Unique date ideas in NYC

Your body becomes the canvas in this sensual workshop at DenArt, a black light body painting studio in Brooklyn. Use brushes and UV body paint to create glowing designs all over your partner’s face, hands, arms, legs and elsewhere. Though DenArt allows you to go topless, there’s no need to disrobe. Still, it’s probably better to save the body painting date until after you’re comfortable with one another. 

A little-known gem situated just across the bay in Staten Island, this regional arts center used to be a home for retired sailors. Today, the 83-acre plot of land boasts several contemporary art galleries and expansive gardens. Stroll through the popular Chinese Scholar’s Garden, complete with a koi pond, flowing waterfalls and eight splendid pavilions.

What's more romantic than making breakfast in bed for your sweetie? Being able to make an authentic NYC-style bagel for your breakfast in bed menu, that's what! 

You'll leave this class with a warm bag full of bagels, a few tidbits of baking history and the knowledge of how this NYC staple gets made. During the class, learn how to shape mounds of premade dough into glorious bagels. 

NYC Bagel Tours is part of BagelUp, an organization dedicated to uplifting the culture and history behind New York's iconic bagel.

If you pride yourself on your exquisite taste in coffee, you’ll want to sign up for a cupping workshop at Joe Coffee. Discover the step-by-step procedure that the pros use to evaluate the aroma, flavor and mouthfeel of freshly roasted beans and see how much your palate can detect. Think of it as wine tasting for caffeine fiends—and a chance to show off your refined palate to your date.

The class costs $40, but being able to be a true coffee snob is priceless.

As if Eataly weren’t already the temple of all things delicious and Italian, you can also learn to cook pasta, pizza and more at the Flatiron location. Bring someone special for a hands-on lesson in Italian cuisine. A resident chef will demonstrate how to prepare dishes and a sommelier will walk you through the accompanying wine pairings.

The team behind SPIN—including co-owner Susan Sarandon—knows that the only thing that more fun than ping pong is tipsy ping pong. This bar combines Olympic-sized tables with a diverse selection of domestic and imported beers. It has all the makings of a guaranteed good time, whether or not you’re any good at the sport.

Marie’s isn’t just any dive bar. This West Village institution centers around a pianist playing show tunes, and singing along isn’t just encouraged—it’s pretty much required.

Don’t even try to request Taylor Swift—this isn’t your average karaoke night. You’ll see aspiring Broadway stars, neighborhood fixtures and people from all walks of life belting out classics like “Memory” and “All That Jazz.”

Meeting for happy hour at your local watering hole is fine for a first date, but overachievers who aren’t content with being just fine might want to opt for a more adventurous drinks date—like sipping craft whiskey straight from the source. For the cost of one trendy cocktail, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at Kings County Distillery, learn how whiskey is made and taste three locally produced spirits. We’ll raise a glass to that.

Games like Settlers of Catan, Cards Against Humanity and Ticket to Ride have grown in popularity over the last dozen years, taking over tables across the U.S. and becoming the central draw for many new cafes, especially here in New York City.

These modern games are no Monopoly or Clue. They run the gamut from games about fighting zombies and uncovering spies to planting flowers or designing an art gallery. They’re essentially a creative way to tell a story using strategic decisions and skill

Use our guide to find awesome board game cafes and shops you can play at in NYC.

Founded by Russian expats, the Russian Tea Room was a high society hangout for much of the twentieth century. Dining there feels like going back in time—the glitzy gilded interior hasn’t changed since the ‘20s. For the full experience, sit down for a three-course lunch of borscht, chicken kiev and other classics.