Best NYC Date Ideas: New York City Date Night, Drinks & More

New York Fun, Creative Date Ideas + Things To Do: NYC & Brooklyn First Dates, Romantic Date Nights, Coffee Shops, Bars, NYC Date Ideas, Rooftop Views & Winter Dates

New York is one of my favorite cities. There is always so much to do ans always so little time. What’s great about it is that much of it can be explored and experienced on almost any budget if you are curious, creative, timely and resourceful. 

Whether it’s fine dining, cheap eats, happy hours, first dates, outdoor walks, majestic views or quirky local flavor, NYC has plenty to offer for locals and tourists alike year round. Additional inspiration here.

Below is a sample of some of my favorite places to enjoy the city from UWS down to Lower Manhattan and over onto to Red Hook, DUMBO, Brooklyn and Williamsburg and beyond! Fun date ideas NYC.

Related read: Online Dating First Date Tips

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Clients of mine get the latest updates to this list along with tips for timing, specific recommendations and more!

Date Ideas NYC, Brooklyn Date Ideas: Fun Date Ideas, Date Nights & More in New York City, Lower Manhattan Date Ideas

Dating in New York can be fun, exciting but challenging as well if you are looking to settle down.

Below are a sample of my favorite spots around NYC for dates, meeting singles, seasonal activities and more. Whether it’s first date ideas, romantic dinner date night restaurants, fun walks around town or grabbing a drink, check out a few of my favorite spots below.

For some of my favorite places to visit, photograph when I am in town, check out this guide.

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Brooklyn Date Ideas, Fun Things To Do In Brooklyn, Date Night Ideas | Date Ideas Brooklyn

Roberta’s Pizza, Brooklyn

Amazing pizza, versatile space with communal seats, bar seats and patio seats. Excellent craft beer on tap and cans as well as a great wine and cocktail list to pair with your food. One of my favorite date night restaurants in the city.

http://www.robertaspizza.com/

Bushwick Collective Self Guiding Walk

Amazing murals, street art in one of the most famous artist districts in the United States. Most top street artists have graced the walls of one of the buildings here at some point in their career.

https://freetoursbyfoot.com/bushwick-graffiti-bushwick-collective/

Brooklyn Bridge Walk

It’s always a great way to experience sunset or an early morning walk. Avoid crowds and go off-season or mid-week.

https://www1.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/infrastructure/brooklyn-bridge.shtml

DUMBO

One of my favorite neighborhoods for walking, street art, views, rooftops, pizza and more.

Westlight, William Vale, Williamsburg

Spacious, wide views of the city. Nothing quite like it.

https://www.thewilliamvale.com/dining/westlight/

Brooklyn Heights Promenade

This is one of my favorite walks in the city. It has picturesque views but it can be a bit crowded during peak tourist season.

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Bryant Park Date Idea

A great park in the middle of the city, always something going on. Movie nights, salsa dancing, markets and more. Check out the calendar of events to plan your next date. In the winter, be sure to check out the skating rink and holidays bazaar shops!

https://bryantpark.org/

Bemelman’s Bar, Rosewood Hotel, Upper East Side

There is nothing quite like the dark, intimate feel of hotel bars. Great for people watching and great for escaping crowded loud bars. Great place to sneak into after a stroll in the winter evenings.

https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/the-carlyle-new-york/dining/bemelmans-bar

Jane Hotel Ballroom Lobby, West Village

Check ahead because this place has weird hours but beautiful spacious area.

https://gothamist.com/food/jane-hotel-opens-lobby-bar

Central Park Date Ideas

There is nothing quite like Central Park but having a specific game plan and itinerary makes it better. Check out the calendar of events, time it right with fresh snow or color change in the leaves.

Grab a Coffee at St. Ambrose in the UES for a pick-me up at the standing counter. Highlights include skating rinks, Belvedere Castle, Miniature Boats, Alice in Wonderland Sculptures, The Mall, Bethesda Terrace, Horse & Carriage Tour, View from the Met and more.

https://www.centralparknyc.org/

Refinery Rooftop Hotel Bar

One of the few rooftops open year-round. This place has decent views but the covered area with exposed brick is quite nice here.

https://www.refineryhotelnewyork.com/dine-and-drink/refinery-rooftop/

Highline

It’s always a great way to walk, sunbathe, have a drink, listen to music, snack along and more. Check out the calendar of events.

https://www.thehighline.org/

Le Bain Rooftop Bar

One of my favorite rooftops where you can actually sit down and soak in the rays.

https://www.standardhotels.com/new-york/features/le-bain

Jimmy at Jane Hotel Rooftop Bar

Love the views of SOHO and Lower Manhattan. Quite the perspective that other rooftops lack.

http://www.jimmysoho.com/

Shakespeare in the Park

A charming way to spend an evening experiencing some of the best that NYC has to offer. If you get lucky, you might catch a celebrity or two in the show.

https://publictheater.org/programs/shakespeare-in-the-park/

Bin71 Wine Bar, UWS

My old neighborhood Upper West Side wine bar. Nothing pretentious just a favorite haunt of mine, cozy, limited outdoor seats and intimate environment.

http://bin71.com/

Chelsea to SOHO Architecture Walk (my customized walking tour)

There are numerous streets, alleys, street art and architecture along this walk between neighborhoods. One of the best bang for the buck walks in the city.

Vin Sur Vingt Wine & Cheese Bar, West Village

Given that I am not the biggest wine fan, this place gets me. Cozy, intimate place, amazing cheese selection. 

http://vsvwinebars.com/

Roosevelt Tram Ride, Roosevelt Island

Amazing views of the city from up above. Get a unique view that few New Yorker’s get to experience.

https://rioc.ny.gov/302/Tram

Roxy Hotel Lobby, Tribeca

One of my favorite hotel lobbies in the city. Retro vibe, comfortable seats – what’s not to like?

https://www.roxyhotelnyc.com/dining/roxy-bar/

Chelsea Market

Snack along the market and head over to the Highline for a nice walk in the day or evening. Check the calendar of events for pop-ups, concerts and more.

https://www.chelseamarket.com/

Bowery Hotel, Lower East Side

Lobby bars in NYC are what makes winters bearable.

https://www.theboweryhotel.com/

The Roof, PUBLIC Rooftop Bar

Excellent 360 degree views, hard to beat views of Manhattan from this part of town.

https://www.publichotels.com/eat-and-drink/the-roof

Kobrick Coffee, West Village

Kyoto Coffee Negronis? Yes please! Aside from the espresso martini made with rum liqueur, this is my favorite drink.

https://www.kobricks.com/

Ace Hotel Lobby Bar, Flatiron 

Love this hotel, Stumptown Coffee bar and cocktails in a casual lobby. What’s not to like?

https://www.acehotel.com/newyork/

Frick Collection, Upper East Side

Overlooked museum relative to the bigger ones. Not to miss.

https://www.frick.org/

Staten Island Ferry

Free ferry, leaves about every 25-30 minutes (check schedule for exact times). Amazing views of Lower Manhattan.

https://www.siferry.com/

Gantry Plaza State Park

One of those parks with a majestic view of the Manhattan skyline but without the crowds and tourists of DUMBO.

https://www.timeout.com/newyork/attractions/gantry-plaza-state-park

Via Quadronno, Upper East Side

This quaint cafe is great for grabbing a bite, sitting at the bar grabbing an espresso or grabbing a coffee and sitting on the bench for people watching. I use to trek across the park from the UWS to get my coffee fix here.

https://www.viaquadronno.com/

Fun Date Ideas NYC Summer, NYC Summer Date Ideas, NYC Date Ideas Summer

Bryant Park Summer Concerts

Movie Night Brooklyn Bridge Park

Highline Summer Concert Series

Bryant Park Movie Night

Fall Date Ideas NYC, Fun Fall Date Ideas New York City

The Mall (Literary Walk), Central Park

Museum Exhibits (many new ones launch in the fall)

Jimmy at the Jane Hotel, rooftop w/ fireplaces

Catch a Broadway show

NYC Date Ideas Winter

Carriage ride Central Park

Ice Skating Bryant Park

Roasted chestnuts while strolling NYC by foot

TWA Hotel Rooftop Jacuzzi

NYC Botanical Garden 

Date Night Restaurants In New York

Sushi Lab Rooftop NYC

Amelie

City Vineyward

Attaboy

Ammazzacaffe

Please Don’t Tell

Valerie

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Best Date Spots in NYC According To An OkCupid/Yelp Study, First Date Ideas NYC, New York Date Spots, New York Date Ideas

Best Morning After Brunch: Sweet Chick

No-Judgement Makeout Spots: House of Yes

Fitness & Wellness Dates: Chelsea Piers

Best Hotel Bars: Standard Beer Garden

Cheap Eats: Ramen-Ya

Photo Friendly Spots: Mother of Pearl

Spots that Spark Conversation: Museum of the Moving Image

Spots Where Drinks Could Turn Into Dinner: The Happiest Hour

Best Themed Bars: Otto’s Shrunken Head

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MOMA – Fridays evenings

Frick Collection – First Fridays (most months)

The Met – donation based

Street Art Self-Guided Tour, Bushwick

Highline Stroll

Walk Along Battery Park

DUMBO Stroll

Free Salsa Dancing – During the summer, various locations, outdoors

Summerstage NYC Concerts

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