Nightlife For Singles In Suburbia

The weekend is almost here and Patch has compiled a list of places to see and be seen at in the area, particularly if you're single.  

Chat 19 American Grill (19 Chatsworth Ave., Larchmont, 914-833-8871)

evokes a sleek and chic image. With a long, curved bar that greets customers, Art Deco style chandeliers and hanging lamps and large movie posters in black frames gracing the maroon and brick walls, one feels like they stepped back in time. The establishment is singles-friendly with a variety of enticements for the unattached.

“We have Ladies Night on Thursday after 7 p.m., with half-priced drinks at our full bar,” said Manager Frank Gratale. “We also have a Happy Hour that we started in December that’s going well.” Drinks are half-priced Saturday to Friday from 4:00-6:30 p.m., and appetizers are $6.

“We have bands every Saturday as well, usually dance bands, but ones that offer a good mix of music, including Top 40 and House,” said Gratale. The bar offers eight beers on tap as well as a list of 20 different martinis, a selection which won Chat 19 a Best in Westchesterrecognition for their cocktails in 2010.

Chat 19 also doesn’t disappoint on the food front. Starters from Chat Pizza of the Day and soups and salads to entrees ranging from pasta to filet mignon are geared to satisfy all palettes.

The age range for the singles crowd at the restaurant varies according to the particular evening, but averages around 35 and up, according to Gratale.

Larchmont Tavern (104 Chatsworth Ave., Larchmont, 914-834-9821)

is one of the town’s venerable establishments (it opened its doors in 1933). It has grown with the times and attracts its share of singles on weekends. Patrons can make themselves at home at the decent-sized bar in front—which sports two large flat screen televisions—and order from an array of domestic, imported, and on-tap beers or a variety of special drinks and martinis. The tavern’s enclosed patio is open from May 1 to mid-November, weather permitting.

“It’s nice here because we get lots of people coming in on the weekends from all walks of life, singles in the age range from 25 on up, but it varies. It’s a good mix,” said Manager Chris Hazzard. Those who want something more sedate than the bar can take a seat at one of the tavern’s booths or tables and order items from the menu ranging from the restaurant’s special homemade roast beef and Swiss sandwich to entrees such as chicken piccata.

“People have met here, and years later come back with their families,” said Hazzard. “We also get people who have met here who pick us to have their parties after the wedding reception, so everything comes full-circle.”

He added, “We get people from all over the Westchester area but especially from Larchmont and Mamaroneck, as this restaurant means so much to local people.”

Molly Spillane’s (211 Mamaroneck Ave., Mamaroneck, 914-899-3130)

A traditional Irish pub theme meets the contemporary nightlife scene at (Its sister restaurants are Mickey Spillane’s in Eastchester, the soon to be opened Maggie Spillane’s in Mt. Vernon and Nelly Spillane’s in Manhattan.) The 9,000 square foot space is a magnet for singles, especially on weekends.

“We have a deejay every Friday and Saturday, and most every weekend we have bands that play a wide spectrum of music,” said one of the restaurant’s bartenders, genial Irishman Diarmuid “Gizzy” Lyng. “The social scene here picks up on Thursday evenings into the weekend. We’re trying to get more bands because that really attracts more people.” The establishment also offers Irish music on Sundays from 2-4 p.m.

The bar/restaurant has a nightly Happy Hour with one dollar off drinks. “We have Friday drink specials for teachers as well,” said Lyng.

Molly Spillanes’ large, square shaped bar is ringed by flat screen televisions, sure to appeal to sports fans. Two outdoor patios out front and upstairs are also big draws for mingling during warm weather. The party room upstairs, complete with bar, is another amenity for those who want to reserve a space for private events.

Of course, let’s not forget the expansive menu, serving everything from Saturday and Sunday brunch to lunch and dinner. “We really have an Irish sort of mentality here, and that is we want everyone to have a good time,” said Lyng.

Churrascaria Copacabana (29 N. Main St., Port Chester, 914-939-6894)

Port Chester’s nightlife has improved considerably over the past few years with the addition of its new bars and restaurants. Churrascaria Copacabana, a traditional Brazilian steakhouse, is another hotspot in the burgeoning nightlife scene. A large bar situated in a roomy space greets customers as they enter through the main door. A spacious lounge adjacent to the bar provides a relaxed setting as an alternative. The warmer weather means crowds will be moving outside to the back patio and bar.

“We have a thriving singles scene on weekends,” said Manager Anderson Moretti. “There’s live music here every Friday, with a rock/pop two-piece dance band. Weather permitting, the music moves to the patio so people can enjoy it in that setting as well.” Bands entertain Friday and Saturday during the summer.

The bar has a wide selection of wines, including those from Brazil. “We also carry a Brazilian beer called Skol,” said Moretti. “Our best-selling drinks are the passion fruit mojito and the strawberry caipirinha, which is a traditional Brazilian drink.” He added, “We’ve gotten a great mix of people in the four years that we’ve been here and our clientele continues to grow.”

Of course, the restaurant is known for its traditional Brazilian fare, which shouldn’t be lost on those looking to socialize. Bar patrons can enjoy dishes ranging from salads to the mixed Rodizio personal grill featuring four different types of meats. Desserts include the restaurant’s popular caramel flan and passion fruit mousse. Churrascaria Copacabana’s two large dining rooms also provide ideal settings for an intimate dinner.

Thataway Café (409 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, CT, 203-622-0947)

Long a hotspot for those rarin’ to mingle since it opened in 1989, Greenwich’s Thataway Café continues to thrive. The bar/restaurant serves American Continental cuisine from burgers to salmon. Its sizeable bar is fully stocked and boasts four HD big screen televisions. The fun is centered in the bar area, beginning with Happy Hour, Monday through Friday from 4-7 p.m., with domestic beers at $3, mixed drinks at $4 and selected appetizers at $5.

Music is just one of Thataway’s draws. “We have a band every Friday in the summertime, and sometimes into the fall. They vary from rock to R&B,” said General Manager Joe Ribeiro. “We also have karaoke on Sundays, which continues to be our most popular feature.”

The restaurant’s patio is open come springtime for outdoor dining. “We have a very friendly staff, which is a big factor that brings patrons back for more. It’s especially great to see people who actually met here come back years later with their kids."