

Tea Lounge w/ Chill Setting

Chances are if you’re reading this you’re located in or near a city. And chances are that city has a billion and one cool tea shops that your date has yet to explore.

Choose a relaxing, quirky tea lounge where you can get your chat on.

There’s nothing more romantic (in a chill way) than by sipping some tea with a lovely stranger on a chilly afternoon. This is the perfect autumn or winter date idea.

If you’re in NYC check out one of these places.

Boba Tea/Walk

Boba tea is all the rage.

It’s novel, has a cute name, and is ridiculously sugary.

If you’re date is a boba fan, find one close to her home and invite her for a drink. Ideally, you pair boba with a leisurely stroll. Just be sure to research the route beforehand so you know what to expect.

Low Key First Date Ideas: Farmers Market

A farmers market is dynamic, almost always takes place early in the morning, and is relatively cheap.

In other words if you’re MegaDating it’s the perfect first date plan.

Restaurant dates can quickly become awkward. That’s because you have little to stimulate conversation. It’s just you and her staring at one another. Farmers markets on the flip side always give you something to chat about.

You’re surrounded by a dynamic market ripe with fruit and topics for conversation.

I recommend buying some bread and jam and having an impromptu picnic if you’re feeling your date. Perhaps even buy a bottle of wine. If she’s not into any of those things, no worries, it’s a freakin massive outdoor supermarket, there’s something for everyone.

And hey if you’re not enjoying your date at least you can get some shopping done!

Bring Your Date And Pooches To The Dog Park

The ideal two-for-one low key first date idea is to hit the dog park.

It’s simple, easy, and a win-win for you and your dog.

You already know that she has a dog right?

If you matched with her you probably saw her pup all over her profile or IG.

Chances are you probably even chatted about your dogs (how could you avoid it).

Look she already goes to the dog park on the reg, so why not hit the park together?

This is the quintessential low key first date idea because it’s just so easy. Also meeting her dog is like skipping a step. It’s almost akin to meeting her friend on a first date.

If your dogs get along (as well as you two) expect to have a second date.

Even if she doesn’t turn into the love of your life as least your dog will have made a new friend.

Pro Tip: Upload a photo of you and your dog to your online dating account and see an immediate bump in matches.

Wine @ a Relaxing Side of a Beach

Being that about 40% of the population live on the coast and an even larger percentage near a large body of water chances are good that you too live near a scenic body of water.

If that’s the case you have it all too easy.

Too few of us take advantage of the natural beauty around us.

At first the beach may not sound like an amazing idea, but compared to your usual routine it probably is.

She rarely gets invited to the beach.

Even if it’s a bit chilly out, bring a blanket (conveniently forget to bring two) and warm tea or hot chocolate to warm you two up before or after the wine.

Enjoy having the beach to yourself for once and enjoy the sunset or the crashing of the waves.

Virtual Game Date

Maybe she’s too busy to meet for a drink, maybe she has the flu or COVID, or maybe she just isn’t 100% down to meet yet.

Luckily the pandemic kind of normalized virtual dating.

And by virtual dating I don’t mean chatting her up without end via a dating app. I mean having a date via FaceTime or within the dating platform itself.

But hey, talk about awkward right?

Many people are afraid this could turn awkward fast.

I have two ways to address that.

1) Set a time limit. 

Tell her you have an engagement in thirty minutes so you can only chat briefly. The longer the date, the higher the odds that things will sour.

2) Play a game. 

Time flies when you play one of the many online games that were popularized during the pandemic.

Barcade

A barcade is the perfect combination of nostalgia and alcohol.

Imagine a bar with craft beer on tap filled to the brim with arcade games.

You two will always have something to talk about, bond over, and best of all you two can go head to head in Mortal Combat.

And hey, even if you’re not feeling your date at least you’ll have a chance to beat your high score in Pacman.

If you’re in NYC check out idea #11 on our list of the best NYC date ideas.

Mini Golf

What can I say, activity dates are simply the best. They take your mind off your jitters, get you focused on something else, and are the perfect way to bond with your date.

I believe the best dates are the ones where you and your date are doing something together.

Whether you’re working together (ideal) or against each other (sexy) it’s a win-win.

If you want more ideas and you’re in the Austin area, check out our list of the best first, second, and third date ideas in Austin.

Kayaking/Paddleboard

Do you have a two-person kayak or an extra paddleboard lying around?

Are you also the type of person that loves outdoor activities and must have a partner that does too?

If so this is the ideal low key first date idea.

It’s novel yet chill, quiet and lends itself to being the perfect environment to chat in, and is a great way for you two to bond.

Not to mention it’s also a bit of a workout.

A Brief Urban Hike

Remember that if you’re MegaDating, first dates should last no longer than about an hour.

If you two are the outdoorsy type why setup a very short hike (like a 1-2 mile urban hike around the edges of your districts). Think date idea #2 in this list of San Francisco date ideas.

Three Things To Remember For Your Low Key First Date Ideas

Being that it’s a first date there’s little room for error.

When asking her out I want you to remember these three things.

1) Make sure the date location is close to her home or place of work

Have you ever heard the stat that for every mile away the gym is from your home, you’re 20% less likely to go? Alright maybe that’s not the exact stat but you get the point. If the date is super inconvenient for her to get to she’s not going to spend an hour+ in a car just to meet some guy she doesn’t know.

Make sure it’s within 15 or so minutes from her home or place of work.

2) Make sure it’s something she’s into

You’re not going to invite a girly girl to play paintball or watch UFC are you?

Pick a date activity that you know she’s into. Use what you’ve learned from her profile and your conversation to craft such a first date.

3) Use A TDL to ask her out

TDL stands for time, date, location. 

She’s never going to agree to go on a nebulous first date.

She wants to know the details. Make your date request as concrete as possible — that means including specifics.

City-Specific First Date Ideas

Let’s drill down and get a bit more specific.

Sure these first-date ideas sound good and all but are they even feasible in your city?

To give you a more concrete idea of a stellar first date idea, let’s find amazing fist date ideas for some of the most happening singles cities in the country.

San Francisco – Ferry Building

If you tend to get nervous on first dates — or any date, for that matter —  this date has tons of cool things to distract you from your anxiety. The Ferry Building has an array of chocolate shops, coffee shops, and other small businesses that are fun to check out. And, of course, a view of the Bay Bridge is always a great addition to any date.

Below is an image of the Embarcadero building at dusk. Remember my first date rules- if you’re heading out for a first date, make sure it’s during the daytime. And if this isn’t your vibe, check out there 85 first-date ideas for San Francisco. 

NYC – Meow Parlour

If you two are cat-lovers why not grab a quick sweet and even feed some hip Lower East Side kittens while you’re at it?

The Meow Parlour is chuck-full of cats you can pet, hug, and even adopt.

It’s cheap, easy, and I guarantee she’s never gone on such a left-field kind of first date. Here are 53 other NYC date ideas that will also get your date purring.

Austin – Top Golf

Guaranteed this is the coolest golf course you’ll ever go to. It has an array of golfing games, is super interactive, and is just a gorgeous space to spend time on a first date.

If she’s into golf, this is a must for a first date. But if she’s not I have 30 other ideas that might turn her on. 

Miami – Miami Design District Tour

Twice a month you’ll be able to enjoy a free 1.5-hour tour of Miami’s Design District. 

Before the tour starts, I recommend meeting up at Sabal Coffee which is right next to where the tour starts. Chit-chat and get to know each other a bit before the tour starts.

This may seem like an unexpected first date in Miami – and that’s because it is. Most people would hit a swanky Cuban joint or the beach, but you’re different. A free tour of awesome modern art is a welcomed curveball.

Here are one or two other picante Miami first-date ideas.

Chicago – Original Rainbow Cones

Grandpa Joe created the rainbow cone in 1926. Unsatisfied with the lack of ice cream flavors, Joe and his wife decided to make a host of new flavors. Stack them all together and you get the rainbow cone. Located in Beverly, The Original Rainbow Cone is a great date spot for those seeking to enjoy one of Chicago’s oldest and proudest establishments.

If she’s not a fan of ice cream try out one of these other Chicago first-date ideas. 

No matter the city you live in, chances are we know a few awesome first date ideas in your city. 

Get Your First Date

How do you feel about these low key first date ideas?

Are you jazzed and ready to start dating?

I’ll take your silence as a resounding YES!

The only issue is you need a date.

We’ve helped men go from very little dates to having so many they need to start dating two women a day.

That’s the power of MegaDating.

In our program, Dating Decoded, we’ll show you how to leverage MegaDating to tap into your social circles and find compatible single women ready to date.

To learn more about how our program can help you find you a date this Saturday, book a 1-on-1 Zoom call.