Date With Destiny

To hell with the ho-hum of dinner and a movie. As our resident relationship guru Esther Perel tells it: once she loses intrigue, lust is sure to follow. Let’s avoid that. Here’s a slightly left-of-center date night to shake things up a little.

Step 1: Bites and Bocce
Unpretentiously cool Union Hall deftly mixes downtown finesse with Brooklyn’s more down-to-earth demeanor. Snag a cocktail and some nosh fireside and engage in a little friendly bocce to get the blood going.

Step 2: Link’d In
A first-of-its-kind Legend of Zelda Symphony is coming to Barclays Center October 13th. Whether you’re a seasoned Ganondorf slayer or just curious to hear what an 8-bit soundtrack gone orchestral sounds like, this is too good to miss. One night only and set to sell out, expect an epic multimedia experience reviving the best moments from Nintendo’s hit series in seven carefully structured movements. Get tickets here.

Step Three: Stars Come Out
Living in NYC has its perks, but wishing on shooting stars sure ain’t one of ‘em. To the rescue: the Amateur Astronauts Association, now leading star-spotting expeditions on the Highline every Tuesday after dark, high-powered telescopes included.

Step Four: Nightcap
Once you’ve seen a twinkle or two, head to the W Hotel’s Living Room Bar & Terrace and order up The Nightcap, a cocktail with XO Cognac, orange bitters and orange peel-infused maple syrup. Oh, plus a pretty epic garnish: a room key. Starting at $299, this dram with benefits should be ordered one hour prior to retiring. The key will unlock one of the W’s handsomely appointed Wonderful Rooms.