There are better places for single people to congregate at other than church. Unless you feel comfortable hitting on people in between long pauses during the priest’s sermon, you’ll likely go home single, and very much ready to mingle. You can continue to kick it in the sanctuary, but trading up “Sunday’s best” for a night out might help you brush up on your game:
1. VENUES:
It’s hard to keep track of New York City’s endless bars and night clubs. Sure, you might be able to score a hookup there, if that’s what you’re looking for, but the likelihood that you’ll meet Mr. or Mrs. Right probably isn’t high. Plus, dark lighting and mysteriously dank floors don’t make for the best romantic ambience. Bond over more than just alcohol by heading to venues like Webster Hall (125 East 11th Street), and Brooklyn Bowl (61 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn), the “genre-defying bowling alley” which combines music, food and bowling all under one roof.
Photo via Troy Tolley
2. BOOKSTORES:
Looking for another bookworm to dive into debates with? The Strand Bookstore (828 Broadway), located just two blocks south of Union Square, holds 18 miles of new, used and out-of-print books. Another option is The New York Public Library (5th Ave at 42nd St.), which has 53 million items stocked on its shelves or stored away. As the second largest public library in the United States (and the fourth largest in the world), NYPL is truly a book lover’s refuge. Just stand by your favorite section and wait for your future husband or wife to saunter down the aisle.
Photo via German Poo-Caamano
3. PARKS:
If you’re looking to nab a date, just visit any place where New Yorkers tend to congregate. Two particularly good options are Union Square Park and Washington Square Park, which are located just a short distance away from each other. During all hours of the day, you’ll find buskers, artists, musicians and ever-present skateboarders harmoniously sharing the space with each other. Plus, you might also encounter Paul the Pigeon Man sitting on his bench in Washington Square Park, and who knows? You could just hit it off.
Photo via Teri Tynes
4. ATTRACTIONS:
Okay, so the High Line is technically a park. For the purposes of this guide, however, it’s also being categorized as an “attraction” because you’ll find a ton of tourists (...maybe single?) walking along the length of this 1.45-mile elevated stretch, which sits over a disused New York Central Railroad spur on Manhattan’s West Side. If you also dig art, stroll (alone) through a few of the art galleries located nearby in Chelsea. Alternatively, you have some of the world’s best museums – The Met (Central Park West & 79th St.), MoMA (11 W 53rd St.), AMNH (Central Park West & 79th St), just to name a few – right at your fingertips.
Photo via Chris Toe Pher
5. TRAINS
Even though the New York City subway system is really not the most romantic place, you’ll occasionally notice some eye candy on your commute. As noted by AM New York, the L Train, which provides service between Manhattan and Brooklyn, is “one of the best looking trains.” Unfortunately, the line will shut down for 18 months starting in January 2019. Until then, use rush hour to your advantage.
Photo via JoesphBarbaro (CC BY-SA 4.0
