The great thing about meeting someone at a bar for drinks or a coffeehouse is it’s a casual atmosphere where there’s not a lot of pressure to spend any more

time than you actually want to. If 15 minutes in, you already know you’re not interested, it’s just a drink. Finish up and be on your way. At the same

time, if you click immediately, you can hang out for a couple of hours or then decide to make dinner out of it.

Ok you probably did't score Formation Tour tickets for a first date, but the idea is still a good one. Sure, concerts are about as loud, if not louder, that a

movie theatre, but the atmosphere of a concert is fun. You both can relax, kick back and enjoy listening to the music, and that can give you a glimpse of

their personality too. Besides, you don’t always have to go to a huge arena. Maybe go to a smaller club to check out an indie act. It’s a more intimate

setting where you can talk in between sets.

First dates aren’t about how much money you spend. It’s about getting to know one another more. It’s understandable that if you’ve never met the person before (for instance, you’re

meeting up after dating online). But if you do feel somewhat comfortable with them, agree to meet downtown to take a stroll around the city. It can be one evening

after work, or even better, an afternoon on the weekends. You can window shop, get some ice cream and casually stroll through the city. If there’s chemistry, you might realize

it was one of the best dates you’ve ever had.

Here’s an awesome movie compromise. Go to a movie that’s showing outdoors. You can pack a picnic, bring a blanket and enjoy the movie and each other without worrying about

disrupting people around you. This is a favorite of ours because it’s so laid back with a hint of romance.

Whether the first date works out or not, you can’t really go wrong with a cooking date. If you can cook, you can show off without it being too obvious. There aren’t

too many men who don’t find a woman who can cook to be a total turn on, and vice versa. If you can’t, you just got some tips for the

next guy. See? A win/win.

If you’re going on a date for the first time with someone who’s been a friend, but the two of you are testing the waters to see if there could

be more, drive out of the city to sit in your car---or lay on top of the hood---to look up at the stars. In settings like those, you’re bound to

get some “I don’t know why I’m telling you this but I feel so comfortable around you” information. It’s one of the most intimate kinds of dates without the pressure to

get physical. And that’s what a great first date is all about.