We’ve got Bristol date ideas for every stage of your relationship, so you’ve got all the inspiration you need to keep the romance alive

First date – casual dining

This is the big one, your chance to make that crucial first impression, so you’ve got to get it right. No pressure.

Avoiding anything too noisy, awkward or potentially embarrassing is important as you need to be able to get to know someone is as natural a way as possible, so a good restaurant keeps things simple. Bocabar is a Bristol favourite and is versatile too, offering casual lunch time menus or more formal evening options.

Image source – Flickr

Second date – get arty

The second date is where you can branch out a little and find out more about your potential partner, so what better way to get a sense of their tastes and interests than with a trip to an art gallery?

There are loads of options for Bristol dating, but The Royal West of England Academy on The Triangle always has an interesting range of exhibitions on and as an added bonus has a great café.

Image source – Flickr

Six months – dance the night away

Half a year in and you should know each other pretty well by now, so you needn’t be shy about putting on your best dancing shoes and getting your groove on.

OK, so a dance class might be more than a one night thing, but add a post dance dinner or drinks and you’ve got yourself a great date night! Check out Bristol Dance Experience for ballroom, Latin and salsa classes around the city.

Image source – Flickr

One year – raise a glass (of sherry)

Congratulations! You’ve made it to that first big milestone, so now is the time to indulge yourselves and do something really special, so what better way to celebrate than to raise a glass of sherry?

As well as a mouth-watering menu, intimate setting and sherry based cocktails, Harveys Cellars also has a small museum and gallery, and offers private sherry tutoring sessions.

Image source – Flickr

Five years – harbourside family fun

By this stage you may well have small children in tow but a baby doesn’t have to cramp your dating style. For the five year anniversary we recommend a whole day of fun that can work for a young family as much as a couple.

Start with a mooch around Bristol’s picturesque harbourside, taking in the Arnolfini if you’re open to a bit of modern art. Take a walk up Park Street and enjoy the independent shopping, then enjoy dinner back on the waterfront at The Watershed or The Stable.

Image source – Flickr