First-date standbys

standbyJerryD

Jerry Dial, 35; attorney; Williamsburg, Brooklyn; straight
Date history: 30-plus in the past five years
Go-to spot: "I have three places that I usually go to on first dates depending on the personality of the date: Doc Holliday's (141 Ave A at E 9th St, 212-979-0312), Whiskey Town (29 E 3rd St at Second Ave; 212-505-7344, whiskeytownbar.com) or Bowery Electric (327 Bowery between 2nd and 3rd Sts; 212-228-0228, theboweryelectric.com)."
The appeal: "At Doc's, I can sing country music at the top of my lungs. At Whiskey, I can knock back shots of Jameson's like an Irish poet. And at Bowery, I can show off dance moves that haven't been popular since 1986. I feel it is important for dates to see how I behave in my natural habitat."
"First dates can be awkward and uncomfortable, so I like to go to places where not only do I know the people, but I feel at ease. And nothing impresses a date more than when the bartender knows your drink before you get to the bar---or it makes a date think you are an unapologetic alcoholic. It's really a toss-up."
"When dates see I am comfortable in a place and situation, they tend to also feel more comfortable."

standbyJohnO

John Owens, 34, bartender; Williamsburg, Brooklyn; straight
Dates: Four in four months
Go-to spot: "Walter Foods (253 Grand St between Driggs Ave and Roebling St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 718-387-8783) for dinner, then drinks at Iona (180 Grand St between Bedford and Driggs Aves, Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 718-384-5008, ionabrooklyn.com)."
The appeal: "The food at Walter is great and the service is even better, and Iona has a great beer selection and nice patio."

standbyJamesD

James D'Ambrosio, 45; Nonprofit public-relations representative; Huntington, L.I.; straight
Date history: Three dates in the past few months
Go-to spot: "Always a restaurant or caf, like the upscale lounge at the Royalton New York (44 W 44th St between Fifth and Sixth Aves; 212-944-8844, royaltonhotel.com)."
The appeal: "It has a quiet atmosphere for conversation, and we need face time to have a meaningful talk and learn as much as possible about each other."

standbyMollyC

Molly Cronin, 31; librarian; Greenpoint, Brooklyn; straight
Date history: About 20 in the last year
Go-to spot: "I like to recommend Roberta's (261 Moore St between Bogart and White Sts, Bushwick, Brooklyn; 718-417-1118, robertaspizza.com). Can't go wrong with fancy pizza!"
The appeal: "It's cheapish, easy to get to, they have great food, and it's not too private. If all else fails, you can gaze at the bearded cooks near the oven. Oh, and they have drinks, in case things really start to go down the tubes."
"Price point, since I've found that a lot of my dates are currently 'between gigs' or straight up not working. Location is a big factor too. Most people, even the most anti-Brooklyn Manhattan types, can get to the L train."
"They usually think it's cool if they haven't been there, or they are comfortable because they have."

standbyMinaKara

Mina Karimi and Kara Suhey, both 26;(babecitybabes.com); Williamsburg, Brooklyn; straight cofounders of Babe City Babes
Date history: Mina: "Can you count how often it rains?" Kara: "Exactly."
Go-to spot: "Iona (180 Grand St between Bedford and Driggs Aves, Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 718-384-5008, ionabrooklyn.com) is our favorite."
The appeal: Mina: "It's close to our headquarters, and people who know us often walk in and kiss us on the cheeks, which makes us look interesting." Kara: "They play great music, and the lighting flatters our cheekbones."
Mina: "A casual, convenient environments allows for natural conversation and that can transition smoothly into a range of platonic to sensual banter depending upon chemistry." Kara: "We like Iona especially because it is across the street, and many sexy Europeans hang out there. If your date sucks, there is always another hot man/babe-in-waiting at this location. You just wait until your date leaves, then reapply lipstick and get yourself another one."
Both: "They ask for another one."

standbySuzannaT

Suzanna Talbot, 24; paralegal; Park Slope, Brooklyn; straight
Date history: 15 in the past year
Go-to spot: "Mehanata (113 Ludlow St between Delancey and Rivington Sts; 212-625-0981, mehanata.com), the Bulgarian bar."
The appeal: "It's an all-in-one with food, drinks, hookah, live music and dancing."
"I think Mehanata is fun and quirky, like me!"
"Most guys seem to think it's a cool scene, and there's a lot to take in and talk about."