Five Fabulous Brooklyn Based Date Activities For Hotties Who Hate Dinner Dates
Written by Leah (Bunny) Overstreet
Photo from one of Hogtime Vintage’s collage nights
I don’t fuck with dinner dates. It is my philosophy that first dates should be strictly dedicated to a sit and yap. Sure the idea is romantic, especially if you already really know someone and want to have ooey gooey feelings about them from across a candlelit dinner table, but I think that dinner is where conversations go to die. It begins in disaster, with an awkward hug before immediately stumbling through the bureaucracy of“ Table for two please,” and“ Do you mind waiting 15 minutes? Oh no I don’t mind I just… okay yeah let’s wait. Okay, yes we will wait.” So you wait and just as you’re actually starting to warm up to a halfway decent conversation you’re interrupted because it’s time to be seated. Then you sit several feet away from each other across the table (there goes your chance to break the intimacy barrier or actually develop some chemistry) and now you're in an interview… great. Sure you can try to chit chat, but then your waiter comes around three separate times and you have yet to read the menu. Now you’re wondering if there’s even anything you want to eat here but you settle on something and pray that you won’t look stupid or gross eating it. You finally try chatting again, from scratch, momentum lost — and oh there’s the waiter. You order and start the conversation once again, but oh great you’re both too hungry to even think. Now all of your conversation is about being hungry, and the wait time, and how you keep mistaking the other customers’ food for your own, and isn’t that so funny. Finally the food is here and you start chowing down, but now you can’t talk at all (you still attempt anyway but your food is getting cold) and finally you’re finished and you have nothing else to do but finally talk. Except the waiter reaaaaally needs that table because there’s a line down the block and God why are you trying to ruin their life? They need these tips to survive and you’re holding things up Jesus Christ you’re the fucking worst! Just leave already! Hurry hurry hurry hurry hurry!!!!
It’s my personal hell.
What I do love, however, is an activity where you can try something fun and low stakes. There’s a little structure so you don’t feel adrift but also plenty of room to get to know each other. It can also feel impossible to find a cute activity that isn’t $35 minimum. So, in the spirit of cozy, falling-in-love season I am bestowing upon you my personal favorite cute date activities under $20. Ideally these would follow a quick coffee gab session. Each of these are based in Brooklyn and are frequently (if not explicitly) queer because duh.
1.
Hogtime Vintage’s Collage Night ($10 – $20 sliding scale)
This weekly delight is hosted at Godspeed Studios in Brooklyn by James Murphy, a collector of vintage Playboy and Penthouse magazines among many others. I adore this collage night specifically because I’m only really interested in making erotic collages with pretty naked ladies and there is always a plethora of nudey mags. James is the absolute sweetest, providing all the materials (magazines, gluesticks, construction paper, scissors, exacto knives) as well as snacks. It’s sort of a free for all,so there will be plenty of time to chat up your hot date between cutting and pasting.
Photo by Lesbian Hands of my friend Julie at figure drawing
2.
GoFigure Brooklyn Figure Drawing ($15)
Also at Godspeed Studios, GoFigure is a fabulous figure drawing night hosted by twin sisters Kayla and Eliana Wasserman along with their friend Anya Pertel every Tuesday. It’s shockingly beginner friendly with a warm and friendly vibe. Everyone is just there to have fun and make friends, and there will be plenty of people just as bad at drawing as you might be (especially if I make an appearance). My favorite thing they do is a queer specific night called Muse every single month, it attracts so many lovely people and is honestly just a blast. After every Muse, everyone is invited to go to a nearby bar to keep hanging out and it’s honestly my favorite part.
Photo of Brooke’s lesbian hands on her iconic type writer
3.
Poetry is Gay ($10)
This poetry workshop is hosted every other Monday at Boyfriend Co-op by Brooke Finegold (aka Lesbian Hands herself). I would recommend this especially if you and your sweetie love to write. Getting vulnerable on a date can be risky, but also so totally worth it if you can bond over your shared love of poetics. Brooke is a hilarious and encouraging host who has a gift for drawing people out of their shell
4.
Lavender Market NYC (free unless you buy something for your sweetie)
This activity is a bit less hands on if you’re looking to focus primarily on the task at hand (wooing your date). This event is hosted by Lottie Valiente and Lez Night Out which plans“ Covid conscious social events for NYC lesbians to mingle, make friends, & foster community! Masks always required + provided.” The markets emphasize showcasing BIPOC sapphic vendors and artists, and always have a great range of goodies to shop from.
A photo of my own little booth at the first Lavender Market NYC
5.
Hot People Read Poetry Open Mic (Free!)
This monthly open mic hosted by Natalie Gilda at Nook is such a fun time if you’re looking for something cute and chill to do on a Friday night. Hot People Read Poetry attracts so many talented poets from all over, and it’s an all around fab time. If you’re really feeling like a hottie (and comfortable with your date) you could even sign up to read your own poetry if you dare.
Photo of Demii Divinee reading at Hot People Read Poetry Halloween
