There was no online dating, no Tinder or Grindr, and no smartphones, for a start.
But if you were taking someone out on a date during the 1980s, there were a few places you probably ended up.
We’ve put together a list of the most popular spots and activities for a date back then - perfect for anyone who wants to recreate that 80s dating experience.
Just don’t forget the big hair and shoulder pads, and be sure to leave the phone at home and arrange a meeting place and time.
All these venues and activities were cheap, and in some cases free, making them the perfect choice for young romantics back then.
Most of them are still options for a date, though some of the 80s venues have sadly closed.
If you enjoyed this trip down memory lane, you might want to take a look at these nostalgic photos showing popular restaurant chains of the 70s, 80s and 90s that we have lost.
5. Amusement arcade
The 80s were a golden age for video games, with many classics of the genre, including Pac-Man, Tetris and Donkey Kong released back then. A first date at the amusement arcade was a chance for you to show off your skills, in the hope it might impress the object of your affections, though there was always the danger it would merely end up boring them. | Getty Images Photo: Yvonne Hemsey
6. A round of mini golf
Crazy golf was popular during the 80s, and was a fun way to spend a first date. It was a good way, too, of gauging if they had any rage issues that might be a red flag. | Getty Images Photo: Three Lions/Hulton Archive
7. Sipping cocktails
Cocktails in the 80s were not subtle. They were usually brightly coloured affairs, loaded with sugar and adorned with fresh fruit and mini umbrellas. The pina colada, tequila sunrise and woo woo were among the most popular concoctions of the time, with many being guzzled on a first date. | Getty Images Photo: Evening Standard
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8. Hanging out at the shopping centre
New shopping centres were popping up everywhere in the 80s, and they were a popular place to start a date. They provided shelter from the rain and a convenient meeting place, often around the fountain or other focal point. Younger romantics might spend their whole date hanging out at the mall, shopping, grabbing a bite to eat, taking in a film, or simply hanging out and doing a spot of people watching. | Getty Image Photo: Historic England Archive/Heritage Images