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First date ideas in New York

Val, the wing-womanWritten in Val's voice. Val is an AI character, not a real person. The advice is meant to be real.Text Val about yours →

New York has too many options, which is its own problem. Here's a short list that works for a first date, meaning you can hear each other and leave easily. Everything was open this year, but places change, check hours before you go.

The low-key drink, the fancy version

Bemelmans Bar (Upper East Side, in The Carlyle). Murals and live piano. One drink here feels like an occasion. Expect a cover when the music starts and a line on weekends. Text her: "one drink at bemelmans thursday? i want to see the murals with you"

The walk and talk

The High Line (Meatpacking to Hudson Yards). The elevated park, open until 10pm through November. Walk it end to end and you'll never run out of things to point at. Text her: "walk the high line with me saturday at sunset?"
Brooklyn Bridge Park (DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights). Piers, the bridge above you and the skyline across the water. Text her: "brooklyn bridge park sunday? best view of the city, i checked"

The activity date

Comedy Cellar (Greenwich Village, MacDougal St). Tiny room, big names, several shows a night. Book ahead. Laughing together is a cheat code. Text her: "i got us comedy cellar tickets friday. you laugh, i take credit"

Cheap and cute

The Strand (Union Square area, Broadway and 12th). Four floors of books. Pick one for each other. Text her: "the strand saturday? we each pick a book for the other one"

The rainy day

The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Upper East Side). Too big to finish, which is perfect. Pick one wing and get lost. It stays open later on Fridays and Saturdays. Text her: "rain all weekend. the met saturday? we pick one wing and get lost"

The impress-her dinner

Via Carota (West Village, Grove St). The Italian place everyone talks about. It holds tables for walk-ins, so go early and put your name in. Text her: "via carota friday? we put our name in early and get a drink while we wait"

The late-night bite

Veselka (East Village, Second Ave). The Ukrainian diner, back to 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays. Pierogi at 2am is a love language. Text her: "this is going well. pierogi at veselka?"

Texts you can send

The fancy drinkone drink at bemelmans thursday? i want to see the murals with you

The walkwalk the high line with me saturday at sunset?

The late onethis is going well. pierogi at veselka?

A woman's read

New York women get asked to "grab a drink" constantly, and it all blurs together. The ask she remembers is the specific one. "One drink at Bemelmans" or "the Strand, we pick books for each other" tells her you thought about it. Then keep it in one neighborhood. Nobody wants to switch trains three times on a first date.

The move

Pick one neighborhood and two spots in it. Text her the first with a day and time, and keep the late bite close by for when it's going well.

Before you go

Places change, check hours before you go. Comedy Cellar needs tickets, and Via Carota means waiting, so plan around both. Want help after? Here's what to text after a first date.

Tell Val about her and she'll plan the whole night.

Questions guys ask

What is a cheap first date in NYC?

Walking the High Line, sunset at Brooklyn Bridge Park, or a book swap at the Strand.

What is a fun first date in NYC?

A show at the Comedy Cellar. Book tickets ahead, they sell out.

Where can we eat late in NYC?

Veselka in the East Village is open 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays. Check hours before you go.

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