5 Iconic first date ideas for KZN romantics
Ditch dinner and a movie in favour of these first date ideas, which are guaranteed to tell you more about your special friend than their favourite colour.
First impressions are important, especially on a first date. If your first date goes well, there could be many more to come and perhaps even a long-term relationship.
If you aren't able to show your compatibility, then it's curtains for you and back to the dating streets you.
These days, first dates feel more like job interviews. What's your favourite colour? What's your favourite food? How many siblings do you have?
If you want to make a lasting impression, it is time to think outside the box with these cute first date ideas for KwaZulu-Natal romantics.
The Supermarket
Before you scratch your head in confusion, hear us out. The supermarket is the last place you would think to have a first date, but it is actually genius.
In 2024, a grocery store chain in Spain went viral after becoming the ultimate place for singles to meet between 7 pm and 8 pm.
If you were looking for a potential date, all you had to do was place a pineapple upside down in your trolley.
Running a random errand like grocery shopping is a great way to get to know your date in a natural setting. How do they make decisions? Are they considerate when you make suggestions?
Does he/she fill their trolley with Maggi 2-Minute Noodles or with fruits and veggies? You will not only get a good idea of their personality but also of their eating habits.
Nothing tests a couple's patience more than shopping together. Ask any married couple!
Make your trip to the supermarket romantic by turning your dinner grocery list. Pick a meal that you would like to make together, make a list and split the cost.
If you're not comfortable cooking together on the first date, just make it about getting to know them in an everyday setting and then grab coffee or pizza afterwards.
- Checkers Hyper Pavilion
- Woolworths Gateway
- Pick'nPay Hyper Durban North
- Superspar Umhlanga Rocks
Sip and Paint
First dates can get awkward, especially when you're nervous and are not sure what to say. A sip-and-paint is the perfect way to fill awkward silences on a first date.
Dare we say the bubbly might even give you a bit of liquid courage?
If he were a Leonardo da Vinci, he could help you along the way, a la Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze's iconic pottery scene in 'Ghost'.
If your painting looks more like a five-year-old's school drawing, then you can both laugh about it. It's the type of date where you don't have to be too serious or worry about things going wrong.
Don't drink and drive. Consider taking an Uber to and from the venue.
Upcoming Sip and Paint events in KZN:
- Sip & Paint Umhlanga - Glass Painting Workshop
- Sip & Paint - The Press Club - Glass Painting Workshop
- Guided Painting Experience - Sip & Paint
Escape Room
Escape rooms have put even the best friendships to the test, especially the tricky first room when you are still getting the hang of things.
Does your date stay calm when the clock is ticking down? Are they competitive and want to win? Are they just making random guesses and putting zero effort? And more importantly, do they give up easily?
It's just a game, but if you have ever played 30 Seconds with friends and family, you know that these types of games bring out the best or worst in a person.
Escape Rooms in KZN:
Secret Eats
If you are traditional and prefer a dinner date, why not make it extra fun with a 'Secret Eats' experience?
The mystery dining experience is popular in Johannesburg and Cape Town, but it is gaining popularity in Durban as well. They are perfect for romantic dinners and first dates.
SecretEATS South Africa also offers its invite-only, intimate, private dinners in Durban. After signing up, you will get an invite to a secret location for a curated dining experience. The menu, usually prepared by top chefs, will be revealed only at the location.
It is everything you need for a fun first date: mystery and good food.
There are also options for singles looking for love.
"A unique singles-only dining experience designed to spark connection over a shared love of gourmet cuisine and great conversation," SecretEATS says on its website.
"Each secret soirée brings like-minded individuals together around one long, beautifully set table in a hidden venue."
Find out more about SecretEats South Africa on its website.
Karaoke Night
Whether you can hold a note like Mariah Carey or not, karaoke nights are a great first date. You get to sing the night away while getting to know your special friend in a fun social setting.
It also takes off some of the pressure because you and your date can act silly without worrying about looking foolish.
Bonding over music helps build deeper connections. As William Shakespeare says: If music be the food of love, play on.
Karaoke in KZN:
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