Best First Date Ideas Singapore: Simple Spots for a Relaxed Yet Memorable Time

Searching for fun first date ideas in Singapore that won’t stress you out? From romantic tea-time at Gardens by the Bay to VR escape rooms that’ll reveal your teamwork skills, these simple first date ideas take the pressure off whilst creating proper memories.

First dates are nerve-wracking enough without having to worry about whether you’ve chosen the right spot. You want a place where conversation flows naturally but there’s something to do if the chat runs dry. And it should be somewhere that won’t completely drain your wallet, because let’s face it, dating in Singapore can already cost a bomb.

After years of watching couples navigate those awkward first meetings (and having been through my fair share), I believe that the best first date ideas in Singapore are the ones that give you something to do together. No staring at each other across a silent dinner table wondering what to say next. 

These activities that we’ll be sharing in the article will hopefully create some great shared experiences and show you how well you two vibe together.

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• Tea-time at Hortus (Gardens by the Bay)
• Triad Trails Heritage Walk (Chinatown)
• VR Escape Rooms (VR World)
• Picnic at Marina Barrage
• The Science Centre
• Singapore Cable Car

Tea-time at Hortus (Gardens by the Bay)

Credit: hortus.com.sg

How about this for a first date: you’re sitting in an air-conditioned Mediterranean garden, surrounded by the Flower Dome’s stunning florals, enjoying afternoon tea while natural sunlight streams in overhead. That’s Hortus for you.

At $58++ per person, the afternoon tea comes with a three-tier display of sweet and savoury treats, plus free-flow coffee and tea. The portions aren’t massive, which is perfect because who wants to be stuffed on a first date?

After tea, you can wander through the Flower Dome together (your reservation includes free entry), giving you a natural activity to extend the date if things are going well. Or, if they’re not, you’ve got an easy exit strategy. “Oh, look at the time!”

• Location: 18 Marina Gardens Dr, #01-09 Level 2 Flower Dome, Singapore 018953
• Price: $58++ per person for afternoon tea (includes Flower Dome entry)

Triad Trails Heritage Walk (Chinatown)

Credit: instagram.com/triad_trails

Now, this one’s for the adventurous and/or inquisitive souls. The Triad Trails tour is a 2.5-hour experience led by ex-gang members who’ll take you through Chinatown’s hidden history of secret societies, drugs, and crime. Talk about an icebreaker.

Starting from Telok Ayer MRT, you’ll walk through Chinatown’s streets whilst your guide shares stories about Singapore’s seedy past. Did you know, for instance, that the yellow shophouses near UOB Plaza once housed the third largest secret society in Singapore? And that the shops outside OCBC Centre were previously brothels and opium dens? And more interesting titbits, waiting to be uncovered on the tour. 

What makes this brilliant for a first date? Well, for starters, the shocking stories give you plenty to react to together (“Can you believe that used to happen here?”), and the personal narratives from your ex-offender guide add this raw, human element that cuts through typical first date small talk.

Afterwards, you’ll sit down for a meal at Genius Central, where you can chat with your table host about their experiences. You’ll find yourselves discussing deeper topics than you normally would on date one. Plus, it shows you’re both open-minded and interested in understanding different perspectives, which is quite attractive on its own (or just me?).

• Location: Meet at Telok Ayer MRT Station
• Price: $80 per person (includes meal)

VR Escape Rooms (VR World)

Credit: vrworld.sg

VR World in Chinatown offers escape room experiences where you can fight zombies, (“Propagation VR”), escape from death-trap pyramids (“Escape the Lost Pyramid”) and more. Nothing shows compatibility quite like seeing how someone handles being chased by virtual zombies.

As a gamer myself, I’d recommend any non-gamers (or if your partner isn’t used to games!) to start out with “Beat Saber” – a classic rhythm game where you choose a song and try to cut down “beat” blocks in sync with the music as they hurtle towards you in a jaw-droppingly immersive environment. It’s intuitive and won’t require any ‘gamer’ instincts for you and your date to have a lot of fun! Yes, there are BTS songs (and many more) included.

Otherwise, pick any game out of their massive selection, and you’ll naturally find yourselves communicating, strategising, and probably laughing at each other’s attempts to grab virtual objects.

VR World is located inside a multi-level heritage shophouse in Chinatown, and booking is mandatory. The central location means you can easily grab dinner afterwards if the date’s going well – or to make a quick escape to the MRT if it’s not!

• Location: Chinatown 
• Price: From $48 per person

Budget-friendly first date ideas (that’ll still hit the spot)

Beyond these three standout experiences, Singapore’s got loads of affordable first date ideas that won’t make you seem basic. Consider these simple and cheap first date locations that still pack a punch.

Picnic at Marina Barrage

Credit: Ngrh Mei on Pexels

Head to Marina Barrage for a sunset picnic. Grab some snacks from a nearby Cold Storage or Sheng Siong, bring a mat, and watch the sunset together. The wind’s perfect for kite flying, which gives you something to do if conversation lulls. Plus, the Instagram potential is through the roof.

• Location: Marina Barrage, 8 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018951
• Price: Free entry (just bring your own picnic supplies)

Dateideas tip: Read this next for more picnic ideas.

The Science Centre

Credit: instagram.com/sciencecentresg

Many of us have been to the Science Centre, but be honest – how many of us have gone there on a first date? The interactive exhibits give you endless conversation starters, you can act like kids without judgement, and the Omni-Theatre offers mind-blowing documentaries that’ll have you discussing deep topics like Life and the universe afterwards. For any of you Science-y types out there, your commentary and insights may just charm the socks off your chosen date (or scare them off entirely).

• Location: Science Centre, 15 Science Centre Road, Singapore 609081
• Price: From $12 for adults (Omni-Theatre tickets at around $14)

Singapore Cable Car

Credit: instagram.com/sentosa_island

• Here’s a first-date idea that’s sure to leave an impression: Take the Singapore Cable Car at sunset. It’s tourist-y, sure, but there’s something undeniably romantic about being suspended above the city together. The 15-minute journey gives you a moment for more deeper conversations, the views are spectacular, and you end up at Sentosa where you can continue the date with beach walks or drinks at Tanjong Beach Club.
• Location: Mount Faber Station or HarbourFront Station
• Price: $35 (Mount Faber Line + Sentosa Line round trip)

Making your first date work

For a first date, it’s all about choosing somewhere that lets both of you relax and be yourselves. And really, the main reason we’ve selected some of these unique date ideas is because they’ll take the pressure off having to entertain each other constantly.

When you’re doing an activity together, whether that’s sipping tea in a flower dome, learning about secret societies, or exploring virtual space together, what you’re really doing is creating shared memories from minute one. Most importantly, you’re setting the stage for funny and/or heartfelt moments to occur spontaneously. And after the activity, why not get a coffee together to talk all about it?

So, go forth and date. Pick a spot, show up, and see what unfolds.

The rest will sort itself out. We promise!

with Love, 

The Dateideas Team

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