A great first date venue is hard to find! I know, as I set up every first date for my matchmaking clients. After every first date, I get the scoop! Our Client and their date tell me, separately, about their experience, including the date venue.
First there is the noise level. It can’t be too quiet, or too loud. If it’s too quiet, it can feel awkward for a first date. You want a bit of buzz in the air. At the same time, you don’t want it to be so loud that you’re straining to hear what your date just said. You want a place with a bit of a vibe, yet not too much buzz.
Second, is the ambiance and comfort of the venue. You don’t want it to be too fancy nor too casual. If it’s too fancy, the stiff vibe can make it feel high pressure. If it’s too casual, the date can feel like a joke. You want to strike the right balance.
Lastly, there’s the food and libations. You want a place that delivers appetizing food and delicious cocktails.
Given all these factors, I reviewed last year's dates – all 388 of them! Drum roll….here are the top San Francisco Bay Area First Date Spots based on these 388 first date responses:
Good Spots for a Glass of Wine
Unwine’d, 9 W Portal Ave, San Francisco
Ungrafted, 2419 3rd St, San Francisco
Birba, 458 Grove Street, San Francisco - “back patio at Birba is quiet and inviting”
The Wine Room, Palo Alto
Backstage, Larkspur
Velvet 48, Burlingame
Velvet 48 Wine Bar, Burlingame
Sens Restaurant, San Francisco
Timber & Salt, 881 Middlefield Road, Redwood City
Peacekeeper, 925 Bush Street, San Francisco
Great First Date Spots for Dinner
Kokkari, 200 Jackson St, San Francisco - “We had a lovely meal at an amazing restaurant. The restaurant was packed as always but we could hear each other really well”
RH Palm Court, 590 20th Street, San Francisco - “The Palm Court is a very elegant and refined setting for a first date. Great choice!”
“The venue was beautiful, chic, and great for a date. There was plenty of seating, and the tables were far apart enough that we could hear each well. The food was tasty.”
The Palm Court at RH San Francisco
Frascati, 1901 Hyde Street, San Francisco
Madera - 2825 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA - “Madera was an excellent spot for a first date. The food and atmosphere were wonderful. We could hear each other well.”
Mykonos, 226 Lorton Ave,Burlingame - “excellent - love that restaurant, great vibe, food, quiet enough, easy to get to”
Bistro Don Giovanni, Napa