In a city that is known for its larger-than-life vibe, luxury date nights can feel limitless. Imagine sipping champagne on a private yacht, popping into a chic rooftop bar overlooking the skyline, or taking a helicopter ride with your BAE. Luxury dates in New York City are all about indulgence and the “wow” factor.
Sounds like the perfect way to stir some magic into your dating journey? If you’re ready to loosen the purse strings, these lavish date experiences—from elegant wine tastings to premium sightseeing—are just what you need. We’ll name-drop renowned spots (Bar Blondeau, Baccarat Hotel, City Winery) and even suggest concierge services to make it seamless. Each experience listed below is premium, and we tell you how to make the most of it.
19 Luxury Dates in NYC: Wine Tastings, Rooftop Bars & More
Luxury in NYC often means combining glamor with unique experiences. You might start with a private Classic Harbor Line yacht cruise on the Hudson, sipping champagne while the Statue of Liberty glitters nearby. Or perhaps hop aboard the CitySightsNY double-decker tour bus for a VIP hop-on/hop-off experience through Manhattan’s sights. Snuggle during a sunset sail or bottle a rare wine. Or sip craft cocktails at Baccarat Hotel’s Bar or reserve a tasting menu at three-star Le Bernardin. The city is your canvas. The following round-up of luxury date ideas NYC offers a diverse mix of such experiences, you can curate an unforgettable upscale evening that aligns with your taste and your date’s:
1. Sunset Yacht Cruise (Manhattan)
Set sail at Chelsea Piers aboard a Classic Harbor Line yacht for a champagne cruise. Relax with private seating, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, and 360° skyline views as the sun dips. Classic Harbor Line offers modern, classically inspired boats for sightseeing or dining. It feels exclusive — you’re cruising at dusk with wine in hand while Manhattan glitters.
Pro tip: Book the Champagne & Cheese or Sunset Jazz cruise.
2. NYC Big Bus tour (Manhattan)
Hop on a CitySights NY double-decker hop-on/hop-off tour. It may sound touristy, but do it in style: a pair of espresso martinis as you relax upstairs with panoramic views. The “Big Bus Essential” 1-day ticket loops downtown (Times Square, Empire State, Brooklyn Bridge) and uptown (Central Park, Bryant Park, Grand Central). This VIP experience covers 48 hours and lets you design a luxury city tour without any driving stress — a perfect mix of lounging and sightseeing.
Pro tip: Gift each other a pass; the New York Pass covers this tour and 100+ attractions for easy touring.
3. CitySights nighttime luxury tour
In the evening, CitySights also offers private guided tours in limos or double-deckers. Wrap up warm under a blanket on an open-top bus as you roll through Times Square, downtown lights, and along the Brooklyn waterfront. They occasionally run special nighttime loops, or you can charter a limo-bus. Either way, you see the city in a glow with none of the crowds to shuffle through.
Pro tip: Ask about CitySightsNY’s nighttime packages or consider the New York Pass to combine with this.
4. Rooftop dinner at Bar Blondeau (Brooklyn)
Head to Williamsburg’s Wythe Hotel for Bar Blondeau, a chic rooftop bar “tucked away on the 6th floor” with Manhattan views. This cozy spot, known for creative cocktails in a rustic-chic setting. Start with oysters and drinks under string lights, or join them Sunday evenings for live jazz (5–8 pm). It’s intimate yet lively—perfect for a high-end date night in New York.
5. Wine tasting at City Winery (Manhattan)
Indulge at City Winery NYC (Pier 57, Chelsea). This urban winery and restaurant pairs handcrafted wines with live jazz or soul music. Book a tasting flight or share a cheese plate as you listen to an evening show. It feels like wine country in the city — raw wooden tasting barrels, warm candlelight, and a curated menu. City Winery is among the easiest luxury dates in NYC. You’re both sipping premium pours and enjoying the performance. Low-ley yet perfect.
Related Reading: Season-by-Season Date Planner for NYC
6. Cocktails at Baccarat Hotel (Manhattan)
The Baccarat Hotel’s glamorous “Bar” is pure indulgence. Plush red velvet, mirrored walls, and a 60-foot sparkling crystal chandelier set a decadent mood. Sip cocktails served in stunning Baccarat crystal while gazing at guests in evening gowns around you. This opulent lounge also serves Alsatian-inspired small plates by Michelin-starred Gabriel Kreuther. To truly turn this into one of the unforgettable luxe date ideas NYC, splurge on that limited Louis XIII cognac—a perfect treat for a “worth it” date night.
7. Michelin-starred dinner (Manhattan)
Score reservations at one of NYC’s top tables. For example, Le Bernardin (55 W 51st St) holds three Michelin stars. Chef Eric Ripert’s seafood tasting menu ($300++ per person) is exquisite. Imagine buttery lobster cappuccino and sablefish with truffled risotto. The service is flawless. If $600 per couple is steep, try a slightly more accessible two-star spot like Gabriel Kreuther’s eponymous restaurant (neighboring Baccarat). Either way: fine china, impeccable tasting menu, and champagne. A classic among luxury dates, and with good reason. Make sure to dress up for the occasion (and book months ahead).
8. High-rise rooftop bar (Manhattan/Brooklyn)
New York has many skyline lounges. Consider Bar 54 atop the Marriott Marquis, near Times Square, or Westlight at The William Vale, Williamsburg. Each offers 360° city views. Sip a crafted cocktail while seated in plush lounge chairs at dusk. The ambiance that often includes live DJs or acoustic guitar feels elite. Plan ahead, arrive early or reserve a table, and toast with the skyline glittering below.
9. Broadway show + VIP service (Manhattan)
Splurge on a hit Broadway show with premium Orchestra tickets. Arrive early for lounge seating at the theater bar or take a limo there. Many theaters now have VIP experiences: imagine being ushered past lines and receiving complimentary champagne. Afterward, discuss the show over dessert. Another one of the classic dates in NYC with a luxe vibe.
Related Reading: How To Meet Singles In NYC Without Dating Apps
10. Helicopter Tour of NYC (Manhattan)
If you’re prepared to go all out—perhaps to celebrate a special occasion like an anniversary (which calls for a celebration since they’re so hard to come by in the NYC dating scene) or want to pop the question—a helicopter ride is the way to do it. Again, turn to CitySightsNYC for bookings and get your luxury helicopter flights around Manhattan. Revel together as Lady Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Central Park pass below. Many tours launch from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport.
Pro tip: Don’t forget to check for group discounts, or look into CitySightsNY partners—they sometimes package skyline experiences.
11. Limousine dinner transfer
Call a luxury car service or even CitySightsNY private car to whisk you from one borough to another in style. Start with cocktails in Brooklyn, then a gourmet meal in Manhattan, all without traffic stress. The driver can open doors and even suggest a post-dinner jazz club or dessert spot. They may not fit the bill of a conventional date night in New York, but traveling across the city in a black car adds indulgence and privacy to the whole evening.
12. Jazz at Dizzy’s Club (Manhattan)
At Lincoln Center, Dizzy’s Club offers a plush, intimate jazz lounge experience. Sip champagne or artisanal cocktails under the glittering ceiling lights while world-class jazz ensembles perform right across from your table. Covers run roughly $30–$40, which feels steep but includes top talent in a plush setting. It’s an elevated cultural evening, and without a doubt, one of the best dates in NYC.
13. Spa date for two (Manhattan)
Book a couples treatment at an upscale spa like The Peninsula Spa or Aire Ancient Baths. Think couples massages, chocolate scrubs, or private steam rooms. Many spas have romantic packages with champagne and rose petals. The price, often ranging $200–$400 per person, puts it firmly in the luxury dates category, and this half-day of pampering in silken robes and private treatment rooms is unforgettable. Afterwards, linger over spa tea and snacks.
Related Reading: When & How to Take Your NYC Romance to the Next Level
14. Candlelight concert (Manhattan)
Try a classical concert at the intimate St. Thomas Church on 5th Ave or a trio performance under candles. The setting is Gothic and romantic. Admission is generally $25–$40, plus maybe a $15 donation, and the acoustic music with piano and strings is sublime. You feel like you’ve stepped into a private salon. It’s not a wild party, but the warm candlelight and rich harmonies set a dreamy, luxe ambiance. The best part is that you experience it without burning a sizable hole in your pocket, which makes it one of the great date ideas NYC.
15. Rooftop sunken hot tub (Brooklyn)
If you’re looking for novel luxury dates in NYC, here is one that fits the bill perfectly: Harriet’s Rooftop at Williamsburg, Hotel 1 Union Square, which boasts a hot tub and lounge chairs on its roof. Rent the tub and relax in warm, bubbly water with city views. Cocktails come from the bar up there. It costs around $100 for 2 people per hour and is definitely a splurge. But soaking under twinkling lights in downtown Brooklyn is as decadent as it gets, and offers a nice break from the wine and dine dates.
16. NYC penthouse cocktail bar (Manhattan)
Experience Manhattan’s opulence at a penthouse lounge like the PH-D Terrace at Dream Downtown. These clubs usually have no entry fee for guests in lounge areas, and bottle service is optional. Enjoy live DJs, city vistas, and ultra-luxe crowds. Splurge on a signature cocktail, like a $30 martini in a Swarovski crystal glass. It’s less romantic and more party vibe, but if you two like a lively, upscale scene, it’s a glamorous choice. The Instagrammable ambience qualifies it as one of the great date ideas NYC.
17. Wine and painting night (Manhattan)
Channel your inner artist at a fancy BYOB paint studio. Some offer “Sip & Paint” evenings with a professional instructor. Purchase a premium wine at a specialty shop or bring champagne, and soak up the experience. It’s playful and creative. Even if you both can’t paint, the idea of crafting together in a candlelit studio with good wine feels more artisanal than your standard bar date.
Related Reading: NYC Relationship Roadmap: Milestones from First Date to Moving In
18. Empire State Building observatory (Manhattan)
Skip the crowds by using the New York Pass for the 86th-floor Observatory. Go at sunset for the golden hour glow, then have dessert at the city-view cafe. From above, the city spreads out beneath you, making you feel like you’ve conquered New York. It’s touristy but still magical and very “Can we believe we live here?” Subtle luxury experiences like this elevate your dates in NYC.
19. Picnic with a view (Staten Island)
For something truly unique and upscale in a serene setting, take the Staten Island Ferry to St. George. There, at Clove Lakes Park or Lighthouse Hill overlooking the Verrazzano and the harbor, set up a gourmet picnic. Rent a private deck space through a concierge picnic service or simply pack a wicker basket with fine cheese, charcuterie, chilled rosé, and macarons. Watching ships sail beneath you while sipping champagne feels indulgent and beautifully out-of-the-way, yet still in NYC.
Takeaway
Each of these luxury dates in NYC delivers a special WOW factor. Whether it’s sipping wine under crystal chandeliers or cruising Manhattan’s harbor, you’re treating yourselves to the finer things. Put in some effort into planning your upscale adventure, and New York will reward you with the most memorable date of all time.