Occasions · First date · Hell's Kitchen
A first date here is loud. That can help.
A DJ plays from the first table, so you'll be sharing a plate and talking across it at a raised voice. Worried about silences? You won't get any. Need this person's whole life story tonight? Pick somewhere quieter.
Be honest about who you're meeting
Say yes if
- YesYou met on an app and you'd both like something to look at besides each other.
- YesYou've texted enough already to skip the job interview part.
- YesSharing food doesn't scare either of you.
- YesYou like a place you can tell your friends about the next day.
Go elsewhere if
- NoOne of you finds loud rooms tiring, or has trouble hearing in them.
- NoThere's anything serious you need to talk about.
- NoIt's a Wednesday and neither of you wants to hear strangers sing.
- NoYou pictured candles. We have string lights and skull mugs.
What to order with someone you just met
Easy to share, easy to eat while you're talking.
- Viva Guacamole$16One bowl, two people, something to do with your hands.
- Quesadillas$18Neat and hard to get wrong. Add a protein if you like.
- Birria tacos$22Save these for date three. The consomé is for dipping, and dipping gets messy.
- Skull Lava Cake$12One dessert, two spoons. A fair test of how the night went.
Not drinking tonight? The Phony Mezcal Negroni has no alcohol and still looks like you ordered something. The whole zero-proof list.
Pick a weeknight, and book before 8
We'd pick Thursday: a piña colada trio at $25 is three drinks to compare, which gives you something to talk about. Tuesday works too. Taco Tuesday is $25 a person for unlimited tacos over 90 minutes, which takes some of the pressure out of who's paying for what.
The night gets louder as it goes, so an earlier table gives you more time when you can still hear each other. You can book as late as 10pm, but we wouldn't on a first date.
Wednesday is karaoke, 7 to 10pm. Some people would love that on a first date. Ask them before you book it.
First date questions
Is a rooftop restaurant a good first date in NYC?
It can be, if you both like a lively room. Ours has a live DJ every night we're open, so there's always something to react to. It's a poor choice if you want a long, quiet conversation.
How long should we plan to stay?
Tables are held for 90 minutes. That's long enough to eat and short enough to leave without an excuse.
What should I wear?
Casual is fine. There's no special dress code, so wear what you feel good in.
Do we need a reservation for two?
We recommend one. Tables for 2 to 8 book online, free, with no deposit. Book a table.
Getting here
Where
605 W 48th StreetNew York, NY 10036
Midtown West, in Hell's Kitchen: on 48th Street between 11th and 12th Avenue, on the rooftop of the HK Hall building.
On foot
- About 5 minutes from the Intrepid Museum.
- About 12 minutes from the C/E subway at 50th Street.
- About 15 minutes from the Javits Center.
- About 20 minutes from Times Square and the Theater District, or a short cab.
Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 5pm – 11pm |
| Wednesday | 5pm – 11pm |
| Thursday | 5pm – 11pm |
| Friday | 5pm – 3am |
| Saturday | 12pm – 3am |
| Sunday | 12pm – 9:30pm |