Here are 6 of the best spots in Cork for a chill first date
You’ve both swiped right. Banter was had. Emojis were employed.
Now what?
It’s time for a real life date, that’s what.
If your local barkeep is starting to notice that you regularly turn up in new company and take a quiet table in the corner, it might be time to mix up your Cork date night locations.
Anyway, planning a little date night adventure is an excellent way to find out what your potential mate is really made of.
Here are six decidedly different Cork date ideas that don’t all revolve around the pub:
1. Mosey along the Marina
Venture down to the Marina for an afternoon stroll. The leaves will be turning, the golden light will be glittering on the water… you know yourself.
Nip off for a circle of the Atlantic Pond to get your heart rates pumping and finish with a coffee and cake at the Natural Foods Bakery in Blackrock Village. Extra points if you both bring your dogs along.
View this post on Instagram
2. Just desserts
Listen; time is money in the dating game. Skip the starters and mains and get to know each other over midweek dessert in a city restaurant. It’s a win/win: even if your date is the worst human being you’ve ever met, you still get an intense sugar rush to take the edge off.
We recommend making eyes over a Peanut Butter and Toasted Marshmallow Coqshake at Coqbull or splitting a Brownie & Blondie Sundae at The Spitjack.
View this post on Instagram
3. Challenge them to a board game
Of all the ways to truly assess the compatibility of your date, testing their vocabulary with a game of Scrabble is certainly one of the most conniving. Still, it’s a bit of fun and an excellent conversation starter if you’re terrible at small talk.
You’ll find Scrabble boards in Impala and Tom Barry’s as well as in Tabletop on Castle Street (all three do a decent coffee if you don’t fancy a pint). Beware if you’re the competitive type; this could all end in tears (theirs).
View this post on Instagram
4. Meet up among the monkeys
When was the last time you visited Fota Wildlife Park? These days there’s an ark of cool animals to check out, from lions and tigers to cheetahs, giraffes, zebras and rhinos.
The entire park takes about two hours to walk around – plenty of time to assess whether you’d be up for any monkey business with your date. If it all goes well, stop for lunch or dinner afterwards at Bramley Lodge.
View this post on Instagram
5. Take your date to new heights
Only true daredevils would suggest a harness on a first date, but if swinging (through the trees) is your kind of afternoon off, there’s a qualified staff at Zipit Farran to get you and your date set up safely.
The Zipit course covers 1.2km of treetop activities at Farran Woods, with five circuits for different ages, heights and abilities. You can get all the necessary ‘getting-to-know-you’ details from each other while crossing rope bridges, braving swinging logs, scrambling across cargo nets and nipping down ziplines.
View this post on Instagram
6. To market, to market…
Your local farmer’s market might be the ultimate ‘no pressure’ Cork date location. With a different one happening in villages and towns all over the county, farmer’s markets are made for making idle chit-chat while filling your basket with fancy jams and hummus.
If you’re having fun, you can extend the date by suggesting coffee and lunch from one of the stalls. If not, you can say you need to rush home to put your unpasteurised cheese in the fridge.
View this post on Instagram
