Want to Meet Someone in Real Life? We Know Just the Place.

In 2012, Tinder introduced its swipe feature. Other apps followed suit, making the feature ubiquitous, and matchmaking was never the same. And now, 12 years later, people are tired: tired of transactional swiping; monotonous getting-to-know-you first dates; and conversations that fizzle out in days.

Many people, young people in particular, are open about wanting the spark that can feel missing when mindlessly scrolling an app. There’s a yearning to return to the days of meeting someone in person, a longing for human connection.

But, if it’s serendipity you crave, where do you go to meet new people in New York? A lot has changed post-pandemic — old staples have closed, new places have opened.

Of course, you could have a meet-cute anywhere in New York. But that doesn’t mean that it’s always easy to figure out where to go to meet other singles.

Three Styles reporters combed the city for fun places for all kinds of people — whether you’re a book lover, a partygoer, a fitness enthusiast, an introvert or an extrovert. Below are 14 places in the five boroughs to meet people in real life.

A Place to Spin and Groove

Record Room
Listening bar and lounge
4709 Center Boulevard
Long Island City, Queens
Free

For the audiophile who doesn’t want to dance alone at home, Record Room in Long Island City is the right groove. Expect different crowds depending on the D.J., with everything from Afrobeats and R&B to early 2000s and hip-hop, but patrons are typically in their late 20s to mid-30s. Records line the walls of this cafe by day and cocktail bar by night as you walk toward the back room. And that’s where the magic happens: Everything is awash in red light, adding a flirtatious flare to the cozy atmosphere of plush couches.

Walé Akin, 32, a Harlem transplant from Atlanta, said the spot came highly recommended by women friends who had found new beaus after a night out there. “New York is really fun,” he said, “but you don’t always see a lot of places where you can have that intimate conversation.” He found that Record Room offered that atmosphere.

If you’re looking to make a new friend, try Tuesday nights, their Suede R&B night hosted by DJ Moochie and DJ SVPPLY. The party is in full swing by 10 p.m., when they come to collect the bar stools to make more room for, say, a breakout dance session of the electric slide to Cameo’s “Candy.”

A Sports Enthusiasts Meet-Up

A New York Liberty Game
Barclays Center
620 Atlantic Avenue
Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Ticket prices vary

Women’s basketball has been growing in popularity, spawning memes, drama, conversation, headlines, and, yes, opportunities for a meet-cute. At a recent Sunday game against the Indiana Fever, the arena roared with energy from the crowd as Ellie the Elephant busted out the worm courtside and Breanna Stewart and her teammates scored basket after basket.

Not only are Liberty games incredibly fun, they have also been gaining a reputation as a matchmaking location for lesbians, with one TikTok user even referring to the Sunday game as “lesbian church” in a video.

Zoe Woolrich, 21, a social media fellow at Business Insider, attended the game hoping to meet other women. “When you’re a queer woman that wants to find another queer woman that enjoys sports, it’s the best place to go,” she said. “And you get to watch the game. So it’s a win-win.”

And it’s not just for queer women. Kiki Luo, a 23-year-old student at N.Y.U. who attended the Sunday game, said she exchanged contact information with a man at the arena who had been locking eyes with her throughout the game.

A Book Lovers’ Haunt

The Lit. Bar
Book Store
131 Alexander Avenue
Mott Haven, the Bronx
Free

This cozy bookstore is nestled in the southern tip of a busy street in the Bronx, housing a curated collection of books with categories like “This is where Black woman and feminism intersect” and “Politickin,’” which patrons can browse as R&B music plays in the background.

The bar at the back of the bookstore is a great place to sip wine while connecting with fellow readers. “People get to know each other through their conversation on books,” said Noëlle Santos, who opened the The Lit. Bar in April 2019. “I see that all the time here.”

The bookstore hosts events and book signings where people of all ages mingle. (On June 18, Taraji P. Henson will be there signing copies of her children’s book “You Can Be a Good Friend (No Matter What!)”.) On weekends, book clubs frequently host meetings there. Sundays are busy with people who browse after brunch.

Must Love Art (or Artists)

Hannah Traore Gallery
Art Gallery
150 Orchard Street
Lower East Side, Manhattan
Free

Searching for fashionable, intelligent art lovers who enjoy discussing brush strokes? At the exhibition openings at Hannah Traore Gallery on the Lower East Side, you can find them. During the opening night of the “Don’t Touch My Hair” exhibit in June, dozens of like-minded 20- and 30-somethings mingled over glasses of wine.

“I would say the best place to meet people that you are potentially romantically interested in are the places where you enjoy spending your life or spending your time,” said Kevin Claiborne, a 35-year-old visual artist living in Harlem who is in a relationship, but still vouched for art galleries as a great place to meet potential dates.

The best time to attend to meet the most people is during exhibition openings in the evenings, which often are held on Thursdays at 6 p.m. (but best to follow the gallery on Instagram for specifics). These openings tend to attract large crowds and often include libations.

“When people are saying that they’re trying to find a date or a partner, I’m always like ‘come to my openings’,” said Ms. Traore, adding that she sees people flirt at her gallery often.

A Theater Buff Hangout

The Drama Book Shop
Bookstore
266 W 39th Street
Midtown Manhattan
Free

In the Times Square area, you can find like-minded souls between the aisles at the Drama Book Shop, which is partly owned by Lin-Manuel Miranda. An attraction for theater lovers and aspiring actors, the bookstore caters to a variety of ages.

The booths near the front are where you’ll find people with their laptops and high tables facing the windows — a good spot for people-watching. The sweet spot is a seating area in the back. There, you may find eager enthusiasts thumbing through pages, and, if you’re bold enough, venture into conversation with someone seated nearby. Xavier Moses, 24, who also works at the location on 39th street, said they were once asked to coffee by a regular customer.

Mx. Moses, who lives in Harlem, said socializing in the theater community can feel like it’s “résumés first,” which isn’t exactly romantic. But the bookstore is “specific enough that people come here with intention,” Mx. Moses said, which increases the likelihood of meeting someone like-minded.

Feeling Outdoorsy?

McCarren Park
Public Park
776 Lorimer Street
Williamsburg and Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Free

McCarren Park in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn is ripe with eye candy on a Sunday morning. At the track, fitness enthusiasts, yogis and running groups congregate — a prime spot to survey the field. If you’re not a runner, even a bench warmer can make eye contact with someone cute Rollerblading or a passerby walking a dog.

“Oh hell yeah, this is the spot,” said Corey Caldwell, 34, a fitness trainer. “I personally don’t like bars, and I’m not on the apps; I feel like a coffee shop or somewhere like this you can find someone with similar interests.”

At McCarren Parkhouse, the park’s social venue, there’s concession stands with coffee, cocktails and air-conditioning. On a nice day, sunbathers with blankets sprawl out in every direction, chatting among groups. The garden near the track may or may not be an adorably intimate make-out spot.

A Haven for Queer Women

Ginger’s
Irish Pub
363 5th Avenue
Park Slope, Brooklyn
Free

Inside the bright blue and yellow exterior of Ginger’s, beyond the long wooden bar up front and out the back room housing a pool table, lies a backyard where women affectionately sit on each other’s laps in lounge chairs.

The bar opened in 2000, and it’s one of the last lesbian bars that remain standing in New York. Patrons of all ages said they feel comfortable there and have found a community of queer women and nonbinary people.

“We’re always chatting with people,” said Beth Gilson, 30, a cat sitter. “People are here to get numbers, chat and be a little flirty. It’s safe, and it’s chill, and if anyone does hit on you, they’re very respectful.”

From Thursday to Saturday, Ginger’s is bubbling with energy, but the music is low enough to strike up a conversation with a stranger.

Scouting for Tea and a Love Match

Qahwah House
Cafe
Multiple locations
Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens
Free

This bustling Yemeni cafe is known among Muslims to be a hot spot to scope out potential mates and has become a popular subject to joke about on TikTok.

On a typical weekend night at Qahwah House, which serves coffee and tea made with spices like cardamom, cinnamon and cloves until as late as 2 a.m. during Ramadan, the line creeps out the door. Myesha Choudhury, a 22-year-old student, has been visiting the Williamsburg location since it opened in November 2020. (There are also locations in the West Village and Astoria.)

“As young Muslims, we don’t have that many spaces for us,” she said. “It’s really cute for debriefs. If you go to an event and then you go back with the girlies for a debrief, Qahwah House is always the spot for that.”

She added that she meets new people there all the time: “Everyone there is being social.”

And there are plenty of non-Muslims there as well — patrons perched in chairs with laptops and chai. It’s a warm, welcoming space.

An Afro-Caribbean Hidden Gem

DEIÀ
Cocktail Bar
642 Rogers Avenue
Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn
Free

Deià (pronounced day-uh) could be described as a hidden gem; it’s easy to miss walking on Rogers Avenue even if you’re not new to the Little Caribbean neighborhood.

Junn Joly, 39, a Flatbush native, opened the bar in February. Having seen the area change with gentrification, he wanted to give something back to the community. “As the neighborhood goes through a lot of changes, I thought it made sense to do something that also matched the vibe of people coming in,” Mr. Joly said.

The bar features a happy hour from 5 to 8 p.m. on most weekdays, a small tapas menu and an outdoor patio. The space is “intimate,” said Joce (pronounced jahs) Blake, 34, a freelance writer who lives in Bedford-Stuyvesant. She said she enjoyed Deià’s “grown and sexy vibe,” and was optimistic that she’d find other single men or new friendly connections in their 30s there.

With free entry even on the busiest Friday or Saturday night, expect a lively fete by 9 p.m. to a variety of music selections of soca, dance hall reggae, Afro-beats and R&B.

A Ferry Ride and Brunch Vibes

Wynwood
Restaurant and Lounge
24 Navy Pier Court
Stapleton, Staten Island
Mostly Free

A short ferry ride away from the city lies Wynwood, a spacious restaurant and bar that overlooks the pier. During early hours on the weekends, Wynwood is popular for its themed brunches, guest D.J.s and performers.

While not all of their events are free to partake in, the food and drink specials along with their D.J.s, are always advertised on their Instagram account. Come for the cowgirl-themed brunch and stay for the social scene in the evening.

At night, closer to 8 p.m., the crowd picks up and the space entertains a variety of age groups depending on the D.J.

Wynwood is conveniently located by the Stapleton Waterfront Park, between the George Ferry Terminal and the Verrazano Bridge. The stretch of pavement, benches and bike paths on Staten Island’s North Shore is perfect for a stroll with your new crush.

Where The It-Crowd and Food Lovers Meet

Lucien
French Bistro
14 1st Ave.,
East Village, Manhattan
Cost between $50 and $100

Lucien has long been a go-to for those looking to enjoy a cocktail over a good French meal. By 11 p.m., the lights get dim, the music becomes more fun and the space transform into a local bar.

“There’s an eclectic mix of old school die-hards, a fairly regular rotation of famous people, and young downtown people,” said Julia Cooke, a hostess at the restaurant. “The tables are all touching, so if you stay long enough you’ll almost certainly get drunk and befriend the people at the neighboring tables.”

One move would be to go to Lucien alone around 8 p.m., perhaps on a Thursday, Friday or even Saturday night, and find a good spot at the bar after enjoying a solo dinner. According to Ms. Cooke, that’s where she’s spotted strangers connecting and having a great time.

“My friend Nate met his wife, Lucy, while she was serving here, so that’s at least one great love story that started at Lucien,” she said.

A Foodie Spot With a Side of Matchmaking

Shaw-naé’s House
Restaurant
381 Van Duzer Street
Stapleton, Staten Island
Reservation only

Entering Shaw-naé’s House soul food restaurant is like stepping into a Black household on Thanksgiving Day. Shaw-naé Dixon, 47, the owner, greets many customers with a hug and often by name as a proud native of Staten Island. Behind the TikTok foodie spot, which made Pete Wells’s list of 100 best restaurants, what you’ll find is much more than soul food, but a budding local watering hole.

“I believe what I’m doing is inspiring and encouraging the culture to exist,” said Ms. Dixon, who shared that there are not many places for the Black community to socialize on Staten Island.

Cross-table conversation is unavoidable with only six tables in the restaurant, providing an easy icebreaker — the food. And on occasion, Ms. Dixon said she’s played romantic matchmaker. As the restaurant has grown in popularity, so has the foot traffic, making it an ideal place for serendipitous run-ins or making a new local connection. She said, “You’re coming in here seeking something personal or specific and you never know who might walk in.”

Sip, Savor and Flirt

Frog
Natural wine bar
358 Marcus Garvey Boulevard.
Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn
Free

Frog has been open for over a year in the heart of the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn and has quickly amassed popularity among residents. It’s almost always bustling with people on the weekends, getting so packed that it’s almost impossible not to converse with others inches away from you.

Frog has a wide variety of natural wine bottles ranging from $45 to $75, glasses under $17, and tinned fish and bread and cheese options.

Frog recently opened a sister location next door called Tadpole, a live music venue featuring jazz artists, bands and D.J.s. On the weekends, you can expect to be greeted by a sea of beautiful faces. The best time to arrive is around 7 p.m., where you can snag a table, order a crisp glass of orange wine or rosé and muster up the courage to approach the first fine person you spot.

Make Friends in the Park

Washington Square Park
Public Park
Washington Square
Greenwich Village, Manhattan
Free

Summers at Washington Square Park are the most vibrant. People lounge on the grass and benches to chat with friends, paint, enjoy a picnic or listen to music. Meeting new people here is commonplace. Need a lighter? Like someone’s outfit? There’s plenty of ways to strike up a conversation.

Tiffany Chow, 32, a business owner, took a seat on a bench in Washington Square Park by herself one day in May, which she’d never done before. She had decided to visit the park and enjoy the spring weather, and in the 30 minutes she was there, she said she was approached by two men who complimented her respectfully.

“I was pretty surprised because I feel like it’s pretty rare these days for guys to approach girls, especially in broad daylight and at the park,” Ms. Chow said. “But then a second guy came up to me like 10 minutes later.”

She speculates that perhaps because she was alone, it was easier for people to rack up the courage to approach her. Regardless, she said, she appreciated the two interactions because she seldom meets new people out and about.

“After that experience, I was thinking, ‘Oh, maybe I should just go and sit there by myself and see what happens,’” Ms. Chow said.