Eight percent of singles say ax throwing, paintball, and miniature golf help break the ice.

Sharing a cozy evening at the movies has been a traditional first date for generations of couples.

But it seems that today’s new lovers are opting for less romantic alternatives, like ax throwing or bungee jumping.

Eight percent of singles said throwing an ax and other activities like paintball and miniature golf help break the ice on the road to true love.

Going out for a drink is a slightly more popular option, with 11 per cent of those surveyed saying they would rather go to a bar or club. But only 5 percent said going to the movies was their favorite option.

Other unorthodox first dates include hang gliding and skydiving, according to the survey of 2007 adults conducted by iced coffee brand Emmi Caffe Latte.

Going out for a drink is a slightly more popular option, with 11% of respondents saying they would rather go to a bar or club.

The company’s head of marketing, John Mulvey, said: “First dates are always difficult to negotiate with nerves on both sides.” Doing something a bit out there, like throwing axes, can be a real icebreaker, helping us wind down as quickly as a night at the movies, a couple of drinks, or even just meeting someone over a meal.’

The findings also revealed that one percent of first-time daters simply went shopping, while another one percent said they met their new partner at a sporting event.

Going for coffee on a first date is also growing in popularity, with 24 per cent opting for it to break the ice, making it more than twice as popular as going to the pub for a drink.

But sitting down to eat together remains Britain’s favorite first date option, with 25 per cent preferring it.

Another 14 percent would choose to go for a walk and 5 percent for a meeting with other friends.

Two per cent have chosen to stay home on the first date, while a similar proportion have booked a holiday with a friend in hopes that romance will blossom.