Updated for 2023
Does your date live in the West Village? Impress them by going to their neighborhood for the first date (along with walking them back home) and choosing a cool bar to get drinks at with a great ambiance.
Our recommendation list below of the best West Village bars was carefully curated by our coaches, who have been on their share of good and bad dates in the West Village.
About: Employees Only has been a mainstay in the West Village scene on Christopher Street for almost 20 years. Unsurprisingly, it was ranked one of the 50 best bars in the world in 2019.
What makes it great: To get in, you pass through a tarot reader's storefront to enter the bar, characterized by its Art Deco-style ambiance and white-jacketed servers. It also has a Prohibition-style aesthetic inside.
Our favorite drink: "Ready, Aim, Fire" is great for mezcal lovers. They have a great variety of vintage whiskies, and is almost like the drink menu intended to bring you back to the 1920s.
Our favorite food: Get the bacon-wrapped lamb chops or their truffle grilled cheese to split.
Reservation: Yes, on Resy.
Pro-tip: use your Amex Platinum card to get status on Resy, which helps with making reservations to hard-to-get-into bars and being the first to know of new ones opening up.
About: This French wine bar has all the charm of a classic bistro but in a more relaxed atmosphere.
What makes it great: A classic French spot, St. Tropez gives sweet, cozy vibes with its dark wood decor and candlelit tables.
Our favorite drink: Any of their French wines or if you're in a cocktail mood, the "Endless Summer" is a delicious combination of strawberry, gin, and basil.
Our favorite food: Oysters are a must, as well as their grilled octopus.
Reservation: Yes, on Resy.
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About: Entwine is one of our favorite wine bars in all of NYC. Enjoy a flight or two as you get to know each other better in the cozy booths.
What makes it great: A West Village institution. Their extensive selection of wines offers something for any taste or budget; If it's nice out, try to get out in their patio area for some outdoor seating.
Our favorite drink: Due to it's wine focus, get any of the wine on the menu! If you like pickles, try "The Million Dollar Baby" cocktail which is made with Citrus Vodka, Watermelon, Coconut Water, Lime Rhubarb Syrup, and Club Soda.
Our favorite bite: The spinach dumplings were incredible with a gorgonzola cream sauce.
Reservation: Yes, on Resy.
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About: Amelie is perfect for those looking to have a unique and romantic experience. Enjoy your evening in this Mediterranean-inspired bar, and feel like you've been transported to another world.
What makes it great: A block from Washington Square Park, it would be a cool idea to stroll through the park before or after drinks!
Our favorite drink: Extensive wine selection, with ~40 wines by the glass and over 100 by the bottle.
Our favorite bite: The charcuterie board. Their meat assortment has incredible duck prosciutto, jam spreads and a delicious baguette you could split.
Reservation: Yes, but for dinner only on Resy. For just drinks, it is first-come-first-serve.
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About: Anfora is an exceptional cocktail bar with delectable drinks and small plates that entice your taste buds from the same owners as L'artusi and B'artusi.
What makes it great: Spanish & Italian style. They specialize in "natural wines," meaning wines with zero additives. Post date idea: walk through the Jane Street Garden afterward.
Our favorite drink: With this being an Italian themed bar, the Negroni and Aperol Spritz were tasty.
Our favorite food: The Alsace flatbread was our favorite app to split at Anfora.
Reservation: No reservations.
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About: If you're looking for an intimate space to wine and dine with someone special, The Otheroom is the perfect destination.
What makes it great: Picture-esque first date spot with darker lights and a speakeasy atmosphere.
Our favorite drink: The old-fashioned here was incredible. Try it out!
Our favorite food: Limited menu here - grab a slice of pizza at Village Square after the date!
Reservation: No reservations.
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About: Analouge is ideal for a first date in the West Village. This cozy bar offers an intimate atmosphere perfect for getting to know someone. Stellar ambiance.
What makes it great: Same owners as Employees Only (on our list above). The vibe is sexy and low-lit; some nights, they will have live jazz music.
Our favorite drink: Try their Dark & Stormy - they nail it. This is also a whiskey bar, so it was unique for the D&S to have a dash of whiskey in it.
Our favorite food: Their "Aguachile Shrimp" appetizer was an easy share and our favorite on the menu.
Reservation: Yes, on Resy.
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About: This Hudson Street favorite feels like a mini version of its bigger sister restaurant in the West Village but is equally enjoyable. B'artusi is a great spot for a first date.
What makes it great: Same team that brought the amazing Italian restaurant, L'Artusi. A really cool setting. A hidden gem!
Our favorite drink: Awesome wine and Negroni options, along with a perfectly proportioned Aperol Spritz. You can't go wrong with any of the bar's elaborate cocktails.
Our favorite food: Great bar food menu - get the fluke crudo!
Reservation: Yes, on Resy.
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About: Finish off your first date in the West Village with a nightcap at Mace. This hip spot has a great selection of craft beers, wines, and spirits.
What makes it great: One of our coaches' favorite bars and a top 50 in the world.
Our favorite drink: Their Cinnamon cocktail and The Dill for pickle fans are great. Definitely try a few of the bar's elaborate cocktails.
Our favorite food: Good oysters here, along with other seafood lite bites.
Reservation: Yes, on Resy.
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About: Lelabar is one of the best bars for a romantic evening in the West Village. Enjoy their craft beers and spirits while snacking on some tasty small plates.
What makes it great: A good combo of being elegant and casual for a first date. Definitely a romantic atmosphere.
Our favorite drink: Go with the wine here, specifically their New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
Our favorite food: Great oysters and cheese plates to share.
Reservation: Yes, on Resy.
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About: Another 50 Best Bars recipient. A unique Japanese-themed bar that has two levels. Pro-tip - try to sit at the bar upstairs for a cool lighting dynamic.
What makes it great: Our coaches say this is one of their favorite date bar in the West Village because it's different than most early date spots they've been to.
Our favorite drink: A lot of Asian-themed cocktails, but our favorite is the Hinoki Martini, which has a blend of vodka and gin with other Japanese spices.
Our favorite food: Their nori fries were a great bar snack with a Japanese spin on it.
Reservation: No reservations. First come, first serve.
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About: Named one of the world's best bars in 2018.
What makes it great: Low lighting sets the mood perfectly for a first date. You'll get some live music if you are there at 10:30 pm any night, Sunday through Thursday.
Our favorite drink: The Queens Park Swizzle is very tasty.
Our favorite food: Strictly a bar, so no food menu. Walk to grab a slice of pizza after!
Reservation: No reservations; we'd recommend going here if your date is set for later on in the night.
Thanks for reading!
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