East Village First Date Ideas

This neighborhood used to belong to druggies, pimps and prostitutes (true story, my uncle lived on the 3rd floor of 529 E 13th St and the local cocaine kingpin was a puerto-rican grandmother who lived on the floor below him, lead to a guys throat being slit right outside the apartment). Today however, that's all been replaced by NYU gender theory majors exploring their bisexuality while walking to class wearing white sox and bass weejun loafers. Still fun spots that appeal to the young NYC crowd, managing to survive on a pitiful $3k/mo from their trust fund + a few hostess shifts.

Be wary soldier, it's a first date

Casual first drink 🍸

Ten Degrees: Website

Address: 121 St Marks Pl

Happy Hour: No HH

Expected Check: $50-70 (2 drinks each)

Reservations: Not necessary

Move to light bites? 🥟

Yuca Bar: Website

Address: 111 Avenue A

Happy Hour: Daily 1-8pm

Expected Check: $70-90 (1 drink/pp + apps)

Reservations: OpenTable

Ditch 'n Drink 🍺

Sophie's Bar: Website

Address: 507 E 5th St

Happy Hour: No HH

Expected Check: $40-60 (2-3 drinks each)

Reservations: Not necessary

📍 Venue Locations & Walking Directions

Hinge match out of my league, step it up

Fancy dinner 🍽️

Buenos Aires: Website

Address: 513 E 6th St

Happy Hour: No HH

Expected Check: $120-180 (dinner + drinks)

Reservations: Recommended - Resy

Seal the Deal

Lovers of Today: Website

Address: 132 1/2 E 7th St

Happy Hour: No HH

Expected Check: $100-150 (dinner + drinks)

Reservations: Recommended - Resy

📍 Venue Locations & Walking Directions

🔮 East Village date vibes

Cool without the crowd. Walkable, low-pressure, with backup options everywhere. If she's into dive bars and good vibes, she'll love it here. Ten Degrees and Yuca Bar keep it casual, Lovers of Today separates the cool from the basic.

💸 How much will this neighborhood set me back?

Definitely one of the cheaper neighborhoods to have a fun night out. Plenty of happy hours, cheap eats, and great flavors. If you start with either a Ten Bells or Yuca for HH, you can get out with a $60 tab. Follow it up with dinner at a taco stand like Zaragoza Mexican on Ave A, and you're in/out for less than $100. Even if you do a sit down, you're still not breaking $150 unless you go crazy.

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