Dating in the city can be hard for a variety of reasons, but with the fall season starting (aka cuffing season) the amount of people you’ll see on dates around town will definitely ramp up. With that said, if you’re one of those people going on dates first of all, congrats! Second, you’ll need some ideas for activities to do that are a bit more fun than just grabbing a drink at a bar or getting dinner. Spice it up with some cooking classes or slow it down with a comedy show. Here are some of the best date ideas around NYC.
Comedy Show: The Standing Room or Comedy Cellar
For a fun low key night full of laughs a comedy show makes for a great date night. You’ll also find out if your date has a similar humor to you. We recommend The Standing Room in Long Island City or the popular city hot spot for comedians, Comedy Cellar.
Mr. Jones Supper Club
This is likely one of the coolest dining experiences in NYC, and it takes place in a small West Village apartment. Open twice a month with only 8 seats at the table, you’ll have to enter a lottery in advance to try your luck eating here. The intimate meal is prepared by chef Vincent Woo and nothing says bonding experience like sitting at a table with 6 other strangers. If you don’t want to take your chances at a lottery, check out eatwith.com for other intimate and unique dining experiences in peoples’ homes around NYC.
Fat Cat
If you are you going the bar route regardless, consider going to a fun and creative spot like Fat Cat. Here you’ll be able to play foosball or ping pong and listen to all kinds of live music underground. It definitely takes the awkwardness out of a first date. If you want to take the gaming to the next level consider a barcade instead. (There are plenty around the city you can find with a quick search.)
Art Studio NY
Feeling artsy? Bring some wine to this studio on Saturday night for their Saturday Date Night program where you’ll test your skills as a watercoloring or oil-painting. While there are plenty of other “paint and sip” programs around the city, this is our favorite.
Sur la Table
Add a little zest to your date plans and take a cooking class at Sur la Table. If you don’t know how to cook and would like to learn, perfect. If you do know how to cook and just want to learn a new recipe with your date, also perfect. They offer a schedule with a range of cuisines that will work for any taste palate.
Bowling
It’s a classic, and still just as fun of an activity to do with a partner. One of our favorite spots is Frames in Midtown West. They also have billiards lounge and a dance club to keep the date going even once you’re tired of playing the lanes.
Feature image source [Facebook/Frames Bowling]