Nice place for a first date in Beijing?

Hi,

Let's see how good this forum really is? ;-)

I've met a nice girl - we hardly even know each other...but I'd like to take her out on Friday evening for a first 'get to know each other' date.

Sounds crazy but I have no idea where would be a nice place to go for a date! I need a nice café or restaurant that's easy to get to, pleasant, and not too cheap but not crazily expensive either. Just somewhere nice. It can be Chinese or Western in style.

God!!! I haven't done this in a long time!

Cheers!

It would help if you gave us a list of acceptable locations, maybe a continent?

Haha - I'm in Beijing.

You mean the universe doesn't rotate around Beijing - the centre of culture in the galaxy?

Sorry!!!!

All the places I have in my mind are Hou Hai, Nan Sang Gu Sang (or something like that...can't remember the right way to say it or spell it - that old gong place...), Sanlitun and Lucky Street. But I have no idea if those are places you would go on a first date??????

Like I say...been a long time since I've dated and and i don't know Beijing that well....sigh....Could always take her to Starbucks...

Just kidding!

Cheers!

I really wouldn't worry about this too much. Just take her to a place you personally like; if she likes it as well, that's a good sign already.

Anyway, the way you guys are getting along will be much more important than where you are actually going - some of the most pleasant dates I've had have been in random, cheap Xinjiang joints.

You've seen the Beijing restaurant thread right?

My suggestion would be to try finding a Thai restaurant. They usually have nice decor, prices that are slightly more expensive than your average Chinese restaurant, but less expensive than your average western restaurant, and they're different enough to be exotic, but not so different that your date won't really know what to order.

Do she and you both like sports? Then go to 匹特博

http://www.farmun.cn/

http://www.51766.com/www/detailhtml/1101361628.html

http://www.51766.com/www/detailhtml/1101205062.html

http://bj.sina.com.cn/art/2005-10-12/182285515.shtml

http://www.h5766.com/Article_Show.asp?ArticleID=4342

I think that may be not suitable for the first date, but who knows, personally I don’t care what to eat, but do something interesting is attractive. Also I have not tried 匹特博 (but will certainly do it when I have time), so no further information can be given.

Haha, and there was me thinking 匹特博 was the name of a restaurant or something! After clicking on the links however I see that it's a transliteration for paintball (I'm surprised the term is a transliteration rather than a more direct translation though). That'd certainly be a different first date

I am not sure if they're still popular in Beijing,

But some Tea Bars are usually good. They have comfortable chairs and you order a refillable pot of tea.

Also sometimes these shops have games like connect five and pickup sticks if you run out of conversation topics or she is really shy.

Going for a walk in a pretty campus or park is a good not threatening cheap date as well.

Be careful of spending too much money, Some girls will think that you spending the money on them will me you want something extra ... Also it will set you up to also having to spend the same amount or more on future dates.

Have fun,

Simon:)

here is a cool article in cityweekend about different possible date experiences in Beijing:

http://www.cityweekend.com.cn/beijing/articles/mag-bj/cover/summer-fling/

I actually think that HouHai could work out quite nicely for a first date. There are some good restaurants by the lake and afterwards you can go for a nice evening walk or maybe even boating (if you're feeling romantic). And who knows, if you both feel like having some drinks afterwards, there's plenty of bars to choose from.

Thanks all - definitely got a few good ideas now!