Which first date setting actually gives you the best chance of a real connection?

There's a reason the local pub remains the nation's favourite first date spot. Low pressure, easy to extend or escape, and you can always blame the ale if conversation goes sideways.

A coffee date keeps things casual and time-limited, which takes the pressure off massively. If it's going well, you grab a second round — if not, you've only lost an hour of your life.

There's something about mini golf that brings out people's true personalities — competitiveness, silliness, and whether they're a gracious loser. Plus it gives you something to actually talk about.

A relaxed walk removes the face-to-face pressure of sitting across a table and lets conversation flow more naturally. Bonus points if there's a nice view or a cheeky ice cream van involved.

Sharing a meal is one of the most human things you can do, and it tells you a lot about someone — how they treat staff, what they order, whether they insist on splitting or go Dutch without a fuss.

A free museum or gallery gives you endless conversation starters and reveals whether you're intellectually compatible. Also handy if one of you is absolutely terrible at small talk.

There's nothing quite like experiencing something live together to fast-track a connection. Just make sure you've checked they actually like the genre first.

Learning something together on a first date levels the playing field and creates genuine shared memories. And if all else fails, at least you've had a nice meal.