How to make date night feel like a proper date

Brought to you by ely wine bar. 

Rediscover the old magic.

Remember the nervous excitement you used to feel when you first started dating your other half? It can seem like a long time ago when you’re in a long term relationship. Has a takeaway and a boxset become your default setting on a Friday night? Maybe the thought of standing up in a nightclub no longer appeals or you've recently entered the wonderful world of parenthood. It’s still important to do something special together from time to time. That’s where date night comes in. Research shows that couples who go on a date once a month are less likely to split up. A trip to IKEA doesn’t count as a date, by the way. Barack and Michelle Obama made a habit of having date nights, even when they were in the White House. We’re guessing that the Trumps didn’t follow suit. It's no harm to remind yourselves why you enjoy spending time together. So get a babysitter if you have any kids, leave the screens at home and get ready to rediscover the joys of dating. Not sure what to do on date night? Well, worry not. We’re here to help with some hints and tips to get you started.

Set a date

Mark date night in the calendar and don’t be tempted to cancel it. If you’re going out for a meal, make a reservation. If you’re heading to the cinema, book tickets. Remember the sense of anticipation you felt when you first starting dating? It’s all about turning date night into an event or occasion, whether it’s a weekly one or a fortnightly one.

Pick a budget to suit

If you’re scraping together a mortgage deposit or you've a new addition to the family, date night might seem like a luxury but it doesn’t have to break the bank. Sure, you can do a full four-course meal but you can also grab a bottle of wine and some bar bites. Try a picnic in the park if funds are tight – it might even be romantic!

Treat yourself to something new

Heading to your local for a pint is grand but think about how to do something different for date night. For instance, ely wine bar has an incredible cocktail menu that’s a world away from the sugary drinks you got on Spanish holidays! Try a Teelings whiskey sour or treat yourself a premium gin. It’s about making date night an experiential event and sharing new things together.

Do things you enjoy

Don’t feel obliged to stick to the dinner-and-cinema date cliche. Mix it up but find things that appeal to your shared interests. If you’re active types, try bouldering or abseiling. If you’re all about the arts, do a night at the theatre or check the latest exhibition. If your shared passion is taxidermy… well, we’re not judging.

Put the phones away

If you’ve left a babysitter at home with your first born, you obviously can't just turn off your iPhone. Still, try to leave the phones off the table. Date night means spending time with your other half without distractions. The whole point is to remind yourselves why you fell for each other in the first place. When it comes to drinks, Ireland's multi award-winning ely wine bar has the best of everything from brilliant wines, excellent cocktails and craft beers too. With its very own organic farm in the Burren, ely serves some of the best steaks in the country. So whether it’s a four-course meal or a bottle of wine and bar bites with friends, ely is a food and wine lover's paradise.  Brought to you by ely wine bar.