Welcome back to The Date Edit, our running series of ready-made date plans for queer women (and allies) who want a great day out without falling into a three-hour research spiral. The idea is simple: one area, a handful of genuinely solid spots, and a little stroll that takes you from daylight plans to nighttime (if you’re lucky).
This one’s set in Margate, sea air, a gallery that gives you something to talk about, and plenty to wander through, so you’re not stuck doing intense conversation the whole time. It’s ideal for a weekend date.
Vibe: Coastal, artsy, pleasantly unbothered
Area: Margate (Kent)
Best For: Weekend day date that can turn into a night
Budget: ££
Length: 4–7 hours (plus “accidentally stayed longer” time)
The Day Thing
Curve Coffee
Start at Curve, straightforward, good quality, and the kind of place where you can ease into conversation without it feeling like a performance. It’s a solid first stop: calm enough to chat, lively enough that it doesn’t feel overly “date-y.”
Become a Nonchalant VIP for ad free browsing.
Aim for late morning, claim a table, and get coffee plus something small if you’re heading straight out after. You’ll be walking a fair bit, and coastal appetites don’t wait politely.
The Afternoon Thing
Turner Contemporary → Old Town → Harbour
Next: Turner Contemporary. It’s free, it’s genuinely good, and it does the most important job of any date location: giving you something to talk about that isn’t work, rent, or your most recent emotional incident. You can point at things, disagree politely, and learn whether they’re an “I love it” person, an “I don’t get it” person, or the worst kind: an “it’s giving…” person.
Article continues below.
After that, head into Old Town for a slow wander. This is where the date starts feeling easy – shops, small galleries, and plenty of moments where you can say “look at this” instead of “so… tell me more about yourself” for the fifteenth time. Browse like you’re not tempted by overpriced objects you’ll later justify as “a souvenir.” (You are.)
Then take it down to the harbour. It’s the natural palate cleanser: a bit of sea, a bit of air, a bit of walking side-by-side so you can talk without feeling like you’re being interviewed.
Price: Free
You may also like: The Date Edit: North London – alcohol free edition
If It Goes Well
Sargasso
For dinner: Sargasso. Harbour-side, proper good food, and the kind of room where you can stay a while without feeling rushed or like you’re accidentally on a “special occasion” date. It’s relaxed but feels fancy (their Instagram will tell you the vibe, excellent lighting) – if you want the night to feel elevated without anyone having to say the word “elevated,” then this is the place to go.
If you’re going on a weekend, book ahead – Margate doesn’t do walk-in miracles when everyone’s had the same idea.
Price: ££
Wrap Up/Bonus Round
Little Swift
Little Swift is a natural wine + cocktail bar with a bottle shop attached, right on the seafront, so you can sit with something cold and watch the beach do its thing. It’s relaxed without being dead, good for a quick stop-in or a longer linger, and if you can snag the window seats, you’ll feel quietly smug about it. Walk-ins are welcome, but it fills up as the day rolls on.
Price: ££
See you next time for the next instalment of The Date Edit.
Nonchalant x
Babs heads up Logistics and Product here at Nonchalant Magazine.
