Best Places for Black Singles in Manhattan

You can't go to the club every night. It's just not what you do. Yeah, it's fun, but club hopping is not what defines your nightlife experience. But for you singles, the opposite sex isn't abundant and in approach mode in too many other venues, so what other choices do you have to meet sexy, young, black, professionals in New York City? Well, the answer is here. Black Oak Nights has picked out some of the best scenes for black singles in New York.

The Den - 2150 5^th Avenue, Harlem, New York, NY

This contemporary portico offers young black singles a place to socialize with the opposite sex, and it serves up a plethora of ambivalence. You can't tell whether or not you are in an art gallery or a bar. But in the end, does it really matter? The Den is flooded with young black professionals interested in African-American art and a little small talk. It's location in a Harlem brownstone, and a 1920's designed interior, gives you the feel of the old 1920's Harlem and makes you think you're in a nighttime hideaway. In reality, you're in the mist of a fairly successful crowd that includes lawyers, I-bankers and artists, of course. To accommodate the wealth of riches, The Den offers bottle service and dining room, where you can order a New York Strip steak and a red-wine. And for those of you more interested in art, mingling and socializing than sitting down at a table, you can be a little more mobile in your flesh hunt with shrimp cocktail and crab cakes. And if you're really big time, ask for the White Room, where ironically, some of the most prominent black guest of The Den go for a little VIP service.

Iguana - 240 West 54^th Street, Midtown, New York, NY

This place really has it all. An upstairs bar. A mid-level restaurant. A downstairs lounge/club area. And if you are looking for something else, I'm sure they are hiding it somewhere in the back room. So if you are looking for a place to mingle with the girls, or chat it up with the fellows on the weekends, then Iguana is definitely one of the better places to be. Iguana serves up some great margaritas and wonderful spread of appetizers to keep your energy up for a night of dishing and dancing. On the weekend, you'll find the lounge area flooded with encouraging singles and an atmosphere conducive to matchmaking. With great music, great people, great food and a great décor, Iguana is doing nightlife right for young black singles in New York City.

EZ's Woodshed - 2236 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd, Harlem, New York, NY

Get your walking shoes on, because this one is all the way up town. For you Harlemers, it's not far at all, but for you Brooklynites, it's a walk and a half. Trust me though, it's worth the trip. Go after work for a very trendy and soulful experience that can't be found anywhere else in Manhattan. Plenty of Jazz loving socialites hit up EZ's during the weeknights for nightly, live, jazz performances. EZ's Woodshed is a great chance to sit down and relax to the smooth Jazz stylings of some of New York's homegrown musicians. Or if you're feeling a little livelier, you can always spark up an intellectual conversation with someone at the bar, as the vibe is exceedingly friendly and incredibly comfortable for ladies and gents of all ages. And be prepared to take some of the soul home with you, because there is plenty of memorabilia to purchase to help capture the memories.