The days are getting colder and the nights are drawing in, but that's no reason to let romance go out of your life. Whether you've just swiped right, are trying to turn that Christmas party hookup into something more serious, or are celebrating your two-year anniversary with your SO, life's too short to Netflix and chill every single date night.
London is ranked the sixth best city in the world for dating but deciding where to go can be tricky. Nowadays, a date might involve spending all night at a Colombian rave or splitting a vegan breakfast buffet. (Yes, those are dates we have actually been on. No, we don't want to talk about it.) So how are you supposed to choose?
Well, Londoners, we've got your back. Click through to see our favourite date night spots that are perfect whatever the weather.
Get your skates on
Tower of London Ice Rink
It may not be the most original idea for a date in December, but what could be more seasonal than ice skating with your SO? Lace up your skates, get out on the rink and hold hands while you glide along – or, if you skate like we do, cling on to matching plastic penguins and focus on not falling over. We can't all be ice queens after all.
A plethora of great London landmarks open up ice rinks for the winter but the Tower of London's is truly special. Not only can you skate in the shadow of one of the capital's most famous castles, you also get stunning views of the river and east London's skyline. Once you've showed off your amazing skating skills, there's a handy bar where you can get cosy with mulled wine and rum punch.
Tower of London Ice Rink
Tower Hill, St Katharine's & Wapping, London EC3N 4AB
Stay warm and cosy at the pictures
Prince Charles Cinema
There's nothing wrong with the traditional dinner and a movie and if you love film you might be looking for something a bit more festive than the latest blockbuster. Prince Charles Cinema is a gem, showing the best of the month's releases all year round, as well as arthouse cinema and classics, from Casablanca to Wayne's World.
In December you can also cuddle up and get in the holiday spirit at multiple screenings of Elf and It's A Wonderful Life plus a double feature of Home Alone and Home Alone 2. You'll get free prosecco and mince pies with your ticket to Love Actually and if your date can't keep quiet at the cinema, why not take them to a singalong screening of Frozen? If you can survive singing "Let It Go" together, you'll know they're a keeper.
Prince Charles Cinema
7 Leicester Place London WC2H 7BY
Keep up the romance (without splashing the cash)
Little Bay
December is notoriously tough on everyone's wallets. If you've had a Black Friday blowout, booked your train home and bought enough Terry's Chocolate Oranges to see you through until January, how are you supposed to afford to date as well? Fortunately, there's Little Bay, which has been serving up a delicious mix of European dishes, all fairly priced, for over 25 years.
Your table at Little Bay awaits behind plush red curtains, watched over by golden angels. It may even be perched atop a tower, where you can peek out at your fellow diners or cosy up in the glow of the chandelier. And once you're finished, your bill for a three-course meal will set you back just £12.95. Under £15 for a mouthwatering three courses? In London? Grab your coat love, you've pulled.
Little Bay
Locations in Kilburn & Croydon
Warm up, inside and out, with chocolate
Rabot 1745
Sipping hot chocolate with your SO isn't just an excuse for a cute Insta story, it's also a potential aphrodisiac. Recent studies have shown chocolate contains a powerful dopamine-enhancing chemical, otherwise known as the 'love drug'. But you'll have to do better than Cadbury's to get loved up; cocoa is the active ingredient, so the higher the cocoa content, the greater the romance.
Fortunately, it's easy to find high quality chocolate at Rabot 1745, the Borough Market restaurant run by famed chocolatiers, Hotel Chocolat. The heady aroma of melting chocolate is pervasive – unsurprising, really, as there is cocoa in everything, from the salads to the signature ketchup. Pop in for a steaming hot chocolate, go for a full three courses of choc-inspired dishes or see if a cocoa-infused beer gets you going. Whatever you order, it's practically guaranteed to get you in the mood for love.
Rabot 1745
2-4 Bedale St, London SE1 9AA
Have yourself a cultural Christmas
Tate Britain
Great art brings out great passion, but pushing through tourists just to catch a glimpse of the latest blockbuster exhibition is less of an aphrodisiac. Get away from the crowds and allow yourself a leisurely stroll around more than 500 years of British art at the original Tate gallery. See the light in a Turner sunset or slouch next to Tracey Emin's unmade bed. Whatever your artistic taste, you're sure to find something to please.
This December the art isn't just inside, though. Tate Britain has teamed up with esteemed artist Alan Kane to turn their exterior into a festive, neon spectacular. Light up your date with a good view of this installation, then wander through centuries of British art. Fortunately, it's all completely free.
Tate Britain
Millbank, London SW1P 4RG
Gift them a date they'll never forget
St Martin's Lane Hotel
If you're really looking to spoil your SO this year, give them something that can't be wrapped up in a bow; treat them to the best date they've ever had at St Martin's Lane Hotel. Book a room this December and make the fabulously chic Covent Garden boutique hotel your playground.
If you want to go all in, we suggest you kick off your stay by working up a sweat with your SO, seeing the festive lights of London on one of St Martin's Lane's complimentary bicycles. Once you're done you'll have earned the signature speakeasy tea from their subterranean jazz bar Blind Spot. From there you can move on up to the always buzzing Asia De Cuba, or get on your dancing shoes and hit the West End. Make sure you get your beauty sleep, though, as St Martin's Lane offers one of the best bottomless brunches in the capital for you to indulge in the next day. 'Tis the season after all.
Of course, your version of a perfect date might just be snuggling up in your room and ordering enough room service to make Kevin McCallister jealous. To be honest, that sounds pretty great too.
St Martin's Lane Hotel
45 St Martin's Ln, London WC2N 4HX
Get merry (and bright)
69 Colebrooke Row
In December, drinks are plentiful but if you prefer yours shaken, stirred and served in a martini glass rather than in a plastic cup at the office party, then it's important you find someone who shares your passion. If you can tell the brand of gin from the first sip of your Tom Collins and exactly how many drops of bitters are in your Old Fashioned, then you need to take your date to 69 Colebrooke Row.
Complete with red leather seats, white-jacketed bartenders and even a piano, this is the kind of cocktail bar a connoisseur dreams of. Treat your date to a Rose Bellini or a Silver Neon Flower, which is served straight from the bottle. This month you and your other half can even indulge in a Holiday Cocktail Masterclass and bring your new cocktail skills home with you.
69 Colebrooke Row
69 Colebrooke Row, London N1 8AA
Be a big kid
Drink, Shop, Do
Just because dating is an adult activity doesn't mean you have to always act like a grown-up, and the festive season is the perfect time to indulge in some childhood fun. Drink, Shop, Do offers an ever-changing calendar of events to bring out you and your date's creativity, through free crafting workshops, dance classes and festive food.
From decoration-making to papier-mâché Christmas puddings, this bar and café lets you and your date play like the big kids that you are. Their signature cocktails and range of craft beers might just remind you to act your age (or not). If the "do" section of the date goes well, it doesn't have to end. You can head downstairs to their dance floor to groove it out to their eclectic DJ lineup.
Drink Shop Do
9 Caledonian Rd, London N1 9DX
Have a romantic goodbye
Granary Square Brasserie
If you're heading out of London for the holidays and leaving your loved one behind, there's still one place you can go for a date before you dash to the train. The newly launched Granary Square Brasserie is perfect for a little last-minute romance or a long, lingering lunch.
Situated a short stroll away from St Pancras train station, this velvet-drenched restaurant feels secluded and cosy – perfect for a date. We recommend a cranberry cocktail to get you and your SO in the holiday spirit.
Granary Square Brasserie
1-3 Stable Street, King’s Cross, London, N1C 4AB
020 3940 1000
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