How to Turn Your Restaurant into London’s Go-To Date Venue

While couples may look forward to what’s dubbed to be the most romantic day of the year (Valentine’s Day for those who may have forgotten) as a restaurateur you may also be thinking about date venues and what makes these romantic places not just popular for Valentine’s Day, but all year round.

So, with so much competition to draw dining couples into your restaurant, particularly in London, how can you become the city’s go-to date venue?

The Atmosphere

Having the right atmosphere is essential to creating the type of restaurant you want. If you want to be a go-to date venue, a romantic atmosphere is vital, but creating this is easier said than done.

There are numerous ways to create this atmosphere, but one of the most effective ways is with your choice of decor and the features you install.

Not all romantic venues have the same look so this can be achieved in countless different ways. For instance, you may want to create a traditional, intimate atmosphere with candlelight and rustic features. Alternatively, a light, modern feel may be more appropriate for your restaurant. You can create a romantic atmosphere with any look, but there are some features that will help to boost the romantic feel of a restaurant.

For example, a fire can be a particularly romantic feature that makes a great focal point. A traditional, rustic style restaurant could benefit from a wood burning fire, whereas a modern restaurant may prefer a bio ethanol fire. Alternatively, an outdoor space can become a romantic area with an outdoor fire, such as the bespoke fire we installed at The Ivy Chelsea Gardens (below).

The Menu

They say that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, and a lot of people would agree! Food can be incredibly romantic; not only is a date at a restaurant a great way for people to get to know each other, it can also be a tactile experience where couples can share their meals and relax together.

The menu provides an opportunity to really enhance the romantic feeling. Perhaps you could add sharing dishes that allow couples to dig into the same plate or fondue dishes that bring a little fire to the table.

The Seating

The way that you organise your layout and furniture can have a huge impact on the atmosphere achieved. Depending on the feel and style of the restaurant, you may choose a different style for your seating.

Creating intimate, almost private, spaces is one way of ensuring that your guests get that romantic feel when they visit your restaurant for their date. However, this does not mean that a romantic atmosphere can’t be achieved in a more social setting.

You could consider using booth seating to create more privacy for dining couples, or perhaps take your inspiration from the French who often sit side-by-side rather than opposite one another in restaurants.

The Buzz

Once you’ve created the perfect romantic atmosphere, you need to create a buzz, so customers see your restaurant as the go-to date venue. This can’t be achieved just by hoping customers walk through your doors each evening, but by ensuring that people know about you.

Of course, word of mouth can be a powerful tool, but you will also need to put some work into promoting yourself as a date venue. Perhaps you could put on offers and promotions for couples and advertise them via social media. You could even encourage customers to tell others about your restaurant by offering an incentive, such as a free bottle of wine if they return with another couple within a set timeframe.

There are countless ways to turn your restaurant into London’s go-to date venue, and we can help you to achieve the right atmosphere with our fireplaces. You can find out more about our products and discuss which one might be right for your restaurant by getting in touch with a member of our team.

Call us on 0207 731 5025 and we’ll be happy to discuss your requirements with you.