31 Fun Date Ideas in Leeds for 2025

Anybody looking for date ideas in Leeds need not look far. Once a hub of innovation during Britain’s Industrial Revolution, today, Leeds is home to a burgeoning cultural scene, with abundant galleries, live music venues and museums just waiting to be explored. 

What’s more, for those looking to indulge their most epicurean proclivities, an ever-evolving restaurant and nightclub scene has something to tempt palates and party-goers of all persuasions. 

In short, date ideas in Leeds are far from scarce. So many are there, that we thought we’d save you some time by whittling them down to an essential, must-try list. 

 Jump to Section

• Leeds Date Ideas for Foodies
• Fun Date Night Ideas in Leeds
• Free and Cheap Date Ideas in Leeds
• First Date Ideas in Leeds
• Best Outdoor Date Ideas in Leeds
• Interactive Date Ideas in Leeds

Leeds Date Ideas for Foodies

1. Book a Cooking Class

If learning to prepare delicious new cuisines with your favourite foodie sounds like the perfect date idea in Leeds, you'll be pleased to know that there are plenty of cooking classes in Leeds to choose from.

Prepare a romantic Italian feast, learn to roll your own sushi or experiment with bold Spanish flavors. If you and your date love great food, we can think of few better date night ideas in Leeds than enrolling in a cooking class together. 

You could also book an online cooking class, perfect for couples looking for new stay-home date ideas. You’ll benefit from the same expert guidance of a renowned expert chef, only you’ll get to enjoy it from the comfort of your own kitchen. 

2. Sample Leeds’ Amazing Street Food Scene

When you think of date ideas in Leeds, chances are, your plans involve food. But why restrict your evening to the confines of one restaurant when you could instead spend your time exploring the city, picking up a bite from one of its many fantastic street food vendors?

Places to find an exciting array of grab-and-go world cuisines include the Market Kitchen at Kirkgate Market. Dubbed the place “where street food meets market,” there’s an exciting array of cuisines to choose from here.

You might decide that a Vietnamese street food like bánh mì is for you, while your partner might find themselves tempted by a Yorkshire-style wrap. With the luxury of choice, visiting a street food market takes the pressure off you. No need to fret over which restaurant your date is likely to enjoy most — visiting a street food market puts the culinary ball firmly in their court.

3. Indulge Italian Style at Veeno Leeds

What could be more romantic than a trip to Italy? Sure, you may not have the time or budget to book plane tickets, but there’s no need since Veeno Leeds offers an immersive Italian experience that you and your date are sure to love.

This date night idea in Leeds includes a “Trip to Sicily” wine-tasting experience — a two-hour session that sees a variety of gorgeous grapes paired with a smörgasbord of cheese, cured meats and other Mediterranean bites.

For something less formal but equally delicious, you could also consider Veeno’s Pizza and Fizz experience. Expect 90 minutes of unlimited pizza (and we mean unlimited) plus up to six glasses of bubbles. 

4. Tuck Into Korean BBQ at Bulgogi Grill

If you’ve ever seen or read about Korean tabletop grilling, chances are, your date has too. In other words, if you and your partner are both foodies, you’ll want to add this date idea in Leeds to your shortlist.

Awarded the “Best BBQ” award in 2024 by Restaurant Guru, at Bulgogi Grill you can expect superb local meat and seafood, all cooked to your liking right at the table. Infused with Korean seasonings and sauces and paired with a menu of Korean beverages, if you’re hoping to impress a discerning epicurean, getting Korean BBQ here might just be the way to do it.

5. Enjoy Dinner and a Show at Carousel Leeds

With gaming options that include darts, shuffleboard, beer pong (and prosecco pong), plus arcade games and even private karaoke booths, an evening at Carousel Leeds might just be the fun date idea in Leeds you’ve been looking for.

If you’re feeling bold, grab the mic and serenade your date with your go-to jukebox jingle. If not, leave the singing to someone else and soak up some of the venue’s regular live entertainment.

Whatever you get up to, you’ll get to share scrumptious street food and wash it down with innovative cocktails, making this date idea in Leeds a kind of “all in one” package. 

6. Enjoy Craft Beers at BrewDog

Renowned British brewer BrewDog has quickly become one of the leading names in the U.K. for those who care about craft beer. And while most will be used to sampling the brand’s wares from a can, and while that’s great, nothing quite compares to a glass poured straight from the tap. 

If that sounds good, this date idea in Leeds is for you. Expect no fewer than 36 draught lines (not that you’ll be able to sample them all), plus a number of shuffleboard tables with which to enjoy a spot of friendly (and flirty) competition. 

Fun Date Ideas in Leeds

7. Take an Online Mixology Class

If you and your partner would prefer to spend the evening at home, enjoying a drink together without worrying about designating a driver, then this next date idea in Leeds is for you.

Online mixology classes are guided by expert mixologists with years of experience spent honing their craft. By booking a session, you’ll have the chance to learn their most closely guarded secrets, gaining the skills to shake your favorite cocktails.

Whether you take a class with just the two of you or think it would make a great double date idea with your coupled friends, you’ll shake, stir and sip your way to cocktail perfection, learning delicious recipes that are sure to become new favourites.

8. Dance the Night Away at The Wardrobe

Established in 1999, The Wardrobe has been a go-to hub of cultural activity for decades. It’s especially popular with couples looking for date ideas in Leeds that combine live music and a menu packed with bottomless brunches, delightful dinners and a refreshing menu of cocktails.

Get into the groove on one of The Wardrobe’s many indie nights, moving to the motion of sound from renowned local artists.

9. Escape to Polynesia at Tiki Hideaway

For some, the most fun date ideas in Leeds involve immersing themselves in party paradise. If that’s you, then the Polynesian-inspired décor of Tiki Hideaway, reminiscent of a romantic island getaway, is worth adding to your list.

Relax in bamboo bar huts, adorn your necks with flowers and grab yourself a Flaming Zombie cocktail. At Tiki Hideaway, it’s all about ditching the stresses of daily life and throwing yourselves into the party. 

10. Dance To Live Music at The Domino Club

Hidden towards the back of Leeds’ Grand Arcade, The Domino Club is the venue of choice for cocktail enthusiasts who want live jazz entertainment on tap, five days a week.

If you share a love of live music, this date idea in Leeds is perfect, with entertainment from renowned local artists and an atmosphere that’s sure to see your shoulders relax and set your toes to tapping.

If you like, you can book a table, but since this is largely a standing-only venue, you and your date will have little choice but to find your feet on the dancefloor. Top tip: entry on Wednesdays and Sundays is free.

Free and Cheap Date Ideas in Leeds

11. Go On a Thrift Hunt

If a montage of dressing rooms and costume changes is what you have your mind’s eye then this next date idea in Leeds is the perfect way to bring it to life. By going thrift shopping in Leeds, you and your date are sure to find a host of stylish bargains, saving yourselves a penny or two by buying secondhand and having a ball while you do it.

You could set yourselves a target list of items to find or simply see what treasures are in store. You could even set yourselves a budget and see who can get the most bang for their buck. 

12. Brush Up on Your History at Leeds City Museum

Couples who share a passion for history will love this next date idea in Leeds. Part of the Leeds Galleries and Museums collection, Leeds City Museum is free to enter and offers visitors an insight into the city’s history, along with that of the natural sciences, ancient worlds and more. Spread across four floors, you’ll find five permanent galleries plus a changing schedule of unique exhibitions.

13. Explore Medieval Britain at Kirkstall Abbey

First established in the 12th century, the monastery here was dissolved during the Dissolution of the Monasteries under the rule of King Henry VIII.

Today, not only is it a stunning setting for weddings and a popular filming location, but Leeds’ Kirkstall Abbey also provides a romantic Medieval backdrop for history-loving couples looking for novel date ideas in Leeds. 

After you’ve explored the awe-inspiring ruins, with or without the help of the free audio guide, the abbey’s park provides a wonderful location for a picnic. Or why not grab a bite from Abbey Café? 

14. Soak Up Some Culture at Leeds Art Gallery

Part of the Leeds Galleries and Museums collection, this date idea provides culture vultures with a unique opportunity to admire the works of renowned artists across a full spectrum of mediums, from painting to sculpture.

An ever-changing list of exhibitions can be found on display at Leeds Art Gallery, which also hosts regular events and even interactive workshops in which you can unleash your own inner artist. The best part? You won’t have to pay a penny!

First Date Ideas in Leeds

15. Break the Ice at Boom Battle Bar

Infuse some friendly competition into your list of date ideas in Leeds and prepare to enter the fray at Boom Battle Bar.

With a happy hour that extends beyond the confines of a mere 60 minutes, running instead from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Thursday, it’s the perfect spot to let your hair down together whilst saving a penny or two. This fun spot also runs a brunch menu six days a week, perfect for daytime dates.

Challenge each other to a game of classic American pool or sink one another under the table with a game of beer or prosecco pong. Alternatively, have a round of “crazier” golf, try your hand at shuffleboard or enter the world of 21st century gaming with a round of augmented reality darts. You might even decide to try axe throwing!

16. Tempt Your Tastebuds With Cocktails at The Maven

Embarking on a cocktail-tasting experience at The Maven is the perfect date idea in Leeds for those who like their refreshments with a dash of refinement. An expert bartender will shake and stir no fewer than five delicious taster cocktails, explaining each as they go and serving them with accompanying edible sides and garnishes.

The experiences are updated regularly as the mixologists experiment with new flavors and recipes, meaning you’ll never know exactly what to expect when you book. What’s always guaranteed, however, is a great time. 

17. Get To Know Each Other Over a Board Game

If a chance encounter has led to you taking things further with date ideas in Leeds, then why not get to know one another over the shared joy of a board game at Chance and Counters?

With more than 500 board games to choose from, you’re sure to find something you’ll both enjoy, although you may want to hold off on a game of Monopoly if it’s your first date!

You can also enjoy casual bites like burgers, wings and loaded fries, and if you’d prefer a cup of coffee over something alcoholic, you can expect proper espresso from the roasters at Clifton Coffee.

18. Take Your Date to a Secret Bar

Date ideas in Leeds don’t need to revolve around a well-stocked bar, but if that’s what you have in mind, then word on the grapevine is there are some lesser-known spots just perfect for a special evening of romance.

Chef Jono at Vice and Virtue, for example, may be known as one of the best fine dining restaurants in Leeds, but did you know that just downstairs lies a speakeasy-style drinking den? Think chic interiors and creative cocktails — perfect for an intimate evening getting to know one another over your favorite spirit shakes.

19. Meet the Animals at Tropical World

A trip to  Tropical World has to be the best date idea in Leeds for those who love all creatures great and small. Whether you want to discover the difference between venomous and poisonous, marvel at the astonishing colour of butterflies or simply witness meerkats doing whatever it is that meerkats do, Tropical World offers it all.

What’s more, ticket fees contribute towards the cost of the conversation work that this incredible attraction supports. This means that by enjoying a date here, you’ll also be giving a little back to the natural world. 

20. Share a Laugh at a Standup Comedy Gig

If you’re looking for date ideas in Leeds to help break the ice, nothing quite compares to the uproarious laughs you’ll have during a comedy night at The Hi-Fi Club.

First opened in 2001, this now-iconic venue has been the launching pad for the careers of many renowned U.K. comedians, including Alan Carr, Katherine Ryan, Joe Lycett and many more household names. 

Best Outdoor Date Ideas in Leeds

21. Pack a Picnic 

Leeds date ideas don’t need to be fancy. In fact, sometimes, the simple combination of great food and beautiful scenery can be far more romantic than any restaurant or cocktail bar.

Especially great if you’re looking for summer date ideas, simply pack a hamper with some of your and your partner’s favourite foods (wine is optional) and find yourself a sunny spot in one of the city’s beautiful parks. 

If this sounds like the perfect date idea in Leeds, then Golden Acre Park is a particularly beautiful spot to enjoy it. Well kept, with a large lake and plenty of birdlife going about their business on the water, it offers a tranquil environment in which to relax and simply enjoy each other’s company. 

22. Relax at a Rooftop Bar

Surrounded by buzzy conversation as fellow locals sip on their chosen tipples, visiting a rooftop bar is a great date idea in Leeds for those in search of something less formal.

Heading to a scenic rooftop bar is also a great option if you’re looking for last-minute date ideas since you can simply turn up and grab a table. That said, it might pay to call ahead to check how busy your chosen bar is.

As for which bar, our recommendation would have to be Cuckoo. As the name suggests, this is one of the city’s quirkier watering holes — as evidenced by the potting shed through which you have to travel in order to find a table.

23. Tackle Obstacles at Go Ape!

If you’re feeling adventurous — the kind that makes you want to climb and declare your love from the treetops — then this next date idea in Leeds is perfect. Go Ape! offers a day of adrenaline-pumping action. Take on the treetop rope course, brave the Tarzan Swing and, if you’re feeling brave, dare yourself to take on the freefall plummet.

You might want to double-check that your date is up for this one before you book it. Then again, you might not! While it’s sure to be a gamble, this date idea in Leeds might just be the last thing they’d expect, and if you have other romantic surprises planned for the day then it makes sense to start it as you mean to go on. Just try not to drop the ring…

24. Visit a Local Farm

This next date idea in Leeds is perfect for escaping the hubbub of the city and enjoying some of the local countryside’s most bucolic beauty.

Meanwood Valley Farm, for example, provides a sanctuary for horses and also has a garden nursery on site. When you visit, you can spend your time strolling around the farm, admiring the cute animals and even getting to grips with animal husbandry.

The countryside around Meanwood is especially beautiful when it dons the auburn palette of autumn, making it one our favourite fall date ideas in Leeds. What’s more, if you love to know where your food comes from, the farm even runs a vegetable box scheme. Sign up and the two of you could enjoy a chemical-free box of local veg each and every week, providing the produce you need to rustle up romantic dinners at home. 

25. Get Close to Nature at RSPB St. Aidan’s

Celebrate your shared love of the great outdoors with this next date idea in Leeds. Once an open-cast coal mine, nature has well and truly reclaimed the industrial landscape at RSPB St. Aidan’s. It lies just a short hop from the city centre, meaning you can take your time over some breakfast in Leeds before venturing out to the reserve.

When you get there, you’ll find that you can explore it on foot or choose to do so by bike or on horseback, although you’ll have to supply your own steeds. Either way, you’ll be in the best place to see the area’s wonderful wildlife, including kestrels, lapwings, owls and more. It’s especially beautiful when the sun sets — certainly worth bearing in mind if there is a special question you’d like to ask.

26. Embark On an Outdoor Treasure Hunt

How does having fun whilst discovering the best the city has to offer sound? Good, right? With this novel date idea in Leeds, you and your partner no longer need to wander aimlessly around the city. Instead, let a treasure map be your guide as you work together pondering and, hopefully, solving cryptic clues.

Following a carefully planned scavenger hunt in Leeds, such as those organized by Treasure Hunt Leeds, you’ll explore its most verdant green spaces, avoiding the busy streets and instead discovering quiet, more intimate areas, seeing sides to the city you never before knew existed.

Interactive Date Ideas in Leeds

27. Challenge Each Other at Electric Shuffle

Sliding coloured pucks into the scoring zone of your opponent’s end of the board may sound straightforward, but take it from us, it’s tougher than you think. Shuffleboard is the kind of game that brings out everybody’s fiercest inner competitor, making it the perfect date idea in Leeds for couples who enjoy some healthy competition.

A delicious food and drink menu, including brunch, means that you needn’t worry about booking a restaurant before or after, and since Electric Shuffle will email you with the results of your match the following day, you’ll have those to remember your date by. The victor will also have concrete proof of their prowess!

28. Take On an Escape Room

This is one of those date ideas in Leeds that you’ll either love or hate. The same can almost certainly be said for your partner, so the first thing to do is check that they’re up for it. Provided that they are, you can expect to have a blast trying to beat the clock, solving clues in a bid to, quite literally, escape the room.

You can choose from an exciting array of escape rooms in Leeds, such as Escape Hunt, with various themes from space themes worthy of your favorite sci-fi movie to sinister battles against the supernatural. In any case, your chief fight is against time — can you and your date solve the clues in time to earn your freedom?

29. Get Competitive at Roxy Ball Room

With the tagline “booze and ball games”, you can probably make a good guess at what this date idea in Leeds is all about. From American pool and shuffleboard to beer pong, duckpin bowling and (curveball) karaoke, there are plenty of activities for you and your date to get stuck into at Roxy Ball Room.

As for food and drink, you can expect bar classics like pizza, wings and dogs, all served alongside a comprehensive menu of draught beers and Roxy signature cocktails. 

30. Hit the Bullseye at Flight Club

If you haven’t yet added a game of darts to your list of date ideas in Leeds, it’s time to do so. Think energy-building playlists, sublime food and drink and the chance to pit your throwing arms against each other with some healthy (but fierce) competition.

Housed within a Grade II listed building, romance oozes from the very bricks of Park Row Flight Club, and the lively atmosphere inside is sure to inspire fun. It’s also full of cosy spots in which to enjoy some downtime together. Throw in some cocktails and, really, what else do you need?

31. Showcase Your Creativity at a Paint and Sip Session

If you’ve never tried a paint and sip experience before, then chances are, neither has your date. That makes this date idea in Leeds perfect for those looking to share the experience of something new.

Blending the chance to get creative with lively conversation, there are paint and sip events available across Leeds, such as those hosted by Pinot & Picasso. And while you’re sure to get a buzz from the wine, you’ll also be buzzing with the creations you take home with you. Maybe you and your date could paint portraits of each other? You’ll soon see who has the better brushstroke!

Well, there you have it! Whether you’re looking for ideas with which to impress on a first date or are hoping to surprise your significant other in celebration of a special anniversary, Leeds has lots to offer.

It doesn’t matter whether you like getting out in nature together, dining at a restaurant, engaging in some friendly competition or a combination of all three. With this guide in hand, you’ll have everything you need to ensure your perfect date goes off without a hitch. 

For even more ways to explore Leeds and beyond, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.