Face it, you’re probably not going to fall madly in lust while making polite conversation over roast chicken and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. You’ve got a much better chance of forging an electric connection if you ditch your routine date destinations and try a slightly offbeat activity with potentially erotic undercurrents. Here are ten suggestions that will help get the electricity between you two crackling.

1. Play Hooky
Why restrict your dates to weekend nights? Agree to each take a sick day and spend it indulging. Share a long lunch (with wine), catch an afternoon movie, browse in near-empty shops or do whatever else you never get time to do on the weekends. “It’s sexy because you’ll feel naughty since you’re doing something a little taboo together,” says Ian Kerner, author of DSI: Date Scene Investigation.

2. Take in Some Subtitles
Catching a movie is a stand-by date activity for a reason—namely, it’s a great way to log some time with somebody you’re just getting to know without having to stare each other down over a drinks or a meal. But instead of getting sucked into watching the wannabe-blockbuster of the week, hit a foreign film, whether a new one or a classic (the French Belle de Jour and the Italian La Dolce Vita are two erotically charged options to look out for at your local revival house). There’s something inherently sexier about watching a film in another language—maybe it’s that listening to a foreign tongue for ninety minutes lulls you into a dreamy state of mind or that it makes you and your date suddenly feel like travel partners even though you haven’t left the local multiplex.

3. Flirt Surrounded by Flora
OK, you probably haven’t considered going to a botanical garden since your grandmother came to town. But think about it: Where else can you feast your senses on natural beauty without putting on hiking shoes? “The botanical garden near me is really pretty in the early evening,” says Kevin Wells, 28, who has taken more than one date there. “And there are lots of scenic spots where you can make out if you’re so inclined.”

4. Try the Tapas Trend
It seems like at least half of the buzz-heavy new restaurants out there specialize in “small plates,” appetizer-sized portions that are meant to be ordered in multiples and shared. Luckily, this style of dining is perfect for dates. You’ll bond while debating the merits of different menu options—and find that leaning across the table to eat off of the same dishes — with a perfect excuse to feed each other — stirs up a lot more intrigue than staying hunched over individual entrees would.

5. Go Back to School
Taking a class, whether a one-night seminar or a weekly thing, is a guaranteed way to get close. “When you learn something new together you feel like a team, which is very bonding,” says Kerner. And if you pick an area of study that’s a little sensual you boost the odds that sparks will start flying. Think courses that involve physical touch, like reflexology, or which engage the senses, such as a wine or Scotch tasting.

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