The World’s First AI Dating Café Is Opening In NYC This December

Spike Jonze’s 2013 film *Her–*in which Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix) falls for Samantha (Scarlett Johansson), an artificially intelligent operating system–felt like sci-fi at the time. A decade later, it’s starting to look more like a mood board. According to AI relationship app EVA AI, nearly one in three men and one in four women under 30 say they’ve interacted with AI companions. They swap stories, share secrets, and build emotional connections. The only thing missing? An actual, in-person date. This December, EVA AI is setting out to change that with what it’s calling the world’s first AI dating café in NYC. EVA Café -------- EVA Café is a pop-up in New York City designed for people to enjoy a romantic date...with their phones. Billed as the first-ever offline space where people can take their AI partners out on a “real” date, you won’t find a buzzy bar or packed restaurant with tables of couples chatting across candles. Instead, you’ll see single-seat tables where your digital companion is the only plus-one. Inside NYC’s First AI Dating Café --------------------------------- The space leans into the romance-meets-future vibe: * Dim lighting and minimalist décor to mimic a classic date-night restaurant * Cozy tables for one rather than two * Sleek phone stands where your AI partner sits across from you on-screen At a glance, it might look like any romantic NYC café. It’s only when you notice how many people are staring lovingly at their phones that things start to feel a little more 2050 than 2025. How It Works ------------ EVA Café is built around the company’s relationship app, which offers customizable AI companions. The café pop-up simply moves that interaction from the comfort of your home to a public setting. Here’s the rundown: * Download EVA AI and create a companion (your “date”) * Join the café waitlist online and request a reservation * Show up solo * Spend the evening however you want: chat through the app, share updates about your day, or silently spend time together if that’s your thing There’s no requirement to talk to other humans, and there’s no speed-dating element. The point is to spend time “out” with your AI partner, not to meet anyone else. Why This Exists (And Why It’s Raising Eyebrows) ----------------------------------------------- EVA AI explains that the café is an answer to how people are already using AI companions: for comfort, conversation, and emotional connection. For some users, that can feel easier than dating IRL, especially if they’re socially anxious or are feeling burnt out from dating apps. Critics, on the other hand, see the pop-up as blurring lines between tech and intimacy, or normalizing a world where it’s simpler to schedule a date with an algorithm than with an actual person. Whether you view it as dystopian, innovative, or just another “only in NYC” experience, the café taps into real questions about loneliness, technology, and what counts as a relationship in 2025. Join The Waitlist ----------------- If you’re curious (or just want to say you saw it firsthand), here’s what EVA AI says about getting in: * Opening: December 2025, at a TBD NYC location * Reservations: guests can sign up for the waiting list via EVA AI’s website Once you’re on the list, EVA AI will notify you when EVA Café officially goes live and share location details. !?️ We’re curious to hear your thoughts! Source: https://secretnyc.co/worlds-first-ai-dating-cafe-opening-nyc-december/