New York City is a magical place. Primarily known for its skyscrapers, bustling crowds, and abundant nightlife, New York is also perfect for couples. Whether you’ve got a case of puppy-love or your love is full-grown, date night in NYC has something for you.
With so many options to choose from, it can be laborious trying to arrange the perfect night out for you and that special someone. To help alleviate this burden, I’ve compiled a list of amazing locations that everyone should try.
7) Brooklyn Bowl
Brooklyn Bowl is a staple of the Williamsburg nightlife scene. It is the perfect combination of old-school fun with a new-school party atmosphere.
More than your run-of-the-mill bowling alley, Brooklyn Bowl also hosts world-renown guest DJs, concerts, private parties, and even weddings. Equipped with 16 bowling lanes, 14 big-screen TVs, 2 bars, and a massive dancefloor, there is always something to do while you’re at Brooklyn Bowl.
The cost of entry changes based on the event taking place, so it’s worth checking out the events calendar on the Brooklyn Bowl website before you go. There is also a surprisingly diverse menu of food options that include gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options. The food can be a bit on the expensive side, but if you’re starving, at least you won’t have to leave to find something to eat.
6) 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar
Once one of the best kept secrets in the city, 230 Fifth is a rooftop bar and garden that is notorious for its breathtaking views. The rooftop offers an unimpeded view of the empire state building that is a must-see for all selfie-addicts. There’s also an indoor lounge area with comfy seating options if you tire of the crowd outside.
230 Fifth focuses on maintaining a chic and sophisticated atmosphere, so there is a strict dress code requirement in the evening, especially on weekends. One of the cooler features of 230 Fifth is the Igloo bar. You can share an igloo with 11 other people (friends or strangers) and imbibe hot drinks while you enjoy majestic views of the city.
Everything has a downside, and 230 Fifth’s primary negative is that it’s expensive. You can expect to pay a minimum of $14 for a cocktail and $9 for a beer. There is also a decent food menu that can be pricey as well, so you had better choose wisely.
The main attractions at 230 Fifth are the view and the Instagram-inflating selfie opportunities. I recommend going early in the week because the weekends here can be crowded. If you go on the right day, 230 Fifth can be the setting for the perfect date.
5) Bembe
Located in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, Bembe is a cozy dance club that offers one of the best musical selections in the city. On any given night, you can hear reggae, dancehall, afrobeat, hip-hop, salsa, soca, merengue, and a plethora of other musical genres.
Bembe’s DJs will take you on a world tour as you dance the night away. While you’re getting your musical passport stamped, you can also enjoy moderately priced drinks. The crowd is very friendly, and everyone there simply wants to dance.
The one knock on Bembe is the size of the interior, but that depends on if you’re a glass-half-empty or a glass-half-full type of person. The spacing is intimate, and you’ll get to know a lot of new people before the night is over. If you’re there on a date, you’ll be much more familiar with each other by night’s end.
Bembe is an excellent place to go for date night and to show off your moves on the dancefloor. The beat of the drum will hypnotize you, and you’ll have the time of your life.
4) Victor’s Cafe
This Cuban-themed restaurant is located in the theater district and has some of the best food in the city. While the food menu is extensive and caters to all budgets, the specialized cocktails can be a bit expensive, but they’re worth it! The food is excellent, and the drinks are like a shot of life.
Victor’s Cafe opens from 12 pm to 11 pm. Regardless of the time of day, you’re sure to feel the Caribbean vibe. The music is upbeat, the d?cor is vibrant, and the walls are covered with funky art pieces. You can also visit the Cuba lounge if you?re in the mood for live music and dancing.
If you’re looking for a fun date night that doesn’t have to last until the early morning, you should visit Victor’s Cafe. You’ll have a good drink, great food, and enjoy a mesmerizing atmosphere.
3) Groove NYC
One of the more underrated bars in the city, Groove NYC is a soul, funk, and r&b bar located in Greenwich Village. Groove offers live music every night of the week and maintains a rotating roster of house bands and musicians.
The best night to attend a session at Groove is Friday. The main house band, The Black Soul Experience, delivers an explosive performance that will set the tone for your weekend. They often go into the audience to jam with the clients and will pull volunteers onstage to belt out a tune with the band.
Groove NYC offers a limited food and drink menu that won’t break the bank if you pace yourself. The cover charge varies by event and the day of the week, but you can generally expect to pay a $10 entry fee on Fridays.
Evenings at the Groove are perfect for any date night. Whether you want to dance like nobody is watching, or you want to sit and enjoy a musical masterpiece, Groove has you covered.
2) Fat Cat NYC
Fat Cat NYC is easily the most unique place on this list. In addition to offering live jazz, Fat Cat also has billiards, shuffleboard, ping pong, foosball, checkers, chess, and a variety of other table games. It is one of the best-equipped gaming center/bars in the city.
The live music sets usually begin between 6 and 7 pm and continue into the wee hours of the night. The music is great, but the main event at Fat Cat is the gaming selection. You can enjoy an evening out with your inner-child and play all the games from your youth. If you can think of a game, there’s a good chance that Fat Cat has it in stock.
Fat Cat’s prices are very reasonable. They charge per player and per hour like any traditional poolhall. In addition to great games, a fun atmosphere, and cheap drinks, you can also bring your food to this accommodating establishment. That’s practically unheard of in New York City!
1) Madame X
Billing itself as the “Sexiest Bar in New York City,” Madame X lives up to the title. Featuring nude artwork, love seats, and dim red lighting throughout much of the venue, Madame X’s interior will summon your carnal-desires to the surface and make them the centerpiece of the evening.
On certain nights, Madame X features burlesque shows, astrologists, magicians, and comedians. There’s also a striptease class for ladies.
Most cocktails and mocktails at Madame X cost between $10 and $14 – much below the average price point of bars in Manhattan. Now you have another reason to love this place. You can’t do much better than Madame X if your goal is romance or raw sexual tension.
New York has an extremely diverse catalog of nightlife. No matter what you’re in the mood for, NYC has your back. If you’re looking for even more date night inspiration, datingsidekick.com has a great list of 24 date night ideas that should give you the boost you need.
Do you know of any fun date night spots that should be added to this list? Tell us about them in the comments section. Remember, sharing is caring.
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