The East Village has no shortage of watering holes, whether you’re looking to grab a post-work drink or party the night away. Picking the right spot for a date, however, comes with a little added pressure. You want the right vibes, the right libations, and the right way to let the object of your affection know you’re cool without trying too hard. Luckily, we’re here to help with some of our favorite spots to bring a date, depending on what you’re into.
- The Immigrant (Wine Bar)
The Immigrant is a great pick for oenophiles looking to canoodle in an intimate space with chill vibes. The wine list offers a variety of reasonably priced pours, including some solid orange options, alongside a short list of beers and mostly classic cocktails. Order by the glass or split a bottle with that special someone and linger awhile over light bites like olives, hummus, or a charcuterie plate.
- Please Don't Tell (Speakeasy Bar)
Speakeasies have somewhat lost their intrigue – when everyone knows about them, they’re kind of just, well, a bar – but Please Don’t Tell is among our favorites. “Hidden” behind a phone booth in the back of East Village hot dog joint Crif Dogs (definitely plan to grab a deep-fried dog on your way out), Please Don’t Tell boasts a James-Beard-Award-winning cocktail menu, which makes it worth a visit for more than just its offbeat location. Plus, you’ll score major cool points if you bring a date who’s new to the city and hasn’t yet become jaded to the concept.
- Doc Holliday's (Dive Bar)
The handwritten signs taped around the bar with admonishments reading “GET OFF YER PHONE” and “CASH IS KING” should be your first hint that Doc’s is a no-nonsense, no-frills, no-bs establishment. In other words, the perfect dive. Take a date who appreciates the not-so-fine things in life for cheap beers and a game of pool or Big Buck Hunter. As all good dives should, Doc’s also has a juke box (don’t be surprised if you get a little good-humored ribbing if the crowd doesn’t like your pick).
- Upstate Craft Beer & Oyster Bar (Oyster Bar)
That oysters act as an aphrodisiac might be a myth, but couldn’t hurt, right? Test the theory at Upstate Craft Beer & Oyster bar, where their selection of fresh East and West Coast varieties changes daily. Oysters aren’t the only draw here; their menu of well-executed dishes include locally-sourced ingredients and – like the rich, shareable fettuccini with clams – are more than worth a sample. Their craft beer selection, as the name suggests, is similarly impressive. (Note that they’re closed on Mondays – aw shucks.)
- Thursday Kitchen (Instagram Friendly Bar)
Thursday Kitchen is a lively spot serving up Korean-inspired (think: kimchi paella) small plates in a laid-back, convivial room. The menu is eclectic and tasty, and with most plates priced around $12, you and your date can feel free to sample a few. The gimmicky but undeniably fun lure is their glowing Capri Sun-style drink pouches (the illumination comes from colorful, light-up ice cubes), which make for a fun photo op for the ‘Gram – and an easy conversation starter.
- Death & Co (Cocktail Bar)
Death & Co is an East Village institution for serious cocktail drinkers who don’t mind shelling out the big bucks (most run between $19-$22 and the priciest will set you back as much as $40) for small but expertly crafted cocktails. The bartenders serve old-school barmen vibes in bow ties and suspenders and, sure, it can all feel a tad pretentious, but the drinks make up for the pomp and circumstance. There’s a reason Death & Co has racked up so many bar program awards over the years.
- Burp Castle (Beer Bar)
Don’t be put off by the silly name, Burp Castle is actually a very serious beer bar. The monastery-themed pub (they take the theme seriously, too) serves as a cozy spot – all dim lighting and dark wood paneling – to spend an evening with a love interest and an extensive list of bottles and drafts (most of Belgian and German origin). May of the heady brews here pack a punch at upwards of 9% alcohol content, so you’ll want to sip, not slug – especially if it’s a first date.
Written by Alexandra Cavallo