Because “just drinks” is fine… until you’re both staring at your empty glasses in silence.
Let’s be real—first dates are already awkward enough without adding a noisy pub, a 90-minute dinner commitment, or someone suggesting “Netflix and chill” like it’s still 2014.
If you’re in Perth and looking for a first date spot that actually helps you talk, connect, and maybe even laugh (without shouting over a DJ), this list is for you.
Here are some local gems that spark conversation, give you something to do with your hands (besides nervously checking your phone), and keep the vibe light, easy, and full of potential.
This is a new bar on the block! Edgy, amazing cocktails, good tunes – my new favourite! Head down the alley beside Pirate Life…for fun!
Perfect for: Something a bit different!
Check out their website here.
It’s stylish but not try-hard. You can grab a drink and a few bites without committing to a full meal. Plus, the mood lighting is flattering (which helps if you panicked while getting ready and now feel like a sweaty potato).
Perfect for: After-work drinks that could stretch into dinner if it’s going well.
Check out their website here.
This place is artsy and full of personality, with a courtyard made for cute chats. Plus, the rotating art exhibits mean you’ll never run out of things to point at and say, “So… what do you think that means?”
Perfect for: A cheeky mid-arvo cocktail and a delicious bite!
Check out their website here.
Classic. Perth. Move. Take a casual stroll (bonus points for sunset), then grab gelato at Cimbalino or Gelatissimo, or in Scarborough, Dumbo Gelato or Cold Rock. It’s low pressure, romantic-ish, and you’ve got the ocean as your backup conversation topic if things stall.
Perfect for: Outdoorsy, low-key vibes with room to escape politely if needed.
This maybe shouldn’t be on the first date list, I’d leave it until the second or third date, you really don’t want to be locked in a room with someone you don’t like for 60 mins. Want to know exactly what someone’s like under pressure? Lock yourselves in a room together and try to solve puzzles while pretending not to panic. It’s either a bonding experience or the fastest “Nope!” you’ll ever get.
Perfect for: Second dates with someone who already seems fun + game for adventure.
Check out their website here.
Local craft beer, relaxed picnic tables, and food trucks = chilled out perfection. Bonus: they sometimes have dogs wandering around, which is instant conversation gold.
Perfect for: First dates where you want a fun vibe but nothing too fancy.
Check out their website here.
If you want quirky, cozy, and retro, this is the move. There’s something kind of romantic about old-school booths and late-night conversations over pizza or nachos.
Perfect for: Artsy types, introverts, or anyone who secretly wants to recreate a scene from a ’90s rom-com.
Check out their website here.
An underrated combo. Wander the gallery, judge the art together, and then grab a latte nearby, or a drink on their rooftop bar if its open. You’ll learn a lot about how someone sees the world—without them realising they’re being low-key interviewed.
Perfect for: Creative sparks, thoughtful convos, and sneaky moments of quiet chemistry.
Check out their website here.
For those that prefer a more low key date or the sober curious. A wander around Hyde Park with a stop at their coffee shop is a great idea. There are plenty of dogs to pat and you can do a few laps around the lakes depending on how well the date is going. Top tip – make sure you get there a bit early as parking can be a problem.
Perfect for: Getting out in nature. Central-ish location.
The best first date spots are the ones that help you connect without forcing awkward small talk or a 3-hour commitment to someone who might say “YOLO” unironically.
Keep it light. Keep it simple. And most of all—pick a place where you feel comfortable being yourself.