Sick of your stereotypical Valentine's Day plans of candlelit dinners or classy cocktails? Don't want to be seated beside a whole load of other couples, banging elbows with the person beside you as you cut your steak? This year why not shake things up a little bit, and have a Valentine's Day with a difference. Instead of spending a small fortune on dinner, drinks and presents just head out for one of these fun alternative activities? We guarantee you and your date will have a right laugh, and it will be much better than your average stuffy Valentine's Day plans!
A warehouse where the floor is made entirely of trampolines? Sounds pretty unreal! You can play dodgeball, do aerobics or just pretend you're a super hero whilst flying through the air during a game of chasing. Be careful though, as your competitive streak may rear its ugly head - so try not to freak our your other half too much. They have outlets in Santry and Sandyford, and you can even order pizza while you're there.
Whether it's Sandymount Strand, Dollymount, Dun Laoghaire, Howth or even along one of the bridges on the Liffey - it doesn't matter! As long as it's been a clear day the view of the sunset will be the same. This is also a sneaky way to start drinking earlier in the day, 5pm wine is always a good time.
No, this does not involve alcohol consumption nor anything saucy. You literally get locked in a room, and have an hour to solve clues to break out. It's a live escape game, and you can choose the theme - some include Jailbreak, The Curse of the Mummy, and Mysterious Investigation. This will really show just how strong your relationship is as you race against the clock to solve out your predicament. High levels of patience required.
You've probably walked past this boat a few times without realising that it's actually a bar and restaurant. Walk along the Liffey from Custom House Quay and you'll reach this lovely spot, where you can have a few scoops whilst Instagramming pictures of yourself and your date with an inventive caption like 'I'm on a boat!'.
A few years ago you couldn't get a more clichéd date than bowling, but it has gotten a bit of a revival in recent years. The arrival of BYOB bowling has made it even more of a hit, with Leisureplex outlets across Dublin as well as Bray Bowl doing it. It's a really funny way to spend an evening, watching how your skill and score deteriorates as the evening progresses and as your cans disappear.
What could be more romantic than you and your other half wielding guns and shooting at fake pigeons? Okay, maybe don't answer that.. But it's a fun excuse for a day trip out to Balbriggan and afterwards you can head down the road to Skerries for some great seafood.
Stand Up Paddle-boarding (SUP) is the fastest growing sport in the world so get ahead of the posse! Surf Dock at Grand Canal Dock do 2 hour lessons for beginners, wetsuits are provided so you don't have to worry if you lose your balance. There'll be plenty of laughs with this one, as you try to master the Supping technique.
