Look, you can obviously spend your first date drinking a beer or scrutinising each other through three courses of dinner in a fancy restaurant, or you could do something a little more original. This way you’ll be sure of a fun evening even if the date is a little less interesting. So is your first date looming? How about one of these suggestions.

To the shooting range

Call up a shooting range near you and ask if you can pop by for a trial lesson. I once had a shooting range date and it was a huge success. The fun element immediately broke the ice, we learned something together, it was pretty exciting and afterwards you’ll easily have something to talk about.

Wine tasting

Yes, because wine is fabulous but also because it makes everything so much more special this way. Like with the shooting range, you won’t need to carry the whole date on your shoulders all evening and can listen to the sommelier and have something to talk about afterwards. And, no spitting please.

To the zoo

Sooo romantic. Strolling through the park with happy animals around you. I once had a date at a zoo and it turned into a party. It had a no pressure feeling and talking while you walk is far easier than when sitting.

A pub crawl on a tandem bike

Perfect for if you’ve hooked a party animal. Rent a tandem, laugh yourself into a coma while trying to steer the thing and then tear up the town bar by bar. What do you mean boring and forced?

Bowling

Super cosy obviously, and that’s why you should. I would only be half excited by bowling, because you have to wear those terrible shoes, but besides that: a date with a fun element is always more fun.

Take a winter’s walk

I’ve done this one too, walking through the park in the icy cold, a bottle of something strong to keep warm tucked away. Close to each other to keep warm, super romantic.