best date ideas to spice things up in New York City
I’m sure you’ve asked ChatDaddy (aka ChatGPT) to find the most romantic things to do while you’re in NYC. But there are only so many restaurants, bars, and broadway shows you can do together. Plus I have a feeling you’re looking for something to actually spice things up and make your date night not so basic.
No plans yet? No worries. I’ve gone ahead and done the hard part for you by pulling together this expert list of spicy date ideas to help you celebrate your special occasion the right way — whatever that means for you.
Whatever you’re into and wherever you are in your current ’ship—whether you’re longtime lovers, just started seeing each other, or are stuck in some sort of unlabeled situationship — there are so many ways to make your date night special. Maybe you’re looking for a chill, low-key (and low-budget!) way to celebrate with someone special, maybe you’d rather go all out and book a sexy staycation or couples getaway, or, hey, maybe you haven’t even begun to think about what you want to do while you’re in New York and just came here desperate for ideas! Either way, you can rest easy knowing that there's a date idea out there for you. In fact, there’s probably one right here.
Here are a few ways to bring more surprise, variety, and adventure to your date while you’re in NYC:
Taken by Your Eyes Only in New York City
Not-So-Basic Activities:
Contact Sports or Fleur du Mal - Make a stop to NYC’s newest modern lingerie and adult shop. Perfect setting to try a few sexy pieces on with your partner or to surprise them later.
Bathtub Gin or The Slipper Room - Whether you’re having a girls’ night or looking to set the mood for an intimate evening with a romantic partner, nothing screams spicy date night vibes like a sexy little performance.
Duane Park - If you have the $$$ and want to a more elevated burlesque experience. Duane Park might just be what you’re looking for.
Cocktail Class - Elevate your cocktail making skills while you get to drink the delicious concoctions you get to make.
Olfactory - You and your partner can create your own sensual fragrance together or make a diffuser for the home.
Museum of Sex - Take your partner to see the history and evolution of human sexuality through immersive exhibitions in collaboration with artists.
House of Yes - A multi-room nightclub and performing art space in the heart of Brooklyn known for creative culture, dance parties, and spectacular entertainment.
Kinky’s Dessert Bar or Sugar Wood - Order a naughty dessert from a local baker to surprise your partner and then walk over to Washington Square Park for a picnic.
Comedy Cellar - If you and your date prefer to keep it chill and have a laugh, then get tickets to a standup show where I can guarantee a comedian will be only too happy to have a couple to call out in their set.
The Red Pavilion - A smoky neon-lit cabaret venue and nightclub after dark.
Figure drawing class - For my artistic couples, look into a figure drawing class to make it a date night.
Aire Ancient Baths - Take a moment out of your day to relax with a couple’s massage or a soak in their various baths.
Gotham Jazz - Imagine stepping into a speakeasy bar, the band is swinging, the singer singing, the tapper tapping, and a burlesque dancer peeling away all the layers of the outside world. Every Wednesday at 5pm.
The Nines - Looking for a more sophisticated evening? Visit a timeless supper club and romantic, old-school piano lounge. Dress code enforced.
The Pleasure Chest - For a spicier approach, why not head to a sex shop together and pick out something new? Whether it's a vibrator that you've never tried before, a new lube, or a costume for role play, going together helps you build up anticipation for an intimate time later in the night.
DIY Spicy Photos - With your iPhone or a Polaroid camera, get dressed up (or down) with your partner and take turns taking sexy pictures of each other…for each other. (Just remember that consent should be discussed prior to taking the pictures, and make sure to have a conversation about what’s expected once the pictures are taken re: if they will be thrown away, kept, etc.) If you end up keeping your photos, surprise your partner with a naughty photo album.
Couples Boudoir Photos - If you want to elevate your spicy selfies and remember your sexy date night, book a session with Your Eyes Only to have photos to look back on and say “damn, we look hot”.
We Love Shag - If you have a bondage or rope kink, taking a shibari class would definitely be a not-so-basic date night.
Sapphire - Looking for a wild night out? Check out one of New York City’s top strip club.
NSFW - To each their own ;) I’ll leave this here for my kinky couples.
Moody Bars:
Romantic Restaurants:
Sensual Hotels:
If you booked your romantic hotel room and brought something sexy to wear, might as well elevate your special occasion with a boudoir session to remember your spicy time. An experience for both couples or solo boudoir.
Disclaimer: All businesses featured here are independently selected by me. I’m not being sponsored or receiving commission when you click the links.
