You landed a hot date, congratulations! So now what?  You might have exchanged a few texts, played a little phone tag, performed some Facebook creeping or even Googled their name.  You are excited to spend more time with them but you have no idea where to go on your first date!  Unfortunately for most people, dating is often hard, scary and booby trapped with rejection lurking around every corner, so don’t blow it by screwing up something simple like picking the first date venue.

This list will ensure that the logistics of your first date are as smooth as silk so you can really get to know him/her while having the most fun and avoiding the awkward “So what do you wanna do?” conversation.

The most important factor to consider while choosing a venue is location.  The closer to home the better, and bonus points if it is in easy walking distance.  Spending a lot of money on first date is a big no-no because it often gives the wrong impression.  If you have to spend a ton of money to have fun then you are missing the point of a first date, which is to connect and get to know him/her better.  The best first dates usually end at your place so keep this in mind while choosing from the venues below.  Dinner and a movie… I don’t think so!

1st pick: A Dive Bar
Let’s face it, alcohol is a widely used social lubricant.  Most people like the idea of meeting someone at a bar because it is a public place conducive to fun and conversation.  But bars come in all shapes, sizes and price tags.  This is why dive bars are great.  They are laid back, inexpensive, full of characters who can be the target of hilarious people watching conversations and they usually come fully stocked with GAMES!  Games include darts, billiards, shuffleboard, arcade games, basketball, karaoke, etc…  And a great way to break the ice is with some friendly competition that takes you back to your childhood.  Games are fun, interactive and if you really pay attention, you can learn a great deal about someone’s personality by observing their behavior while they play games.  Find a local dive within walking distance of your dwelling and you are set!  And for those of you who are completely against drinking and/or bars, you can get all the perks mentioned above by going to an arcade!  Price Range: $0 – $25

2nd pick: Batting Cages, Mini Golf & Bumper Cars
This is a great date because it has all the perks mentioned above about games with a little more of an adult twist.  Typically, you can find all three of these activities at the same venue and if you do all three, you will have plenty of time to connect.  Mini golf is perfect for friendly competition, and a little betting.  The loser buys dessert, a sure-fire way of setting up an easy transition to an eatery close to your place.  The bumper cars are just plain fun and will get you both laughing and the batting cages are great for getting out some raw aggression and anger if your date isn’t going so well.  Price Range: $10 – $30

3rd pick: The Beach
The beach is a great place to find out right away if your date has the body you are looking for and the inner confidence to show it off.  If not, there is always the possibility of catching a glimpse of some eye candy nearby.  Renting bikes or skates is typically an option and a great way to get the energy moving to prepare for a refreshing dip in the water.  Bring a towel, chips n salsa, wine, cheese, and crackers but keep all the goodies a secret until you arrive.  A football and Frisbee should also be added to the list and sunscreen is a perfect excuse for a hands on massage to test the waters and don’t forget that you can always re-apply more sunscreen later on when things start to heat up.  For the guys, I would also highly recommend some beach wrestling, sand castle building and threats to hoist your date over your shoulder and dunk her in the water as she pretends to kick and scream.  If your beach has a playground with a swing set that is an added bonus as well.  Price Range: $0 – $25

4th pick: Dance Class
Dancing is a great way to get the energy up and avoid the boring conversation trap early on.  Going to a dance class is better then going to a dance club because you don’t have to be good.  You may even get to be your date’s teacher or student depending on their ability.  Dancing typically involves lots of touching which can lead to a very comfortable first kiss.  If the date isn’t going so well, chances are you will hit it off with some of the other dancers in the class and discreetly get their number if you are the daring type.  The other great thing about dance class is that it forces you to interact with other people which can tell you a lot about your date’s personality and social skills.  I would recommend against a really high energy type of dance class like hip hop or break dancing.  Micro Blues Dancing is my personal favorite because it’s intimate, not too complicated, and doesn’t involve any difficult moves.  Price Range: $5 – $20

5th pick: Cooking Class
If you are into food and want to avoid the boring dinner date, a cooking class is the perfect solution.  You will quickly learn whether or not your date has any talent in the kitchen and you won’t have to worry about ordering the wrong thing.  Eating and sex are the only two activities that involve the use of all five senses and cooking the food you share with your date takes it to a whole new level.  There are plenty of flirting opportunities like mini food fights, feeding your date, and “accidentally” spilling on him/her.  If you are worried that you are not a good cook, you get major brownie points for showing initiative to learn.  Always suggest coffee or dessert at a different strategic location if things are going well.  Price Range: $15 – $45

How To Make Sure Your Date Rocks

Read this article to get some tips on how to make your date an amazing one: http://innerconfidence.com/blog/best-tips-for-an-amazing-first-date/

If you have any other ideas or just want to thank me for posting this awesome list, be sure to leave a comment and say what’s up.

-Robbie Kramer

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