I’m Jake. Hello and welcome. I don’t like reading anything that feels professional, so I wont make you either. This is me, saying what I think. Please enjoy.

The theme of this inaugural post is laid on a thought foundation that: I think that a first date requires alcohol. You need to be loose, you need to be comfortable, you need to be you. But, saying “lets get drinks” makes you lame and basic. Nobody wants that, and if you’re reading this, I’m confident that that definitely isn’t you.

So, here’s 3 ways to date that include alcohol, a little bit of thought, and my restaurant/bar recs to make it easy for you. But first!

A quote I adore

okay, now we’re starting.

Option 1: happy hour

Happy hours are great because you’re creating a proposition that’s easy to say yes to - and very low stakes. Easy early win for you. Here’s the recs…

Atrium

In Los Feliz

Getting the first impression recommendation vibe right is the second most important thing (being hot @1, obviously). Atrium is utterly sick. The entrance is beautifully string lit and the wrap around bar is perfect for a ice breaking conversation. It’s also a bit Vail cabin-y which is hard to dislike, unless you hate snow and joy, in which case these recommendations are useless to you because you’re impossible.

Happy hour: 4-6 daily. go drink, be nasty, have fun, the vibes are there, the rest is on you.

OR

Bar Bandini

In Echo Park

shhhh shut up 😳 This is the vibe. It’s a cute, well lit spot. Nobody needs to see you in cool lighting on a first date, that’s illegal. Bar Bandini is cozy yet makes you feel like you should’ve pursued a life as an artist in a post modern Soho warehouse. When you walk in, you feel like Beyonce if she was in a country where people don’t know who Beyonce is. Like, you (as Beyonce) KNOW you’re Beyonce, but nobody else does, so its a weird but sexy dynamic you feel with the world. I hope that makes sense, if it doesn’t just, I’m not sorry.

Anyway, confidence is key, put yourself in environments that make it easy to feel confident. It’s also super common to sip wine here, very easy to look hot. W x2

Happy Hour: its like, all the time, apparently, but they’re closed mon-weds. This is a weekend play.

Option 2: drinks and small plates

For you alcoholics, this is great because you don’t need to worry about getting too blasted… because you’re eating (unless you’re a freak like that, then I guess idk). Drinks and small plates are great because you break the dichotomy of “my plate and your plate”. “I have my meal and you have yours” and it becomes a shared adventure of taste. AND, if conversation is ever difficult, just take a bite of something, smile, or make literally any expressive face, and say how you feel about it. bing bong -conversation 🤯 you’re welcome.

I’m a sucker for a sharing affair and you should be too.

Employees Only

In West Hollywood

It’s minimal. Let it be known, minimal is not cute - its sexy. and sexy is the mood for all 2024. The people watching here is utterly phenomenal, if you’re into that sort of thing. very loud personalities and even louder outfits. Employees Only was born in NY and this is its newest child. I literally daydream about NY in a somewhat unhealthy way so this scratches the itch. If you do meth, except NY is your meth, go here to get your metaphorical meth fix. (I feel like you probably made a face, just keep reading pls, thx.)

As for the small plates, they’re great for sharing, they’re unique, BUT, they’re expensive, fair warning.

What to order:

*I don’t give drink recs bc I order jager bombs to get fucked up and don’t like carbonation. My bar recs are psychotic, so I refrain. However, I’ll never ever rec a spot with shit drinks, just trust. here’s the small plate must-order rundown

1. crudo

2. calamari

3. sweet potatoes

4. fried pickles (trust, again)

OR

Laurel Hardware

In Santa Monica

One of two things is happening right now, you’ve either already been and were just reminded of the incredible experience you had and how desperately you need to go back, or you just got blessed fr… FR.

It’s an old hardware store (shocker) which makes it feel like a bit of a speakeasy - and then inside it’s like “woah what the fuck? how is this possible? I love this” type vibe. The food is fantastic and the cocktails are beautiful. Love is in the air. Literally, thats the name of the candle they have by the check in and it’s intoxicating. (I asked)

What to order:

1. Glazed pork ribs

2. Crispy rice

Option 3: Game night at a bar

The moment you walk inside, you’re a team. As a team, it’s you vs the room, intimacy builds quick and it feels perfectly organic. It’s the easiest way to comfortably have fun, and maybe be touchy playful if the vibes are right ;) and if you’re losing, the energy in the room is naturally high, it’s fun regardless, just don’t be a stump and you’re fine.

Barney’s Beanery

*yes this is the name of a real establishment, if you can get past the hurdle of asking someone to meet you at Barneys Beanery, you’re golden

In West Hollywood

me, personally, I like to laugh. If you have a big I don’t give a fuck personality, awkwardness doesn’t exist - you’re sick. Go you. But also, go here. Its weird. in a good way. The characters here are hilarious, total sitcom “where the fuck are we” mood. with the trivia, the energy is always on max.

Have a drink and you’ll have a great time. Best thing about trivia is that you can pivot and do something else after, there’s a strong “the nights not over” feeling when the trivia stops.

What to order:

1. hot dog

thats it. Be sloppy 😋

Thanks for reading this. Love you!

You’re likely curious as to what the fuck this all is. I’ll tell you.

I wanted to make an app for people to share their restaurant recommendations in a way that didn’t totally suck, and see where their friends recommend. I love it, it’s called Hngr (like hunger but without vowels because fuck vowels). The vision is to create the easiest way to journal and share your dining journey.

In my own journey, I’ve found a love for hosting dinners and wanted to marry that love to hngr. I’m calling it 3rd Space. A 3rd space is a place of social comfort beyond the home and work. I passionately believe that the optimal 3rd space is a curated dinner, providing a form of intimacy that can’t be replicated elsewhere. I also think that meeting strangers without having to work up the courage to say hello at a bar is a cool concept.

In the meantime, I’d love nothing more than for you to try out our beta app and give feedback on how we can improve. We have a long way to go but would love to have you be a part of this journey

If you want to attend a dinner, and meet strangers, apply here :)

DM us on IG with any questions or any way we can improve

Love, Jake