Sydney offers heaps of brilliant options for first dates that don’t involve the awkward dinner/movie routine. If you’re looking to spark romance, we have you covered with our nifty guide to the very best first dates in Sydney. Whether you’re after a sunset spot or a whole hidden beach to yourself, the harbour city has a slew of out-of-the-box first date ideas to help you up the romance and get them telling all their friends about the unforgettable date they had. Ready for sparks to fly?
1. Grab brunch at a brilliant Sydney café
Low pressure, and delicious to boot, brunch is the meal for all occasions. When you’re feeling out the vibes on a first date, there are few things better than brilliant coffee and smashing brunch dishes to calm the nerves and connect over great food. We’ve picked out 29 of our favourite Sydney cafes, any of which could make for a lovely first date spot.
2. Feel the thrills at an amusement park
For first dates packed with fun and laughs, head to an amusement park. The chances of getting bored are pretty slim and it’s a great way to show off your true personality. Plus you’ll get a chance to know your date better without the pressure of making small talk or looking your best.
Sydney’s iconic Luna Park offers unlimited rides and themed events throughout the year. If you’re feeling a bit adventurous try their main attractions — The Big Dipper and The Sledgehammer. You know what they say about fear bringing people closer together!
3. Go bowling in a retro alley
Bowling has been a date-night staple for generations, and Manhattan Superbowl keeps that spirit alive. The retro fit-out with old jukebox tunes, and vintage signage give it real character — the simple fun of rolling a few frames and sharing a laugh. Manhattan Superbowl proves some date ideas stick around because they actually work. Their bistro menu is elevated more than the typical bowling alley, with choices of fresh fish and wood fired pizzas served alongside cocktails. After the game, head over to the arcade next door — an easy, no-pressure way to keep the night going — and, if things are going well, take a picture in their retro photo booth. You never know, this could be the last first date of your life!
4. Wander hand in hand at an art exhibition
Art galleries encourage both conversation and silence so you can talk as much or as little as you like without any pressure. They’re also brilliant places to explore and learn and if you’re an art enthusiast, they give you a chance to show off. Even better, they’re affordable and low-key, making for perfect first dates.
Show off your appreciation for the arts, and connect over a culture-focused date, with Sydney’s best art exhibitions. Our current fave is Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition. This incredible exhibition allows you to experience Michelangelo’s great works in the form of high definition physically printed reproductions, and is a great way to bond over a shared interest. Tickets are here if you need them!
5. Watch the sun set from a rooftop bar
A bar in Sydney is sure to impress. Rooftop bars especially, offer a laidback ambience with creative drinks and views for days. Head to Lady Banks Rooftop Bar for a cosy night by a freestanding fireplace and sweeping views of the Blue Mountains or make your way to Manly Greenhouse for some chill vibes and brews. For views over downtown Sydney, check out The Strand’s hip rooftop bar and hotel.
6. Take in the magic of a Candlelight concert
If you want something a little different from dinner or drinks, Sydney’s Candlelight concerts are an easy win. Live musicians playing everything from Vivaldi to Taylor Swift in a space lit by thousands of candles makes for a date that is intimate without trying too hard. Famous for its history, beauty or both, the venues do a lot of the work, giving you an atmosphere that makes you look effortlessly romantic. Check out the upcoming concerts in Sydney here.
7. Have a healthy quarrel as you test each others morals at this immersive courtroom drama
We’re all aware that when you start dating someone, they present their best version of themselves to you. Then, its five months down the line, and your partner is arguing some questionable things with your family at the Christmas dinner table. By going to The Jury Experience, an immersive courtroom drama where you get to vote and decide the verdict, you can skip the embarrassment, and see the real them from the get-go. There are two cases on trial currently in Sydney, Diamonds, Lies, and a Dead Man, and Technology on Trial. So why not make your next date night a test of character—before they end up cross-examining your uncle over dessert?
8. Find a gorgeous view for a picnic
A picnic makes for a cute first-date idea, especially if you’re in Sydney and spoilt with stunning views all around. Pack a basket and head over to The Observatory Hill for a bird’s eye view of the city or make your way to Wendy’s Secret Garden for a leafy spot all to yourself. If you want to get away from the city, take the ferry down to Cockatoo Island and make a day of it. The options are endless and the setting is bound to stimulate good conversations. Make sure you check the weather app before you head out though!
Check out our list of best picnic spots around the city.
9. Escape the crowds and head to a hidden beach
A beach day is an excellent first date especially when the weather is nice and balmy. Plus when your city offers some of the best beaches in the world, it only makes sense to take advantage of them. But you can take it up a notch and find yourself a secluded beach, hidden away from the city. A few to try: Chinamans Beach in Mosman, Milk Beach in Vaucluse, Reef Beach in Balgowlah and Shelly Beach in Manly.
10. Connect over the rhythms of live jazz
There’s not much more romantic than live jazz. The Jazz Room at the Albert Palais in Leichhardt recreates the buzz of a 1920s New Orleans club with brass, soul, and a touch of glamour. It’s ideal for a first date: lively enough to keep the energy up, but intimate enough for conversation between songs. Sit back with a drink, enjoy the music, and let the conversation flow naturally. Click here to find out more about The Jazz Room’s different events.
11. Shake a tail feather at a cabaret show
If you’re already feeling the spark and want to step up your dating game to truly impress, how about dinner and a show? We’ve picked out a pair of cabaret shows that will captivate you, and allow you to live out your Moulin Rouge fantasy in real life (with a happier ending, hopefully).
La Ronde is an intoxicating blend of spectacle, comedy, and cabaret — perfect for lovers of the extraordinary, where world-class provocateurs direct from the European underground.
12. Get your arts and culture fix after-hours
You can switch things up a bit by heading to an art gallery after hours, which works nicely for first dates on weeknights. Escape the crowds and head to the Australian Museum for free exhibitions, live music and a pop up bar, or try the weekly after hours event at the Art Gallery of NSW, every Wednesday.
13. Sip cocktails in a hidden bar
Getting a drink is one of the classic first dates, for good reason. It takes the edge off and allows you to loosen up. It also doesn’t get much cosier than a hidden bar. Find a snug, warm space, unbeknownst to others and get to know your date better.
A few of our favourites to try: The Baxter Inn for all the jazz and vintage vibes, Old Mate’s Place for a candlelit setting, Earl’s Juke Joint for a charming and laidback New Orleans-style atmosphere, or Cantina OK! for those laidback laneway vibes.
14. Engage all your senses at Dining in the Dark
A left-field choice here, but Sydney’s intriguing Dining in the Dark experience might be the perfect way to break the ice (it worked in About Time, after all). You’ll experience your food blindfolded at this unique dining experience, instead using your remaining senses to heighten your experience of the meal. It’s a truly unique first date that also takes blind dating to a whole new level – find your tickets here.
15. Go hiking in the Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains are always a great idea. Known for its soaring sandstone ridges and lush bushland, Sydney’s vicinity to the World Heritage Site makes it ideal for first dates, especially if your date is down for some adventure and getting out of the city to enjoy the fresh air and stunning views.
With its expansive and dramatic scenery, gorgeous waterfalls, cosy villages and tons of laidback café’s, the Blue Mountains come with ample options for a memorable time. Check out our full guide to the Blue Mountains here.
16. See famous fairytales come to life at a luminous ballet show
Illuminated costumes, enchanting storytelling and classic ballet — it doesn’t get much more romantic than that. Ballet of Lights in Sydney is a gorgeous dance show that reimagines fairytales like Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty under a new light, because the ballerina on stage wear costumes adorned in fibre-optic lights. It’s a 60-minute ballet show sprinkled with luminous magic.
17. Get cosy at the Grounds of Alexandria
There are few places that guarantee great first dates quite like The Grounds. With its carefully curated themes that change throughout the seasons, the super Instagrammable spot can transport you to another time. Grab a cuppa at The Grounds of the City or enjoy a meal at The Potting Shed. Get your date some fresh blooms from The Grounds Florals By Silva, and you’ll put the finishing touches on a cute first date. The Grounds offers a creative, fun and slightly OTT first date which you won’t be forgetting anytime soon.
18. Head to Golden Age Cinema & Bar for some old-world romance
Hidden away under the heritage-listed Paramount House building in Surry Hills, the Golden Age Cinema & Bar is a staple for film lovers in Sydney. It also makes for an exceptional first date spot owing to its charming architecture and intimate underground vibes. The Golden Age also screens fail-safe classics like Roman Holiday and Before Sunrise. Grab a cheese board to share and a cocktail or two to complete your evening. A movie is a great fuss-free date idea and doesn’t require a lot of conversation if you’re not big on small talk.
Check out what’s playing now and book your tickets before they sell out.