The eye-watering cost of a date night in London revealed

Ah, romance in London - nothing quite says “I fancy you” like a candlelit dinner that costs the same as a short-haul flight or a cocktail that requires a small loan.

Yes, welcome to the city where even a casual date night can leave your bank account gasping for air. From £18 Negronis to restaurant bills that look suspiciously like your electricity statement, dating in London isn’t just about chemistry - it’s about credit limits.

The capital has ranked as the most expensive UK city to go out on a date, with the average date night costing an eye-watering £104.01 - nearly double that of the cheapest town, Blackburn (£55.98).

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According to a cost breakdown by GIGACalculator, dinner and a movie costs £144.25 in London, and an elegant evening out costs £154.81.

More alarmingly, a casual coffee date costs around £44.48 in London. The City of Westminster is the third most expensive place for a date (after Edinburgh), with an average date night costing £91.38.

Nestled in London, the City of Westminster is home to some of London’s most famous landmarks, including Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey. The City of Westminster is the second most expensive place to have an elegant evening date, costing a staggering £135.90.

But fear not, fellow lovebirds! Just because the city seems hell-bent on draining your wallet doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the spark. In fact, some of the best dates in London are gloriously cheap - or even (gasp!) free. Think stargazing on Hampstead Heath, a mooch through a museum (hello, free entry at the V&A), or a DIY picnic on Primrose Hill with a corner-shop bottle of plonk and some M&S nibbles.

Because true romance doesn’t need a tasting menu—it just needs a sense of adventure, a comfy pair of shoes, and maybe an Oyster card.