15 Singaporeans reveal their favourite first-date spots in the city

"Head there during the evening – the vibe changes as the sun sets. While there’s still light, you get to appreciate some cool and weird sculptures. Come nightfall, take advantage of the scare-factor to hold of your date’s hands."

"You can't go wrong with a movie date – except this would be a cool movie, not another Marvel one. But first, I'd take my date to dinner at Beer Thai in the next building. Gotta eat some raw crabs and prawns to break the ice."

"I have somehow always ended up taking my dates to Native. Maybe it's cos it's close enough to the office, or because I know that I can always talk to the bartenders if the date gets awkward."

"The area in front of Marina Bay Sands is a popular and scenic spot for first dates. However, it's usually crowded with tourists and locals alike. Take a ten-minute stroll to the Promontory instead. It is a more peaceful spot to, err, get to know each other."

"I hate small talk and polite niceties so if I'm on a date with you, it means I already like you. I'd want to get all the 'first date awkwardness' out of the way and eat spicy food. Let's sweat and get splotchy from the combination of beer and mala. We can talk about weird stuff, order more food and laugh. Ice breaker? More like spice breaker."

"Music can make anyone comfortable so I'd bring my date to White Label Records for a few cocktails, great music, dancing perhaps and maybe we'll order some kale pizza from Blue Label next door and continue talking till late."

"The Moon is a cosy space in the middle of the city. I'd like to meet my date here, share a cake and coffee, talk about books and astrology and then head out for a late dinner and drinks at one of the eateries at Amoy."

"It's cute, we can play pretend, talk about our dream home and bring home a giant stuffed animal after. Some might say it's too much for a first date, but why not? Plus there are good meatballs at the restaurants waiting for you."

"I love the outdoors but I know it's asking for too much to go on a hike on the first date so I think the zoo would be a good in-between. And if we cover the River Safari as well, I would have managed to successfully trick my date into quite an all-day hike." 

"I want my date to feel relaxed and some time by the beach might be the best way to connect for ice-cold beers, a picnic and a splash in the sea. I'm basic, sorry."

"It'll be a first date to remember if you're both animal lovers. I feel like with volunteer work and one surrounded with dogs will bring out the compassionate and softer side of anyone. It will be a great opportunity to bond and get to know each other as well."

"Who says you have to talk a lot on the first date? I would rather dance. In an underground club. With loud music. We could have dinner before and chat for a bit I suppose but if I'm sure I want to date this person then they have to know that I'm a little intense and also that I like dancing. They also have to be okay with loud music – none of that classic hits all day kinda thing."

"So... yes, I am very pretentious and I would like my date to think I am a very cultured person. It's also nice walking around spacious halls and corridors, admiring art and squeezing some conversation in between. We'll grab a snack at the café and then we head to the rooftop to talk some more – and maybe take a few pics for the 'gram so my friends can comment things like "how was it???". I like things to be predictable, it's just me."

"Once I went on a first date to Maxwell Food Centre. It definitely wasn't intentional but our reservations got muddled up and it was really warm and the bright comforting lights of Maxwell called out to us. Thankfully my date was spontaneous and we ordered up to eight dishes in total just to share between us. That's not including the five desserts we had after. It actually turned out to be one of the more memorable dates I've gone on."