Nonsmoking Dating in Brooklyn, NY

Dating in New York

The Best Places to Take a Date

In a city as vast as New York, finding the best places to impress a date can be a daunting task. There are so many choices, and if you already have your own favorite spots as most New Yorkers do, then more power to you. However, if you're looking to venture to somewhere new, there's no need to sweat it because we've compiled a list of several "can't miss" dating ideas that are as dependable as the Yankees making the post season.

There are countless NYC restaurants for singles, but here are a few that provide a romantic vibe, delicious food, generally good service and do all of the above at a price that won't drain your entire bank account.

We'll start with Piadina – an Italian eatery in Greenwich Village that boasts homemade pasta and made-from-scratch sauces. The friendly wait staff goes a long way towards making sure that your date is adequately romantic. Piadina also features delectable deserts and a stellar wine list.

Feeling like something with a little spice to peak your dating life? Try some Mexican food with a view at Alma. New Yorkers with a craving for delicious tastes south of the border have made Alma a Brooklyn dating hot spot. While the fiery meals are delicious, you can follow them up with an equally hot stint at the always happening singles bar. Of course, the whole scene is cranked up on the romantic meter by the personal rooftop view of the NY skyline.

After you're finished with a meal at one of the restaurants above, you've got countless options when it comes to getting an after-dinner drink at a hoppin' singles bar. This is NYC after all. To help you narrow it down though, we've got a couple of bar recommendations that are sure to fit the bill for a nightcap.

New York dating is nothing without The Rusty Knot. It gives patrons a lively atmosphere with enough nautical kitsch to shiver anyone's timbers. This West Village maritime favorite is a casual, entertaining spot for all New York singles for an after dinner drink or few.

If you're looking for a cool place with a friendly, neighborhood feel – not a bad thing when trying to keep things light and casual on a first date – Huckleberry Bar may be just what you're looking for. There is often a good dating crowd here, but with several seating areas and a garden out back, you have plenty of options to get away from the noise of the bar. A favorite of Williamsburg, many from outside the area also frequent this charming spot.

NYC Singles – Off the Beaten Path

Eating and drinking are NYC dating classics, but there are also many outdoor adventures just waiting to be had in New York. While it may seem cliché, The Central Park Zoo offers a classic place to take a first date. The pretty views and entertaining furry residents offer great conversation starters for outdoor enthusiasts and animal lovers alike.

During the summer months, there are dozens of free outdoor concerts around the Big Apple, perfect for singles, including the FREE Lincoln Center Out of Doors concert series, which runs from July through August.

Feeling even more daring and want to mix fun with physical fitness? Check out Brooklyn Boulders, a rock climbing gym that features 18,000 square feet of climbing walls that range from advanced to novice.

We hope you use these date idea starters to help spark a highly successful date. And who knows, maybe one of these first date spots could become the place that you and your match look back a few years from now and fondly reminisce about.

*Among an online panel of people who used online dating in the past 5 years.