New York City is divided. It’s not something as simple as East Village versus West Village or Queens versus Brooklyn.
Even the overarching divisions of class and wealth pale in comparison to the true divider: singles versus couples. Don’t get me wrong, those other arguments are much more nuanced and the divisions are pronounced, but facetiously, none is more important than your plus one status. Tribeca, for example, might as well be stroller city, whereas parts of the Lower East Side could easily be mistaken as a singles speed dating convention. And don’t even get me started on Central Park. But I digress, as this isn’t the anthropological ravings of a madman, but the discussion of an interesting little spot called Wonderland Bar and how they fit into this equation as one of the most interesting first date spots in the city.
Now, some may take that as a diminutive brush against their good name, but I don’t intend that in the slightest. For a well-thought-out first date, you need a place that can check a lot of boxes. An intriguing menu sure to provoke a response and shows a bit of thoughtfulness? Check. Food in case the date goes well and you both get hungry? Check and it’s good (spoiler alert). Interesting décor that you can comment on when a lull in the conversation inevitably occurs? Check yet again. Lastly, an interesting gimmick that can drive suspense and create an interesting experience? Well, when you have a bartender who crafts custom cocktails with the most minimal of information, I think this box is covered as well.
Now, as to my experience here, the cocktails arrived first and unapologetically over the top. Bubble Trouble, for instance, makes its entrance veiled in smoke, perched on a floral bed like something out of an enchanted greenhouse. It’s theatrical, certainly, but beneath the whimsy lies a syrupy, perfumed sweetness that leans heavily into its flower-forward profile—more curious than compelling, though not without charm. And then there was La Huve, dark and dusky with chocolate undertones—like a mezcal negroni dressed for winter.
The Summer Saturday, by contrast, is a lesson in restraint. Light, clean, and easy on the palate, it’s the sort of drink you finish without realizing, crisp citrus notes brushing gently against the tongue. The Cat’s Paw offered a fluffier, fuller profile—rounded and frothy, it felt like a dessert served in a cup.
From the kitchen, the skewers of chicken arrived blistering hot, the kind of heat that blooms rather than bites—dry, peppery, and more lingering than sharp. It’s a dish that perfectly pairs with the drinks and one that doesn’t rely on gloss or garnish to make its point. More understated were the Pearls of Scallop, which sort of reminded me of a well-formed crab cake—lightly crabby, slightly sweet, and satisfying in a familiar way. My favorite was the Wonderland Fried Chicken Burger. The fried chicken patty was similar to that of the skewers, but it was generously covered in caviar kewpie, herb mayo, and of course, house pickles. Served with some very solid fries, it was a simply great treat.
Now the real interesting gem is Wonderland’s custom cocktails, which continue the theme of playful experimentation. This is the gimmick that makes it a perfect first date spot. You simply tell the bartender your liquor of choice, and he’ll whip up a cocktail that’ll reinvent the wheel. One riffed on a Bloody Mary with vodka, tomato, and citrus—a savory tonic with a garden-bright kick. The other, a smoky mezcal-cucumber mix, was subtler than expected, with vegetal coolness smoothing the edges of the spirit’s natural fire.
Wonderland isn’t aiming for quiet sophistication. It’s a night that leans into spectacle, fire, fragrance, and form. But there are thoughtful notes here too, if you look closely: in the burn of a skewer, the delicacy of a cocktail, or the gentle nuance found in a chicken sandwich. They may just be the perfect first date spot, but that doesn’t preclude them from being a regular date night spot for the non-single folks looking for an interesting day out. If you haven’t tried this spot yet but are looking for a new spot for a few bites and an interesting cocktail with a friend or significant other, this should certainly end up on your list.
