20 Late Night Date Ideas in NYC That Are Truly Worth It

• Location: multiple
• Price: $$

One of my favorite late night date ideas in NYC is to catch a movie at Nighthawk. (Actually, I live right near the Prospect Park location and can say with quite a bit of authority that it’s a pretty cool cinema experience at any time of day.) If you aren’t familiar with NiteHawk, the best way to describe it is as a movie theater-restaurant hybrid, where very stealthy servers quietly sweep by the seats collecting food and beverage orders that guests can write down at any time they wish throughout the movie. In other words, if you’re a fan of the tried-and-true “dinner and a movie” date idea, but want to shake things up a little bit, NiteHawk is the perfect place to go.

• Location: 60 W 37th St 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10018
• Price: $$

Another novel movie theater experience can be had at the Rooftop Cinema Club—a seasonal outdoor venue that shows classic movies and current releases on a rooftop in Midtown. Wouldn’t the Midtown noise drown out a movie, you ask? Well, yes, which is why every guest at the Rooftop Cinema Club is provided with an individual pair of headphones. (Smart, right?) Tasty snacks are also served and the city views are second to none. The end result is a romantic outdoor viewing experience right in the heart of Manhattan.

• Location: multiple
• Price: $

If you’re looking for a late night date idea in (or near) NYC that’s a little more conducive to, you know, actually interacting with the other person, I suggest you skip the movies and head to Barcade for some frosty brews and nostalgic arcade fun. This beloved spot—a decided improvement on a dive bar—has locations in Brooklyn, Jersey City and Chelsea, all of which boast more than 40 different video games, as well as classic pinball machines from the ‘80s. In other words, you won’t be wanting for entertainment or awkwardly searching for ice breakers at any point during this lively late night date.

• Location: 443 W 15th St, New York, NY 10011
• Price: $$

For folks who aren’t interested in taking their date to a scuzzy dive bar or bumping night club, I recommend checking out N’Between—a hidden gem in Chelsea Market that serves up expertly mixed cocktails and a veritable cultural experience as well. This unique speakeasy style bar was inspired by the traditional Japanese izakaya and the Japanese-crafted cocktails and sakes pair beautifully with the delicious menu of small bites. Having been there myself, however, I can say that the most remarkable thing about this spot is that it’s truly an immersive experience: the design is amazing with vinyl records lining the walls, the atmosphere is incredibly relaxing and the music is carefully curated to create a perfect ambience for a late night date. In other words, you’d be hard pressed to find a better, more intimate place to grab drinks in the city.

• Location: multiple
• Price: $$

In case you missed it, the bowling alley is the perfect place to make friends and find love. (Seriously, just ask PureWow’s VP of News and Entertainment, Philip Mutz.) Due to the turn-taking nature of play there’s room for conversation but never an opportunity for long awkward pauses, so it’s an excellent first date idea. You have plenty of options when it comes to bowling alleys in NYC, but I recommend The Gutter because it keeps later hours than most.

• Location: 5th avenue and 42nd street, New York, NY 10018
• Price: free

Not sure you really want to burn the midnight oil (or at least not all of it)? We get it. Fortunately, there’s a happy medium to be found at Bryant Park where free picnic performances and concerts take place all summer long. Put together a delicious spread, or buy your food and bev from the local vendors, and don’t forget your picnic blanket so you can claim your place in the grass. Most shows begin at 7 p.m. so the main event should be over before 10 p.m. That said, there’s always the option of extending the date with a moonlit stroll through the city if things go well.

Whether you hit up an open mic night or score tickets to see a comedian you already know and love at Gotham Comedy Club or the Comedy Cellar, this late night date idea is sure to be a success—namely because laughter is a recipe for love (and there’s no need for ice breakers when you’ve got a comedian doing it for you). Sure, you’re not always guaranteed a laugh at a stand up show, but the experience is kind of a blast either way and you’ll definitely leave with plenty to talk about.

• Location: Pier 57 25 11th Avenue (at 15th Street), New York, NY 10011
• Price: $$$$

Located at Pier 57, the Platform by the James Beard Foundation hosts exciting culinary experiences where culture and gustatory pleasure come together. In other words, these events, which highlight American cuisine from all over the country, are a foodie’s dream. (Upcoming events include a New England themed dinner from the “Classic Coast” and a farm fresh meal featuring masterfully crafted bites inspired by Georgia’s coast. You can find reservation links here and here.) The culinary experience wraps at around 10 p.m., but if you’d like to extend your date a little and walk off the delicious meal, the rooftop park at Pier 57 is open to the public until midnight and boasts truly breathtaking views of the Hudson River and the Lower Manhattan skyline.

Good news for all love birds who are also night owls: Prospect Park, Central Park and Brooklyn Bridge Park are all open to the public until 1 a.m. That means you can pack a swoon-worthy spread, a bottle of wine (keep your consumption discreet) and a blanket for a beautiful moonlit picnic in the park. Your prospects for stargazing likely won’t be that great, but it’s a very romantic late night date idea in NYC that features fresh air, plus the magic of experiencing nature and quiet in the Concrete Jungle.

There’s nothing more quintessentially New York than strolling into an all-night diner with your date…and if you’re interested in late night date ideas in NYC, there’s a good chance you’re hoping to avoid the stuffy scene at an upscale restaurant anyway. Order burgers or have breakfast for dinner—just don’t forget the egg creams and make sure the conversation is lively.

Karaoke bars are a no-brainer when it comes to late night date ideas; book a room at one near you, throw back a few drinks to keep your inhibitions at bay and then sing like there’s no tomorrow. And in case you need reminding, real singing talent is not required for a successful karaoke night. In fact, there are few things as romantic as making fools of yourself together. (Psst: If you’re not sure which song to butcher first, you can find our favorite karaoke picks here.)

• Location: 137-72 Northern Blvd, Flushing, NY 11354
• Price: $$

You don’t need to trek into Manhattan to enjoy a memorable rooftop experience with panoramic views of the city. Moon Rooftop Bar at The One Boutique Hotel in Flushing, Queens is an incredibly scenic spot for anyone seeking skyline views, and the cocktails and light bites get glowing reviews too. Bottom line: This open air eat-and-drink late date night idea is pretty darn special, particularly for those who live in the outer boroughs.

No matter what city you live in, there’s a good chance there are a few 24-hour fast food chains within walking or driving distance. If you’re looking for something carefree and fun to do that also satisfies an empty stomach, go on a fast food crawl with the objective of figuring out which fast food restaurant has the best nuggets, fries and burgers. Pro tip: I suggest you pace yourself by splitting orders and definitely try to record your findings in the most scientific way possible.

It’s amore! Pasta making is a super fun, hands-on activity that allows couples to collaborate in the kitchen on a romantic date night meal to be enjoyed at any hour. There are virtual pasta making classes you can take on your own schedule, or you can just wing it with an online tutorial—either way, it’s a perfect way to enjoy a fun culinary experience without leaving the comfort of home. (Bonus points if the whole thing finishes with a Lady & the Tramp style spaghetti smooch.)

You’re never too old to enjoy a good old-fashioned board game, and there are actually some pretty cool and not so old-fashioned ones around these days. (You can find a list of our favorite board games here.) If you prefer, pull out a deck of cards and make it a casino night with a few hands of blackjack or rummy. For late night date idea success, I strongly recommend that you have a few options on hand so that you can move on to a new form of friendly competition when the last one grows stale; do this and you’re guaranteed a night of low-key romance and bonding with built-in entertainment.

Rom-coms, horror movies, what have you—there are so many options when it comes to a cozy movie marathon enjoyed from the comfort of your couch. Snuggle under a blanket, make sure there are plenty of snacks, and kudos if you craft some cocktails that fit the theme of the films you plan to watch.

Snuggle up on the couch with some photo albums and take a late night trip down memory lane together. You can share baby photos or reminisce about shared memories with photos from vacations, birthdays, etc. This one is definitely a sweet, wholesome way to connect with your SO.

Even if a vacation isn’t in the cards right now, the planning is almost as fun as the real thing. Tap into your wanderlust with someone special and see where the night takes you. And who knows? Maybe the trip you dream up together will come to pass after all.

Personality quizzes are just plain fun, and even better when you’ve got someone to share the results with. There are tons of free ones online, including compatibility tests and more. That said, you might want to take the results with a grain of salt depending on the tests you choose to take!