First dates, everyone has them. You plan your outfit with your girlfriends days in advance, obsess over the text exchanges, take at least an hour to get ready, and all for a chance at love with a person who will hopefully prove themselves to be right for you.
Which would mean, you’d never ever have to go on another first date again. And, isn’t that the end goal?
But, the date. The date itself. What do you have in mind? Remember, there are a lot of factors at play to create the right ambiance for a first date. Most likely, you don’t know all that much about each other, or rather, this is the first time you’re encountering this special someone with acknowledged romantic inclinations.
If the setting isn’t right, all of your careful planning with backfire. To help you out, NYgal has rounded up some of our favorite first date venues in the city.
Nitehawk Cinema
Going to the movies for a first date is very "high school," but we had the right idea back then. First dates are known for their awkwardness. Two people who barely know each other, spending time together having a stilted conversation, are perfect candidates for sitting in compatible silence watching a movie in a darkened theater for two hours. Totally takes the pressure off.
One movie house, in particular, gives dinner and a movie a new meaning. Nitehawk Cinema, located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, offers a full dinner and drinks menu, while you’re watching a film. During your film, staff will periodically come around and collect paper order tickets, which will then be delivered right to your table.
Towards the end of the movie, your check is dropped on your table, to be handled immediately following the end of the screening.
Read Dani B.‘s review of Nitehawk Cinema on Yelp
Apotheke Cocktail Bar
Tucked away in Chinatown on a street which was once known as the Bloody Angle, Apotheke is an inventive cocktail bar and lounge. Gathering its inspiration from apothecaries in 19th Century Paris, all of the servers wear lab coats, each drink is served in a scientific beaker-like glass, and the drinks are known as prescriptions.
Once 9:00 p.m. rolls around, a strict Sophicistated Elegant Dress code is enforced, which adds to the ambiance. It is, for sure, the makings for an unusual, unique dating experience.
Read Grace L.‘s review of Apothèke on Yelp
Sid Gold’s Request Room
It takes a special kind of person to be down for live karaoke on a first date, but the risk could have a great reward. Sometimes, you have to let down your inhibitions and show the first date your true colors – if they can’t like you at your worst, they won’t love you at your best.
Sid Gold’s Request Room, located on W 26th St, is that place. Is it a piano bar? Is it a karaoke house? It’s both! No musical genres are excluded, and bar patrons are encouraged to request songs and lead sing-alongs.
If your date is an outgoing, down-for-anything kind of person, this is definitely the spot to see their crowd confidence in action!
Read James A.‘s review of Sid Gold’s Request Room on Yelp
Bono Trattoria
For fare a little more uptown, Bono Trattoria is a rustic, authentic Italian restaurant on W 151st St and Broadway. As described from their site, Bono is an Italian adjective which means "very good, tasty, delicious."
We certainly think it lives up to its name! With a rotating seasonal menu and to-die-for pizza, you can have the flexibility of a later dinner date without the hassle of waiting for the subway to take you all the way back uptown after the MTA night schedule takes effect.
Read Nancy G.‘s review of Bono Trattoria on Yelp
Ayza’s Wine and Chocolate Bar
Wine. And Chocolate. In the name. The restaurant, located in Koreatown on W 31st between 5th Avenue and Broadway, is a French/Mediterranean bar with over 90 selections of wine, as well as the three C’s – chocolates, cheeses, and champagne.
They’re open from Noon until 2 AM on the weekends and close only a few hours earlier during the week. The best part? They have outdoor seating in good weather. There’s really not much more you need from a date venue.
Read Alphina L.‘s review of AYZA Wine & Chocolate Bar on Yelp
Did we miss your favorite first date spot? Let us know and comment below!
Feature Image Credit: PxHere
