Melody

"This Chinatown spot is hard to neatly categorize, but it’s somewhere in between a dive bar and a cocktail spot. Bring a date who might want to do some canoodling under a paper lantern. They’ve got a bunch of cocktails under $20, an extensive list of craft beers, and nightly DJs who play whatever mix of tropical house, Latin trap, future beats, soul, or funk they feel like getting into that night. $7 Well Drinks; $5 Select Beers" - garrett snyder, brant cox, cathy park

"Open for takeout, delivery, and limited patio seating. If being at home reminds you too much of your ex (or even worse, they still live there), head to Melody Wine Bar. This neighborhood wine bar is in a converted bungalow in Virgil Village, and has everything you like about your apartment (huge windows, cozy atmosphere) and nothing you don’t (Steve, Steve, and that asshole, Steve). In addition to their excellent selection of natural wines, the menu rotates between four pop-ups, including one serving Mexican/Jewish dishes, food from Aegean sea, Mediterranean dishes by Xenia, and focaccia-style pizza hybrids baked by De La Nonna. Plus, the patio they have out back is so romantic, you might just fall in love with yourself." - kat hong

"Located in a converted bungalow in Virgil Village, this neighborhood wine bar has everything you like about your apartment (huge windows, cozy atmosphere) and none of the things you don’t (poor wifi connection, unwashed dishes in the sink, nosy neighbors who feel way too comfortable knocking on your door). In addition to tables on their wraparound patio, their outdoor courtyard is one of the most romantic in the books - think big, comfy couches, lanterns overhead, and an evening light that’s so flattering, you run the risk of having anyone sitting across from you falling in love. Even if that means you, checking your reflection on your phone." - kat hong

"Chinatown’s Melody Lounge is the best place to meet kind strangers (and chatty bartenders) wearing small beanies, high socks, and penny loafers. The space is somewhere between a dive bar and a sparse cocktail lounge, but someone is spinning vinyl records in the corner here every night of the week. Paper lanterns bathe the room in a sultry red glow while 20-somethings mingle at their bar stools, with cold beers in hand. On weekends, expect to do a lot of dancing while a mix of tropical house, Latin trap, future beats, soul, funk (or whatever else the DJs feel like playing) thumps the walls. " - brant cox, nikko duren

"Depending on the DJ, this Chinatown bar works for quiet dates and rowdy nights out. The scene feels somewhere in between a dive bar and a cocktail spot, with people drinking mezcal and rum cocktails, paper lanterns bathing the room in a red glow, and DJs playing whatever mix of tropical house, Latin trap, future beats, soul, or funk they feel like that night. It’s laidback and fun in an effortless way, the way everyone wishes they could be. " - Kat Hong, Nikko Duren, Sylvio Martins, Brant Cox