A date without alcohol does not need to be an ordinary bar visit with the main purchase removed. Start with something you would both enjoy doing. The options here are activity formats and verified places to check; they are not a claim that every venue is alcohol-free, or that every date in its calendar runs in the evening.
Before you commit
| Kind of date | Useful option | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Share something sweet | San Churro at Southgate | Venue price, serving time and dietary needs |
| Keep it short | Cups N Cones, Southgate | Current flavours and closing time |
| Give the evening a focus | An ACMI cinema session | Selected film's ticket and finish time |
| Make something together | A specifically listed evening tea workshop | Confirm the date; most sessions are daytime |
Dessert gives the catch-up a simple centre
Southgate lists a San Churro venue, while the brand's menu sets out different churro formats. Compare the portion and included dips before ordering; a sharing description is not an assurance that the quantity suits both of you. Check the Southgate price rather than treating a national menu as a venue-specific quote.
This format works when you want a defined purchase and room for conversation. Tell the venue about dietary requirements instead of inferring allergen safety from a vegan symbol. Drinking alcohol is not necessary to choose dessert, but that does not make the whole venue an alcohol-free environment.
Check directly: San Churro menu ↗ · Southgate San Churro location ↗
Gelato can be the whole plan, not a compulsory third stop
Cups N Cones is listed in Southgate's food court. The centre publishes evening hours, including 10pm finishes on Thursday and Friday when checked. Flavours, portion prices and the actual serving time still need confirmation directly.
Choose this for a shorter catch-up rather than adding a long itinerary to justify going out. If you want a walk afterwards, decide how much walking and weather exposure suits both people. There is no requirement to turn a scoop of gelato into a three-hour waterfront expedition.
Check directly: Southgate Cups N Cones listing ↗
Pick the cinema session before choosing dinner
ACMI's cinema programme is separate from its free museum entry. Use a named session with an actual date, ticket and finish time. General museum hours do not prove that a suitable evening screening is available.
A screening gives you a shared focus and something concrete to talk about afterwards. Check the film classification and accessibility provision for the exact session. If the finish is late, work backwards from your return transport instead of assuming the city runs the same way at every hour.
Check directly: ACMI visitor information ↗
A workshop is an evening date only when the timetable says so
Crafternoon Tea's checked calendar includes an evening tea-blending session on 21 January 2027, alongside daytime sessions. The format is 90 minutes with a personalised blend. Confirm that actual date and availability if the evening timing is the reason for booking.
For other dates, use the listing as a daytime alternative rather than calling the entire workshop an evening activity. Ask ingredient questions before buying and agree on the date together. A jointly chosen session is usually a better fit than surprising someone with a fixed commitment they cannot change.
Check directly: Crafternoon Tea blending listing ↗
The sources, so you can check.
Checked 4 Nov 2026. Listings, dates, prices and conditions can change. Confirm directly before booking.
- San Churro menu ↗
- Southgate San Churro location ↗
- Southgate Cups N Cones listing ↗
- ACMI visitor information ↗
- Crafternoon Tea blending listing ↗
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