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Ah, London. From Notting Hill to Love Actually, it’s the star of many rom-coms. And with the grey waters of the Thames flowing through the city, its hidden wine bars and ancient streets, it’s definitely a romantic – in its own unique, gritty sort of way.
That said, it doesn’t always feel like love is all that easy to find here. As part of Time Out’s annual best cities survey, we asked more than 18,500 city-dwellers about their dating life. Most of the Londoners we surveyed have a pretty bleak view of dating: only 28 percent of London locals said they think that getting coupled up here is ‘easy’, meaning our city ranked the joint seventh worst in the world for finding love.
The higher cost of going out here – from £7 pints to extortionate tasting menus – doesn’t really help matters. A study released in 2024 found that the cost of living crisis is dramatically impacting our dating lives, with 64 percent of single people admitting to spending an average of between £90 and £140 on dates. As a result, 76 percent of single people have said they have started to lower their budgets for dates, with 32 percent opting for cheaper options like going for coffee over a meal out.
But what do Londoners really think? We took to the streets of Soho and asked people how much they think you should spend on a first date, as well as that all important question: who should pick up the bill? This is what we found.
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How much should you spend on a first date in London? And should you split the bill?
Left: ‘It depends on your remit, depends what kind of bloke you are like. It depends on the dynamic of the two of you. I’m someone who thinks the woman should pay as much as the man. So I’d say, £50 max. I wouldn’t go for a meal either, because I feel like drinks is just better. Meal can be a bit intense. If you want to do a French exit, then you can do.’
Right: ‘I'm on the same page. I’ve not really been on a great deal of dates in London myself, to be honest. Around the £50 quid mark, at the pub, because in London, that’s not even gonna get you that far anyway. Also, if it's the first time you’ve met someone, you don’t know they’re gonna be worth more than £50. I feel like £50 is a good barometer. And then in the future, they might be worth £150. Might be worth millions. But you find that out as time goes on.’
‘It’s been a while since I’ve been on a first date, I’ve been with my partner for 16 years – we met on New Year’s Eve at Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club. Depends where you’re going, £80? I don’t think people should split the bill, but that's not very forward thinking of me. But I’d like a guy to pay, or whoever you’re going with – whoever’s invited you. It’s very French – if you invite them, you pay.’
Left: ‘For me, for a first date, I don’t really like the whole dinner situation, so I normally keep it quite chill. Go to a pub and have a few Guinnesses, just get to know them on like, a chilled first basis. So for me, it’s not super expensive to go on a first date in London. But I guess if you’re really into fine dining and going to bougie restaurants, it’s probably going to cost you an arm and a leg. I always offer to pay. Recently, a lot of people have been like, no, let’s go halves, which is really sweet, but I always offer to pay at the start. I paid for the first one, and then we’ve been splitting it ever since.’
Right: ‘Whatever you’re happy spending, to be honest. I don’t think there's a definitive answer. I’ve had times I've spent £10 pounds, just gone for two pints, and that’s all that’s needed. I’d pay first time. Definitely.’
‘I’d say £100 works. That’s a good budget. A mix of the cheaper side and more expensive. Personally, I take the bill.’
Right: ‘First date, maybe £80 pounds. I think the guy usually pays unless you’re having a terrible time, in which case, split it.’
Left: ‘It depends what you’re doing, I guess. A few rounds of drinks – maybe £50, £60, £70. Split the bill, unless they insist on offering.’
‘How much should you spend? It depends how much you like the person, and it depends what you want to do. I don’t think money is the issue as long as you’re willing to spend it. [If] you split the bill at the end? I don’t think they’re coming back after.’
Plus, the best (and worst) cities for dating and finding love, according to locals