If you and your significant other both love dogs and ice cream, we’ve got the sweetest date idea for you. Ollie’s Ice Cream + Stuff just opened in the neighborhood earlier this month, and their whole concept is delicious flavored ice creams for you and your furry friends. Yes, you read that correctly — they sell doggie ice cream too, allowing you to pamper both partner and pooch. It’s a great idea on a hot summer day for a more casual date, but the charming combination of dessert and dogs just might make you fall in love.

Left Hand Path is the perfect kind of Bushwick bar whether you’re just starting to get to know someone new or are in an established relationship. Enjoy a neighborhood feel and a relaxed ambience as you make your way to Bushwick’s best patio. The all-wood interior offers a welcoming and original aesthetic. Grab a table on Sundays to hear live music.

Summertime is all about being outside, right? And while it’s nice to go a restaurant with dim lighting, sunshine and a change of scenery at Bushwick’s largest community park could be beneficial. 

Taking a date to Honey’s, a tasting room and cocktail bar operated by Enlightenment Wines Meadery right next door, is both a fun and educational experience. Learn all about small batch meads and seasonal, honey-based wines (which are actually dry, not sweet) made locally right here in Bushwick. You’ll get points from your partner for such a cool choice of activity in this industrial chic space.

L’imprimerie, Bushwick’s celebrated French bakery and café has an adorable patio, so you can meet your special someone for coffee and pastries outdoors if the weather permits. Or, order inside and take in the slightly vintage feel — a nod to the building’s former days as a print shop. The menu boasts several selections that are organic, local (they even keep bees on the roof that supply fresh honey!) and Instagram worthy, which might encourage you to document your courtship.

A little wine and cheese can be so romantic on a summer night, which is one reason we love this establishment for a date. With several comfort food options and an extensive list of cocktails and beers on the menu, nearly everyone can find something they like at Julia’s, and the chandeliers coupled with red walls inspire romance without being too stuffy.

Parks are a simple, pleasant way to enjoy someone else’s company. Highland Park in particular is well suited for outdoorsy types, with walking trails and views of the Rockways and the Atlantic Ocean. There is also space for those who simply wish to picnic outside and enjoy nature. Physically active daters can benefit from several recreational sport facilities on the grounds.

If you’re all about karaoke, themed parties or event-based dating in general, Sweet Jane’s might be the right place you. An assortment of in-house board games at this dive bar offers the possibility of adding a competitive streak to the outing. As a bonus, their prices are affordable; you can sample the fare without feeling like you’ve blown your budget.