The pub, the park, the cinema – are you instantly turned off when a new date suggests one of these venues? Well, say goodbye to the painfully boring first dates with ‘Date Differently’ from The Yards.

New research from shopping and dining destination, The Yards, shows Londoners aim to create a comfortable, light-hearted atmosphere for their first date, with 70% striving for good conversation and just under half aiming to have a bit of a laugh. The Yards conducted further research to explore different dating activities and people’s attitudes towards them.

The research revealed over half of Londoners (60%) opt for a traditional meal at a restaurant as their preferred type of first date. However, some are looking for something a little more adventurous, with more than two-fifths (41%) of respondents interested in pasta/pizza making, over a third (36%) finding ice cream tasting intriguing and 1/3 (33%) expressing enthusiasm about cooking courses.

When considering the main positives of activity dates, over half (58%) of Londoners felt that they break down barriers and facilitate more natural conversation. In addition, dating activities contribute positively to getting rid of those first date jitters, with an overwhelming 89% of general consumers more likely to continue dating someone who planned a more adventurous date or meet-up.

Based on this, The Yards has launched its Date Differently campaign, a series of unique dating experiences taking place throughout July and August. Teaming up with different venues at The Yards, each one brings an exciting dating experience to the table throughout July and August.

Nail the perfect date at Townhouse. The luxury nail salon has kicked things up a notch by offering couples manicures and pedicures for the ultimate dating pamper sesh! It has coupled up with Mirabeau tinned rosé, so you can enjoy a complimentary refreshing glass of rosé while getting your nails done together, it’s the perfect blend of luxury and relaxation. Make a booking on the Townhouse website here and mention to a member of staff that you are here for a Date Differently session when you arrive.

Shake, groove and ignite some serious sparks on a dancing class date at Pineapple Dance Studio. Offering a variety of different dance styles for beginners, from salsa and ballroom to the sultry moves of tango, a dance class is guaranteed to break down those awkward first date jitters and create long-lasting memories. With dance classes starting from £10, get those dancing shoes ready and head to the Pineapple Dance Studio website here to book a class.

Everyone loves a bit of healthy competition, and Bill’s is challenging daters to see who can eat the most pancakes in one sitting. Indulge in a mouthwatering feast of fluffy American-style pancakes that are all-you-can-eat for 90 minutes between 3 pm and 5 pm every day. Customise your stack with an array of delectable toppings, from luscious strawberries and creamy caramelised hazelnuts to irresistible syrup and clotted cream ice cream. Not only are the pancakes bottomless, but guests can wash them down with bottomless hot drinks for an extra £3.50, or make it boozy with bottomless prosecco for £18.50. Book onto Bill’s bottomless pancakes here, just remember to keep tabs on who eats the most!

Lynne Henderson, Marketing & Community Manager at The Yards comments, “We are thrilled to announce the launch of Date Differently at The Yards. Our recent survey revealed that 37% of people valued learning more about their date’s personality through shared experiences, and our Date Differently series offers this, helping people to connect on a deeper level. By opting for activity-based dates, individuals can inject fun, excitement, and a sense of adventure into their dating lives, leading to deeper connections and increased compatibility.”