16 Rock Solid Signs Your First Date Went Well (And A Second Is In The Bag)

Dates can be hard to read.

A woman and man are sitting at a table in a cafe, each holding a cup of coffee. The woman is wearing a pink blouse and smiling, and the man is in a blue shirt. They are engaged in conversation, and the background shows an outdoor seating area with blurred details.

Ever been on what you thought was a great date, only to be confused and disappointed when it doesn’t go anywhere?

It can be hard to read the signs, especially these days when people are so focused on swiping on dating apps and moving onto the next person!

Here are 16 foolproof signs your date went well, just in case you needed a hand figuring it out…

1. They gave you their full attention.

A couple walks hand in hand in front of a historic building. The man, with long hair and tattoos, is wearing a red shirt and blue jeans. The woman, with short blonde hair, is dressed in a blue striped dress and holding a vibrant bouquet of flowers, smiling at each other.

If they were in the moment, the date went well – it’s really that easy.

They weren’t staring at their phone or checking out other people. Their eyes were on you and they made it clear that they were interested in what you were saying.

If they weren’t really bothered, they’d have found an excuse to avoid talking or interacting much, like chatting to other people around you, making a phone call, or nipping to the loo/ outside/ to the bar to check on your drinks, etc.

2. They flirted with you.

A young man and woman are smiling at each other while sitting closely at an outdoor table. The man has short curly hair and is wearing a gray shirt. The woman has a short blonde hairstyle, wears a white hat, and a pink tank top. Drinks are visible in front of them.

Sure, this one is pretty obvious, but it’s worth remembering! If the vibes were good and you felt like they were trying to hit on you, the date was successful and you can be pretty sure it’s going to lead somewhere.

3. They complimented you.

Again, it might seem silly to even mention it, but a lot of us get so flustered on first dates that we can’t put all the pieces together.

If they told you how good you looked, or complimented your outfit, it’s because they wanted you to know they’re interested in you and find you attractive.

4. They asked lots of questions.

A woman with long, wavy hair smiles warmly while holding a glass of white wine. She is wearing a light blue lace top and appears to be engaged in conversation with a person whose back is to the camera. The background is softly blurred.

If your date was keen to get to know you better, it’s pretty obvious they’re looking for something more serious than a one-off date.

They might have asked your opinion on things that matter a lot to them, or dug into your past more. If they asked about your hopes and dreams, they’re a keeper!

5. They stayed for a second (or third!) drink.

A woman and a man, both dressed in white outfits, are seated at a table and clinking wine glasses together, smiling warmly at each other. The table has some food and a decanter of wine. The background is softly blurred.

If the date didn’t go well, you’d have been able to tell by the fact that they were quite keen to leave!

If they stuck around for another drink or two, or even suggested going for dinner, they enjoyed your company and wanted to keep spending time with you.

The longer the date went on and the more time they committed to you, the better the first date went.

6. There was great banter.

A group of young adults socializing at a casual indoor gathering. A woman in the foreground, holding a drink, is laughing while interacting with a smiling man. Other people are engaged in conversation in the background. The atmosphere appears lively and cheerful.

If there was a great atmosphere and you got on really well, the date was obviously a success!

There will have been lots of laughter, good vibes, and fun conversation. You might have even teased each other, shared funny stories, or watched silly videos together. The sparks were flying and you both had a lot of fun.

7. Your phones stayed in your pockets.

A woman with short brown hair and a yellow dress sits at a table, looking frustrated, while a man with short brown hair and a blue checkered shirt sits across from her, absorbed in his smartphone. Two cups of coffee and a sugar bowl are on the wooden table.

If they ignored their phone and kept their attention on you, it’s because they wanted to know more about you and wanted you to know that they care about that.

They did their best to make a good impression and show you their best selves.

It’s possible that they answered a text or picked up the phone, but don’t take it personally if they did! However, if they weren’t casually scrolling away on their phone, they like you.

8. The conversation was two-sided.

A young woman with long, light brown hair smiles while sitting at an outdoor café table with a bouquet of yellow roses in front of her. Across from her sits a man in a white t-shirt and black hat, partially turned away from the camera.

The only thing worse than listening to someone drone on and on about themselves is feeling like you have to carry the entire conversation.

It’s awkward having to make all the effort and it can make you feel pretty rubbish if they don’t seem interested in talking to you!

So, if the chat was two-sided and there was a good balance of listening, laughing, and answering/asking questions, you can be pretty certain your date went well.

9. You learned more about each other.

A man and a woman sit across from each other at a cozy, modern cafe. They are smiling and appear to be enjoying a conversation. There are hanging lights and blurred decor in the background, giving a warm atmosphere. A potted plant is seen in the foreground.

If you felt like you were really getting to know each more deeply, the date was a hit!

Some first dates can feel like an awkward job interview, so if things were more relaxed and you found out what makes each other tick, well done – you had a good first date.

You don’t need to come away knowing their middle name and childhood best friend, but you should have a deeper understanding of them and their life, hobbies and interests. As should they about you.

10. You couldn’t stop laughing.

Two people sit at a café table, each holding a coffee cup and smiling warmly at each other. The image is viewed through a window, with soft reflections of lights and surrounding buildings. Both individuals appear to be enjoying their conversation.

How amazing is it when you meet someone with the same sense of humor as you?

If you were both having a lot of fun, and laughing at the same things, there’s definitely something there and you can expect a second date.

Some studies suggest that people who laugh at the same things will be a great romantic match, so this is definitely something to look out for!

11. There was lots of eye contact and positive body language.

A group of people are sitting at tables in a cozy cafe, enjoying drinks and pastries. A man with glasses and a woman with short brown hair are conversing happily while holding drinks. The cafe has warm lighting and a relaxed atmosphere.

If they made an effort to hold your gaze and communicated with open body language, they’re into you.

People avoid eye contact if they’re feeling uncomfortable and will often physically withdraw or shut themselves off – angling away from you, crossing their arms, or clenching their jaw/fists.

If your date held eye contact, faced toward you, pointed their feet at you, and mirrored your body language (copying you!), they’ll be very keen to see you again!

12. There was some physical contact.

Two people, a man and a woman, sit across from each other at a café table, smiling and giving each other a high-five. They have coffees and pastries on the table, and the café has a minimalist wooden interior with small plants on the tables.

It might be as subtle as footsie or a knee bump, or something sweeter like a hug and kiss goodbye. Either way, people don’t tend to touch people they don’t like, it’s just common sense!

If they made a move on you or reciprocated when you went in for a kiss, they like you and will want to see you again.

13. They suggest a second date.

Again, this is an easy one to understand, but it’s such a nice feeling when someone says they want to see you again.

Bonus points if they suggest somewhere they think you’d love, based on how much they’ve gotten to know you during the course of the date.

If they suggest somewhere specific they want to take you, they’ve thought about it properly and are invested in seeing you again.

14. You’re out for longer than you thought.

A man and a woman are seated at a candlelit table in a dimly lit restaurant, enjoying glasses of rosé wine. The man is dressed in a brown suit jacket and glasses, while the woman is in a white blouse. Both are smiling and engaged in conversation.

When you’re on a great first date, time can fly by. You might end up being out for much longer than you’d thought!

It’s a bit of a cliche, but you might have ended up being the last couple in the restaurant while the wait staff were closing down around you – you know it’s good when they kick you out because you got so immersed in your date you didn’t realize the time!

15. They message you afterwards.

A young woman with long brown hair looks down and smiles as she interacts with her smartphone. She appears to be indoors in a softly lit room with blurred foreground objects creating a serene atmosphere.

If they drop you a text to say they enjoyed meeting you, you’re onto a winner.

They could easily just phase things out and not bother to get in touch again, so if they make an effort to get in contact after seeing you, the first date went really well and they’re interested in seeing you again.

They might not send a text within 10 minutes of saying goodbye to you, but if you got good vibes on the date, hold out for a few days before you give up hope – or drop them a message! You’ll either get a lovely response or you’ll know where you stand…

16. They follow up on the second date.

A man in a denim shirt and white t-shirt holds a take-out coffee cup in one hand and a smartphone in the other while leaning against a beige building on a sunny day. The background includes parts of other buildings and a paved sidewalk.

If you’re not sure their off-hand comment about hanging out again meant anything, the text they send to follow-up on a second date should clear things up!

If they pursue a second date, suggest a time and date to hang out, or mention a bar they want to go to with you, you know the first date was successful.