Where Hopeless Romantics Dine and Play in NYC

If the night calls for you and a little scandal, you're lucky to be in New York.

Credit: Delmonico's

Just a stroll down any given sidewalk feels like a scene from a movie, so imagine having access to the city's finest hospitality, where old Hollywood glamour happens within the most sophisticated streets in the country. If you're a hopeless romantic like us, then you understand the need for life to be an adventure and for love to be savored through food and drink.

East End Taste brings you our curated guide to the best date night ideas, whether it's with the love of your life or someone you met yesterday. After all, the best way to set yourself up for success is to set the scene.

Fall in Love at The Flatiron Room with a Side of Caviar

Credit: The Flatiron Room

A twin flame deserves a bold introduction to glamour. We're talking live jazz, an exceptional alcohol menu, Michelin-approved cuisine, and décor straight out of a 1920s speakeasy. Stepping into the Flatiron Room transports you to a vintage side of New York that so many people grew up dreaming about. Whether you're traveling with a potential soulmate or your lifelong best friend, this is the kind of place that reminds you the possibilities of New York are even better than any fairy tale.

Stay Walking Distance to all the Clubs at Moxy Chelsea

Credit: Moxy Chelsea

The thing about partying in New York is that it's effortless to feel like you're at the center of the world's nightlife. Chelsea is the neighborhood to stay if you’re chasing an iconic stay near the once-famous club district having a renaissance, and the Moxy is a brand notorious for sophisticated fun, including hosting some of the most talked-about regular parties. Don’t worry, the rooms are made to feel like a sanctuary, even if there’s patrons eating and dancing a few floors away. 

Plan a High Ambience Casual Date at WarrenPeace

Credit: WarrenPeace

Listen, no traveler who truly identifies as a hopeless romantic can go through life without at least one date night in the city that never sleeps. It's a rite of passage. Singles have lost the plot with how inhibited we've become about dating. Once upon a time, people agreed to go out based on a first impression alone and used the date to discover whether there was any chemistry. So instead of investigating your potential date like the Gestapo, invite them for wine and bites at WarrenPeace, a restaurant that makes dining feel effortlessly intimate. And yum!

Enjoy a Matinee Lunch at Lolita’s then Hit Broadway 

Credit: Lolita's

Hopeless romantics don't believe classics can ever be clichés. A Broadway show is a date that never goes out of style. Choose a play based on the conversations you want to have afterward, and let the magic of live theater whisk you both away to another world with the country’s finest theatrical production. An expert tip is to enjoy an early dinner before the show. We chose Lolita's, which was already buzzing with the Happy Hour crowd on a Thursday. It was the perfect place to set the tone for an unforgettable evening. We loved the fusion of American and Mexican flavors, along with the playful animal-print furnishings that gave the space so much personality.

Become Your Alter Ego at The Parlour 

Credit: The Parlour 

1920s glamour is calling, and it wants you to be your boldest self for the evening. There's something scandalous about New York's old-school hotels, and The Parlour is the perfect setting for a romantic affair. Its menu offers a monthly culinary journey through the decades, with each month spotlighting a distinct era, beginning in the 1920s and progressing chronologically to the present day. Although New York feels like the center of the world, in a setting like this, it's just you and your betrothed.

Savor the Origins of Fine Dining - and Steak - at Delmonico’s

Credit: Delmonico’s

If you’re seeking a steak to fall in love with, Delmonico’s will serve you happily ever after with its 18-ounce rib-eye, a dish it has been serving since 1850. Though its menu has evolved over more than 200 years, the restaurant has maintained its place in New York’s fine dining scene as one of the city’s finest.

Have a Power Breakfast at The Regency Bar & Grill

Credit: The Regency Bar & Grill

The Regency Bar & Grill is known as the hotspot where the city’s most successful crowd gathers for breakfast. It sounds like the perfect place for singles looking to mingle in the early morning hours. What better aphrodisiac is there than a man in a suit?