Do something active that allows for conversation. Things like movies are trash for a first date. You can't talk, there's no way to get to know the other person.

Something like a park, or a light hike is ideal. You get to experience something together in a conversational atmosphere. Where I grew up there's a nice park by the river. It's well lit, safe, and relatively public; while still being a beautiful place to visit. It helps everyone involved feel safe and gives ample time to chat and see the sights.

I think you should walk together and just talk. The traditional idea of sitting down at a table facing eachother can create a lot of pressure when conversation topics temporarily dies out. If you walk, there are things to observe and talk about all the time. :)

When I first met my now wife, we just planned on dinner. My thought was if dinner went well, I'd ask her to go down the street to the local pool hall to continue the night. We ended up eating dinner for 4 hours and were the last to leave the restaurant.

I'm glad we never ended up at the pool hall because it turns out she hated that place lol.

I'd be a bit nervous to do something secluded like a hike or possibly even a walk in the park on a first date (if it's with a stranger). My husband and I went on our first date to the zoo. Still a walk and talk activity, with plenty of easy conversation and reason for silences. Any museum or botanical garden would be the same vibe I think - plus they're in public with other people around, so also safe! We ended up going out for dinner after because we were having such a good date and didn't want it to end!

Grocery shopping for a recipe you then cook together. Or walk in the park

Without knowing where you are, what type of person you are, or what type of person your date is, I'm gonna make a generic suggestion of some sort of class (cooking, pottery, wood turning, stained glass, painting, etc) that look interesting. Something that the two of you can learn together and have fun with.

The only two up right now are dinner and an outdoor activity. But I’m a big fan of doing drinks. Every time, server comes up and asks if you want another, saying “no thanks, just the bills” is very polite still. Saying “yes please!” Is enough of a statement.

I dunno. Never been on a drink date that I’ve regretted even if it’s bad, at least it’s 1 drink, and can be a swift or short as you want it to be, and not halfway up a mountain.

Butt stuff..