Are you a London-based, mature, gay man whose single and ready to mingle? Ourtime is a safe, secure and LGBTQIA+ friendly dating site helping people find love no matter their age, gender, sexuality, race or religion.
Feeling sceptical? Fair enough, this might be your first time dipping your toe into the online dating pond! But here’s an interesting fact for you to indulge in; in the modern world, single people are twice as likely to find that special someone on the Internet as in real life. So I guess rather than get all dressed up and hang around your local bar waiting for love to appear, we might as well take some photos in that dashing outfit and start up an Ourtime profile!
The beauty of dating as a senior is that you know what you want after possibly a few experiences in love. Ourtime works as a great and effective dating site for all senior members of the LGBTQIA+ community in the UK. Once you log on, the search engine uses filters which allow you to narrow down your search results by specifying your desired partner’s profession, age, gender and location.
As a London-based senior single, you may be looking for somebody to scroll down Exhibition Road with and marvel at the inspiring exhibitions the galleries have installed. On the contrary, you may be looking for an artsy craftsy type to draw and learn pottery with or perhaps you’re a sporty spice looking to romance over golf come rain or shine. No matter your personality or preferred type, Ourtime caters to an array of single gay seniors open to love, friendship or whatever emotional flow comes your way.
Here is a list of dating ideas for London-based senior gay singles which will meet a diverse array of moods and interests.
The Dinner Date
Nothing beats a good chinwag over a delicious meal in a candlelit restaurant. It truly is a timeless atmosphere and if there’s any city that promises diverse cuisine, it’s London.
Big Mamma: Circolo Popolare, Central London
The modern Italian restaurant company Big Mamma is conquering the streets of London with extravagant, exciting and often camp-inspired meals. Flowers cover the ceiling and hundreds of glass bottles adorn the walls creating warm lighting and a whimsical setting. The menu boasts a variety of pizzas and even a carbonara churned in a large, carved out pecorino round of cheese in front of you, not to mention the lemon meringue pie with a 6 inch meringue topping! It’s 70s chic in a dessert, you’ve got to try it.
Ukai, West London
This Japanese gastro pub is enchanting in every way. It’s dark architecture and interior create a sensual setting. The menu consists of divine wines, exciting cocktails and an array of delicate and decadent sushi. Jazz plays smoothly on the speakers and the smokey setting is the epitome of romance. Located in charming Notting Hill right on Portobello road, Ukai provides an experience that blends the best elements of a Richard Curtis and Tarantino film so you feel romantic yet mysterious all at once.
Mildred’s, North, Central and East London
With branches in Camden, King’s Cross, Soho and Dalston, this all vegan chain is killing it all over the UK’s capital. From a ‘cheesy’ nacho platter to burgers that taste like real beef but better, Mildred’s creates a casual yet enchanting environment welcoming all types of foodies. Booking this restaurant for a veggie or vegan match will show you are conscientious about their lifestyle and even if you’re both meat eaters it’s always fun to branch out and try new things – demonstrating your adventurous side.
The Culture Date
So you’re looking to get intellectual and inspired on your date? London is famed for its incredible exhibitions which celebrate culture from all over the world. Attending an exhibition with that special someone is a great conversation starter and a great way to give them an insight into your interests. It also promises a quiet and peaceful atmosphere. Here are a few great exhibitions currently on show in the capital.
Amy: Beyond the Stage at The Design Museum, Kensington
If you think you’ve read or heard everything there is about the great Camden born jazz singer, think again. Explore Amy Winehouse’s career at this exhibition, curated in partnership with The Estate of Amy Winehouse. Get a glimpse at the woman behind the music with Amy’s notebooks, early recordings, personal items and handwritten lyrics. Also on display are outfits from her most-celebrated performances, as well as her guitar. The Estate of Amy Winehouse will waive its right to royalties in favour of the Amy Winehouse Foundation.
Helen Levitt’s Landmark Retrospective at The Photographers’ Gallery, Oxford Circus
It isn’t often that a late-photographer dominates a gallery with such an extensive body of work, but the late Helen Levitt’s rich photographic practice — charting her journey from street reportage to documentary filmmaker and pioneer of colour photography — does just that. Spanning two floors and encompassing more than 130 works, observers are privy to a palpable sense of the quiet desolation felt by many Americans in the mid-nineties. Chronicling New York’s local communities, recording the theatrics and flow of the everyday in the Lower East Side, the Bronx, and Spanish Harlem, Helen’s work encapsulates a visceral sense of bleakness which played out on the stoops and streets of the city.
Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirror Rooms at the Tate Modern, St. Paul’s
Tate Modern was due to celebrate its 20th anniversary with a year-long Kusama exhibition in 2020. The original display was delayed, but this glittery show finally kicked off in 2021. The centrepiece brings Kusama’s famed Infinity Rooms to the capital, with a rare opportunity to step inside two of her immersive works: Infinity Mirrored Room – Filled with the Brilliance of Life, one of her largest, and Chandelier of Grief. The experience is nothing short of other-worldly, experiencing each room with only one or two other people, the infinite images created by a small room, a chandelier and several mirrors is truly untouchable.
The Active Date
For shyer types, sports activities are sometimes the best type of date. The game becomes a great conversation starter and can ease any social awareness or feelings of anxiety. Good game!
All Stars Bowling Alley
With branches all over London, All Stars Bowling Lanes provide an aesthetic and exciting experience. The food served is inspired by 1950s diner culture – as are the interiors. Private rooms for double dates or simply a private lane for two can be booked online. The experience is affordable yet promises so much fun. Bowling is a great date experience as it brings out our competitive and flirty sides. There is something about the sensual blue lighting of the venue as well that feels eternally romantic. So get those bowling shoes on and score a strike!
Putt in the Park, West London
This charming – and rather unknown – spot in west London’s Acton Park (behind the overground) promises a nostalgic and romantic mini golf date. Accompanied by a pizza restaurant, bar and coffee house, the trail is exciting and delivers the right balance between fun and competition. Get those hips a-swinging!
The Hip Queer Date
Wanna get down with the youngsters? As you should! Age is just a number and who says that the older we get the less fun we want to have? London boasts an array of exciting bars and events that cater to queer culture. Here are some trendy mentions sure to impress your date.
Dalston Superstore
Chilled out brunches by day, rowdy fun by night: Dalston Superstore is the go-to destination for great food and smashing parties on Kingsland High Street. Head to the bar and restaurant first, and end the night on the basement dance floor amongst a lively, diverse LGBTQ+ crowd.
The Royal Vauxhall Tavern, Vauxhall
This pub has a long, proud history as a party destination for celebrities, drag queens, and the great and good of the LGBTQ+ community, with the site’s first drag shows dating back to after WW2. More recently, in 2015, it became the first building in the UK to gain Grade II-listed status on the basis of its importance to the LGBTQ+ community, and throws some of the city’s best drag events to this day.
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