Where to go on a first date?

[addicted2lov]

So I may be able to finally get over to my addiction to the hobby and start seeing girls outside of the business.

Since I've been out of the dating scene for ever I have very little idea on how to properly organize a first date. I met this girl online and we have been chatting for a few weeks but never met. She is mid 30's and fairly laid back. I am thinking of a restaurant or bar that's not too noisy so we can talk without having to yell at each other but not too quiet either so everybody around us will hear our talk.
The place should not be high class but rather cozy, we'll probably dress very casual.

Any ideas or suggestions?

 

[maniacalone]

Gotham steakhouse

 

[Lady Companion]

Everything is going to be busy around Christmas, but I would suggest somewhere like Bacchus at the Wedgewood hotel. Same type of seating as Gotham, nice cozy lounge chairs, but a menu that will be more appealing for a couple. They also have chocolate and whiskey tastings and a pianist.

Hawksworth would make another great first date.

Salt tasting lounge could if you aren't big eaters and want to sample flights, cheese and charcuterie together

 

[Warl0ck]

My advice is go for a coffee & a walk. It's almost free and it puts you in a natural environment. If not, a pub is a good place. Or maybe ask the woman about what she likes and try to plan around that? Steakhouses are fine for later in dating but for a first date they cost too much.

 

[manni]

Pronto on Cambie St. a laid back neighbourhood eatery without the noisy
dtown crowd. how about Arts Club on Granville Island? cosy joint with nice view
of False Creek. super casual w decent food. I'd stay away from the dtown establishments.

 

[summerbreeze]

cloud 9

top of the empire landmark hotel on robson, revolving restaurant/lounge

http://www.cloud9restaurant.ca/

 

[MyahriPirgulyyewa]

Either Cioppino's Mediterranean Grill or Blue Water Cafe

 

[paprides]

Everything is going to be busy around Christmas, but I would suggest somewhere like Bacchus at the Wedgewood hotel. Same type of seating as Gotham, nice cozy lounge chairs, but a menu that will be more appealing for a couple. They also have chocolate and whiskey tastings and a pianist.


Oof! Methinks there are the ingredients for a very fine rendezvous!

 

[J-Dogg]

Thierry for alcoholic hot chocolate or the xmas market for the mulled wine

 

[uncleg]

Japadog.....good place to see if further investment is worthwhile.

 

[1nitestan]

Gotham? Cioppinos? Hawksowrth???? you wanna set the bar THAT high right from the get-go? If you want some thing casual and chill, go find somewhere on Commercial drive. There's a ton of little places to poke your heads in for food/drink and other things to explore when two people are getting to know each other.

Or in the newly revitalized "Fraser village" area (between 33rd and Kingsway) PM me if you want the name of an amazing little gourmet pizza joint.

 

[summerbreeze]

"The place should not be high class but rather cozy, we'll probably dress very casual."

"Gotham? Cioppinos? Hawksowrth???? you wanna set the bar THAT high right from the get-go?"

funny what people recommend when the other person is paying.


cozy and casual I think commercial drive was an excellent recommendation for mid price range, salmon house on the hill is also a treat, on a clear night the view is fabulous if you want to spend a bit more

 

[summerbreeze]

for those who don't feel restrained by budget,

try Hastings House on Saltspring Island

take the float plane over, cab it to Hastings House, dine

you can overnight in one of their bungalows and fly home in the morning

but probably only for those who aren't worried about cost

hugely romantic though................

 

[Warl0ck]

I read this thread and the first thing that comes to mind is my male friends angry at the cost of dating. Dating is expensive.

How about on the first date you go have a coffee & go for a walk someplace versus the $75 dollar dinner you'll pay for. That way when the date doesn't work out, you won't be angry as fuck over wasting money on "bitches who only want money or dinner". Let's face it, men are a big part of setting those expectations.

If a first date is not willing to just go have a coffee or a drink, etc and wants more maybe it's a bad sign? Stop with the whole romantic shit and be practical on the first date. It's a first date. It's a sort out "are they OK" not a stress test to prove you can afford fine wine and a steak. That comes later. Way later. Flying your date to some steakhouse only sets a precedent.

 

[summerbreeze]

some of us enjoy company when we dine or go out, its not a commercial transaction with tangible expectation in exchange for whatever you enjoy

for some its the adventure of learning about a new friend, if you can do that over some form of dining experience which doesn't create discomfort for either party, so much the better

if budget suggests coffee and a walk, great, go for it

if your budget allows you to explore something else there is a whole range of venues to enjoy in this area, one thing that we are lucky with is that we live in a great city and surrounding area for dining.....

 

[Horn_dawg]

for those who don't feel restrained by budget,

try Hastings House on Saltspring Island

take the float plane over, cab it to Hastings House, dine

you can overnight in one of their bungalows and fly home in the morning

but probably only for those who aren't worried about cost

hugely romantic though................

Hugely romantic to take your serious girlfriend (or maybe a SP), inappropriate and alarming for most first dates. I think for a first dates, the location has got to feel neutral so that if the date don't go well, it is easy to end for either party. If it goes well, there should be options to do other things close by to extend the date.

 

[summerbreeze]

sorry, did not mean the saltspring excursion for first date, just something on the carefree, fun to do side with someone worthy of that level of pampering

 

[Warl0ck]

@Horn_Dawg: Absolutely. Males sometimes forget to put themselves in the female mindset when dating. I've had my chick friends tell me sometimes guys invite women over to their house on the first date. Are you fucking kidding me? It should be neutral and it should be a place where she can escape.

@Summerbreeze. I understand that maybe you enjoy good food or company on a date. Who doesn't. I'm saying that extravagance on the first few dates sets a precedent. I have a handful of buddies who do nothing but whine about their wives & how they're all about money. Yet, they never gave any thought to their own actions. They flaunt their material goods. They went over the top on the initial few dates to impress the woman. Advertising works. If you need to impress a woman with your money then you're setting yourself up to be that friend whining over his "gold digging bitch wife".

 

[CanineCowboy]

I always love reading comments by guys generalizing about how/what women think/want. All I can say is good luck with that! Gender isn't the penultimate determiner of an individual's thoughts, wants and needs.

 

[badbadboy]

I like to walk and talk. With that thought, I'd propose walking a good portion of the Stanley Park Seawall and then have a meal at the Teahouse Restaurant or one of the ones in English Bay. Teahouse is good because you can hear each other without having to talk over the crowd noise. Also it doesn't scream pretentious like others mentioned in the thread.

Sure you could impress but really you want to get to know each other before laying out $$$ IMO.

Good luck, I hope it works out for you. :thumb: