Dating in NYC with Team SN

We hate to break it to you, but dating apps are a necessary evil. Although we’re sure you’ve heard plenty of horror stories from your friends, there are ways to be successful on dating apps. If you feel uncomfortable judging someone just based on their photo, pay attention to prompts on apps such as Hinge, and like someone’s answer as a conversation starter. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and need help narrowing down your search,  don’t be embarrassed to purchase premium options for dating apps — think of it as investing in your future. And most importantly, trust your gut! If someone seems a little off to you, don’t hesitate to swipe left and move on. 

That being said, our personal favorite dating app these days has got to be Lox Club. The members-only dating app actually vets their applicants and only accepts people who are “looking for a meaningful relationship” — imagine that! There’s even a membership fee added as an extra layer of protection against the “West Elm Calebs” of the city. Lox Club also hosts exclusive events for their members so that you can avoid the whole awkward “Where should we meet” conversation and actually get to know the person you’re interested in.

Once you’ve landed the first date, picking your outfit is the next most essential step. First thing's first: the most important thing is that you feel comfortable, so pick an outfit that’s versatile for wherever the night takes you. Here at Something Navy, our first date uniform consists of a good pair of jeans paired with a fun and flirty top, and a classic blazer or statement jacket. Throw on a good pair of platform sneakers or heeled boots, and you’re ready to go.

We know that going to a restaurant and staring across the table at someone while they intricately describe their job in finance can be a little awkward, so we’ve come up with some alternatives for the classic dinner date. If you want to avoid small talk, try Comedy Cellar in the West Village to see some hilarious stand-up comedians perform. There’s a rotating cast that performs every night of the week, so you don’t have to stress about planning for a specific day. 

In hopes of manifesting some nice weather for spring, you could walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and grab a slice of pizza on the other side, or go for a bike ride along the Hudson followed by a round of mini-golf at Pier 25. A planned activity can ease the pressure of a first date and make it much easier to get to know someone.

If dinner is more your style, we love Goodnight Sonny or for one-of-a-kind craft cocktails and oysters, or Thursday Kitchen for “New Korean” tapas. Both are located in the East Village and have the perfect energy for a first date. For something a little less casual, abc Kitchen is one of our go-tos. With regionally and naturally sourced ingredients, their menu is to die for and after you’ve had dinner, you can pick up a mouth-watering dessert from their bakery.

First dates are known for being awkward and even a little painful at times, but they don’t have to be! While you want to ask questions to keep the conversation going, try not to make your date feel like you’re interviewing them, and keep it casual and light-hearted. Remember, even though you’ve probably stalked them on social media several times by now, first dates are an opportunity for you two to really get to know each other. While you don’t need to share your whole life story, try to focus on similar interests, inquire about what they like to do in their free time, and just see where the conversation takes you. Long story short: don’t overthink it and just have fun!