NYC Dates That Are Not Just Dinner Or Drinks
September 15 - 22, 2025
Hey NYC people,
Summer might be cooling off, but your social life is just heating up. Think: 2-for-1 Broadway seats, Fashion Week fits worth a runway snap, and a 10K where hedgehog costumes are practically mandatory. Just your average September.
We’ve rounded up the best date-worthy events in the city—pick your vibe, post it on Laila, and let the right +1 find you.
🎷 Golden Hour Pop-Up: Kazemde George
Jazz under the sunset, surrounded by city lights. Golden Hour is back at Plaza 33 with rising stars and seasoned pros lighting up your evening commute. Free, unforgettable, and peak date-night energy.
🗓 Thursday, September 18, 2025 | 6:00PM
📍 Jazz Gallery, 1160 Broadway
🌸 Flower Market by CJ Hendry
27 new plush flower sculptures. One dreamy garden. CJ Hendry’s viral art installation is back — and she’s taking over Rockefeller Center with a larger-than-life floral fantasy. Bring your camera, your date, and your most touchable outfit.
🗓 Friday, September 19, 2025 | 10:00AM - 5:00PM
📍 45 Rockefeller PlazaNew York, NY
📚 Reading Rhythms at Abolitionist Place
Books, beats, and vibes only. Join this one-of-a-kind reading party featuring live music, shared stories, and spontaneous literary convos. It’s the official “Bookend Event” of the Brooklyn Book Festival — and it’s giving main character energy.
🗓 Wednesday, September 10, 2025 | 4:00PM - 6:00PM
📍 110 Willoughby Street Brooklyn, NY
🥏 Kahani Field Day
South Asian culture meets classic summer games at the first-ever Kahani Field Day. Think halal eats, field-day fun, and a whole lot of community love — all totally free.
🗓 Sunday, September 21, 2025 | 12:00PM - 5:30PM
📍 Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY
🎨 Pottery + Paint Night
Roll up your sleeves, grab a date, and get your hands dirty (literally). In this two-hour crash course, you’ll hand-build your own ceramic piece from scratch and paint it too. The vibes? Therapeutic. The results? A love mug.
🗓 Multiple Dates
📍 216 West 104th Street, NY
🎉 African American Day Parade
The heartbeat of Harlem takes center stage. The iconic African American Day Parade is more than a march, it’s a celebration of Black excellence, legacy, and culture. From floats to drumlines to pure joy on every block, this is history in motion.
🗓 Sunday, September 21, 2025 | 12:30PM
📍 Adam Clayton Powell JR. Blvd (7th Ave) between 111th st - 137th st harmel
⛳ Mini-Golf + Skyline Views
Waterfalls, caves, and killer skyline views — yes, we’re still talking about mini-golf. Hit 18 holes at Tribeca’s riverside course and see who’s got the better swing (or who can take a loss with grace).
🗓 Multiple Dates
📍 Hudson River Park Trust, 353 West St., Pier 40, 2nd Floor, NY
🍽️ Le Dîner en Blanc
It’s the world’s chicest flash-mob dinner — thousands in white, surprise location, and this year, Chef Daniel Boulud is curating picnic baskets. Fancy, exclusive, unforgettable. Make it a night to remember.
🗓 Friday, September 19, 2025
📍 TBA
🧘 Yoga in Bryant Park
Sun salutations in the heart of Manhattan. Free yoga is back in Bryant Park, with top-tier instructors and serious community energy. Grab your mat, your +1, and soak up the last flows of the season.
🗓 Wednesday, September 17, 2025 | 6:00PM
📍 Bryant park
Got a favorite NYC date idea? Reply and share—we might feature it next week!
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