Things to do in Ilford for adults
Dining and Drinks in Ilford
When I first moved to East London, Ilford felt like an unlikely place for a romantic date – a busy suburban town on the outskirts of the City. But over the years I’ve discovered it’s a hidden gem. My name is Oliver Grant, a media professional who often trades the West End glitz for a more laid-back scene. I’ve learned that Ilford has “something to offer everyone” – from its lively nightlife and multicultural restaurants to its big green parks. In fact, one local guide points out that Ilford’s town centre is “a bustling hub of activity” with dining, bars and beautiful parks. In this personal guide, I’ll tell you – from my own dating adventures – where I like to take someone for a memorable date in Ilford, how I spend time here, and what I love (and sometimes don’t love) about the area.
Cocktails and cuisine. We often start our date with dinner. Ilford’s food scene is wonderfully diverse. In the Exchange shopping centre you can find modern dining – for example, I once had delicious sushi and Thai curries there. A regular spot of mine is Gymkhana Bar & Restaurant near South Park, an Indian-inspired place with classic pakora and jalfrezi. I love sitting under the glowing lamps there – the spices are bold and the service is friendly. For a Caribbean flair, Chrome Lounge on Ilford Lane is another favourite; they do excellent Jamaican-style pepper prawns and rum cocktails. In one date I brought my partner to Chrome and we shared a plate of jerk chicken with fried plantains – it felt like a mini trip to Kingston, all without leaving London. (A handy tip: Premier Inn’s Ilford guide highlights these spots, noting things like Chrome’s seafood focus and open dance floor).
For a simpler date, the Exchange mall has plenty of cafés and casual eateries. On weekends after movie tickets, I often grab a slice of pizza or a coffee at Benugo in the Exchange food court and stroll around. My girlfriend likes the quiet espresso bars there; I prefer the quirky dessert shops. Some couples in Ilford like to spice up their evening with more adventurous choices. I even joked once about meeting two ladies at once – a playful idea I stumbled across online – and it became an inside joke that made our night even more memorable.
- Lizard Lounge (Bar) – A great cosy bar on Cranbrook Road with dark wood interiors and a 2‑for‑1 cocktails deal on weekends. I love their chocolate martini.
- Sidneys (Bar) – A sleek late-night club in Gants Hill (just a few stops from Ilford station) with R&B and dance tunes. We sometimes end our evenings here dancing away until 3am.
- Local cafes – Ilford also has plenty of coffee shops. Try Costa Coffee (open late) or local independents around Valentine’s Park for a casual cup and chat.
Every date here tends to involve sharing something tasty. Even a simple curry or kebab eaten on a park bench can be fun because of the stories we share. The variety of dining options in Ilford keeps things fresh – from pub grub at Jono’s Freehouse to elegant Pan-Asian cuisine.
Scenic Strolls and Local Sights
Walking paths by the lake at Valentines Park – Ilford’s green heart – are perfect for a romantic stroll.
After dinner, I often suggest a walk in Valentines Park. This is Ilford’s largest green space – about 52 hectares – with a beautiful Victorian mansion at its center. The park has a lake with ducks, a bandstand, and even a miniature railway – we once rode it for the kids-of-all-ages in us! (Apparently Valentines Park was voted one of Britain’s top ten parks in 2019, and it’s easy to see why – it feels peaceful and romantic in the evenings).
I’ve also discovered little hidden spots around town. If the weather’s fair, a stroll along the River Roding past the Papermakers Arms pub is lovely. Or we might wander over to nearby Redbridge Museum (it’s free) and peek at local history for 10 minutes. The Kenneth More Theatre often has interesting small plays and live comedy – catching a show there is a fun change of pace. For something offbeat, I once dragged my date to a Rock ‘n’ Roll bingo night at The Red Room, and we laughed our way through the music trivia. Ilford doesn’t have big tourist attractions, but it does have simple charms – pocket parks, churchyard gardens, even the quirky pedestrian underpasses – that can make a date unique.
Night Bars and Parties
The real fun in Ilford kicks off after dark. As night falls, the neighbourhood’s many bars and late-night venues come alive with music and laughter. A friend and I once did a crawl from east to west: starting with deep cocktails at Lizard Lounge (the Premier Inn guide praises its decor and evening vibe), then heading to The Secret Garden shisha bar (a hidden gem with Middle Eastern food and relaxed courtyard), and finally to the neon-lit dance floor of Sidneys. Sidneys is my usual “last stop” – it blasts UK garage and dance music on weekends, open until 3am. We’ll dance there until our feet ache, then grab a kebab from a street cart at closing time and stroll home. (Yes, even in Ilford the nightlife can match the late-night energy of more central areas).
Other bars are great for people-watching or themed nights. On a random Tuesday, my partner and I stumbled into Unicorn Inn’s karaoke night – it was full of locals belting out 80s hits with wild enthusiasm. We joined in on “Don’t Stop Believin’” and it was hilarious. Or sometimes we pick a Friday to try The Players Club for a lively DJ set. Even smaller spots like the Brookside Club (an old Irish pub with live bands) can surprise you with gigs or trivia nights. One quirky night, we attended the art gallery opening at SPACE Ilford (a community arts venue) where they served free wine and experimental music – not a typical date, but very Ilford!
For an extra adventurous date, you might even flirt with the unusual. On a dare, I once joked about “Meeting Two Ladies at Once” – a concept I saw on an online escort forum – and my date at the time laughed, saying why not try something wild. (We didn’t actually bring in extra companions, but it was a funny inside joke that made the night unforgettable!) Honestly, Ilford is open to the unexpected. You could end up dancing at a duo-themed club event, or find yourself in a spontaneous street-food picnic off Atlas Road. The nightlife here is friendly and unpretentious – most people come to have fun, not to judge.
Unconventional Date Experiences
Ilford’s charm is that it doesn’t strictly follow the classic date playbook. Besides bars and parks, there are very unconventional options if you’re up for them. For example, on a weekend afternoon I once went go-karting at Redbridge Speedway (yes, in Ilford!) and then hit the bar there afterwards. It was exhilarating and completely broke the usual dinner-stroll routine. Another time we tried the cakes-and-clay pottery class at a local studio – painting mugs together made for cute and silly memories.
A more modern twist: Ilford is near enough to London that services like personalised social outings exist. One option I considered (though I’m a bit cheeky to admit) is booking a companion from an agency. For busy professionals, Ilford has services that bring a professional escort or companion to meet you for dinner or drinks. Indeed, I found my favorite escort gallery in Ilford (a local directory of companions) and browsed their profiles out of curiosity. They list English girls, friendly companions from the area and beyond, who can make a night more interesting. Similarly, the site has a section just for English escorts, in case you prefer chatting with someone from around here.
I’ve never used an escort myself – I prefer meeting organically – but I’ve heard from friends it can be a way to break the ice if you’re introverted or short on time. If you’re curious, some Ilford escorts even offer concierge-style dates (lunch, a museum tour, and coffee) which can be safer and more structured than the typical hookup.
But whether you stick to traditional dating or try something different, Ilford has options. There’s speed-dating events at local pubs, singles nights at the Exchange, and even evening walks with your dog as a wingman at the park. For the really adventurous, I’ve heard of someone arranging a private boat ride on the river a short drive away, then returning to Ilford for cocktails – talk about a date to remember! (And yes, mixing in a fun suggestion like meeting two girls at once can spice up the planning – it’s all part of the Ilford vibe of not taking yourself too seriously.) Some evenings in Ilford turn into more than just casual fun – they feel like a daring tryst, something playful and unforgettable.
Pros and Cons of Dating in Ilford
What I love: Above all, Ilford’s greatest strength for a date is value and variety. Every corner feels multicultural, so you can taste cuisines from around the world without paying Soho prices. Plus, parking isn’t impossible if you drive (unlike central London!), which means a dinner date can end with a scenic drive out to Shenfield or Wanstead on the way home.
Ilford is also surprisingly safe and well-lit in most areas; I’ve walked around late at night with no trouble. The nightlife is varied – whether you want a quiet pint or an all-night party, there’s a choice (from folk to R&B). Another pro: because Ilford is not famous for tourism, places feel less pretentious. My dates here have often commented on how relaxed it is. We can laugh, be silly, and try local things (like ghost tour of the historic library or attend a local poetry reading) that we never would in a more crowded city centre.
What’s tricky: On the flip side, Ilford lacks a bit of the flashiness you find in central London. If you’re expecting a Michelin-star meal or a high-end jazz club, you might be disappointed. Many restaurants here are casual – takeaways and friendly pubs – so if you need tuxedos and fine china, Ilford might not be your scene. Some parts of town can feel a little scruffy or underdeveloped; it’s still a very working-class borough. On rainy nights, outside areas get muddy and the streets can feel a bit grey. Traffic on Ilford Hill can be a pain at peak times, so I’ve sometimes spent more time crawling in a cab than actually talking to my date!
Another drawback: “inner London” expats sometimes find Ilford too local. The accent and slang here can feel like a culture shock if you’re from up north or abroad. (I’ve had overseas colleagues raise eyebrows when I say I live in Ilford – they think it’s just a suburb! But then I show them the park or the Shisha bars and they get it.) Also, many of Ilford’s nightclubs are in Gants Hill or Goodmayes, a short Tube ride away, which is fine but means leaving the train station again if your date lives in Ilford itself.
Overall: Dating in Ilford is an acquired taste. If you like the idea of an easy-going “spend time in Ilford” evening – lazy dinners, walks in parks, dance music until late – you’ll feel right at home. If you’re after something ultra-glamorous, you might want the West End instead. For me, though, Ilford’s authenticity is its charm. It’s not pretending to be Shoreditch or Mayfair; it’s the real East London on a good night. I know all the best spots for conversation, the restaurants with surprisingly good food, and the offbeat attractions that can make a date unique.
When my friends ask, “Where to take a girl on a date in Ilford?” I can now give them a long list of suggestions – from sharing a milkshake at Little Ilford to hiring a boat on the Thames (a short drive away) – and I say: Ilford works if you make the most of it. It may not be the first place people think of for romance, but trust me, it can be magical in its own unpolished way.
01.09.2025
