As the popularity of mobile dating apps comes to an explosive peak, Melbourne bars have noticed a sudden increase in clientele on first dates. Walk into any city bar on a weeknight and you'll no doubt notice the coupled patrons tucked into darkened corners, exchanging awkward questions about where they live or work and what their hobbies involve, and inevitably drinking too much wine to calm their nerves. Choice of bar is a crucial factor to setting up a successful first date; the venue must be quiet enough to encourage conversation but retain sufficient buzz and ambience to avoid awkward silences. Here's our list of Melbourne CBD and nearby venues that provide optimal first date conditions. Sister Bella Rough and relaxed in the greatest possible way, Sister Bella epitomises Melbourne's haphazard, milk crate-cramped, longneck-lovin' laneway culture that made our small bar scene famous. It's a little tricky to find — be sure to budget a bit of extra time so you're not late to your date — but once you arrive you'll find it as comfortable as drinking in your mates' sharehouse. Just be sure to walk past the first bar in the alley Baroq House and keep going to the end of the lane, or else you could end up experiencing a very different evening altogether. The bar staff at Sister B's are brilliant and are more than happy to set the mood extra candles, flowers, and prime position in a cosy nook if you get there before your date shows up and give them a heads up on the deal. There's something to please everyone on the drinks menu here it's more appropriately described as an encyclopaedia volume , whether it be beer, wine or cocktails — making the venue ideal for those occasions when you're unsure of your company's tastes. Being one of those 'must-see venues for Melbourne tourists, it's unlikely you'll run into any regular mates here — unless of course they're on sneaky dates too. First floor, 252 Swanston Street, Melbourne, 03 9663 7660, LongPlay It's eclectic, laid back and charming — just like your Tinder bio. But with the inclusion of occasional live music and the small cinema out back, LongPlay delivers spectacular first date conditions in which to enjoy either intense political debate or eyelash-batting and footsies. To take pressure off the situation, busy yourselves by nibbling on offerings from the European-inspired bar snack menu, which features restrained, but contemporary constructions of risotto, salad and tapas. A neighbourhood favourite for Fitzroy North dwellers, the bar is best avoided if you're already a local. If not, it's the perfect place for an anonymous rendezvous. On the contrary, this is the place you go for a glass of Chablis, cheese board and a serve of crispy whitebait. Choose from the by-the-glass wine list — which changes regularly — or simply buy a bottle from the on-premise bottle shop and settle in at an outdoor table, overlooking the Spring Street suits. It's a classic setting for year-round romance, whether you're seeking sanctuary from winter inside CWS's rich wooden warmth, or a splash of sun with your latte on an street-side seat. Sometimes neglected, the pub boasts an outdoor beer garden, broad range of wine and a cracker list of kitchen specials that proudly stand up against surrounding pubs in the area — only without the competition to find a place to park your bum. Plus, there are tramlines on nearby Smith and Brunswick Streets if the date goes badly or really, really well and you decide to abandon ship in a hurry. An excellent option for a cheeky daytime wine or late lunch date, the menu spans everything from charcuterie platters and club sandwiches to oysters and duck curry, with a superior but accessible wine list. Renowned for its martinis, late night snacks and popularity with both insomniacs and Melbourne's hospitality crowd, it's a great location to bag a bartender after a long shift. Rich, luxurious and flush with cushioned surfaces and secretive enclaves, it almost begs for a sneaky pash on a dim corner lounge. Ever better, escape with your date to the hidden, fairy-light-lit den that links the venue to Bar Ampere next door... Thompson novel, this Brunswick bar tips a tiny nod to Johnny Depp, lord of sexy pirates. Amongst the nautically-themed dark wood decor sits a world-spanning selection of the devil's tipple — we're talking over 150 rums, from Angostura to Diplomatico, to their own house-made specialty. It's a great space for a quiet chat with a new acquaintance maybe even the odd grope, depending on level of rum consumed , or just to test your date out on the down-low. Alternatively, you can secure prime street-view position at the window seats if you've hit the online dating jackpot and want to showcase your dating success to the rest of Fitzroy. Or just perve at the tattooed, bearded blokes of Brunswick Street. It's welcoming and homely, and ideal for intimate discussions while still creating a lively mood largely thanks to the vinyl records rolling around the turntable at a moderate volume, without being overbearing. Super-slick staff intuitively know when to rescue the conversation, and when to back off. For instance, at those moments when you are gently caressing a woman's thigh or — just as good — enjoying a platter of wafer-thin jamon. If you don't actually have any whiskey knowledge at all, just order something with 'Glen' in its name and you should be safe. Although the venue stocks around 500 bottles of the bespoke booze, there's no need to be intimidated — the staff are overwhelmingly friendly, unpretentious, and happy to guide the uninitiated. Plus, the venue is always swarming with well-dressed men, so if the date doesn't quite work out, you can get straight back on the wagon. Published on September 11, 2014 by.
