Spring is in the air, and if even half of what your parents told you about the birds and the bees is true, you’re as excited as we are for this upcoming sunny season of love. What’s more, we have swiped right (quite a few times, actually) on silver fox Andy Cohen’s profile as the host of Love Connection! This classic series is returning for another heart-pounding season, Tuesdays at 9/8c on Fox, and Andy is here to amp up the original hit dating show for today’s digital dating audiences. We sat down with Andy to ask him a few questions about best (and worst) places to take first dates, and we also polled our Community Managers in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles Chicago and Houston to pick some of the best local date spot ideas. Read on for more, and enter to win one of 10 $200 gift cards below!

Yelp: What are the best places to take a first date in spring and summer?
Andy: Nothing beats quick drinks or coffee at a public place. Or even better, pack a picnic outside in a park! It’s inexpensive, and there are plenty of escape routes for those awkward moments. Keep it moving with a stroll by a body of water, or take in a museum with a café.
Yelp: What about those first-date no-no’s?
Andy: Hard pass on the sex shops. Too creepy. And stay away from loud clubs, if you really want to make an honest connection. Third, skip the spas, gyms, or anywhere else you have to change clothes. Way too awkward.
What’s the best first date you’ve ever been on?
Andy: The best date I’ve been on was when I was first falling for my ex. It was just dinner, but the night felt like it went on forever (in a good way) because we were getting to know each other. The great thing about truly connecting with someone is that it doesn’t matter where you are. When that connection happens, it’s all that matters!
Yelp: Let’s get to the show! What’s the most successful date from Season 1, and where did they go?
Andy: Probably Robert and Shawen from Chicago. They had a great connection. Both love their cats and had a wonderful time playing pool and shuffleboard on their date. He felt really comfortable with her and opened up to her about his past. She was very receptive and understanding, and found him to be very open and genuine.
Yelp: And finally, what are your first date do’s and don’ts?
Andy: First off, always be on time. Make sure you look great, and don’t forget that great breath! Oh, and put your phone away and pay attention to your date! Try to get to know them… don’t be shy, ask questions!
Thanks Andy!
Yelp Collections and Giveaway
Heading out to make your local love connection? Here are some Collections of great local date spots curated by our Community Managers in New York, Chicago, LA, San Francisco and Houston. Would you like to win some $$$ to take your next date on an incredible adventure? We’re giving away $200 gift cards to 10 lucky winners! To enter to win (no purchase necessary), simply follow any of these 15 Yelp Collections listed below between now and June 12th. See the end of this post for Official Rules and instructions on how to follow a collection!
New York
Best First Date Spots to Impress – NYC
Best Casual/On The Cheap Date Spots – NYC
Los Angeles
Best First Date Spots to Impress – LA
Best Casual/On The Cheap Date Spots – LA
Chicago
Best Summer Date Spots in Chicago
Best First Date Spots to Impress – Chicago
Best Casual/On The Cheap Date Spots – Chicago
San Francisco
Best First Date Spots to Impress – SF
Best Casual/On The Cheap Date Spots – SF
Houston
Best Summer Date Spots in Houston
Best First Date Spots to Impress – Houston
Best Casual/On The Cheap Date Spots – Houston
About Love Connection
The classic series Love Connection returns for another heart-pounding season, hosted by Andy Cohen. In each one-hour episode, Love Connection sends a single man or woman on three blind dates. Then, after the dates, he/she will drop into the studio, where Andy will grill them on all the juicy details. But it’s not only Andy they’ll be facing – they’ll be telling all in front of a live studio audience (who also get in on the fun, with a vote that could bring the daters some cash). If the audience correctly predicts who made a love connection, the dater wins $10,000! Throughout the show, we will hear cautionary tales and fairytale endings, all brought together by Cohen’s personal brand of audacious fun, while helping people fall in love. Love Connection airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on FOX.
Check out more here: https://youtu.be/BdvPTmWTfqc
Giveaway instructions, and how to follow a Collection:
* Visit the Yelp website (located at https://www.yelp.com/) or mobile application;
* Log in to your free Yelp user account;
* “Follow” at least one (1) of the fifteen (15) Yelp Collections identified on this YelpBlog post; and
* Continue to “follow” at least one (1) of these fifteen (15) Yelp Collections from the time you enter the Giveaway through the time the Giveaway Winner is selected and publicly announced.
Instructions on how to “follow” a Yelp Collection are available at https://www.yelp-support.com/article/How-can-I-follow-or-share-a-Collection?l=en_US