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Date spot in South Bank and Borough

National Theatre

See a play at one of the National's three stages, in the concrete landmark by Waterloo Bridge, with bars and terraces looking over the river.

The National Theatre's stepped concrete terraces and fly towers, with pink National Theatre banners on the square in front

Upper Ground, South Bank

Upper Ground, South Bank, London SE1 9PX

Why it's a good date: There's always something on worth seeing, and the foyers are lovely for a drink before curtain up. Keep an eye out for cheaper day seats if you're happy to decide last-minute.

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Photo: Anthony O'Neil, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped and resized)

More from our South Bank and Borough guide

  • A painted Maltby Street Market cart at the end of a lane beside brick railway arches, with colourful umbrellas and stalls under a blue sky

    Maltby Street Market

    Ropewalk, off Maltby Street, Bermondsey

    Arch 46, Ropewalk, Maltby Street, London SE1 3PA
    • Activity
    • Foodie

    Eat your way along Ropewalk, a narrow lane of street-food stalls and bars tucked under the railway arches in Bermondsey.

    Why it's a good date: Smaller and more relaxed than Borough, with a proper neighbourhood feel. It's a weekend market, so make it a lazy Saturday or Sunday and finish with a drink in one of the arches.

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    Photo: Bex Walton, CC BY 4.0 (cropped and resized)

  • The Shard lit up at dusk, rising above the riverside offices at London Bridge under a dramatic cloudy sky

    GŎNG

    Shangri-La The Shard, St Thomas Street, London Bridge

    Level 52, Shangri-La The Shard, 31 St Thomas Street, London SE1 9QU

    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.

    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.

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    Photo: Colin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)

  • Long tables of second-hand books under Waterloo Bridge, with the BFI Southbank's glass front and cinema signs behind

    BFI Southbank

    Belvedere Road, under Waterloo Bridge

    Belvedere Road, South Bank, London SE1 8XT

    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.

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    Photo: Ashley Van Haeften, CC BY 2.0 (cropped and resized)

From our guide to date ideas in South Bank and Borough

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