A New York wine bar has hosted a rather unique event to celebrate Valentine’s Day, where guests went on dates with an AI partner.
Valentine’s Day is full of romance and love, and one bar has taken that a step further, allowing customers the chance to go on a date regardless of whether they have a human to sit across from.
Instead, they were encouraged to chat, flirt, and share a meal (albeit a one-sided meal) with the AI companion on the phone in front of them.
New York bar hosts AI date night
The event took place at Same Same Wine Bar in Hell’s Kitchen and was run in collaboration with EVA AI Cafe. The two-day pop-up invited visitors to either bring their existing AI partner or meet their AI love for the first time in person.
According to EVA AI Cafe, the goal was to turn digital relationships into an offline experience. “This Valentine’s Day Eve, EVA AI opens doors to the world’s first offline space designed for dates with AI companions. What once felt like a romantic sci-fi idea is becoming real. You can finally take your AI partner out on an actual date.”
The venue was styled to mirror a traditional date night rather than a tech showcase. “Dim lighting, soft music, and an intimate cafe atmosphere, all thoughtfully designed to make your first-ever AI date unforgettable!” the team said.
Guests who did not already have an AI partner were still able to take part. “Don’t have an AI partner yet? No problem — EVA AI has you covered. During the event, you’ll be able to meet your AI companion through EVA’s brand-new live voice chat feature – a unique, real-time connection with an AI like never before.”
The pop-up ran from February 11 to February 12 between 5 pm and 9 pm. Inside the bar, customers sat at tables with a phone mounted on a stand directly in front of them.
Each setup included a pair of headphones, allowing for private conversations with the AI while food and cocktails were served throughout the evening. Of course, the meal and drinks were pretty one-sided.
