Roses are red, violets are blue, for a date in Athens, what do you do? The best spots for dating in the Classic City are determined by what you are looking for, according to an informal poll of UGA students conducted by JOUR 3190.

 

Among the 12 students questioned, answers varied from casual coffee dates to watching drones fly in an empty field at night. Some students described dates they had been on, while others imagined what a dream date would be. Each student had a unique perspective when it came to planning a date.

 

For the students who are in relationships, shared experiences with a significant other stood out.

 

One of those students was Sven Leicher, a third year economics major from Atlanta. Before he and his girlfriend were dating, she had taken him to an empty parking lot near a drone field so that they could watch the drones fly. Leicher said that he and his girlfriend still go to watch the drones.

 

Couples often had specific stories, while single students imagined an activity they would like to do with someone.

 

Sam Perryman, a second year finance major from Cumming, and his girlfriend Katie Kirkland, a second year wildlife major from Fayetteville, both remembered a date they had gone on to Five Guys. The couple said that after eating they took advantage of the high-top bar seating near the windows and “people watched.” Perryman said that they even looked up the information on lanyards a group of students were wearing to figure out that it was a high school band.

 

Romantic dates were not the only focus. Karen Mejia, a fourth year advertising major from Norcross, said she would rather have a friend-date at ARTini’s Art Lounge. Although Meija said she is not good at painting, it would still be a relaxing activity for her and her friends.

 

For Callie Hood, a third year linguistics and international affairs major from Buchanan, her dream date would be to walk around the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. Hood has been to the garden once or twice and said walking around would be “less awkward” than talking over dinner with someone.

 

“I feel like that’s a cool place to walk around and get to know a person,” Hood said.

 

Being in an environment that was ideal for conversing and getting to know someone was also a priority for Ashleigh Proctor, a second year biology major from Augusta. For Proctor, Ike & Jane Café and Bakery  would be a great spot for a coffee date since you can order dessert and get to know a person—like if they can hold a conversation.

 

“It’s a nice place to talk,” Proctor said. “There’s never too many people, so it’s not really crowded and busy.”

 

Instead of sitting and talking Gunnar Weger, a fourth year finance major from Honolulu, said his dream date would be to go ice skating at the Classic Center. When he lived in D.C., Weger said that he would go ice skating 10 to 20 times a year.

 

“It just brings back very fond memories. It makes me feel younger,” Weger said about ice skating.