Looking for romance during ‘Rona? Finding love was hard enough before the pandemic hit, but luckily online dating apps have been around well before 2020 and have made it much easier to meet different people anywhere, any time. Bumble, Hinge, Tinder - there’s a dating app to suit everyone. With online dating, you can discover people who you might never have encountered in the first place. Let’s be real, as much as we want to fantasize about having the same ‘how we met’ story as our grandparents, it’s 2021 and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with meeting someone online. When it comes down to it, meeting is just the beginning since all the fun happens during your dates!

So what does love in the time of Corona look like? We have to admit that dating during lockdown might not sound romantic, but there are plenty of fun ways to get to know someone through virtual dates. It’s time for you to get creative - start with these 5 virtual date ideas that won’t feel like a weird Zoom meeting.

BYO your own drinks on the first date

Plan ahead and suggest preparing some drinks and nibbles on both sides so you can pour yourself a glass of your favourite wine and feel totally relaxed to chat the night away. Remember, your first online date should be exactly that - try to enjoy it and not turn it into an interview or Rona-rant. Sit back, relax and get to know each other. Order some vino from one of our favourite wineries: Alpha Box & Dice

Have a dinner for two (sort of)

Got a virtual dinner date scheduled? Order the same style takeout from your local restaurants. If they’re super close to you, it’ll be even better to order from the same place so you can share that experience. Talk about what you liked, what you didn’t like, and everything in between. For our friends in Sydney, check out this list of top restaurants delivering to your doorstep. 

Take a virtual tour of almost anywhere

Everyone’s feeling the travel blues, but you can still explore some awesome places without leaving your house. They say travelling together can make or break a relationship, so maybe test it out first with a virtual tour without any extra baggage. Discover places around the world or closer to home like this virtual tour of our very own Uluru in the Northern Territory. Hot tip: It’s fun to explore new places, but you can also pick places you’ve travelled to in the past and share your stories.

(The perfect 1st date sneakers - shop here)

Kick back with a movie night

If you have a bestie who lives far away or if you’ve been in a long-distance relationship, you’ll know this one all too well. Jump online, pick a movie, share your screen or just press ‘play’ at the same time and the extra commentary will have you feeling like they’re there with you. (Latest releases on Netflix here)The plus side? You’ll have the blanket and snacks all to yourself!

Get ‘handsy’ for a crafternoon 

Sharing a creative activity together can help lighten the mood and bring out the inner kids in you. We love the DIY pottery kits by our friends at Crock’d - just have a kit delivered to each of your homes beforehand and set up a time to get crafty! The more mess and laughs, the better.

(Our 1st date heel pics - shop here)

If you’re currently dating, be sure to stay safe and follow the rules set by your city. Even if you’re not in lockdown and can meet up in person, look for fun and safe spaces that allow social distancing. The world is still recovering from COVID-19, and a lot of us are also feeling isolated during this time. Remember that you’re not alone - you can always enjoy all of these virtual dates with your amazing friends and family. Stay connected and look after each other.

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Designed in Melbourne, cherrichella is your new favourite women’s footwear label with modern staples using premium non-leather materials. We believe in quality over quantity, and produce a limited size run of each cherrichella style. From women’s heels to sandals, sneakers and boots, our shoes are made to be worn all the time. Kindness goes a long way, we give $1 with every sale to an Aussie project in need. Find out more about our giving back partners here. Enjoy free shipping in Australia on orders over $80.