Date spot in South Bank and Borough
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Order a cocktail on the 52nd floor of the Shard, at the Shangri-La hotel's bar, with the whole of London spread out below.
Shangri-La The Shard, St Thomas Street, London Bridge
Address: Level 52, Shangri-La The Shard, 31 St Thomas Street, London SE1 9QU- Bar
- Rain-proof ☔
- A treat
- Romantic
- Big night
Why it's a good date: A drink with one of the best views in the city, without paying for the viewing platform. Book a window table and go just before sunset to see the lights come on.
Photo: Colin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
More from our South Bank and Borough guide
BFI Southbank
Belvedere Road, under Waterloo Bridge
Address: Belvedere Road, South Bank, London SE1 8XT- Activity
- Cheap and cheerful
- Culture
- Rainy day
Browse the second-hand book stalls under Waterloo Bridge, then catch a classic, a new release or a rare archive print at the British Film Institute's cinemas.
Why it's a good date: Pick a book for each other at the stalls before the film starts. The riverfront bar is a good spot to talk it over afterwards.
Photo: Ashley Van Haeften, CC BY 2.0 (cropped and resized)
Walk through the graffiti tunnel under Waterloo station, where artists are allowed to paint the walls and the art changes almost daily.
Why it's a good date: It's free, takes ten minutes and is different every time you go. You'll often catch someone painting, and the arches along the tunnel have places to eat and drink.
Photo: Owen Tudor1, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)
Scootercaffe
Lower Marsh, Waterloo
Address: 133A Lower Marsh, London SE1 7AE- Café
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Cosy
Settle in at a scruffy, much-loved café-bar in an old scooter repair shop, with a vintage Vespa in the corner and a small courtyard out the back.
Why it's a good date: Coffee by day and a drink in the evening, with old records on and no fuss. It doesn't take bookings, so just turn up, and it's handy before or after something on the South Bank.
