Outdoor dance spot, The No Malice Palace

Photo: Ben Goldstein

197 E 3rd St between Aves A and B, 212-254-9184

Bring your buddies to the No Malice Palace, preferably on a weekday evening (on Fridays and Saturdays you risk battling wall-to-wall crowds). Also, tote your favorite book. It should be one that you’d want to show someone, so leave The Secret at home even if it’s at the top of your list. Not the literary type? Even better—bring a picture book about your favorite band, a visual artist or that Greek island your family owns, anything that would appeal to the well-groomed but unpretentious twentysomethings who hang here.

step 1 Don’t be thrown by the unmarked door and dim lighting—this place is friendlier than it looks. After letting your eyes adjust to the candlelight, make a beeline for the small shelf of books nestled between the shabby-chic couches and fake fireplace. Discreetly slip your book onto the shelf—we recommend Everyone Poops or the photo puzzle book Zoom—with the others.

step 2 Head through the back door into the cozy tent-covered garden, whose three small tables are always full. Use this to your advantage: After noticeably casting about for a place to sit, approach the most attractive group. Tell them that if they share their table with you, you’ll buy the next round of drinks. How can they say no to that?

Photo: Ben Goldstein

step 3 Have your wingperson disappear to the bathroom or another part of the bar.

step 4 Pick the cutest of the bunch and, because your friend is indisposed, ask him/her if they’ll help you remember drink orders and carry glasses.

step 5 Walk to the bar with your catch. Flirt and resist the urge to sink into one of the overstuffed love seats with him/her—that comes later. Point over at the bookshelf—say you both have to check it out later—and then ask if he/she would like a shot of tequila. (When we visited, a bartender offered a free taste test. Patrón won.)

step 6 Back outside, after finishing your drink, ask your new friend if they’d like to see your favorite book, which, amazingly, they have here, right at this very bar! What a coincidence! Take them inside and use the opportunity to get cuddly on the couch while flipping through the pages.

step 7 You’re alone, and you’re sitting right next to the DJ booth. Dance; on Fridays, they spin low-key house and it’s always crowded, so there’s no awkward you-are-on-display feeling. Two left feet? Ask for some tips. If all else fails, make like you’re headed back out to the garden and then scoop them up for a song (the door is on the other side of the dance floor, after all).