Unlock the Secret Scents: 8 Colognes That Will Instantly Elevate Your Dinner Game and Leave Them Wanting More

A scent that stays close to your skin is a good call when going out to a restaurant; those sitting near you will smell it and be intrigued, but it won’t travel as far as the other side of the table and certainly won’t be distracting. When looking for these kinds of skin scents, my go-to is Commodity Fragrances’ Personal Scent Space collection. Like a good book, Commodity’s Book– Personal fragrance is one I can always rely on. With a crisp opening of black tea, fresh eucalyptus and warm sandalwood at the heart, and a base of cedarwood, vetiver, and skin musk, it strikes the perfect balance of freshness and warmth.

In a similar vein, Diptyque’s L’Eau Papier EDT also has that clean, musky charm, but with some added luxury just by way of being a Diptyque fragrance. The Paris-based luxury fragrance house was inspired by the texture and smell of paper, ink, and skin when creating this scent. The result is something subtle yet elevated, a light musk with a base of warm steamed rice. It won’t fill the room, but will make the person sitting next to you wonder, damn, does this guy always smell this good?

With warm woods, soft spices, and a musky base, the popular Dior Homme EDT is undeniably masculine and seductive without being too intense. It’s the perfect choice for a date night where the food is the main event, but you want to look and smell good, too.

When you want something clean, fresh, and universally beloved that you can rely on for any occasion, you’ll probably be pointed in the direction of Versace’s Eros EDT. It’s a classic masculine scent that’s light and refreshing instead of deep and overpowering. Top notes of herbal mint, citrusy lemon, and clean green apple give it a gorgeous freshness up top, and its earthy, woody base of vetiver, oakmoss, and cedarwood provides a softer balance.

A bit less traditionally masculine than Versace Eros but still perfect for a nice evening out, Maison Louis Marie’s No.12 Bousval EDP is inspired by sunny days in the Belgian countryside. It’s elegant, bright, and airy, with fresh, citrusy top notes of bergamot, Valencia orange, and the subtle spice of cardamom. The base is a soft, earthy blend of okmoss, cedar, amber, and musks.

Roll-on fragrance oils tend to be more subtle than spray cologne, so they’re a nice option for places like the office or a restaurant where you don’t want your scent to radiate too far. Riddle makes some of the best fragrance oils out there, and they’re all unisex, so they work well on just about everyone. My recommendation for guys looking for that smart, polished, out-to-dinner scent is the brand’s Santal fragrance. A little spicy, a little woody, and a touch earthy, it will certainly give off those polished vibes you’re looking for.