First date ideas in New York
Hand-picked spots and full nights out, from a list we keep ourselves — no tourist traps. Or text Cael and it plans and books one around her.
Whole nights, already planned
East Village
StartEl Camino · East Village · $
breezy,cheap
“Chic bar with cheap drinks and French doors onto the sidewalk.”
DinnerAl-Andalus · East Village · $
casual,vegan
“Vegan tapas where almost everything is ten dollars or under. The cheap-date answer.”
NightcapBar Snack · East Village · $
unpretentious,good-music
“Unpretentious cocktail bar with a great soundtrack and affordable drinks.”
Williamsburg
StartDomino Park · Williamsburg · $
waterfront,views
“Waterfront park with the Manhattan skyline at sunset: walk it before dinner.”
DinnerHuda · Williamsburg · $$
bright,levantine
“Huge windows, white marble bar, Levantine plates to share and twelve-dollar house arak.”
NightcapLayla · Williamsburg · $$
sexy,music
“Excellent cocktails, a sexy room and funk and indie on the speakers.”
Greenwich Village
StartComedy Cellar · Greenwich Village · $$
lively,classic
“The basement comedy club where big names drop in unannounced. Laughing together works.”
DinnerTomo21 Sushi · Greenwich Village · $$
byob,low-key
“BYOB sushi where eight pieces and a roll won't break the bank. Bring the sake.”
NightcapDante · Greenwich Village · $$$
lively,classic
“World-class Negronis in an airy century-old cafe-bar — an easy, unpretentious drink or aperitivo date.”
Lower East Side
StartMetrograph · Lower East Side · $$
cool,unique
“An indie cinema with a lovely restaurant/bar upstairs — a genuinely cool, non-obvious date.”
DinnerScarr's Pizza · Lower East Side · $
cool,casual
“House-milled-flour slices in a retro room — cult-loved and unpretentious.”
Hudson Square
StartFilm Forum · West Village · $$
classic,cinephile
“Independent cinema with revivals and new indie films. Dinner nearby, then argue about the ending.”
DinnerDean's · Hudson Square · $$$
candlelit,pub
“British pub with drippy candlesticks and good wine: oyster shooters and fish and chips.”
Williamsburg
DinnerThe Four Horsemen · Williamsburg · $$$
cool,intimate
“Natural wine + a tiny Michelin-starred menu (yes, James Murphy's spot) — cool and genuinely great.”
NightcapMaison Premiere · Williamsburg · $$$
romantic,unique
“A gorgeous absinthe-and-oyster parlor with a garden — the sharp NYC oyster date, not the obvious raw bar.”
Our picks
Al-Andalus · East Village · $
casual,vegan
“Vegan tapas where almost everything is ten dollars or under. The cheap-date answer.”
Bar Oliver · Two Bridges · $$
basque,wine
“Pintxos and vermouth on tap. Feels like a night in San Sebastián.”
Bar Snack · East Village · $
unpretentious,good-music
“Unpretentious cocktail bar with a great soundtrack and affordable drinks.”
Brooklyn Bridge Park · Brooklyn Heights · $
waterfront,views
“Piers, lawns and the bridge at sunset; the promenade above is just as good.”
Buvette · West Village · $$
cozy,charming
“A tiny jewel-box French cafe — perfect low-stakes date or a solo croque with wine.”
C. Di Palo Wine Bar · Little Italy · $$
romantic,wine
“Romantically lit Italian wine bar with salumi, cheese and off-the-beaten-path bottles.”
Dean's · Hudson Square · $$$
candlelit,pub
“British pub with drippy candlesticks and good wine: oyster shooters and fish and chips.”
Domino Park · Williamsburg · $
waterfront,views
“Waterfront park with the Manhattan skyline at sunset: walk it before dinner.”
Doris · Bed-Stuy · $
candlelit,low-pressure
“Candlelit and low-pressure, with good bar food.”
El Camino · East Village · $
breezy,cheap
“Chic bar with cheap drinks and French doors onto the sidewalk.”
El Pingüino · Greenpoint · $$
quirky,seafood
“Raw bar and Spanish small plates; the quirky décor starts the conversation for you.”
Entre Nous · Clinton Hill · $$
french,wine
“French wine bar with exceptional seafood; the seafood platter is a steal.”
Fort Greene Park · Fort Greene · $
leafy,local
“Hilly park with city views from the top: a golden-hour walk before dinner.”
Frog Wine Bar · Bed-Stuy · $
casual,backyard
“Pool tables and a Parisian-style backyard: relaxed, playful, good for a longer night.”
Green-Wood Cemetery · Brooklyn · $
peaceful,private,unique
“478 acres of gorgeous, hilly, historic quiet with skyline views — a beautiful non-touristy walk.”
Hanoi House · East Village · $$
lively,warm
“Phở with a 24-hour broth and great starters in a lively room. Cheap, delicious, easy.”
Huda · Williamsburg · $$
bright,levantine
“Huge windows, white marble bar, Levantine plates to share and twelve-dollar house arak.”
La Nacional · Chelsea · $
low-key,sexy
“Inexpensive drinks, good tapas and a subtly sexy vibe; easy to find.”
Layla · Williamsburg · $$
sexy,music
“Excellent cocktails, a sexy room and funk and indie on the speakers.”
Lei · Chinatown · $$
intimate,wine
“Tiny wine bar: squeeze together over French wine and creative Chinese-inspired small plates.”
Lucia Alimentari · SoHo · $$
candlelit,pizza
“Personal pizzas and natural wine by candlelight in a small room.”
Prosciutto · East Village · $$
tiny,charming
“Tiny, charming and very date-appropriate: share the housemade pasta.”
St. Jardim · West Village · $$
intimate,vinyl
“Seven tables, a record player, perfectly made classic cocktails. The first-date bar.”
Sugar Monk · Harlem · $$
tropical,playful
“Tropical cocktail lounge with flaming drinks: instant icebreakers.”
Want it planned and booked?
Text Cael “Plan a first date date in New York this weekend.” It checks what she likes, builds the night and books the table once you say yes.
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