9 First Date Ideas in Manhattan
We’ve scoured through our favorite spots in Manhattan and narrowed our list down to 9 date ideas suitable for a first date. Each and every one has been tried and tested to give you the very best dating experience.
1. OPEN MIC AT THE BOWERY POETRY CLUB
They’ve been hosting events for over a decade now so you can be sure they know what they’re doing. Bring your date along to the weekly PoetNY Open Mic and sample some of NYC’s most exciting emerging talents. Great beer on tap and cocktails named after famous wordsmiths. Sip, discuss and absorb everything this sweet little spot has to offer.
2. CHANNEL F. SCOTT FITZGERALD AT SMALLS JAZZ CLUB
Get cozy in this truly authentic jazz haunt and transport yourself back to the late 40s. Don’t let the creeping feeling of yesteryear fool you though, Smalls may be partial to older jazz stylings but that doesn’t stop it from bringing out the more modern flavours of the craft. Get close and chat the night away in the flawless ambience of Smalls.
3. MYSTERY ROOM NYC
Interactive experiences have seen a recent explosion in popularity, with plenty of companies offering up a diverse range of puzzle solving and action orientated experience days, but one company setting themselves apart from the rest by focusing intently on the story is MYSTERY ROOM NYC. With three distinct chapters to choose from, get yourself and your date mixed up in something bigger than yourselves. The three ‘rooms’ share a common story but each are totally autonomous and plenty of fun on their own. Can you and your date (and eight others..) escape the room and solve the disappearance of Edward Daniels?
4. THE BEST COFFEE IN NYC AT ABRAÇO
Going for coffee. The dating staple. The classic. In a city swelling with kitsch coffee shops and artisan bakeries it takes a lot to stand out, but Abraço does. The fight for space is a testament to the quality of the coffee which is very reasonably priced given its excellence. The savories and sweet things are a delight too. Don’t settle for Starbucks, introduce your date to their new favourite coffee haunt.
5. PICNIC
No, it’s not a trendy new nightclub or a sweet, bookish little cafe. I mean a picnic. A real picnic. Grab a blanket. Get a hamper, load it with cheese and wine. Head to East River State Park for some beautiful panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline. If you want to avoid tourists then Fort Tyron Park is another fantastic choice, which boasts a spot near the Cloisters – housing an impressive collection of art. Sometimes simplicity wins out over a la mode.
6. RUM AT THE RUM HOUSE
Dozens of rums, a smattering of salted nibbles and boasting a vast array of in house original cocktails, if you want your date to take a turn for the boozy – get three sheets to the mast in what has been considered one of the best cocktail bars in the city. Great for pre-dinner drinks, a nightcap or just getting lashed, I strongly implore you to drink up me hearty, yo ho!
7. GET COMPETITIVE AT SPIN
Competition has always served as a reliable and effective ice-breaker. Wiff-Waff/Ping-Pong/Table Tennis – whatever you want to call it is no exception. With a decent selection of food and drink, you can easily while away a few hours watching other competitors on the mini-bleachers. Note: prices vary depending on time of day. Booking ahead is optional.
8. GORGE YOURSELF IN BLOSSOM DU JOUR
Picking a spot for a bite to eat can be difficult. If you’re dedicated to making your date location a surprise and want to account for any unexpected dietary requirements, Blossom Du Jour becomes the obvious choice. Fast food and veganism coexist wonderfully in this well priced and infinitely cool little restaurant. A diverse menu of all day breakfasts, towering meat-free burgers, and fully loaded salads account for any and all dietary snags. The Midtown Melt has been the converter of many a meat-eater. Take a look at their menu.
9. ALT-CINEMA WITH ROOFTOP CINEMA CLUB
Although no announcements have been made for 2016, keep a beady eye on the goings on of ROOFTOP CINEMA CLUB. A plethora of NYC locations have become pop up cinemas for the project, delighting New Yorkers during the summertime and showcasing some of the best indie films on offer. For a first date, the cinema is always a bit of conventional choice, so turn the idea of ‘going to the movies’ on its head by checking out and supporting this wonderful non-profit.
Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments.
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