Date me Here, Date me There, Date me Everywhere

Whether it’s a first date, second date or even a blind date, it’s a harrowing choice of where to go and impress or be impressed. Soft lighting, emergency food in your kitchen at 2am, a good wine list and escape hatches are all things to consider when choosing where to take prospective lovers or life partners. I asked a few of my friends where they have been on dates lately and this is what they said.

FIRST DATES
Mitch from Canberra/Melbourne/Sydney: Dating is so Gen X! In Canberra people date in secret so no one goes out until the third or fourth date. My experience is thus a little sparse, my dates can occur over avocado and vegemite on toast at either 2am or 10am. Tapas is always good for dates. Small portions and you can end things quickly or draw it out depending on how things are going! No-one should drink coffee on the first dates only alcohol and food is nice but not necessary. I would recommend Cookie in Melbourne or The winery in Surry Hills Sydney

Jodi from Tasmania: For a first date I would go to Smolt, its fun and alive with a smashing menu and right in Salamanca with easy access to as many bars as you could want.

Vicki from Bali/Sydney: Porteneo - The Bar is sexy or Vamps Bistro a great French restaurant at the 5 ways in Paddington its understated and cute.

Mark from Sydney: Fratelli Paradiso is great for a first date even if it's coffee, croissant or pasta. Easy service, not too expensive, causal. Or there is the Opera Bar a great place as a neutral non pretentious meeting especially in summer. My tip; don't go to first dates hung-over, its not a good look especially at 8.30am in the morning when someone has obviously gone to an effort. Also don't go there if you are trying to be discrete because you can bet you'll bump into someone you know who'll give you that raised eyebrow or “hihowareya!”

Bronwyn Sydney: I had a really good first date at Different Drummer in glebe. Were out the back so it was easy to find, great drinks, flattering lighting (important!) and good music and food.

Ellysha Sydney: The Norfolk, Redfern. Great pub with great food and a pub is always an easy first date, no pressure with clothes and pub noise makes everything a bit relaxed with not much silence.

SECOND DATES
Mitch from C/M/S: Dinner, nice one. You want the option for a couple of courses or to draw out the date if it's going well, so tapas is always good. My top three for a second date would be Bar Lourinhia on Little Collins Supper Club in Melbourne City, open till all hours. Or Somewhere like Omerta on Darlinghurst Rd in Sydney.

Jodi from Hobart: Home Hill, a boutique Vineyard and Winery. Great drive anytime of year and plenty to do...lunch of course.

Vicki from Bali/Sydney: The Nourishing Qtr. Real time.

Mark from Sydney: Toko on crown street but it was closed - I'm sure it would've been amazing. TIP don't go there on a Sunday. Make sure you don't forget your sunnies and have a good plan B of where the next stop off is if it's all going swell

Ellysha Sydney: North Bondi Italian. If you are on a 2nd date then something went right the first time. The great food and super relaxed atmos suit a second date.

BLIND DATES
Mitch: No blind dates yet but I’d go somewhere busy with entertaining wait staff.

Jodi: Garagiste plenty to talk about with food, and shared tables mean less pressure.

Vicki: The Shop Wine Bar on Curlewis St, a little hole in the wall or The Corner House also in Bondi- Everyone you know is there so you can run away if you need to.

Ellysha Sydney: Din Tai Fung. Dumplings and beer, what could be better?