5 Great Date Spots in New York City

Meeting someone for the first time and picking the perfect date spot can make even the most confident of us very nervous.  The nerve wracking decision always feels like it comes with the weight of first impressions, personal style, experience and preferences, and even status. We all feel like a lot rides on picking that one first date spot!

Through our work as Matchmakers, we have a passion for exploring the city for the perfect venues for all sorts of occasions. Here are my 5 favorites date spots in New York City.

Jadis – Lower East Side

With low lighting, comfortable couches, and an extensive and diverse wine list, this place is the perfect balance of cozy and romantic. Not to mention, they offer a variety of well-curated charcutier boards. This is a great place to get to know each other over shared nibbles and wine.

Holiday Cocktail Lounge – East Village

This long-time East Village dive was given a facelift back in 2015 but still retains enough of the bar’s original charm and atmosphere to keep those who knew it back in the day very happy. This hip bar offers tempting drink specials as well as a modern take on some classic cocktails. If you get hungry while sipping your libations, a mixed bag of bar bites is available, including burgers, disco fries and wings.

Maison Premiere – Williamsburg 

After temporarily closing its doors for a year, this Paris-inspired “Oyster House and Cocktail Den” is finally back open. If you’re looking for a lively atmosphere to eat oysters and sip craft cocktails with a date, there’s no place in Brooklyn I’d recommend over Maison Premiere.  

The Immigrant – East Village

This intimate wine bar situated in the heart of the East Village has a well-rounded selection of wine and beer. There are many tables great for couples, like the two-top tucked away in the back which offers ample privacy or the corner tables by the bar. 

Little Branch – West Village

Little Branch is one of New York City’s first classic speakeasy bars and after all these years it’s still one of the best. The original cocktails are masterfully crafted by the mixologists behind the bar. Lively music is played by a jazz band tucked away in the corner complimenting but not dominating the ambiance. If the date’s going well and you feel like dancing, the clubs in the Meat Packing District are just a stone’s throw away.