Alternative first date ideas

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First dates can be daunting, but having something unique to do during that time may help put everyone at ease.

First dates can be daunting at the best of times. The classic dinner- and-movie forces you to sit silently in a room with a stranger for hours, whereas a “Netflix-and-chill” date has a lot of implications. In this modern age, people are sifting through coffee dates like Tinder swipes, so Interrobang has compiled a list of fun date ideas to help singles through the first hurdle.

1. Twisted Salsa at Olive R Twists

Lace up your dancing shoes and prepare for a night of Latin rhythms. The beginner class introduces basics from merengue, salsa, and bachata. Spend the rest of the night practicing your newly honed Latin dancing skills with a plethora of new and advanced dancers. No need to bring a dance partner, you’ll be rotating partners throughout the class. Class starts promptly at 8pm. $5 cover.

Olive R. Twists. 130 King St, London, ON N6A 1C3

2. Forest City Stomp

Have a throwback moment with a swing dance class and relive Xtina’s classic “Candyman” video moments. Listen to tunes by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, with also the occasional electro-swing or Postmodern Jukebox. Dance and experiment with different moves they teach such as the washing machine, sweetheart and promenade. Learning a new skill with your new partner can create a stronger bond and develop trust. Class starts promptly at 8pm. $10 cover (students) $13 adult.

German Canadian Club. 1 Cove Rd, London, ON. N6J 1H7.

3. Artsy Paint/ Clay Nights

Forge something out of clay or paint with your beau. 4Cats Arts Studio regularly changes up their curriculum and offers new workshops such as flamingo mugs, sushi dishes, and impressionist paint nights. Feeling like crafting a movie moment? Take their clay wheel workshop and have a “Ghost” moment with your fellow artist sans Demi Moore.

4Cats Arts Studio. 1255 Commissioners Rd W, London, ON N6K 3N5

4. Hot Air Balloon Ride

Ride off into the sunset Disney style in this over-the-top date. Take in the scenery from the top of the world and get over your fear of heights all with one stone. Create the picture-perfect moment whilst looking over the Thames Valley River and nature in a distance. Find out why London is considered the “forest city” with the vast number of trees dotted throughout the countryside. This will take three to four hours from start-to-finish and includes a 45-minute to one and a half hour ride depending on weather conditions.

$240-$325 per person. Sundance Balloons. 3725 Bostwick Rd, London, ON N6P 1G9. sundanceballoons.com/

5. Yuk Yuk’s Stand Up Comedy Club

If the idea of talking to a stranger makes you feel awkward, standup is a good place for the two of you to unwind and laugh the night away. Enjoy a cold one with your partner whilst taking in some funny one-liners and anecdotes with the likes of local and international talent such as Garrett Clark, Chris Quigley and Dylan Gott. Feeling adventurous? Go on their weekly amateur night to support some budding talent.

Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Club London. 900 King St, London, ON N5W 2X6. yukyuks.com/london.