The DIVA's Best Places to Meet Singles on the UWS

Yes, Match.com touts that more than 1 in 5 relationships start online and over the past five years the Internet has quickly revolutionized the way people meet and date. However, meeting your future ex-boyfriend or wife the old fashion way works just as well. Everyone’s experience is different so to prove a point I conducted a little experiment in my own neighborhood. The test, where in no more than a 10-block radius from my apartment can I meet like minded, attractive, single professional people. The result? Confirmation as to why I absolutely love the Upper West Side. Enjoy the top 10 places on the Upper Westside where you can meet people as well as exercise your brain, learn something new or take in the amazing views.

Apple Store UWS: Have you walked passed the Apple outpost located at 1981 Broadway? Its always PACKED and sometimes there’s a line outside, but don’t let that discourage you. From the friendly intelligent staff, the free workshops and the throngs of interesting sometimes weird people (one woman came in with rainbow clown colored hair) it’s a great way to spend a few hours learning about new Apple products or just figuring out how to work your iPhone 4. During the weekends the store also hosts live musicians ranging from Jazz to Chopin. The only thing needed is an interest in Apple products or a desire to learn about your own. 1981 Broadway, at W. 67th St.
Rosa Mexicano Lincoln Center: Is there a difference between regular Mexican fare and upscale Mexican fare? Some would say the only difference is eating with real silverware instead of plastic because the food is all the same. However, Rosa Mexicano Lincoln Center is definitely upscale for more reasons than serving its food on real plates. First, the interior is impressive with a floating staircase and a 30-plus-foot water wall. Second, it’s always packed with after work happy hour groups or folks just looking to have some really good tableside made guacamole. Also notable are the copious amounts of special events – from Cinco de Mayo (May 5), Clambake (July 4-31) to its Ice Cream Festival (August 10 thru September 4) and cooking classes. Rosa Mexicano is muy caliente for meeting people. 61 Columbus Ave., at W. 62nd St.
American Museum of Natural History: Perfectly sandwiched between Columbus Avenue and Central Park, many walk past this historic institution as a stuffy place for history buffs and school trips. Oh, but so many are wrong. The American Museum of Natural History is the perfect place to meet cool, intelligent and dare I say charmingly attractive people. Before it ends on June 26, I highly recommend participating in the “Mystery at the Museum” which is part game, part theater and part walking tour. On a personal note, I had an absolute blast and met some wonderful people along the way. Think about it, what a great way to spend a rainy afternoon? Central Park West at W. 79th St.
Green Flea Market: Located on Columbus Avenue between 76th and 77th Streets, every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. you will find a school playground transformed into an outdoor market with just about any and everything for sale. What is also great is that it’s free to get in and browse at everything (including the people). The only downside is that dogs are not allowed in the market.
77th Street Farmers Market: After you’ve browsed through the nick knacks and tchotchkes at the Green Flea Market you probably worked up an appetite so walk up half a block to the 77th Street Farmers Market and grab an apple or sample some cheese. Either way, you will find that there are tons of people out and about enjoying their Sunday morning cup of coffee, walking the dog or picking up ingredients for Sunday dinner.
79th Street Boat Basin Café: The Boat Basin has always been known as a singles hot spot. Perfectly nestled underneath the roundabout at 79th Street and West Side Highway, the Boat Basin Café is always packed, is dog friendly and has an amazing happy hour from 4-7 p.m. where all bar drinks are $2 off. With a gaggle of people, a great waterside view and good burgers, it’s the perfect combination to collect digits and be-friending more people on Facebook. What else could you ask for?
Pier i Café: Ok, this is the not so best kept secret of the Upper Westside. An outdoor café located underneath the playground at West 68th Street and Riverside Boulevard, it is a wonderful way to have a beer, some seasoned French fries and watch the boats and people go by. Open from May (starting the first week weather permitting) to October, the café is somewhat crowded, but what a great way to strike up a conversation about the sunset? Although it hasn’t opened yet, I would be remiss not to add it to the top 10 as its one of my most favorites and its dog friendly.
Aroma Espresso Bar: A strong competitor to Starbucks, located on 72nd Street between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues, this outpost serves – you guessed it – espresso, but what differentiates it from Starbucks is you can also grab a glass of wine or beer. Another added plus is outside seating – not the sidewalk kind. So grab your laptop (WiFi is available) and have a cup of espresso as you check out the hottie sitting at the espresso bar.
Riposo 72: Calling all wine lovers! As its name intimates, Riposo 72 is located on 72nd Street between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West. Simply put it’s the after work landing place for SA-YUPS (Single Attractive Young Urban Professionals) who have a panache for wine, smartphones, good food and looking at other single attractive professionals.
Unleashed: Release the hounds and their attractive owners. Unleashed is the go to pet store on Columbus Avenue that is also turning into a social scene for singles who have a soft spot for the four legged upper Westsiders. With monthly events geared towards fido and the humans with them it is now the IT place to go on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Bonus – it’s a block away from Central Park. So, let fido make an introduction for you and schedule a doggie playdate.