by Carrie Gross
Have a date? Looking for a date? Looking for a place to take a date? We know this city is confusing with thousands of bars and restaurants to choose from, how do you know where to go? We surveyed our readers and the market to bring you the favorites on the Upper East Side.
Best College Bar Atmosphere
Remember when pitchers were a dollar and rent was $300 a month? Life was easy back then when you could roll out of your dorm and to the local watering hole on campus with nothing more than a few bucks in your pocket and a fake ID. The guys were buff with full heads of hair and Greek lettered shirts. The girls were primed and one beer away from a Girls Gone Wild Video. Well, we can’t recreate those days, but the Upper East Side can lend you a slice from your youthful past.
(1) Mo’s Carribean
(2) Brother Jimmy’s
(3) Mad River
Best Date Bar (... when you aren’t sure how ugly your date may be)
So you meet him/her on the Internet. A blurry picture, a short profile – of course you aren’t ready to parade this unproven entity around your neighborhood. Maybe you are sneaking around behind your soon-to-be-Ex’s back or trying to avoid the embarrassment of being seen by your Friday date while on your Saturday date. No need to run off to the Lower East Side, there are hidden gems nestled away on the Upper East Side where you are sure to avoid detection.
(1) Auction House
(2) Fubar
(3) Trinity Pub
Best Uptown Bar with a Downtown Feel
If you live on 81th Street then why are you schlepping down to 18th Street for trendy? Surprise! There are some very cool and hip bars right in your backyard. It’s not just the meatpacking district which is littered with hot lounges and sex nightspots. Just a few steps from your Upper East Side door you can sip Cosmos and watch the parade of beautiful babies.
(1) Cocktail Room
(2) Lollipop
(3) Uptown Lounge
(4) Bruno Jamais lounge area
Best First Date Restaurant (... that won’t break the bank)
You got past drinks and decided you are still interested, but you aren’t ready to dip into your savings account to pay for a meal. Picking a first date restaurant doesn’t need to be stressful, we have done all the work for you. Good atmosphere. Good lighting. Good vibe and food, and all right here on the Upper East Side.
(1) Tapas Lounge
(2) Mediteranneo
(3) Merchants
(4) Carvao
Best Date Restaurant (... for special occasions or to get laid)
When money is no consideration, the Upper East Side has some restaurants which are sure to wow the pants right off your date. Whether is a special occasion or you are ready to take the relationship to the next step, there are many amazing sexy and impressive dining options at your beckon call.
(1) Mr. Chow’s (celebrity sightings too!)
(2) Centolire
(3) Daniel
Best Karoke Bar
So you have had a few and you are ready to be the next Clay Aiken. Show off those pipes to your date, belt out some old school 80s favorites to an adoring crowd. Just be sure the next day you are armed with Tylenol and ready to sign some autographs.
Best Romantic Venue
The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, but the path to a woman’s is more complicated. However, romance is usually a straight arrow that will make a dent. What better way to show your adoration than by showing her a place which has all of the elements of a Valentine’s Day surprise. From Old World charm to city vistas at your feet, there are tucked away spots that will make her heart jump.
(1) Top of the Tower (Beekman Hotel)
(2) Bemelman’s
(3) Central Park Boathouse
Best place to ditch your date and find another
The night didn’t go how you wanted it to and now are standing sans date on the arm, but with a drink in your hand. No worries, if you are unsure how your date will end just pick bars that are loaded with single people. You can pick up something new on your way out.
(1) Session 73
(2) Baraonda
(3) Stir
Best Unusual Date
Looking for something different than the typical “dinner and movie” date? Show your date something unique so that you leave a lasting impression. Whether unconventional or out of the ordinary, the Upper East Side offers selections of both.
(1) Scores
(2) Serendipity
(3) Met Rooftop
Best Place to Hunt Celebs
You don’t need to get behind the velvet rope of the downtown trendsetter scene to see celebrities. Want to impress your date while pointing out celebrities who are inches away? The Upper East Side has many venues where celebs dine, drink and dance. Bring your digital camera, order a bottle of Cristal and sit back as you watch the parade of celebrities.
(1) Elaine’s
(2) 5757 @ the Four Seasons
(3) Tao
(4) Bruno Jamais
Best Brunch Date Spots
Who says a date has to be dinner? Nothing sets the tone better than a lazy Sunday brunch filled with good Upper East Side people watching. So stay home on Saturday and reschedule for Sunday morning. Grab a New York Times, your date and head off to your reservation at one of the fine brunch eateries.
(1) Serafina
(2) Fred’s @ Barneys
(3) La Goulue
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