NYC's Best Valentine's Day Dates For Every Relationship
Laurie Davis is a tech and dating expert. She is the founder of eFlirt Expert and the author of Love @ First Click: The Ultimate Guide to Online Dating. Laurie's advice has been featured in over 500 international media outlets including The New York Times, Good Morning America, Forbes, Men's Health and Elle. This year, she'll marry her tweetheart who she eFlirted with in 140 characters. Follow her @eFlirtExpert.
Valentine's Day can be especially daunting for those who have yet to change their relationship status on Facebook. As we near February 14th, many of my clients have nervous jitters – and maybe you do too. But just because you're not 'in a relationship' yet doesn't mean you should avoid your love life. After all, it's a Friday this year!
A weekend full of Cupid means more sexy fun to be had in the city – but if you're not careful it could also mean more pressure. Though Valentine's Day is typically a one-day celebration, making plans for Saturday or Sunday could also come with similar expectations from your date. Avoid a weekend full of clichés by following my guide to New York City's best Valentine's Day date spots, based on your stage of dating. Choose a vibe that fits your style – either a casual or wow spot – and pucker up!
If You're Single:
Casual: Bold & Naked Yoga
23rd St
New York, NY
www.boldnaked.com
A little self-love may be just what Cupid had in mind for singles. This yoga studio is the sexiest in the city offering naked (and co-ed) classes to get in touch with your inner vixen.
Wow: The Valentine Party
Monarch Rooftop Lounge
71 West 35th St
New York, NY 10018
www.eventbrite.com/e/the-valentine-party-tickets
Date: Fri, Feb 14 from 6:00 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Slip on your little black dress or debonair bow tie and join a glamorous single's bash. My fiancé and I are hosting this event. We're both dating coaches so you can bet on us playing matchmaker all night.
If You're Newly Dating:
Casual: Anfora
34 8th Ave
New York, NY 10014
(212) 518-2722
www.anforanyc.com
Keep it low-key by downplaying Valentine's Day and taking your date to a chic wine bar with a warm vibe. The bench seating is particularly awesome for the early stages of dating – sitting next to one another rather than across a table will allow you to have better body language as you cozy up throughout the night.
Wow: Raines Law Room
48 West 17th St
New York, NY 10011
www.raineslawroom.com
Heading to this reservation-less speakeasy still means that you're only committing to drinks but the venue has a cool romance feel. If you're lucky, you'll be able to snag a private booth where you can make out like teenagers. Though a note to gents: Going earlier in the evening means less of a wait.
If You're Exclusive:
Casual: The Whispering Gallery
Grand Central Terminal
87 East 42nd St
New York, NY 10017
www.grandcentralterminal.com
Hidden inside Grand Central Terminal, this room has special acoustics perfect for the newly committed. Have your honey stand in one corner of the gallery facing the wall and whisper in the archway several feet away. She'll hear you clearly taking "sweet nothings" to a new level. My fiancé took me here for our first Valentine's Day and it remains my favorite New York moment.
Wow: Café Carlyle
35 E 76th St
New York, NY 10075
(212) 744-1600
www.rosewoodhotels.com/the-carlyle-new-york
Listen to sweet sounds at one of New York's most prestigious jazz clubs. Though it's certainly not inexpensive, being serenaded over candlelight will trump any dinner reservations Open Table can find you. Performing for Valentine's is John Lloyd Young whose show has been described as "extreme romanticism."
Laurie Davis's book LOVE @ FIRST CLICK was published last year by Atria Books, a division of Simon & Schuster. For more information on this or other newly released titles, please visit www.simonandschuster.com.