First Date Ideas San Francisco (Coffee, Drinks, Bites & More)
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Last updated Updated April 10, 2024
Dating in San Francisco can be brutal. Many people fail to get past the likes, matching and conversation stages of online dating. If you manage to get a yes to a date, that doesn’t mean the date will show up or appear like their photos. If this is you, let’s get in touch: https://eddie-hernandez.com/dating-services-for-men-women/
As a Bay Area native, photographer, and dating coach, I spend a lot of time navigating the city looking for fun places to take photos, identifying great spots for first dates, and helping individuals expand their hobbies & interests, finding bars/restaurants to meet singles. For my thoughts on coffee dates in general, check out this post!
First Date Ideas San Francisco
This is a curated list of first-date spots and first-date ideas in San Francisco. It will be updated regularly, unlike other lists that are outdated.
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First Date Spots San Francisco, Fun First Date Ideas SF, Cheap Date Ideas SF, Coffee Date Tips
In a survey of users a while back, Hinge came up with some interesting insights about first dates. According to their survey, drinks were the most likely to yield a first date, followed by coffee, lunch and dinner (in descending order). Hinge is one of the more popular apps in SF but definitely not the only option in town.
While coffee dates can be efficient, they can be hard to build any sort of chemistry and in some cases can be viewed as low-effort dates. Like with any good first date idea, it’s important to have a plan and sell your date idea (you can’t expect to get someone more excited about a date than what you convey in your tone, planning).
Know your audience. Some people are busy so coffee dates can be easier to obtain. Lunch dates don’t take up valuable night/weekend nights with friends so these can be solid options to get your foot in the door. Dinner dates are great if you know how to plan for it (typically, bar seats at restaurants that allow for you to get snacks if you are in the mood are great).
If you are not getting second dates that often, might want to read this.
First Date Spots San Francisco: Fun Date Places in SF, Best Date Spots San Francisco, Low Key Date Ideas
Stoa Bar, Lower Haight
Stoa is a great spot as it is centrally located and offers amazing cocktails (some of my favorites in the city) and great bar bites to share, continue the date. This place is on my list for late-night bites in the city and has outdoor seating as well.