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Aubrey, 35, vice president of marketing and communications, Gramercy/Flatiron
Her ideal date: “We could start the night grabbing a cocktail at a bar in Soho; maybe Jimmy at the James hotel, as the view there is pretty spectactular. Then, grab dinner somewhere in the East Village—I’m a huge fan of the restaurants the Beagle and Hearth—followed by catching a band that only you have heard of and can’t wait to introduce me to. We’d conclude the evening with a nightcap at a local dive. Bonus points if the bartender can make a mean rye old-fashioned without muddling the maraschino.”
Want to ask her out? E-mail: aubrey@tonypersonals.com
Caitlin, 23, account executive, East Village
Her ideal date: “Walking around the East Village, then cozying up with a couple of whiskey cocktails in a bar with a fireplace. I’m picturing a ski lodge, but I don’t think those exist here in NYC [Editor’s tip: Offer to take Caitlin to Black Bear Lodge.]. It’s my ideal date because in New York sometimes you just have to go somewhere to relax and forget about the one million other things going on, and doesn’t a fireplace just make everything more romantic?”
Want to ask her out? E-mail: caitlin@tonypersonals.com
Caitlin, 24; editorial assistant; Red Hook, Brooklyn
Her ideal date: “My perfect date would be a nice dinner at a cozy restaurant with good food, good wine and conversation. The conversation should revolve around nourishment of the soul and the body—a fine restaurant offers sustenance for both, and a great date should provide insight into both of these worlds. Any truly fine evening doesn’t simply end after the meal, and would include heading to a concert (preferably folk music or hip-hop) and drinking lots of whiskey. Whiskey and live music are perhaps the only things I love more than food, as both open portals in the soul that other substances can’t reach. A walk home under the stars and a chaste goodnight kiss would be the perfect end to this well-rounded evening.”
Want to ask her out? E-mail: caitlin1@tonypersonals.com
Cassie, 27; actor and blogger covering sex and the adult industry; Bushwick, Brooklyn
Her ideal date: “I’ve been getting into fancy-ish cocktails lately, so it’d be ideal to hit up a place with delicious mixed drinks (which also tend to be extra boozy, which helps with first-date awkwardness). Then, before getting too uppity, it’d be great to wind up at a dive, where I usually feel pretty at home. I do love eating out around the city, but for a first date I feel, like, the more drinking, the better. Basically, I’m pretty laid-back and would be happy to do anything, except something really physically demanding.”
Want to ask her out? E-mail: cassie@tonypersonals.com
Christine, 36; business development manager; Astoria, Queens
Her ideal date: “I’ve had great dates in terrible places and terrible dates at great places; it’s the date himself that matters. My ideal date is with a man who is funny and intelligent. We can go for drinks in a dive bar, check out an exhibit at a local museum, or take a stroll through the park.”
Want to ask her out? E-mail: christine1@tonypersonals.com
Diana, 30, president, Midtown West
Her ideal date: “I like getting to know a person in a calm yet energetic environment. I don’t want noise to overpower the conversation because I like to listen, know and understand the other person—where he comes from and where he wants to go. Meeting for lunch or coffee in the city would provide an environment conducive to that.”
Want to ask her out? E-mail: diana1@tonypersonals.com
Jacquelyn, 32; promoter, curator, publicist and bartender; Nolita
Her ideal date: “Spontaneity and a man with a plan can be super sexy, so in lieu of a traditional planned evening, an ideal night out would begin with a few fun, mood-inspired ideas posed by my date. No one is a mind reader, though, so a few general suggestions for a good starting place would be a cozy and unique coffee shop, tea house or juice bar. On my dream-world fantasy date, I see us doing an hour or two in a private, disco-style karaoke room where we will wow each other with our eclectic musical selections and singing style—apologies in advance for terrible singing and overexpressiveness. It would be fun to follow that with a few experimental entrées at a late-night Japanese tapas restaurant.”
Want to ask her out? E-mail: jacquelyn@tonypersonals.com
Julia, 29; communications associate and blogger; Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn
Her ideal date: “Walking around a museum. It’s a building full of interesting things to look at and, unlike watching a movie, you can talk the whole time. Seeing what inspires a person and what they appreciate in a room full of art (or dinosaurs, whichever) is intriguing and a great way to get to know someone. Person-wise, I like nerdy boys with social skills. Someone to see bands with, stay in and watch movies with, or just quietly read and snuggle with. Bringing your own bucket of LEGOs is a plus.”
Want to ask her out? E-mail: julia@tonypersonals.com
Karen, 34; membership manager for a performing-arts venue; Astoria, Queens
Her ideal date: “It would be something entertaining (with the potential for either mildly showing off or minor embarrassment), mixed with the chance to talk without having to scream at each other to be heard. Some possible combinations could be seeing live music, followed by dinner; playing pool and drinking in a lounge; going dancing, then having beers at a pub; or bowling, with a walk through the neighborhood afterward. These dates are laid-back and fun, with different facets—just like me, of course.”
Want to ask her out? E-mail: karen1@tonypersonals.com
Kerry, 43, marketing director, Battery Park City
Her ideal date: “It would include a walk on the High Line, followed by cocktails and dinner nearby. Hopefully my date shares my love of New York City and for travel, and likes to laugh.”
Want to ask her out? E-mail: kerry1@tonypersonals.com
Khaleeqa, 28; online editor at Paparoxi; Englewood, NJ
Her ideal date: “I’m a foodie who loves going on adventures, so a combination of the two is a win. One of the best dates I have ever gone on was a food tour through lower Manhattan, rock climbing and then exploring an old church.”
Want to ask her out? E-mail: khaleeqa@tonypersonals.com
Kim, 31, research analyst, Harlem
Her ideal date: “For a first date with a total stranger, I think something low-key that lets us get to know each other is probably the most ideal. Bonus points for finding a way to do that without involving eating and drinking. I mean, I love eating and drinking, but I sometimes worry that it’s all I do in this city! So I’d love to be able to something different, maybe playing minigolf or finding Dance Dance Revolution in an arcade, and then getting a drink afterward.”
Want to ask her out? E-mail: kim@tonypersonals.com
Kira, 27, executive assistant in the fashion industry, Harlem
Her ideal date: “I think doing an activity is a fun, relaxed way to get to know someone on a date. Flowers and romance are nice, but it’s a date, it’s not like we are getting married—chill out. Show me the kind of person you are, the things that make you laugh, something that shows what your passions are. I want to have fun on a date and think, That was so cool: good conversation, no pressure, just laughing and I got to try something I’ve never done before. When you are confident about who you are, spending time with another person and getting to know them is really fun.”
Want to ask her out? E-mail: kira@tonypersonals.com
Lemia, 30; photographer and filmmaker; Ridgewood, Queens
Her ideal date: “Either catch a photography exhibition at the International Center of Photography, or walk around Wave Hill or the Cloisters, followed by a long dinner somewhere intimate, like Café Colette. I think it is important to have plenty of face time to discuss what we encountered and to talk on a personal level. Talking is such a turn-on for me, so any situation where we can talk for long periods of time is a plus.”
Want to ask her out? E-mail: lemia@tonypersonals.com
Lila, 40; professional organizer; Ditmas Park, Brooklyn
Her ideal date: “It varies by season: In winter it’s got to be indoors! There is a tropical plant conservatory in the New York Botanical Garden that is about 80 degrees in the winter. A good flow of phytochemicals makes for a great date with this sun child!”
Want to ask her out? E-mail: lila@tonypersonals.com
Lorenna, 27; photo editor; Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
Her ideal date: “I consider myself a fairly crafty person, so I would enjoy either going to a painting class or, even better, one of those paint-your-own-pottery places. We would pick out a mermaid, a cat in a shoe, or maybe a sun—which I would paint gold. Afterward we could head to a local bar, ideally one that has popcorn, because if I could marry an inanimate thing it would be popcorn. Hope you don’t mind that I will likely be covered head to toe in paint.”
Want to ask her out? E-mail: lorenna@tonypersonals.com
Mary Beth, 31; senior editor at the Consumerist; Fort Greene, Brooklyn
Her ideal date: “I’m all about a date that’s low-pressure, especially the first date. If the guy brings flowers before we’ve even met, I’ll feel like I have to have a good time because he went to such an effort. I’d rather just meet at a casual bar in Brooklyn; not a dive bar per se, but not some fancy hotel bar, either. As long as there are good drinks and an atmosphere that fosters an interesting conversation, I’ll be happy.”
Want to ask her out? E-mail: marybeth@tonypersonals.com
Natalie, 25; product manager at a translation services firm; Bushwick, Brooklyn
Her ideal date: “It would probably involve a private plane to Paris.… Just kidding! Ultimately, I’m in love with New York, so a great first date would be some kind of city activity, like going to a Nets game or listening to jazz in the West Village. I’m adventurous, so I would be down to discover new places or try something I’ve never done before!”
Want to ask her out? E-mail: natalie1@tonypersonals.com
Nicole, 38; art director; Long Island City, Queens
Her ideal date: “My ideal first date would be less of a date and more about hanging out. How much more fun would it be to get to know each other on a scavenger hunt around the city, rather than awkward conversation over cold noodles? Don’t get me wrong, there is a time and a place for the romantic table in the corner, and I love that, too; I would just prefer to have some fun while getting to know someone.”
Want to ask her out? E-mail: nicole1@tonypersonals.com
Sarah, 32; general manager of a cheese shop; Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Her ideal date: “My ideal date has two parts. One involves motion: walking somewhere, boating, hiking, anything—just get moving. Making conversation is easier with new people in a setting where it’s not weird to be quiet for a minute. The other is to loosen up with a glass of something boozy. Let the wit fly and see if the other person has a complementary sense of humor. And I like dates that aren’t overly structured, where you kinda see where the night takes you. Plan the first step or location to meet, and then wander!”
Want to ask her out? E-mail: sarah1@tonypersonals.com
Zan, 26; marketing coordinator and box-office manager; Sunset Park, Brooklyn
Her ideal date: “I’m looking to meet someone who’s into music, tattoos and tacos. As for a date, drinks at a dive is always good; I like the casual atmosphere, plus it’s inexpensive, which is always a plus. When going out with friends I prefer comfortable—even kinda grimy—spots over fancy ones, and a good date should feel like hanging out with a friend.”
Want to ask her out? E-mail: zan@tonypersonals.com
Zenia, 29; fashion designer and pattern maker; Astoria, Queens
Her ideal date: “It’s pretty simple: dinner and drinks. I let them choose the place for dinner to figure out what type of food he is into and what type of atmosphere he feels most comfortable in. I love to share, so every time I go on a date, I always suggest to order different dishes to share food or taste each other’s entrées. If they do not like to share, I know that it wouldn’t work. I suggest the place for drinks so that he can get an idea of what type of girl I am. I like dive bars and I order whiskey on the rocks. If he can keep up with me without making an ass of himself, he can successfully pass on to date No. 2!”
Want to ask her out? E-mail: zenia@tonypersonals.com
Take some of the guesswork out of dating: 21 single women seeking men in NYC reveal their ideal dates—all you need to do is ask them out.
What to single New York women want from a date? If the answers of these 21 women seeking men in NYC suggest anything, it’s that they just want to have fun in a casual environment. So put down that bouquet, ask one of them out and plan an excursion to play minigolf then sing your hearts out at a karaoke bar, before finishing up at a dive bar.
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