Very few cities even compare to New York City. The Big Apple is America’s most iconic city for a reason: NYC is one of the world’s most dynamic, vibrant social hubs. The city that never sleeps has every type of event and activity you could possibly imagine, so you’d think that NYC would be great for singles. Actually, that couldn’t be further from the truth: surprisingly, NYC ranks 144th for the best places for singles!
The dating scene in New York City is incredibly difficult to navigate for locals and newcomers alike. Despite having the largest metro population out of all U.S. cities, NYC has the lowest number of singles looking for a committed relationship. Hookup culture is pervasive in the dating scene as most singles adopt a “grass is greener” mentality because of the seemingly endless options for potential partners.
If you’re a local guy looking for a committed relationship, you’ve probably wondered where to meet women in NYC. The truth is that it’s tough forming genuine relationships in such a densely populated city, but one of the best ways to meet single women is to get off dating apps and actually put yourself out there by visiting local spots that create opportunities for real connection and conversation.
We specialize in New York City matchmaking so we’ll give you all the details on where and how to meet women in NYC to help you put your best foot forward and approach women with confidence.
Hangout at Central Park
Central Park receives over 42 million visitors each year, so it’s no wonder that this iconic landmark is a great place to meet women in NYC! Its sprawling lawns and relaxed vibe make it a melting pot for NYC natives and tourists alike. You can always find single ladies picnicking or reading at Sheep Meadow, but if you’re more comfortable striking conversation in an intimate setting, head over to The Boathouse bar!
Really, you can find just about any type of event or activity in Central Park, which makes this such a great spot to find single women. The sheer variety of people and events at the park make this one of the best places to meet other singles with common interests.
Bryant Park At Lunch or Happy Hour
Yes, the second location on our list of where to meet women in NYC is also a park! Bryant Park is so conveniently located that its green acres attract a healthy mix of locals, professionals, and tourists. The best time to visit to connect with other singles is during lunch or happy hour because that’s when this park is the liveliest.
Bryant Park hosts just about every kind of event you can think of, from movie night to ice skating, so this is another great location to find single women who share your hobbies and interests. Even on days without an event, Bryant Park is usually busy, which gives you a perfect window of opportunity to mingle with other singles in a relaxed, low-pressure environment.
Union Square Farmers Market
Hitting up a farmer’s market might not have been your first idea of where to pickup women in New York City, but this is one of my top picks on this list! Farmer’s markets are naturally social environments where most people are eager to have a conversation. Union Square Greenmarket is one of NYC’s largest markets, making it a perfect spot to chat with new people and find common ground over food and artisan goods.
Here’s another tip for meeting women at this farmer’s market: try to go early in the morning! Interestingly, multiple studies show that women are the most receptive to men in the mornings. Plus, an early visit makes it feel more casual and low-pressure, which makes forming new connections easier.
Events at SoHo House NYC
Hopefully, you already have a membership to SoHo House. If not, their membership is notoriously exclusive, with a waitlist tens of thousands of people long! That said, it’s well worth the lengthy application process and wait time to become a member. SoHo House is filled with prominent singles, from businesswomen to creatives, and this is my best spot on the list for meeting professional, affluent women!
By design, exclusive, members-only clubs are to help foster connections with like-minded people, making them an excellent environment to chat with single ladies. If you simply don’t want to wait for membership at SoHo House, there are plenty of other exclusive clubs in NYC, like Spring Place, that you can check out in the meantime.
Art Gallery Openings in Chelsea
Chelsea is arguably the biggest creative bastion in all of NYC, so it’s no wonder this neighborhood attracts a social and curious crowd. Chelsea has no shortage of art installations and gallery openings, so you can always find an excuse to hop over to the district and meet other patrons of the arts. Events typically serve free wine and other drinks, which helps to ease nerves and make conversation flow a bit more naturally.
If you’ve read my blog on the best date ideas in NYC, you’ll know that I love museums and galleries, and for good reason! Dissecting an art exhibit is a natural conversation starter, and having a common interest makes it so much easier to approach women and break the ice in a meaningful way.
Visit a Bookstore like The Strand
If you’re an academic or lifelong student, visiting a bookstore like The Strand is one of the best ways to meet other intellectual singles in NYC. Bookstores draw in an academic crowd and have a comfortable atmosphere for having deep conversations about everything from authors to philosophy. Browsing books in your favorite genres is a surefire way to find women with similar interests, too!
The Strand hosts tons of events like book signings and author talks where women are likely to be more receptive to conversation. Just be sure to wait until after the event to approach them, as they’ll likely be distracted and focused on getting their book signed!
Workout Classes at Trendy Gyms
It’s no secret that gyms create strong communities, and even trendy, boutique gyms like Equinox and SoulCycle are no exception. The communal aspect of these spaces is deeply ingrained into workout culture, and having casual conversations with other people working out is a big part of why people go! Fitness classes are the most social part of gyms, and they encourage people to connect and learn from each other.
Try attending a gym class regularly and let conversations and connections come organically through it. If you’re frequently making it to the class, women are going to be more open and approachable towards you because you’re familiar. As always, though, be sure to be respectful when approaching women in public spaces by gauging their interest in the conversation.
Dog Parks like Washington Square Park
As a seasoned dog owner myself, trust me when I say that becoming a regular at a dog park is one of the best ways to meet other people. Much like gyms, dog parks are centers for community and allow you to connect with other animal lovers. Washington Square Park’s dog run is one of the liveliest dog parks in NYC, so there are sure to be plenty of single ladies you could strike conversation with.
Most people talk about their pets on first dates because it’s a low-pressure and generally well-received topic. By taking your puppy to a local dog park, you can already be certain that anyone you meet there loves pets as much as you do. That common interest is going to make women at dog parks more comfortable and approachable.
Relaxed Cocktail Bars
As a rule, I suggest anyone looking for how to meet women in NYC avoid crowded nightclubs like the plague. They’re too loud and lively to have meaningful conversations, and women tend to be focused on having fun with their friends instead of having conversations with strangers.
However, relaxed cocktail bars like Raines Law Room and Please Don’t Tell provide a more upscale, quiet setting that’s much better for connecting with other singles. Compared to nightclubs, intimate cocktail bars attract a more low-key crowd looking to have a craft drink and low-pressure conversations. Just be sure to approach women with care and tact so you don’t come across like you’re for a hookup!
Local Volunteering Events
Okay, I make this suggestion with a caveat: you should volunteer because you’re passionate about a cause, not just as a way to pickup women. That said, volunteering events bring community-oriented, philanthropic people together, making them a wonderful place to meet kind, empathic singles. By joining an organization like New York Cares, you can give back to your community and have an opportunity to mingle with like-minded women!
Volunteering is inherently collaborative and requires teamwork to bring the vision to life. Because of the strong community within volunteering networks, it’s easy to make meaningful connections with women while also contributing to a good cause.
Conclusion
In a city as large and dynamic as New York, there are seemingly endless possibilities for meeting new people. However, making lasting connections amidst the bustling crowds is a real challenge for so many local singles. Even though the NYC dating scene is notoriously difficult to navigate, there are a few great places to meet other singles where you can spark deep conversation and genuine connection.
The key to finding love in the Big Apple is to begin your journey with an open mind and patience. Our curated list of where to pickup women in New York City is designed to help you meet women who share your interests and values, not just singles looking for casual flings and hookups! You’ll need to get social, but you have to step outside your comfort zone to find your perfect match.
Whether you’re looking for love in New York City, the surrounding areas in New York, or anywhere else in the U.S., LUMA Luxury Matchmaking is ready to guide you. Our exclusive Matchmaking services are bespoke, customized, and designed to craft real, lasting connections.
Complete your LUMA profile and schedule a call with one of our Certified Matchmakers today.
