I've found the best first dates are one's that are relaxed, without too much preparation going into them, and preferably in the day time.

An ideal first date is to go to a funky cafe that does great coffee or tea (whatever you fancy) and cake. If you go in the afternoon on a day off, it's a nice, relaxed way to get to know someone.

You can also set a time to begin and end the date - you could start the date at 3pm, but explain you have to leave at 4pm (or later) for another pre-arranged appointment/catch up.

That way there's no pressure to stay on the date if it's not working, and if you tell your date when you invite them out that you have to leave at a certain time it won't look like you're trying to bail.

And if your date is going well when it's time to leave, then the person you're with will be more likely to want to catch up again.

Also, because it's in the day time, there's no "pressure" to go out to a club, or go for drinks, where you might have a bit too much to drink and come on too strong.