I wrote the first iteration of this post during the height of the first COVID-19 lockdown. Separated from my then-boyfriend by the pandemic for almost a year and a half, getting creative with our virtual date ideas became essential.
Thankfully, the lockdown days are long behind us (and so is that relationship, but that’s another story.) But there are so many other reasons why you might want to keep a few virtual date ideas up your sleeve. In a long distance relationship, separated by work travel or family obligations, or feeling too under the weather to meet up in person? If so, here are five of my best virtual date ideas to get you started.
Movie Night
You can use an app like Watch Party to share a virtual movie night, but it’s just as easy to sync up and hit “play” on your Netflix or DVD player at the same time… or even both watch the same movie as it’s being shown on TV (retro!)
You can video, voice or text-chat while you watch, if you wish, or just call each other afterwards and talk about the movie. Pop some popcorn and dim the lights for the full cinematic experience.
Enjoy a Virtual Museum Tour with Your Date
Did you know that museums all over the world have virtual tours of their galleries and exhibitions available online? These offerings exploded during the early days of the pandemic, but many are still offering them several years later.
Meet online to explore a virtual museum and video or voice-chat while you wander around. Check out this list for some virtual museum date ideas and inspiration!
Night at the Theatre
There was a time when live theatre was only accessible to people who would get to major cities and afford the often-exorbitant ticket prices. Cinemas have been live streaming selected shows for years for a fraction of the price of seeing them live, but now thanks to streaming there are hundreds of plays, musicals, ballets, operas, and more that you can watch from the comfort of your couch.
Pick a show, sync up, and hit play. Bonuses of the virtual theatre: you can wear your pyjamas if you want to, your bed is probably comfier than an actual theatre seat, and the drinks are cheaper!
Check out Come From Away on Apple TV+, Hamilton on Disney+, and Next to Normal or The Importance of Being Earnest on NT at Home for some of my faves.
Looking for Fancy Virtual Date Ideas? Try a Cheese and Wine Party
If you’re feeling fancy, why not share an online cheese and wine tasting with your sweetie? Get some interesting cheeses from the supermarket or, better yet, a local farmers’ market or deli. Pick up a bottle of wine or two, or your favourite non-alcoholic alternative. Then enjoy your treats and compare notes on your favourites while you video-chat with one another.
To take it up a notch, dress in your most fabulously extra outfits. Pyjamas work too, of course!
Hot Virtual Sex Date
Of course I wouldn’t be me without saying that some hot online sex is one of the best virtual date ideas of all. It’s fun, it’s free, and it’s a great way to keep your sexual connection alive no matter how far apart you are.
Set aside the time to completely focus on each other and get lost in some deliciously hot phone sex, sexting, or cyber-sex. An app-controlled sex toy can put your pleasure in your partner’s hands from anywhere in the world. Want to kink it up? I have ideas for that, too.