If you are looking for some fun holiday date night ideas in New York City this holiday season, look no further. Here are some of the best festive date night experiences:
INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCES
Newly opened Lawn Club in the South Street Seaport is the perfect place for a fun, interactive date night experience, with the option to play 8 different lawn games, sip on cocktails and share elevated small bites. Make sure to come early or leave time afterwards to explore the holiday decorations at South Street Seaport, which is decked out in trees, tinsel, lights, The Gingerbread City® and even a rooftop ice skating rink for the season.
Experience a one-of-a-kind experience by skating in the 1,000 feet in the sky on the zero-energy ecological and synthetic ice rink Glice® rink at the indoor sky deck at Edge. Tickets include Edge admission, a 30-minute skate session ($10) and complimentary skate rental from now until January 14th.
Manhattan’s first whisky distillery since Prohibition is all dressed up for the holidays, with a decadent holiday menu and limited edition release, and tasteful decorations throughout the property. Learn about whisky on a distillery tour or guided tasting, check out jazz night or a magic show, then grab a farm-to-table dinner at The Restaurant.
If you and your date have an interest in design, technology and innovation, head to the Genesis House by the luxury Korean car maker. Explore three floors of fashionable designer-wrapped vehicles, robotic technology, and futuristic light displays. Make sure to visit The Innovation Playlab on the ground floor for a exhibit in collaboration with Boston Dynamics, where you can interact with a mobile robot, and grab a decadent cocktail or tea on the second floor.
SANTA’S WINTER WONDERLAND WATERMARK
Located in the Seaport District, this downtown holiday pop-up at Watermark in partnership with fever, is the perfect date night at this winter wonderland installation with complimentary holiday cocktails like Spiked Hot Chocolate and toasted s’mores for all attendees, a candy-cane-filled hallway, Santa’s Game Room, Santa’s sleigh and heated glass houses, perfect for snuggling under the stars.
CODA WILLIAMSBURG HOLIDAY POP-UP
For the holiday season, Coda Williamsburg is hosting a Pop-Up offering cool merch that Brooklyn is known for. Stop by from December 7th-December 11th in the lobby and check out brands like Apothia’s Chrismukkah Candle and diffuser, vintage Old World wines from the Coda Cellar, wellness kits, skincare from Payot and Supergoop, velvet sleep masks from Elizabeth Scarlett London, and much more. If you visit between 12:00 – 4:00 pm, receive a complimentary glass of champagne. After shopping, head upstairs to Coda’s rooftop bar Creatures of All Kinds for a special holiday cocktail menu.
Head to Bushwick and The Red Pavilion for a unique date night experience. A Chinese teahouse and apothecary by day, Asian neo-noir nightclub by night, with immersive theater and cabaret showcases, wellness workshops, alchemical sound journeys, live music, intimate dance parties and more. The Red Pavilion was founded by creative director, Shien Lee and TCM chef and author, Zoey Xinyi Gong, along with cocktail shaman, Orson Salicetti taking the asian herbal- inspired drink menu to new levels. The stunning space transports you to a different era, with Asian motifs and Art Deco details, accompanied by cinematic lighting design.
CHIC HOTELS & RESTAURANTS
LOTTE NEW YORK PALACE
Lotte New York Palace is in the holiday spirit with the “Winter Bar at the Palace”. From Wednesday to Sunday from 3-9pm, sip on seasonal libations like the Hot Buttered Rum or Mexican Mint Hot Chocolate, and sweet treats next to the iconic Christmas tree. Perfect to pair with holiday shopping on Fifth Avenue, or a stop after a Broadway show.
THE ALGONQUIN HOTEL
A part of New York history, The Algonquin Hotel is in the holiday spirit with a full December lineup. With a Cocoa and Carols Happy Hour Daily from 5-8PM every December evening at the Blue Bar, the KT Sullivan Cabaret on December 5th, 12th and 19th, Rocco Dellaneve’s Rat Pack Christmas on December 7th, 14th and 21st, and The Serafina’s and Broadway Vocalists on December 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd, is a fun way to enjoy date night with precision line dancing Christmas tradition around The Algonquin tree.
BAR BASTION AT LE JARDINIER
Elf-Inspired Holiday Bar at Recreation at Moxy Downtown
For fans of the movie Elf, celebrate the movie’s 20 year anniversary at Recreation at The Moxy Downtown. Sip on handcrafted cocktails like Buddy’s Beverage, made strawberry-infused Woodford Bourbon, dark chocolate, Amaro Siciliano and a coconut foam while enjoying holiday music, board games and more.
This chill West Village worker-owner cocktail bar and restaurant is the perfect low-key spot to grab a drink curated by Donna’s Head Bar Manager, Kaslyn Bos. The innovative cocktail list features local favorites like the 5th Year Senior with gin, ginger, lemon, elderflower, cognac, cucumber, as well as Office Hours, made with Filipino, Mexican and Jamaican rums.
Get cozy this holiday season at speakeasy-inspired Foxtail at the Arlo Soho. The Foxtail Winter Wonderland is filled with ornaments, trees, and string lights, and visitors can order holiday-themed cocktails, including the Foxy Toddy, Honey Baked Apple, and Peppermint Cane to pair with light bites.
Brand new Nemesis is centrally located in the Flatiron District, and features an elevated take on Southeast-Asian inspired small plate cuisine by seasoned hospitality professionals. The food menu by Executive Chef Francis Tanrantana is exceptional, as is
the innovative cocktail program overseen by Beverage Director Nick Hwang, and wine selection by Alexander Lee. Standout signature cocktails include Chili Tigre, with notes of Thai chili marries with passion fruit by milk wash and Black Mirror, a spin on an espresso martini with the addition of honey peach.
Located in the trendy Dumbo area of Brooklyn, this upscale neighborhood bar features an elevated cocktail menu, farm-to-table fresh ingredients and stunning ambiance, perfect for a low-key yet sophisticated date night. Owned by local architectural designer Kevin Cimini, the restaurant pays homage to the site’s industrial past, with the use of natural, raw materials. Sip on cocktails by Beverage Director Robert Struthers (formerly of Dutch Kills, Fresh Kills and Nitecap) with a focus on smaller brands, local beers and organic wines from unusual regions.The menu is focused on seasonal, elevated ingredients by Gabe McMackin, and highlights include Beef Cured in Kombu with Shiitake Mushrooms, Maplebrook Burrata and a Double Smashburger.
