Check out this casual spot in Queens if a low-pressure first date is on your mind. With spacious indoor and outdoor seating, this is a great spot for chatting over your pick-me-up of choice, be it coffee, tea, or matcha. Pro-tip: Regular visitors swear over the Mad Pink Matcha – a perfect icebreaker about go-to drinks.

The 85-acre, waterfront park is one of Brooklyn’s best-known attractions for a reason and happens to be a great place for a first date. Whether you want to rent skates at the Pier 2 Roller Rink, catch a free flick at Pier 1’s Movies With a View, or just take a stroll through nature, this park has you covered for getting to know someone new.

Bibliophiles, this is the spot for you. Isn’t there just something romantic about wandering book aisles with someone new? And to sweeten the deal, this cozy shop in Brooklyn also has a cafe. Bond over your favorite books while enjoying beer, wine, or a cup of coffee.

If an experience is what you’re after for a first date, the speakeasy vibes, good tunes, and Japanese cuisine at Tokyo Record Bar in Manhattan will do the trick. Upon arrival you’re greeted with both drink and record menus, so you can pick your songs of choice for the restaurant playlist while you eat. This is a great opening to bond over your shared music taste – or silently judge your date for dissing disco.

One of Brooklyn’s most picturesque locations for a first date, this 52-acre garden makes the perfect backdrop for long conversations and cute glances. And if things are going great, pop over to the Brooklyn Museum right next door to extend the date. Pro-tip: This is the place to be between April and May, as the cherry blossoms are in full bloom!

This Queens watering hole is perfect for a couple of beer aficionados. Or really, anyone who enjoys a wide variety of drink options paired with an outdoor space made for long conversations. Grab a bite from the on-site food truck and dare your date to get adventurous with beer samples – maybe the Oatmeal Marshmallow Creme Pie Stout? And bonus: This spot is dog-friendly. It’s the perfect excuse to meet that corgi from your date’s profile right out of the gate!

In the mood for a casual, outdoorsy date? Get your steps in while getting to know each other at this popular park in Chelsea. The 1.4 miles of elevated, car-free space nestled between skyscrapers has manicured gardens, art installations, and Hudson River views that serve as good talking points. And since the park is doing timed entries, you have a guaranteed end if the date isn’t going great, or an excuse to quickly plan date number two.

Cafe by day, bar by night. This casual eat-and-drink spot has a great atmosphere and potentially the best burger on the Upper East Side – but that’s up for you and your date to debate. The menu and cocktail list are on the smaller side but still full of variety. That makes this spot a good bet, even if you aren’t sure what type of food your date favors.

A staple in NYC, The Met is not to be overlooked as a classic first date spot for both art-lovers and casual viewers alike. Between the paintings, sculptures, and ever-changing exhibitions, you’ll never find yourself short on things to say. Take turns pointing out your favorite pieces and then sit down to compare over a cup of coffee (or gelato!) at Petrie Court, the on-site cafe.

A little healthy competition can bring out your personality on a first date, and you’ll find it at this spot in Brooklyn. Stocked up with more pink flamingos than you can count, the 50s beach vibes make this a fun, quirky spot for a date. Book online as it gets crowded. But even if you have to wait, there are tabletop games, a full bar, and a food truck with good eats to make the waiting enjoyable in itself.