Like This? Try That: 5 Alternatives to Trendy NYC Dates

When people discover something they love, it’s easy to fall into a comfort zone. This is true both of relationships between two people and in regards to people’s ‘relationships’ with places and activities. There are so many great things in New York that become loved by the majority of the city: Who doesn’t have one of those beaked Phantom of the Opera-esque masks from Sleep No More hanging in their bedroom? Cupcake shops line each street corner to feed the insatiable craving New Yorkers have for the sweet treat, and chances are, you’ve been on a date to Eataly at one point or another. It’s easy to blind yourself to the other options available, sticking to tried and true faves, but exploring similar alternatives with a twist can shake up your routine every once in a while. (And as we already know, shaking up your routine is a great way to keep your relationship alive.)

5 NYC Date Alternatives to Try

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If you loved Sleep No More....

try Then She Fell

Give Shakespeare a little rest and instead fall into the rabbit hole that is the Lewis Carroll world. This immersive experience in a former outpatient hospital in Greenpoint, BK takes its audience through the halls and rooms of Lewis Carroll’s mind. If you’ve ever wanted to live your own Alice in Wonderland-like adventure, here’s your chance... including “us[ing] skeleton keys to gain access to guarded secrets; and imbib[ing] elixirs custom designed by one of NYC’s foremost mixologists.”

Tickets currently available through May, but book them well in advance in order to secure a spot.

(Now - May 2013)
If you’re a fan of ice cream dates...

try PopBar

Ditch that cone or little spoon and go for the stick. The pops in this West Village shop are made with gelato, sorbetto, and frozen yogurt, so you’re not settling for flavored ice over here. With selections like passion fruit and blood orange sorbetto, as well as hazelnut and giandula gelato, you can have a fun child-like date with an adult angle. And of course, everyone knows how suggestive eating posicles can be, which could then sweeten the deal a little further.

Bonus- The pops are gluten free, kosher certified, lactose free and vegan, so you don’t really have to worry about food limitations or allergies just in case you or your date have them.

(Anytime Date)
If you’re a fan of Brooklyn Bazaar in Williamsburg...

try Gowanus Nite Market

Billyburg has been getting a lot of love from the ‘young creative entrepreneurial types,’’ but walking up, down, and around Bedford can get a little exhausting. Explore other parts of the borough and hop on over to Gowanus for the Gowanus Night Market. Browse through the Brooklyn-based vendors made up of indie home/fashion designers and boutiques, and pick up a little something special for that special someone you’re with. Plus, food + music + beer is always a good date staple.

(Saturday, March 16th)
If you like Russian & Turkish Baths in the East Village...

try a Japanese Bath House.

The Russian & Turkish Baths in the EV is a great place to sweat it all out on your own, but isn’t necessarily an enticing place to bring a date. Spa Castle in Queens recreates the luxuriousness of being at the natural springs of Japanese Bath Houses and fancy European spas. Going to a spa on a first date can be tricky, but definitely forces you to be more comfortable and intimate with a person right away. You can sit down for a bite, then really get intimate with your date in one of the medicinal lined saunas, including the Gold Room lined in 98% real gold. That puts the phrase ‘dripping in gold’ in a different perspective.

(Anytime Date)
If you’re craving Luke’s Lobster...

try Lobster Joint in the LES

Luke’s Lobster has the ‘let’s grab some lobster rolls and quickly roll out’ thing down pat, but if you’re looking to have a sit down date and don’t necessarily want the lavish lobster dinner, Greenpoint’s Lobster Joint just opened it’s doors in the Lower East Side. Grab a cocktail and kick up your lobster roll game a notch with their avocado and bacon filled Lobster Club, or go for some variety with the $4 Lobster, Fried Oyster, or Crab Cake Sliders. Perfect for when you’re feeling classy-casual.

(Anytime Date)