But, in its place, digital meetups arrived; dates taking place over video chat. Naturally, it started simply enough – a drink, some chat and maybe a takeaway at either end – but now people are getting creative. After all, everyone needs A Good First Date Story, no matter how it begins.

Even as lockdown has started to lift and we are starting to meet IRL again, with a recent study finding that 61% of people plan to continue meeting virtually even when social distancing ends. So, what should you do? We’ve pulled together some alternative ideas to make sure your next digital meet is memorable…

1. Watch a film or Box Set

“3… 2… 1… press Play. NOW! DAMMIT, I pressed the wrong button” is a thing of the past when it comes to watching the same thing at the same time in different homes. Netflix Party (a Chrome plugin) does just that, while BBC Together, currently in its pilot phase, does the same for stuff on BBC iPlayer.

2. Cook a meal together

Ah, your first homecooked meal. Dig through Pinterest to find a recipe you can both recreate, safe in the knowledge that if you forget several ingredients/to season it/to set the timer and burn the whole thing, only you will have to eat it.

For those looking for finer dining with a little less effort, many top restaurants do recipe boxes you could both order in, including Bao, Pizza Pilgrims, Honest Burger, Dishoom and – if you really want to splash out – Hawksmoor.

3. Make some cocktails

An early date classic. Pinterest and Instagram are teeming with great recipes – why not each pick a cocktail that best sums you up and send your date the ingredient list before your digital hang? Alternatively, companies like Cocktail Porter do at-home kits, or places like Sipsmith Distillery do online masterclasses.

4. Laugh at some top comedians

Comedy clubs are still a long way from reopening, but there are some great virtual nights if you and your date fancy a giggle – and you can support the comedy industry to boot. The Covid Arms, hosted by Kiri Pritchard-McLean, is a great one held monthly with a range of comedians you’ll recognise off the telly.

5. Play an online game

With IRL bars catering to our love of competitive gaming, why not take your date old school by playing a video game at home. Many online games offer cross play now, meaning you don’t need the same console to play. Alternatively, apps like Scrabble, Uno, Kahoot! or Houseparty are perfect for gaming on your phone.

Discover our selection of the best online games to play

6. Solve a Murder Mystery

What better way to bond than by accusing a stranger of a heinous crime? There was a bit of that in Romeo And Juliet! Online murder mysteries over video chat are great fun, solving clues and working remotely as a team. Check out companies like Play Dead London – their latest is based around reality TV.

7. Take an exercise class

If exercise is your thing, it’s probably a decent sign of compatibility if your date agrees to an exercise class. There are so many great ones on YouTube, whether you’re into high-intensity training or you prefer some soothing yoga.

Word of warning: if you do agree to a HIIT class, maybe do a test run before your date. Trust us on this one. Bursting into tears during a burpee is very hard to style out. We, um, imagine…

For more at-home workouts, check out these ones right here

8. Create A Playlist

You can’t go to gigs currently, but you can listen to music together. Why not create a playlist list in Spotify that’ll help your date get to know you. You could choose songs with lyrics that are very personal to you – or, if you want to be a bit more obvious, go with song titles. Then listen in the background as you video chat.

9. Listen to a podcast

Everyone has about 30 on the go, right? Or is that just us? Whether it’s making you laugh or expanding your mind why not each recommend your favourite podcast before your date. Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster is always a winner!

Find out how to listen to your favourite podcasts here

Discover how to listen to BBC Sounds straight on your telly

10. Learn a language together

The unchecked item on our lockdown bucket lists (oh, we had dreams in March!). Find a language tutor online to join your video chat so you can both learn a new skill, plus add a bit of competitiveness to see who’s best. It might be too early to say ‘Je t’aime’, but it would be good to learn should you ever need it in the future.

11. Take a virtual tour of a museum

Unless movies lied to us, two things happen in museums: all the exhibits come to life after dark, and people fall in love there. Find out at least if the second part is true by taking your date on a virtual tour around some of the most impressive galleries and museums in the world. Google Arts & Culture is your gateway.

Discover the best online theatre and culture here

12. Jump into an online escape room

It seems like the last thing that anyone wants right now after months of being locked up, but these are huge amounts of fun. Put your heads together and work out the clues – a quick way to see how you and your date act under pressure. There are loads of companies doing them, or try this free Harry Potter one.

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