The new series of Channel 4’s First Dates is well underway, and every week fans have been delighted to see a host of new singletons looking for love during their blind dates.
During each new episode, an array of daters meet up in a romantic restaurant and hope to strike up a connection as they enjoy some food together.
The hit show also features a beloved cast who look after the daters, including maître d’ Fred Sirieix, bar man Merlin Griffiths, and waiting staff Cici and Grant.
While the staff don’t actually work in the restaurant full-time, the series is actually filmed in a real life restaurant, not on a set.
Here’s everything you need to know about the First Dates restaurant, including who can go.
Where is the First Dates restaurant?
(Image: Dave King/Channel 4)
Fans of the show will be pleased to find out that the First Dates venue is a real restaurant, located in Manchester.
The new First Dates restaurant is called The Anthologist and can be found in St Peter’s Square.
For over seven years, the Channel 4 show was filmed at the Paternoster Chop House in London, but in 2021 filming moved up north.
Originally, the show moved to The Refinery Spinningfields, which was also in Manchester.
But after the restaurant closed down, the series was forced to relocate again.
Is the First Dates restaurant open to the public?
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
The good news is that the First Dates restaurant is open to the public.
And the even better news is that you don’t have to have a camera shoved in your face while eating to be able to go there.
The restaurant is closed to the public while the series is being filmed, but you can dine at The Anthologist when filming isn’t taking place.
While it’s closed on Mondays, the restaurant is open from 11am to 11pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 11am to 12am on Thursdays and Fridays, and 10am to 6pm on Sundays.
How expensive is the First Dates restaurant?
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Channel 4 revealed that the daters appearing on the show are given a £25 allowance each towards their bill, but have to pay the rest themselves.
Luckily, a meal at the First Dates restaurant doesn’t cost a fortune.
While it’s by no means the cheapest restaurant out there, The Anthologist is in the medium price range.
Starters range from £6.95 and go up to £9.95.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
The cheapest main is the Croque Madame at £13.95, while the seafood risotto, the English pea and shallot tortellini, the Malai kofta curry, and the shepherd’s pie all come in at £14.95 each.
Meanwhile, the most expensive main is the sirloin steak, which will set you back by £25.95.
The side dishes all come in at under £5 and the desserts range from £4.50 for sorbet, to £7.95 for more luxurious treats like the blueberry cheesecake sundae.
The drinks are priced averagely too, with most of the cocktails costing £9.95 and the cheapest wine at £6 a glass.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
