Date spot in Shoreditch and Hackney
Rio Cinema
Watch anything from a new release to an arthouse classic in a community-run Art Deco cinema with a big single screen.
Kingsland High Street, Dalston
Address: 107 Kingsland High Street, London E8 2PB- Culture
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Cosy
Why it's a good date: A cinema with character, and you're supporting a not-for-profit while you're at it. Take turns picking the film, and walk on to Dalston's bars afterwards.
Photo: Andrew Woodyatt, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
More from our Shoreditch and Hackney guide
Broadway Market
Broadway Market, by London Fields
Address: Broadway Market, London E8 4PH- Activity
- Outdoors
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Graze your way down the Saturday food market, from street-food stalls to bakers and cheesemongers, then sit out on London Fields.
Why it's a good date: Each of you picks a stall and you share everything. It's a short walk to the Regent's Canal, so you can make a whole afternoon of it.
Photo: Bikeboy, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped and resized)
Nightjar
City Road, near Old Street
Address: 129 City Road, London EC1V 1JB- Bar
- Rain-proof ☔
- Mid-price
- Big night
- Romantic
Head down to a low-lit basement bar with leather booths, elaborate cocktails and live jazz, swing and blues most nights.
Why it's a good date: It feels like stepping back to the 1920s, and the band does the talking when you run out of things to say. The room is small, so book if the music matters to you.
Regent's Canal towpath
Regent's Canal, Haggerston
Address: Regent's Canal towpath, Haggerston, London E2 8BS- Outdoors
- Free
- Best in Spring, Summer, Autumn
Walk the towpath past moored narrowboats and old gasholders from Haggerston towards Victoria Park, stopping at canal-side cafés along the way.
Why it's a good date: An easy, flat walk that feels miles from the traffic above, and it costs nothing. Keep to one side: cyclists use the towpath too.
Photo: Stevekeiretsu, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
