If two people are really into each other it doesn’t matter where they go on a first date…right? Wrong! When it comes to making a good first impression, there are definitely some good locations for first dates and some utterly terrible ones. Here are some the best and worst places to go on a first date.

BEST –

Coffee Shop or Cafe –

I have a love/hate relationship with coffee dates. Yes, they are kind of cliche and often lack in the romance department (um, coffee breath anyone?) however, they do serve a purpose. Going for coffee on a first date is perfect if you just want to keep things ultra casual and see if you connect at all in person. Coffee is especially a good option if you’re not quite sure about someone you’ve met online. It’s inexpensive, doesn’t require a huge time commitment and involves a very public place. As much as I bash coffee dates, it’s undeniable that the right person can make coffee a lot of fun! Plus, going for coffee allows me to sit across from someone and actually get to know them.

As one of my friends likes to point out, “I love coffee dates! If we’re able to meet under the most boring or mundane circumstances and still have a great time, that says something.”

Bar or Pub –

Meeting for a drink is the next step up from coffee. Personally, I’m a huge fan of meeting for a glass of wine as a first date for many of the same reasons I mentioned above. It’s fun, it’s easy, it’s a low time commitment and it involves lots of face to face interaction that’s perfect for getting to know someone. Some of the best first dates I’ve been on have involved one or two drinks & some good conversation. However, whether you decide to meet at a sexy wine bar or lounge, or hang out at a comfy local pub, meeting at a bar or pub provides ample opportunity to get to know each other.

Fun or unusual activity –

Who said first dates have to involve sitting across from each other with some kind of food beverage? One of the best first dates I went on involved attending an art show where attendees had a chance to make their own paintings to take home. Painting together was a great way to get to know each other and the resulting art work made for a fun souvenir of a great night.

Don’t be afraid to get creative when planning a first date! However, keep in mind that you should choose an activity that’s fun for both parties involved. Art show = fun. Watching a dog-fight followed by a tour of your local sewage treatment plant = not fun.

WORST –

Movie theatre –

Going to watch a movie together does not make for a good first date – especially if you’ve never met in person before. Why? Because you can’t talk to each other! Sure, there’s maybe some awkward chit chat in the popcorn line-up, but then you’re literally sitting next to a stranger in a dark room, for the next two hours of your life. If that’s not awkward, I don’t know what is.

Family functions –

Want to potentially make your date super uncomfortable? Take them to a family function for your first date! Family functions make terrible first dates for a variety of reasons – namely, because it means that your date is going to be subjected to meeting your whole family before they’ve even had a chance to really meet you. Yes, you may love your family to bits and find their quirks endearing, however that doesn’t mean your date will. Do you really need to subject your date to Uncle Ernie’s drunk Elvis impression or your cousin’s passionate rants about government conspiracy theories? I’m going to go with “no.”

Dance club –

“I’M SORRY, WHAT DID YOU SAY? YOU’RE A VIRGO? WHAT? OH, YOU LIKE TO TRAVEL? YEAH ME TOO! WHAT?” Yep, this is pretty much what your date will sound like if you decide to go to a club together. You’re going to spend the whole time yelling at each other and asking “WHAT?” like you’re the deaf rapper from that Dave Chappelle “Turn my headphones up” sketch. It doesn’t matter how excited you are to show the other person your awesome rendition of the robot, dance clubs still rank as one of the worst environments to actually get to know someone.

The Mall –

I know what you’re thinking – the mall is so convenient! Everything is there: food! shopping! movies! That place that makes T-shirts with airbrushed drawings of your faces on them! I get it – the mall is awesome (kind of.) However, it’s nowhere to take someone on a first date. You know what else you can find at the mall? Crowds. Screaming toddlers. The smell of greasy food. When it comes to romance, “let’s walk around the mall” gets a zero. The mall is a great first date idea….if you’re 16. Enough said.

Nude Beach –

Yes, this actually happened to a friend of mine. No, this is not an OK location for a first date.