The idea of seven first dates is enough to wilt the smoothest dater. Citylife is here to help, with this list of unique and memorable first dates that should take some of the anxiety out of impressing. Whether or not they actually look like their profile pics is entirely up to chance; sorry, can’t help you there! Start on the right foot with these fun date locations.
Old City Circuit
Make a full circuit of the Old City stopping at the four gates for a different activity. Start at Suan Dok Gate and head just north to Mix Kaffee to enjoy small-batch moka pot coffee, then walk south toward Suan Prung Gate, stopping at Nong Buak Haad Public Park for relaxing under the shade trees. Continue by old-style pedicab to Tha Phae Gate for a quick refreshing beer at the tucked-away, physchadelic-themed THC Rooftop Bar. Schedule it just right to watch the sun set. Jump in a songthaew and continue your circuit to the North Gate to catch some live music at the eponymous North Gate Jazz Club. Depending on your party mood, you can easily turn this into a bar crawl with the fantastic and plentiful bars all around the moat.
Open: 10am-3pm (Mondays – Saturdays)
Mix Kaffee
29/ 50200, 65/2 Arak Road
081 568 7203
Beauty and the Bike
Why bring flowers when you can give them a whole garden? At Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden, you can take the tram around the expansive grounds for only 30 baht per person. Pack a picnic lunch and blanket to make a romantic afternoon of it. Admission to the gardens is 40 baht pp with a Thai ID card, and 100 baht pp without.
Open: 8.30am – 5pm / 8.30am – 4:30pm (Mondays and Fridays)
9 Mae Raem, A. Mae Rim
Facebook: Queen-Sirikit-Botanical-Garden
053 841 234
Put a Bird on It
Let’s be honest: it’s hard to keep the coffee date interesting and out of interview territory. But cozy Art Roastery Coffee and Eatery keeps it fresh with three different seating areas: a greenhouse, outdoor garden, and two-story glass addition situated on a private lake. You’ll have lots to talk about from the knock-out smoothie bowls to the on-site aviary with several kinds of birds to observe and even interact with!
Open 8.30am-6pm (Mondays-Sundays)
233 Huay Kaew Road
086 923 0663
Facebook: artroasterycoffee
Sunset Rendezvous
Making the cut for the second date is all about nailing the first impression and this one will definitely earn you points. Centrally located at Maya Lifestyle Mall on the rooftop, Myst Bar is a chic indoor-outdoor restaurant and bar that’s perfect for impressing your date. Go at sunset and sit high up in the sky deck for a breathtaking, heart-stealing view of Doi Suthep and the whole city. Liquid nitrogen cocktails add the smoke, while you and your plus one bring the flame.
Open: 6pm – 12am (Mondays – Sundays)
Maya Lifestyle Shopping Mall
061 512 6768
Facebook: mystmaya
The Thrill Seeker
If you think the beautiful rolling hills around Chiang Mai are romantic from afar, imagine what a mood-setter they are up close and personal? Hop on motorbikes with your adventurous date (or share one, to get closer) and take on one of the many scenic motorcycle loops around town. Heat things up a bit with a motorcycle ride out to the Chiang Mai Erotic Garden in Mae Rim. The garden is actually a thoughtful meditation on the masculine and feminine in nature and cosmology, but really everything sort of resembles the naughty bits.
Open: 10am-4pm (Wednesdays – Sundays)
Erotic Garden
chiangmaieroticgarden.com
083 318 4855
Game of Love
Young love is the best love, and what better place to get in touch with your inner rambunctious teenager than an arcade? The massive arcade at Central Festival Mall will bring out both your and your date’s competitive sides. Have fun for hours playing high-tech racing, shooting, and skill games and even classics like air hockey. Jump on an interactive racing or dancing game and break a sweat together — standing up.
Open 11am-9.30pm / 10am – 10pm
(Mondays – Sundays)
Central Festival
Facebook: CentralFestivalChiangMai
053 998 999
Urban Explorers
It’s the age of modern love, and the way to your plus one’s heart is probably through their Instagram account. Spend an afternoon hunting down Chiang Mai’s street art and taking cute or funny pictures with them. Hidden gems can be found on the back sois in Nimannhaemin and the Old City. Discuss your favourite pieces (and apply your photo filters) over street food at Chang Phuak Market, near the Old City North Gate.
