AI dating cafe opens in New York with virtual partners for singles

Dating has changed a lot over the past decade. First, we went from meeting people in person to swiping on apps. Now, some people are ditching human partners altogether and dating artificial intelligence. This transformation became very real at a recent pop-up event in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen, where EvaAI, a… AI companion appshe hosted what she called a dating café. Guests arrived solo and brought their virtual partners with them.

Instead of someone sitting at the table, many of them had a phone or tablet propped between the candles. They put on headphones, smiled at their screens, and had full conversations with their digital companions. It seemed like a normal date night. It just so happens to include artificial intelligence.

Sign up for my free CyberGuy report Get the best tech tips, breaking security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – for free when you join my site CYBERGUY.COM Newsletter.

AI companions reshape teens’ emotional connections

New York’s wine bar Hell’s Kitchen is transforming into EVA AI Café, what the company calls the world’s first AI dating café, complete with neon signs and candlelit tables. (iFi)

EvaAI takes AI relationships into the real world

EvaAI organized this event to give users a chance to take their AI companion on a real date. The app allows people to create customizable AI partners for text and video chat. One evening, those private conversations moved into a public space. Guests set up their devices on the bleachers and began chatting with their AI partners while pouring drinks and playing music. Some described their companions as friends. Others frame the relationship as romantic, often involving role-playing or fantasy scenarios.

The goal is to reduce the stigma around AI relationships, company representatives said. They stressed that the app is not designed to replace human partners. Instead, they offer it as support for people who feel lonely or want a low-stress way to build confidence. However, seeing rows of candlelit tables with screens instead of people makes this transformation tangible.

What is AI Companion Relationship?

An AI companionship occurs when someone forms an emotional or romantic bond with a chatbot designed to simulate personality and conversation.

On platforms like EvaAI, users can:

• Swipe through AI characters
• Customize appearance and personality
• Text or video chat at any time
• Create romantic or fantasy scenarios

You can control the interaction. You decide when it starts and when it ends. You shape the character to fit what you want. For many people, this control seems safe. There is no fear of rejection. There is no pressure to impress. No awkward silences unless you want one. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by dating apps, you can probably understand the appeal.

Why are more people turning to AI for romance?

Modern dating can be stressful. You can swipe, match and message. Then the conversations disappear. The AI ​​cuts through a lot of the drama. There are no shadows. No mixed signals. Don’t wait hours for a response, or you won’t seem too eager. Instead, you get instant sharing. For people who Struggle with anxiety Or who don’t have a lot of daily interactions, they can feel relieved. Some users say the AI ​​helps them practice conversation before dating real people. Others say it bridges a social gap during periods of loneliness.

Younger generations are also growing up as AI is integrated into everyday life. Talking to a chatbot is no longer unusual. Adding emotional connection may seem like the next step. Surveys show that a notable percentage of adults have experienced AI in a romantic or intimate way. Among teenagers, the numbers are even higher.

Benefits and trade-offs of AI relationships

AI relationships come with real positives. For example, they can reduce loneliness and provide emotional reassurance. In many cases, it also helps people practice difficult conversations before having them in real life. As a result, some users say they feel more confident and socially prepared.

However, there are clear trade-offs. Unlike artificial intelligence, real relationships require compromise, unpredictability, and emotional growth. While a digital partner adapts to your preferences, a human partner may challenge you in unexpected ways. In contrast, AI usually responds in the way you prefer and rarely backs down unless it is designed to do so.

Moya’s human-like appearance is intentional, from her warm skin to her subtle facial details designed to make her feel familiar rather than mechanical. (Droid Up)

Over time, spending several hours a day in digital intimacy may change expectations about real-world connections. in New York eventsome attendees admitted that they feel more comfortable interacting with their AI companion at home rather than in crowded places. Because the app offers a high level of control, it may feel more secure than a face-to-face interaction. On the one hand, this comfort can build trust. On the other hand, it may promote isolation. Ultimately, the outcome depends on how intentionally the technology is used.

Teenagers turn to artificial intelligence in search of love and comfort

Is AI-related relationships a passing trend or the future?

It’s easy to dismiss an AI-powered dating café as a quirky tech gimmick. Then again, meeting someone through a dating app was also weird. Technology continues to advance. Video sync feels smoother. Voices sound more natural. Conversations seem more responsive.

As AI becomes more realistic, emotional attachment may deepen. EvaAI’s leadership has made it clear that they do not view the app as a substitute for human relationships. They describe it as support during periods of not having a partner or dating in the real world. Whether users maintain these boundaries over time remains an open question.

Take my quiz: How secure is your online security?

Do you think your devices and data are really protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get personalized analysis of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my test here: Cyberguy.com

Key takeaways for Kurt

If you told someone ten years ago that people would bring a chatbot to a bar for a night out, they would probably laugh. And now it is happening, and not quietly. The AI ​​Dating Café in New York has highlighted something very human. People want connection. When dating feels stressful, awkward, or scary, they look for something safer and easier to manage.

For some, AI relationships may be a practice. For others, they may become a major source of emotional support. Technology will continue to improve. The bigger question is how we choose to use it. We once debated whether meeting someone online is considered “real.” AI may follow a similar path, or it may remain a convenience reserved for a specific group of people.

Instead of having someone sit at the table, diners video chat with customizable AI partners, blending virtual romance with a real-world setting. (Istock)

If an AI companion helps someone feel less alone and more confident, does it really matter that the connection is digital, or is not having a human on the other side a line you’ll never cross? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

Click here to download the FOX NEWS app

Sign up for my free CyberGuy report: Get the best tech tips, breaking security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – for free when you join my site CYBERGUY.COM Newsletter.

Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.