With Valentine’s day around the corner, plan your evening with a Flare, Flamenco, and Flamboyance
You are excited, running around, and getting ready. Although typically a fashionista, picking the best wardrobe ensemble presents a challenge today. You double-check the deodorant situation and glance in the mirror. “Darn, I look good,” you think and grin. Your reflection confirms with approval. Finally, you relax because your natural charm, wit, and a COVID vaccination card will take care of the rest. You have the whole night planned out.
First Date Spots Manhattan
Russian and Turkish Baths
Pre-date experience, proof of vaccine required
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Enter if you dare! Baths may be an eyebrow-raising idea on a first date (or the second, for that matter); however, if you are an adventurous spirit (or wish to pamper yourself before the big evening is in full swing), head over to the Russian and Turkish baths on 10th street, right by the Steiner Building. This historic bathhouse opened its doors in 1892 and has been a piece of New York City’s history ever since. If you choose to make your outing into a brunch occasion, the on-site restaurant serves all-day breakfast, lunch, snacks, beer, and wine. The Russian Borscht soup, as well as the herring, are a treat. Whether you choose a massage, dead sea salt scrub, or the more adventurous Oaken leaf Platza (plain language translation: a beatdown with a broom meant to open your pores), you will feel rejuvenated and ready to start your date.
Guggenheim
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The beautiful Frank Lloyd Wright building has been home to the Guggenheim contemporary museum since 1959. Given the spiral shape of the building, you can take the elevators up and visit the exhibits as you come down. The museum is home to a permanent (and growing) collection of contemporary, modern, post-impressionist, and impressionist art. In addition to the permanent collection, the Guggenheim houses three to four visiting exhibits at a time (painting, sculpture, photography, drawings, and installations) and is right by The Capitol building. The experience is unique and quite magnificent for a date. With the constantly revolving exhibitions, consult the website for more information.
Bibi Wine Bar
Where happy hour is every day
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The Bibi Wine Bar is reminiscent of a traditional French wine bar, covered in wood, with tall ceilings and large windows. A window seat provides endless entertainment and allows you, and your charming date, the freedom to gossip about the bar staff, patrons, and people passing by. An extensive wine list faithfully represents wines from varied countries/regions. Daily happy hour runs from opening until 8 pm, which makes Bibi the perfect haunt for a pre-dinner drink. Specials include selected bottles of wine ($28), glasses ($8), and beer/cider ($5). For those feeling peckish, the charcuterie and cheese plates are available in pairs of two ($10), four ($19), and six ($27). Personal recommendations include Prosciutto di Parma, Drunken Goat Cheese, Saint-Andre, with olives added to the mix. Pick your poison! If you like white wine, the Supernatural Sauvignon Blanc and the Vinho Verde (green wine), Alianca are great choices. Suppose red strikes your fancy Pinot Noir, V.D. Buxey Mercurey, or Cabernet Rayun should hit the spot. If you cannot make up your mind, go for the Garnacha Blanca Bodegas Bhilar (orange). What if you and your date are like-minded? That is an excellent start to a relationship! Go for the bottle and share the experience (1881 Napa Cabernet or Nebbiolo, Ferdinando Barolo). After all, with everything that you already have in common, who wouldn’t share?
Nai Tapas Restaurant
Live Flamenco
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In addition to an exploratory dining experience, on Thursdays and Saturday evenings, you can enjoy a live Flamenco show while you eat (7:30-9:30, call ahead to verify). Make sure to reserve a table, ideally on the second floor, before arrival. The atmosphere crosses between a rustic Spanish restaurant and an NYC dining scene with lights streaming in from the prominent corner widow. The effect is perfect for a date. Take your time and order some tapas (small plates) to share. Are you feeling adventurous? Perhaps the flamenco crew will be looking for student volunteers?
Seafood lovers will enjoy pulpo (octopus), calamari, mejillones (mussels), and sea bass. The cauliflower is outstanding for sharing. Carnivores must try the katsu (ribeye), lomo (pork loin), and churrasco (skirt steak). If you stay for dessert, the brule and chocolate mousse are notable. Wash it all down with adventurous sangria flavors or the house wine.
The Standard Hotel, High Line
(The Standard Grill, Top of the Standard, Boom Boom Room, and more)
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The Standard Hotel (check out Valentine’s day special events) houses six establishments known for their hospitality, glitz, and glamor. Given the frigid February weather, it wouldn’t be entirely surprising if you and your sexy Valentine would rather stay warm and cozy at one location without sticking your noses outside. Just a few blocks from the Hudson Lofts Condo, you can pamper yourselves, find brunch, pre-dinner drinks, entertainment, music, Biergarten, post-dinner drinks, and a sexy cabaret show all in one place. Relax your sweetie with a massage, acupuncture, and sound therapy. Enjoy a price-fix feast at the Standard Grill, or a la carte items at the Grill Café, like shrimp with lemon and nori, jamon Iberico De Bellota, bluefin tuna Crudo, beef tartare, aged NY Strip, lobster, poussin, spatchcock, whole young chicken, all served with Perigourdine sauce, pomme purée and wild mushrooms. Finish your dinner with the chocolate bombe sweetheart dessert for two. If you can still move afterward, explore the Standard’s Valentine’s day events, raves, cabaret, jazz, and parties.
The Slipper Room
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Are you ready for a luxurious, sensual experience to crown your evening? First, imagine walking into a sultry lounge, complete with red curtains and an atmosphere reminiscent of an old-world bordello. Then, on the stage in front of you is where the magic happens. Theater, dancing, burlesque, comedy, circus, and aerial performers delight your senses and wit as you sip your cocktails (New Fangled-a version of Old Fashioned).
Tickets must be reserved online ahead of time, although a limited number of passes are available at the door before each show. Additionally, if you want to snag a seat, get there early. You must show proof of at least one vaccination before entering the building.
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As you pile into a cab, ask yourself. How was this for a night out? Did you have fun? Are you crazy about each other? Are you looking into each other’s eyes and asking, “Your place or mine?”
The rest is up to you. How will you finish this story?
Want to try another borough for a first date option? Check out these other locations!
