When deciding where to go on a date, many people simply think ‘pub’, ‘cinema’, ‘restaurant’ - and fair play to them. But how many of us really stop to think about the detail? By detail I mean the actual characteristics of the venue we’ve chosen - the atmosphere, the fixtures and fittings, the toilets - and not just ‘they do great garlic dough balls’?

Call me old fashioned, but I think there’s a lot to be said for considering the whole experience of your chosen date destination. A bit of heartfelt research beforehand is even better.

Here are just a few notes for your tick list. Consider these in advance to ensure your date is suitably impressed with your choice (and you)…

Lighting

Bright or shadowy: there’s the dilemma. Bright lights and white walls are okay in the Tate Modern, but nothing beats a bit of romantic candlelight over evening drinks or supper. And what’s the lighting going to do for you? Soft lights can hide a multitude of sins, so use them to your advantage! Having a bad hair or skin day? Candles all the way!

Cleanliness

You don’t have to be Kim or Aggie to know a grimy venue when you see one. There’s nothing like sticky floors, ripped seats and chewing gum to send your date packing, pronto. An ‘authentic’ old pub may indeed have a certain charm, but if it would fail a level-one hygiene inspection, I’m suggesting it may not be the right choice.

Mirrors

Mirrors can be a controversial one. On one hand they help to enlarge and brighten a venue, which can be ideal on a summer’s day for lunch when you want a light airy atmosphere. On the downside, they can be distracting - you (or your date) might not be able to help checking out the next tables, or checking your hair, with a strategically placed mirror - and that can be annoying.

Familiarity

Knowing a (good) venue well is a big plus. If you’re taking your date to your favourite restaurant, for example, it’s nice to be able to show them where to go and introduce the waiter - it gets the date off on the right course and adds a few brownie points to your tally before you’ve even sat down.

Décor / Objets d’art

Never forget the impact an interesting venue can have on your date. Unusual bars and restaurants (often off the beaten track) can be hidden little gems. You know the ones - with amazing wallpaper or interesting sculptures about the place. An intriguing interior is a fantastic talking point and makes you instantly more relaxed, as you can have a good look around without resembling a stalker. Sumptuous curtains, nice quality door handles - it all counts!

Seating

If you’re going out to sit down (meal, theatre, pub, cinema) how comfy are the seats? Whatever age you are, a comfy seat makes all the difference on a date - it helps you and your date relax and feel more at ease. Sitty-up-straight schoolroom furniture has the opposite effect! Moreover, does your chosen seating allow smooching? If you have the opportunity to include some kind of soft, snugly sofa in your venue, I’d say it’s a good thing.

Good toilets

Please do your research about the loos. Unless you’re taking your date to Glastonbury all weekend, there’s no excuse for choosing a venue with toilets from the dark ages. Lavs should be clean, clean, clean. Girls, in particular, see toilets as a safe haven on a date - somewhere where they can retreat to check for spinach in their teeth, apply more lippy and text their best mate. They want to do all this in a sweet-smelling, luxurious setting - not a dingy back room cubicle with no lights and enough germs to kill a small child. Guys, never underestimate the impact Molton Brown handwash and John Lewis hand towels has on a gal. The best toilets I’ve ever used were in Singapore’s Raffles Hotel (get me!). Head-to-toe marble, classical music to pee to, the works. That was almost 10 years ago and the memory lives on.

As checklists go, this isn’t the most glamorous; but if it makes the difference on just one date out there, I’ll feel my work is done.