clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
Sycamore Sycamore [Official Photo]

30 Reliable First Date Spots in Brooklyn

A collection of dimly lit watering holes for getting to know someone new

View as Map

Picking a venue for date number one rounds out the worst parts of going on a first date. Factors like price, neighborhood, vibe, and aesthetic need to be considered equally, all while coming off as effortless.

Since Brooklyn has endless bars and restaurants that fit these categories, this map spotlights the best of them throughout the borough. It’s a collection of bars that are very well populated, dark and cozy, and somehow fun in and of themselves.

Note: This is an updated version of a map originally published in 2017.

Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Goldie's Bar

Copy Link

Goldie’s and its 1970s, Las Vegas casino motif are a welcome addition to the Greenpoint neighborhood. The cocktails here are memorable, but what makes it a solid date bar is all the seating options, like stools that aren’t fixed to the ground and the kind of leather booth with sitting across from one another or sharing a side both as options. The crowd is local and convivial, and the drinks well-priced.

Goldie’s/Facebook

Night of Joy

Copy Link

Night of Joy is the charming bar that’s a date-night go-to for Williamsburg dwellers, where the weeknights are more quiet and a patio’s available in warmer weather. Supremely low lighting, cozy seating, and a moderate noise level that will round out any lags in banter are the winning combo. Happy hour pricing lasts until 8 p.m., too.

Night of Joy [Official Photo]

Dardy Bar

Copy Link

Arrive just about anytime to this South First Street bar to find that it’s definitely divey and a lot of fun, but quiet from the rest of the bars in the area — lending itself so well to an effortless first meet. The cocktails are just $10 at this Williamsburg bar so go ahead and stay for hours before ending the night at the bar’s photo booth.

dardy bar Photo via Darby Bar [Official Photo]

Noorman's Kil

Copy Link

If there’s a shared interest in grilled cheese and whiskey — or there’s just a need to impress a whiskey drinker — Noorman’s Kil is the ideal place to meet up. The Williamsburg bar also gets high marks for rarely being too crowded or too loud, but still lively enough with whiskey devotees that the room won’t fall silent.

Loosie Rouge

Copy Link

Maybe there’s some anticipation going into this first date, in which case this wood-paneled bar underneath the Williamsburg Bridge is a fine choice. The bartenders at Loosie Rouge are highly charming and everyone else in the room will be too focused on their own date to be worried about yours.

Loosie Rouge Loosie Rouge [Official Photo]

Pearl's Social & Billy Club

Copy Link

Bushwick dwellers know and love Pearl’s for its friendly staff and cozy, neighborhood mood. There’s board games for playing, cocktails that are stiff, and on most nights a dog or two will be hanging around. There’s no food, but Los Hermanos’ standout tacos are just up the block.

Photo via Pearl’s [Official Photo]

Dromedary Urban Tiki Bar

Copy Link

Tiki bars tend to be casual and fun, making them effortless picks for a first date. Coupled with the fact that this Bushwick hang serves unique and very solid cocktails, plus a menu of peak sharing snacks, it’s hard to be beat so close to Myrtle Avenue.

Birdy's

Copy Link

Bushwick’s Birdy’s leans divey, but it’s a smart choice for an easy and casual first date. It gets a little loud, which is often a first date plus, and it can also be a solid starting point for a date that begs for a second location. If so, Mood Ring is just a few steps away on Myrtle Avenue. Know before: Birdy’s is cash only.

Floyd, NY

Copy Link

Floyd is a popular hangout for birthday parties, so a nightly lively crowd is guaranteed to help ease first-date jitters. An indoor bocce court awaits, plus cheap beers, friendly bartenders, and a juke box. Plus, it closes at 4 a.m. daily, so there’s no rush to part ways.

Floyd [Official Photo]

Dick and Jane’s

Copy Link

This Fort Greene bar sets itself up with first-date potential thanks to a very dark and relaxed interior. Cocktails are pricier at $14, but they’re stiff and always on the nose.

Near the Bed-Stuy border with Clinton Hill is the dimly lit, cash-only Dynaco. It can get busy with the neighborhood pouring in, but it’s never too loud that joke attempts are missed. Grab cocktails, and sit under the bar’s soft glow for hours at a table tailor made for two.

Bar Lunatico

Copy Link

For a first date with a touch of anticipation, stop in any night of the week to this Bed-Stuy bar. There’s live music every night that ranges from folk to gypsy jazz, and a casual vibe that’s still intimate. Do note that Bar Lunatico closes relatively early during the week, at 12:30 a.m.

Bar Lunàtico [Official Photo]

File Doris under candlelit cocktail bars, sure, but the Fulton Street bar stands out for more than just memorable drinks. There’s also an outdoor patio with a ping-pong table and a live DJ who isn’t the center of attention.

Wolf and Deer

Copy Link

Showing up to Wolf and Deer with more than three people is a mistake, so just stick to wooing a first date here during the week. Cocktails are on the pricey side ($14 each), but they’re easy to sip — or maybe just arrive before 8 p.m. when they’re $10 each.

Wolf and Deer Wolf and Deer [Official Photo]

Brooklyn Social

Copy Link

On the small side and fairly intimate, Brooklyn Social is the Carroll Gardens first date for a date with a little more excitement. Perfect for an evening spent drinking and playing pool. Note: It’s cash only here.

Bearded Lady

Copy Link

Retro, 50s-diner-style motif is the backdrop at Bearded Lady. It’s casual and a little quirky, with bartenders serving drinks that are actually boozy. There is plenty of snacks that are easy to share too, like a cheese plate or crudite.

Bearded Lady Bearded Lady [Official Photo]

Blueprint

Copy Link

Drink options at Blueprint are expansive, so there’s definitely something for everyone, though there’s particular finesse in the mezcal cocktails. It’s dimly lit, and tables are ideal for two. Plus, the kitchen stays open until 2 a.m., for when the date goes so damn well it’s now midnight and hunger strikes.

Blueprint [Official Photo]

Dirty Precious

Copy Link

The cocktails at Dirty Precious are a big draw for neighborhood dwellers and non; and the cozy, dimly lit environment is what keeps pairs filing in regularly. There’s real effort put into non-alcoholic drinks for those who want to skip the booze, as well as easy-to-share snacks like Marcona almonds and a pickles plate.

Dirty Precious [Official Photo]

King Tai

Copy Link

Excellent cocktails in a homey space is the ideal match for a first date bar. Grab bar stools, and sip on fun tropical drinks like the Spa Day with mezcal, pineapple, and cayenne. King Tai stays open until 2 a.m. during the week, so there’s little rush if the date is going particularly well.

King Tai King Tai [Official Photo]

Two Saints

Copy Link

There’s a heavy vintage feel to the Two Saints space, in a way that’s not overtly cute or too aggressive for a first date. The wine and beer lists are just as long as the cocktail options, and renovated windows are ideal for people watching if some help is needed with conversation.

Two Saints [Official Photo]

Brooklyn Artisan Bakehouse

Copy Link

Dates surely do not require booze, and pastries and coffee at this Crown Heights shop prove that expertly. The house-baked breads are among the other specialities here and definitely shouldn’t be missed.

Brooklyn Artisan Bakehouse [Official Photo]

This Prospect Lefferts Gardens bar recently expanded wildly in size, turning from a tiny space for a date with someone familiar into an ideal option for a blind date. Erv’s hosts events and live music often, so maybe check the night’s schedule to avoid any music that doesn’t match the mood.

honey, I'm home, but you look different (@leoczrsbar, missed you!)

A post shared by Sultana Khan (@yesasingenghis) on

This low-key Sunset Park hang is a newer addition to the neighborhood, but already has locals swarming. Cafe by day and bar by night, Judy’s is a supremely chill place to get to know someone new. Plus, get a dollar off draft beer and wine from noon to 7 p.m. daily. Bien Cuit croissants are stocked in case needed.

Judy’s Judy’s/Facebook

Chances are someone is celebrating something on any given night at Suede, a Carribbean bar and restaurant with a devoted local following. The celebratory yet relaxed environment makes it an exciting backdrop for meeting someone new.

View this post on Instagram

Brunch!!!

A post shared by Todd Taylor (@realtortoddnyc) on

Sip N Chat Cocktail Lounge

Copy Link

Sip N Chat is a neighborhood favorite, with most locals clued-in on the fact that the vibe any night of the week will be lively and welcoming. There’s a dance floor lit with strobe lights, satisfying fries and jerk wings, and most nights there’s live entertainment — all sure to make a memorable first encounter.

Sycamore

Copy Link

A bar and flower shop hybrid that manages to never feel kitschy, Sycamore is instead cute, dark, often busy, and keen on not taking itself seriously. Pluses: food can be ordered from the Farm on Adderley next door, and there’s a $10 deal for a pint of beer and a bouquet of flowers.

Sycamore [Official Photo]

The Owl's Head

Copy Link

This Bay Ridge standby is a fantastic neighborhood wine bar with zero pretension. The brick-walled space is as welcoming as the knowledgeable staff that works there. If a stomach liner is necessary: there are plenty of choices from the cheese- and charcuterie-forward menu. Plus: the sole dessert option is pie from Four and Twenty Blackbirds.

The Owl’s Head

Di Fara Pizza

Copy Link

The indelible pro move for a casual first date in this stretch of Brooklyn is to BYO wine or a six pack to accompany the famed pizzas from Dom DeMarco and his team of lovely pizzaiolos. If bringing wine, focus on reds like a nebbiolo from the Langhe or a cabernet franc that’ll prove blissful with meaty toppings.

Fresh basil being tossed atop a big pizza pie. Nick Solares

Anyway Cafe

Copy Link

Like its East Village sibling, the Sheepshead Bay location of Anyway Cafe is ideally date-y. Stellar martinis go well with the live jazz Anyway is boasting nightly; but the space manages to feel low-key and welcoming, and is certainly not trying too hard.

Anyway Cafe [Official Photo]

Draft Barn

Copy Link

The beer variety at Draft Barn is endless, with a seasonally changing rotating lineup that pays close attention to rare and obscure beers and ales. If ever overwhelmed by the choices, the knowledgable and friendly staff is ready with recommendations. The food menu is also extensive, with most surrounding tables ending with a slice of crepe cake.

Loading comments...

Goldie's Bar

Goldie’s and its 1970s, Las Vegas casino motif are a welcome addition to the Greenpoint neighborhood. The cocktails here are memorable, but what makes it a solid date bar is all the seating options, like stools that aren’t fixed to the ground and the kind of leather booth with sitting across from one another or sharing a side both as options. The crowd is local and convivial, and the drinks well-priced.

Goldie’s/Facebook

Night of Joy

Night of Joy is the charming bar that’s a date-night go-to for Williamsburg dwellers, where the weeknights are more quiet and a patio’s available in warmer weather. Supremely low lighting, cozy seating, and a moderate noise level that will round out any lags in banter are the winning combo. Happy hour pricing lasts until 8 p.m., too.

Night of Joy [Official Photo]

Dardy Bar

Arrive just about anytime to this South First Street bar to find that it’s definitely divey and a lot of fun, but quiet from the rest of the bars in the area — lending itself so well to an effortless first meet. The cocktails are just $10 at this Williamsburg bar so go ahead and stay for hours before ending the night at the bar’s photo booth.

dardy bar Photo via Darby Bar [Official Photo]

Noorman's Kil

If there’s a shared interest in grilled cheese and whiskey — or there’s just a need to impress a whiskey drinker — Noorman’s Kil is the ideal place to meet up. The Williamsburg bar also gets high marks for rarely being too crowded or too loud, but still lively enough with whiskey devotees that the room won’t fall silent.

Loosie Rouge

Maybe there’s some anticipation going into this first date, in which case this wood-paneled bar underneath the Williamsburg Bridge is a fine choice. The bartenders at Loosie Rouge are highly charming and everyone else in the room will be too focused on their own date to be worried about yours.

Loosie Rouge Loosie Rouge [Official Photo]

Pearl's Social & Billy Club

Bushwick dwellers know and love Pearl’s for its friendly staff and cozy, neighborhood mood. There’s board games for playing, cocktails that are stiff, and on most nights a dog or two will be hanging around. There’s no food, but Los Hermanos’ standout tacos are just up the block.

Photo via Pearl’s [Official Photo]

Dromedary Urban Tiki Bar

Tiki bars tend to be casual and fun, making them effortless picks for a first date. Coupled with the fact that this Bushwick hang serves unique and very solid cocktails, plus a menu of peak sharing snacks, it’s hard to be beat so close to Myrtle Avenue.

Birdy's

Bushwick’s Birdy’s leans divey, but it’s a smart choice for an easy and casual first date. It gets a little loud, which is often a first date plus, and it can also be a solid starting point for a date that begs for a second location. If so, Mood Ring is just a few steps away on Myrtle Avenue. Know before: Birdy’s is cash only.

Floyd, NY

Floyd is a popular hangout for birthday parties, so a nightly lively crowd is guaranteed to help ease first-date jitters. An indoor bocce court awaits, plus cheap beers, friendly bartenders, and a juke box. Plus, it closes at 4 a.m. daily, so there’s no rush to part ways.

Floyd [Official Photo]

Dick and Jane’s

This Fort Greene bar sets itself up with first-date potential thanks to a very dark and relaxed interior. Cocktails are pricier at $14, but they’re stiff and always on the nose.

Dynaco

Near the Bed-Stuy border with Clinton Hill is the dimly lit, cash-only Dynaco. It can get busy with the neighborhood pouring in, but it’s never too loud that joke attempts are missed. Grab cocktails, and sit under the bar’s soft glow for hours at a table tailor made for two.

Bar Lunatico

For a first date with a touch of anticipation, stop in any night of the week to this Bed-Stuy bar. There’s live music every night that ranges from folk to gypsy jazz, and a casual vibe that’s still intimate. Do note that Bar Lunatico closes relatively early during the week, at 12:30 a.m.

Bar Lunàtico [Official Photo]

Doris

File Doris under candlelit cocktail bars, sure, but the Fulton Street bar stands out for more than just memorable drinks. There’s also an outdoor patio with a ping-pong table and a live DJ who isn’t the center of attention.

Wolf and Deer

Showing up to Wolf and Deer with more than three people is a mistake, so just stick to wooing a first date here during the week. Cocktails are on the pricey side ($14 each), but they’re easy to sip — or maybe just arrive before 8 p.m. when they’re $10 each.

Wolf and Deer Wolf and Deer [Official Photo]

Brooklyn Social

On the small side and fairly intimate, Brooklyn Social is the Carroll Gardens first date for a date with a little more excitement. Perfect for an evening spent drinking and playing pool. Note: It’s cash only here.

Related Maps

Bearded Lady

Retro, 50s-diner-style motif is the backdrop at Bearded Lady. It’s casual and a little quirky, with bartenders serving drinks that are actually boozy. There is plenty of snacks that are easy to share too, like a cheese plate or crudite.

Bearded Lady Bearded Lady [Official Photo]

Blueprint

Drink options at Blueprint are expansive, so there’s definitely something for everyone, though there’s particular finesse in the mezcal cocktails. It’s dimly lit, and tables are ideal for two. Plus, the kitchen stays open until 2 a.m., for when the date goes so damn well it’s now midnight and hunger strikes.

Blueprint [Official Photo]

Dirty Precious

The cocktails at Dirty Precious are a big draw for neighborhood dwellers and non; and the cozy, dimly lit environment is what keeps pairs filing in regularly. There’s real effort put into non-alcoholic drinks for those who want to skip the booze, as well as easy-to-share snacks like Marcona almonds and a pickles plate.

Dirty Precious [Official Photo]

King Tai

Excellent cocktails in a homey space is the ideal match for a first date bar. Grab bar stools, and sip on fun tropical drinks like the Spa Day with mezcal, pineapple, and cayenne. King Tai stays open until 2 a.m. during the week, so there’s little rush if the date is going particularly well.

King Tai King Tai [Official Photo]

Two Saints

There’s a heavy vintage feel to the Two Saints space, in a way that’s not overtly cute or too aggressive for a first date. The wine and beer lists are just as long as the cocktail options, and renovated windows are ideal for people watching if some help is needed with conversation.

Two Saints [Official Photo]

Brooklyn Artisan Bakehouse

Dates surely do not require booze, and pastries and coffee at this Crown Heights shop prove that expertly. The house-baked breads are among the other specialities here and definitely shouldn’t be missed.