8 Edinburgh Date Ideas to Give Your Love Life a Boost

If you live in, or close to, Scotland’s capital — or have a trip to Auld Reekie planned in the near future — check out our Edinburgh date ideas to give your love life a boost!

Edinburgh Date Ideas to Give Your Love Life a Boost

A stunning city with a blend of pastoral scenery, urban vibes, alternative culture, UNESCO-listed heritage sites and superb food options, Edinburgh is hard to beat as a destination. And if you’re needing some ideas to give your romantic life that va va voom, you’ve certainly come to the right place. Here are 8 of our favourites right now...

1. Improv shows

You’ve been to the big touring shows at the Playhouse, comedy gigs at The Stand and live music at the Usher Hall. So now what? If you’re in the mood for a little light entertainment with plenty of chortles, hit up an improv night, where everything (yes, everything) is made up on the spot, based on audience suggestions. No two performances will be the same, guaranteeing you a completely unique experience and providing a real talking point afterwards. Quite often these nights are run on a ‘pay what you want’ basis, making it a cheap and cheerful date that’s a little bit edgier than the mainstream options. More established improv teams can be seen at Monkey Barrel Comedy, with up-and-coming and experimental groups appearing at venues such as the Banshee Labyrinth. Ditch the same old and spend an evening immersed in this quirky and unpredictable art form.

1. Street art tours

A relatively new option for Edinburghers; street art has been a mainstay of the tourist trail and arts scene in cities like Bristol, London and Glasgow for some time. But now Edinburgh is a hub for funky murals, its Leith neighbourhood offering prime opportunities, with its array of disused buildings, warehouses and tenements, just begging for some colour. As such, many street art tours have popped up here, enabling you to learn a little more about the background and meanings of the pieces. Or you might like to have a wander and go it alone. Portobello is also seeing burgeoning street art, so we recommend taking a look, along with a stroll on the prom and some invigorating sea air.

3. Ballie Ballerson

Inject a massive dose of fun into your week and unleash your inner child, as you leap into a glowing pit of balls. There’s no better way to break the ice with a new squeeze, or spice up your weekly date night. Ballie Ballerson originated in London where it’s been a massive hit and we’re utterly delighted to see its arrival north of the border. And this incarnation of the brand’s ball pit comes with a massive slide. The adult-only playpen also offers uber Instagrammable and creative molecular cocktails, pizzas and pumping beats from the DJ. Book an earlier slot if you want a more chilled vibe, or go late for a wild party. It’s amazeballs.

4. Dinner at a Michelin starred restaurant

Edinburgh is bohemian and fancy in equal measures; it just depends on where you go, which experience you have. And if your love life needs something that little bit lavish, why not book a table in one of its four Michelin-starred restaurants, for a feast by a celebrity chef? The food scene here is on fire, so you can expect some of the best tasting menus around, presented imaginatively and served with alacrity. But if fine dining doesn’t meet your budget, don’t worry. There are so many amazing eateries besides, where you can treat your date without breaking the bank.

5. The Ghost Bus Tours

Shake up your love life with a fright night. The Ghost Bus Tours are the only comedy-horror shows on wheels (specifically a Necrobus), performed in London, York and here in Edinburgh. Expect thrills and spills, intriguing stories, an educational look at local history and lashings of schlock. Professional actors serve as the conductors, guiding you across the city’s most significant sites. If you don’t already know the city you’ll get an interesting overview and if you do know it inside out, you’ll see it from a whole new perspective. Don’t worry if you’re easily feared, it’s really not that scary, but it is hilarious.

6. Yoga workshops

Maybe you need a much calmer pace to allow space for your relationship to grow in an atmosphere of serenity. Edinburgh is home to lots of leading yoga brands, with stunning purpose-designed spaces incorporating heated floors, starlit ceilings, candles and comfy props — so there’s sure to be one in your local neighbourhood. Taking a workshop or class together is a great option for introverts especially, who find an intense one-on-one dynamic a little much, or for those who don’t enjoy the louder, more upbeat options listed.

7. Tea at a cat, or dog, cafe

Pets unite us. So if both you and your date are animal lovers, consider grabbing a cuppa at one of the city’s pet cafes. There are canine and feline establishments to choose from and you’ll be able to enjoy a cuddle over a chai (with the animals, and perhaps each other too!). Slots have to be booked — as opposed to walk-ups — and you can find out more about the resident furries, including their likes and dislikes.

8. Speed dating

Perhaps your love life hasn’t quite got off the ground yet. Of course, to go on a date, you’ll need a suitable candidate — and we have a fast solution to this conundrum. Sign up for Slow Dating in Edinburgh and you can meet your match in one night. So if you feel like you've tried everything — but haven’t tried speed dating — it’s high time you gave it a whirl.

These are just a few of the ideas you might like to explore, but really, this is a city with no end of date options to suit those of every budget, taste, age and stage of relationship (from that first meeting to married couples). We hope you have lots of fun dating in Edinburgh and look forward to seeing you at a Slow Dating event soon.