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Musings

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Rapid Fire Recs

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DRINKS FIRST UPCOMING EVENTS

OUR FINAL TENNIS PARTY OF THE YEAR - 8.27

It’s US Open Season, want to get in on the tennis fun? Open Bar, Tennis, New Friends, Music… Open to all levels and we even provide equipment. TOMORROW THURS AUG 27 AT 9pm. JUST COME. p.s. we left a JUICYYYY discount code in our paid section…

GET TIX NOW

D.S. & Durga x Feeld x Drinks First - 9.1 at Joyface/Hilot

I am so fucking excited for this party... I have been sitting on this for so long. We have not thrown a Drinks First rager in a really long time (since Valentine’s Day). We are taking over Hilot and Joyface, basically the hottest clubs of the summer, with open bar, perfume sampling, and the best music in honor of D.S. & Durga’s newest scent release - AIN’T THAT SWEET.

Feeld came on to support- if you’re not familiar download it here

It’s free. Let’s blow it out. SEPT 1st.

APPLY TO COME

Musings

I’ve thrown over a hundred events at this point. I am, by every definition, the person who hosts. So it’s a little embarrassing to admit that some of my best connections lately haven’t come from anything I built… They’ve come from saying yes to someone else’s thing. Showing up as a guest instead of the one running the room, standing near the bar instead of working it.

And it wasn’t the apps. Honestly, dating apps have never felt drier or like a chore. The people I’ve actually connected with this year: the ones I think about, the ones that turned into something, real friendships, real chemistry, real plans, didn’t come from a swipe. They came from RSVPing maybe to a dinner I almost skipped. A rooftop thing a friend of a friend invited me to. A random Tuesday I almost stayed home for.

None of it was a strategy. I didn’t set out to “meet people IRL” as some kind of project. I just kept saying yes, or more honestly, maybe, to things without knowing exactly what they’d turn into.

Which brings me to the actual point of this, because I think we’ve got maybe all wrong.

Somewhere along the way, maybe became code for flaky. If someone can’t give you a hard yes on the spot, the assumption is they don’t really want to come, they’re keeping their options open in case something better shows up, they’re being noncommittal because they don’t actually care. I used to read it that way too.

I’m planning my 30th right now, so I’m getting a real-time education in what maybe actually means. And here’s what I’ve noticed: the maybes aren’t the people who don’t care. They’re the people trying to make the math work before they promise me something they might have to break. The flight, the budget, the conflicting wedding three weekends out, the work trip that hasn’t been confirmed yet. A maybe, followed through on, is someone doing the harder, more honest version of caring about you. A hard yes with no real intention behind it is the actual flaky move. It just feels better in the moment, for both of you, right up until it doesn’t happen

I’d rather have the maybe that shows up than the yes that doesn’t.

So here’s the actual skill, because reframing maybe is only half of it. The other half is what you do with your own maybes, the ones you’re sitting on right now because you don’t know anyone who’ll be there, you don’t know if you’ll want to stay twenty minutes or four hours, you’re tired, you’re anxious about walking into a room by yourself, you genuinely don’t know if you can commit. You don’t need to solve any of that before you say yes. You don’t need to feel ready. The readiness, if it comes at all, comes from showing up, not before it. Waiting to feel certain before you commit to anything is just a slower, more socially acceptable way of saying no.

I’m not telling you to say yes to everything. That’s not the move, and it’s not sustainable, and half the invites in your inbox probably deserve a real no. The move is refusing to let your own uncertainty be the reason you close a door you didn’t actually need to close yet. Keep the maybe alive. Let it sit there as a real possibility instead of a polite way out. You don’t know yet which one of your maybes turns into the friendship, the connection, the thing you end up telling people about later. Neither do I. That’s sort of the whole point of saying yes to things you’re not sure about in the first place.

My Codes

things I actually care to push because I genuinely like them.

*I may make some commission if you use my link/code*

MYODETOX

I have gone through quite a few injuries in my lifetime- including tearing my ACL earlier this year. I opted not to get surgery, and instead have gone a holistic route. What does this mean- I have gone through months of PT, massage, chiro, acupuncture, contrast therapy, etc. And the best PT/Chiro I have experiences has been at MYODetox. They believe in “Future Proofing” your body. I can’t tell you it’s cheap, but if you are suffering or looking to improve- I can’t recommend it enough.

Use my code ARIANA50 for $50 off here.

MEALPAL

I literally eat lunch out everyday and MealPal has made it so easy for me to eat healthy and for way less money (also I get to try new places!)

Here is my referral

OTHERSHIP

You may already know how much we love Othership.

• Use code “DRINKSFIRST” for a 15% discount

• A SPECIAL DRINKS FIRST MEMBERSHIP (2x a month for $84)

• For first timers: a 2-for-1 special

BLADE

The other day I saw it cost over $300 to get to JFK in the rain. Skip all that- take a BLADE helicopter - use code “ARIANA” for $50 off.

THERAPIE

Therapie Clinic for Med Spa Needs (I go for Laser Hair Removal): Code- ARIANA10 and use this link to check out other offers!

OPEN

I am NOT a woo woo wellness girly but I’mm so bought in to Open. I did a breath and sound class @op_e___n in Santa Monica / Venice in Los Angeles and it took me on a JOURNEY!

If you cant make it to their studio- im truly obsessed with their app. use my code ARIANAOPEN30 for a free 30 day trial.

KINDRED

So many people ask how I travel so much. The answer is Kindred- a members only home swapping app. If you have your own place, I highly recommended checking it out. I know it cant be nerve wrecking to host someone in your place- so use my code “ARI.NAT” for expedited review and 5 free credits.

FORA

I went on a side quest to become a travel agent earlier this year, now I do all my (and my close friends vacation bookings). It costs nothing to use a travel agent, and you get the best rates and perks. If you have something you want to book- email ariana.nathani@fora.travel or if you’re interested in the industry, check out Fora using my link ($50 off your membership).

SPENCER’S SPA

This chic as hell spa in SoHo is one of the best resets you can do for yourself. I loved the 60 min facial and the massages always hit. Try it for yourself- use code DRINKSFIRST for $50 off.

SHOPMY

Just my favorite products (travel, beauty, etc.)

ShopMy

BENTO

I rent my clothes from BNTO and I love the styles they have, I always get complimented on what I’m wearing. Use code “NNQSUK” (expires aug 31) for $20 credit!

BNTO CREDIT

EMPOWER

You’re still paying full prices for Uber? Please… This weekend when it was monsooning I paid $18 on empower to go to tribeca when uber was $70. Here’s my referral code: 5MW6WQ

<3 That’s all for you freeloaders xx

Now… enough of all that serious talk. Paid subs- Time for my rapid fire recs:

These are the things, places, etc. I’m loving right now.

Rapid Fire Recommendations

• Date Night: Little Big

Read more

Hello hot people- if you are receiving this, it is because you signed up for/attended a Drinks First event. If you’re lucky, I send this out once a month (it’s usually less lol)… Give me a chance before you choose to unsubscribe, and if you do- I’d love to know why you hate me and want to see me fail xx <3 p.s. you can pay to support my work (aka health insurance) xx

Subscribe now

TLDR;

Upcoming Events

Musings

Events Recap

Codes

-$PAYWALL$-

Rapid Fire Recs

Travel Recs (France)

DRINKS FIRST UPCOMING EVENTS

FINAL SUMMER TENNIS PARTY

We are so excited for our final installment (this summer) of our beloved tennis party with Advantage Tennis and LVBL. Think open bar, tennis (for all skill levels), music, and new friends. We accept all levels and provide equipment!

Sign up for text updates if you don’t want to miss our ticket drop

SIGN UP FOR THE NEXT EVENT

SEPTEMBER…

Mark your calendars and sign up for texts (or text us at +1 424.498.8700) because we are dropping our next BIG nightlife event (invite only) for September 1st… it’s going to be a good one ;)

Musings

Anthropic is paying up to $400,000 for a marketing events lead. OpenAI is offering $250,000 for an enterprise field events lead. a16z’s New Media arm wants an events partner for $250,000. Nvidia is paying $431,000 for a developer community manager.

The highest-valued companies on earth, the ones building the technology that’s supposed to replace human labor, are paying more for people who can get a room full of strangers to actually talk to each other than they are for a lot of engineers.

That’s not an accident and it’s not going away.

AI can write the copy, build the deck, generate an outreach list, and summarize notes. What it can’t do is walk into a room and make forty strangers feel like they’re at the right party. It can’t read a room going flat and fix it in real time. It can’t build the kind of trust that makes someone say yes to showing up somewhere they’ve never been, with people they’ve never met, based on nothing but a vibe you created. As the internet gets more automated and more synthetic, the thing that stays scarce is a human who can produce a real room. That scarcity is what’s showing up in these salaries.

Here’s what’s funny about it- companies are throwing quarter-million-dollar offers at “events lead” like it’s a new job category. It isn’t. It’s an old skill wearing a new job title, and most of the people qualified to do it were never on anyone’s radar because they were doing it for free, or for a cut of the bar, or because they were the person who always ended up planning the thing.

I had been doing it for free, and now I do it for money, for a real adult job. I was the kid that snuck out to a club in the meatpacking district at 17, the girl who was social chair of the party sorority in college, and after a 5-year long stint in tech- I went full time on Drinks First 2 years ago. I’ve been running a community for seven years and producing events professionally for five. Drinks First is a bootstrapped, profitable, six-figure business that took off because of events specifically. I’ve thrown nearly 100 events at this point. There’s a theory that it takes 10,000 hours to become genuinely good at something, so consider me an expert at this point- or rather the term my friends lovingly call me… “Party Barbie”.

I bring this up because the events and community boom happening right now. A $400K salary is a strange thing to see next to the word “events” and many will assume that the job is picking a venue and a playlist. It isn’t. It’s understanding why a room works or doesn’t, what makes a stranger stay past the first drink, and how to build something people will pay to be part of again. That’s not a skill you pick up because the job market shifted. It’s a skill you build by throwing the party nobody paid you to throw, then the one that barely broke even, then the one that finally worked, over and over, for years.

There is also a difference between an event producer and someone who curates a room. A producer can book the venue, manage the AV, load in the furniture, and get you a beautiful, functional space. That’s a real skill and I’m not knocking it, but it’s closer to what a wedding planner does: execute a single, contained, one-time thing well. Curating a room is a different job. It means you’re responsible for the people in it, not just the setup around them. You’re reading who needs an introduction, who’s about to leave because they don’t know anyone, who’s the connector in the group and should be seated near the door instead of hidden in the back. You’re managing a community that changes every time it gathers, not a static guest list. Nobody teaches that in an events certification. You learn it by doing it badly a few hundred times.

There’s a version of this you only understand once you’ve thrown enough events yourself: you can’t go to anyone else’s party anymore without seeing the seams. You clock the moment the energy drops and know exactly which decision caused it. You notice the seating that accidentally isolated three people, or the one detail, a fan, a snack, a chair in the shade, that mattered more than the six-figure production around it. I wrote about watching that play out at Cannes:

where brands spent millions on spectacle and lost to a company handing out $135 fans. Once you’ve run the room yourself, you stop watching events like a guest. You watch them like a guest-centric operator, which means you’re always asking whether the person at the edge of the room is having a good time, not just whether the room looks good in photos.

That instinct is also where the actual differentiator lives, and it’s not something you can hire an AV company or a venue to replicate. It’s being a connector (not in the linkedin sense) in the literal sense of noticing two people in a room who have no reason to know each other exist and putting them together anyway.

I was at someone else’s party this summer, talking to an older woman standing alone at the bar who turned out to run marketing for an NFL team. She wasn’t the obvious center of the room. Earlier that night I’d also been talking to someone doing art direction for Bad Bunny who mentioned in passing that she wanted to get more into sports. Later that night, I put the two of them together when I caught them in the near vicinity. Neither of them would have crossed paths otherwise, and now they’re working on a project together.

That instinct doesn’t turn off outside of work either. My childhood best friend and my college best friend, two people from completely different parts of my life, ended up living together and are incredibly close because I introduced them. Inside Drinks First specifically- I’ve watched people meet at our events and end up married. I’ve watched our events become the reason two people’s relationship started at all. Even I have met people romantically, business-wise, and friendship-wise through my own events. None of that is something you can put in a job description, but it’s exactly the thing that makes a room worth paying for. Anyone can rent a space and hire a bartender- being the person who can read a room full of strangers and know who should be talking to whom, is the part that’s actually rare. Combine that with someone who can also produce, host, and hold a community together over years- and that’s what is worth a $400k salary.

That’s also why Drinks First stopped being just nightlife a while ago. The parties are still there, and I still know how to throw one that works. But you have to meet people where they are at- and as we grow older and our interests change, so do the ways we want to meet people. That’s what pushed us into wellness and into building an actual retreat this year. It wasn’t a pivot so much as an admission that a single night out was never the whole appetite. People don’t just want a room for two hours. They want an ecosystem they can keep buying into: the happy hour mixer, the tennis party, the 3000 person nightlife event, the weekend away. Planning a multi-day trip is a different order of difficulty than planning a party. A bad party ends and everyone goes home to their own bed, a bad trip means you’re stuck managing group dynamics, logistics, and everyone’s expectations for three straight days with nowhere to retreat to. If you can hold a room for a weekend, you can hold a room for anything.

Frankly, that range is also why companies started paying me for my brain instead of my guest list. Over the past couple of years I’ve quietly consulted for a handful of companies trying to figure out their own version of this: a venture fund, a dating app, a lifestyle and beauty brand. The pattern is the thing worth noticing- these are companies with real budgets and real marketing teams still came to someone who’s spent years actually running a room, because saying you want community is not the same as knowing how to build one. I will say though, the differentiator between me and another event producer is typically my background in tech. There is tremendous value in understanding how a corporate environment works and is structured, while also having the ability to work with flexible agility from being a founder. P.s. interested in our consulting? email guestlist@drinksfirst.co

My first Drinks First event wasn’t a strategy. It was a panel at Ludlow House, right as New York was climbing back out of COVID, built on favors and a handful of influencer friends who said yes. Ludlow House liked it enough to ask us back. That’s it, that’s the founding moment. Not a business plan, not a market analysis, just a room that worked once and got invited to work again.

Getting asked back is the whole business. If you strip away everything else- every format we run now exists because some version of it worked once and someone wanted more of it. The dinners exist because a table of twenty single strangers turned out to be a better format for actual conversation than a room of a hundred. The bigger nightlife parties exist because sometimes people don’t want intimacy, they want energy, and you have to know which night calls for which. Spark Sessions exists because I noticed people wanted a space outside of alcoholic settings to connect. None of that was obvious in advance. It came from paying attention to which rooms people didn’t want to leave and building more of exactly that.

Sponsors started showing up once the formats stopped being one-offs and became something repeatable, something they could put their name on more than once and trust it would land the same way twice. That’s the part that actually makes this a business instead of a very consuming hobby. Anyone can throw one good party off pure instinct and adrenaline. Being asked back, again and again, for five years, by venues and brands and the same people who keep buying tickets, means the instinct became a system. That system is the actual product. It’s just invisible until you’ve watched someone try to build it from scratch and fail, because they hired a producer when what they needed was someone who understood the room.

So when I see a company willing to pay $400,000 for someone who can do this, I don’t read it as a surprising headline. I read it as the market finally pricing in something that people like me have been doing for free… then for a few hundred dollars a head… then (for the lucky few) being able run it as an actual business- years before anyone thought to put a job title and a salary band on it. The skill was never rare because it’s new. It’s rare because almost nobody sticks with the unglamorous, expensive, and often-embarrassing process of learning it long enough to get good.

DRINKS FIRST EVENTS RECAP:

Tennis part 6

We had to kick people out of the bubble and then everyone was at bars until 3am on a thursday… so yeah, that’s all. be sure not to miss our next and final one of the summer:

SIGN UP FOR THE NEXT EVENT

My Codes

things I actually care to push because I genuinely like them.

*I may make some commission if you use my link/code*

MYODETOX

I have gone through quite a few injuries in my lifetime- including tearing my ACL earlier this year. I opted not to get surgery, and instead have gone a holistic route. What does this mean- I have gone through months of PT, massage, chiro, acupuncture, contrast therapy, etc. And the best PT/Chiro I have experiences has been at MYODetox. They believe in “Future Proofing” your body. I can’t tell you it’s cheap, but if you are suffering or looking to improve- I can’t recommend it enough.

Use my code ARIANA50 for $50 off here.

MEALPAL

I literally eat lunch out everyday and MealPal has made it so easy for me to eat healthy and for way less money (also I get to try new places!)

Here is my referral

OTHERSHIP

You may already know how much we love Othership.

• Use code “DRINKSFIRST” for a 15% discount

• A SPECIAL DRINKS FIRST MEMBERSHIP (2x a month for $84)

• For first timers: a 2-for-1 special

BLADE

The other day I saw it cost over $300 to get to JFK in the rain. Skip all that- take a BLADE helicopter - use code “ARIANA” for $50 off.

THERAPIE

Therapie Clinic for Med Spa Needs (I go for Laser Hair Removal): Code- ARIANA10 and use this link to check out other offers!

OPEN

I am NOT a woo woo wellness girly but I’mm so bought in to Open. I did a breath and sound class @op_e___n in Santa Monica / Venice in Los Angeles and it took me on a JOURNEY!

If you cant make it to their studio- im truly obsessed with their app. use my code ARIANAOPEN30 for a free 30 day trial.

KINDRED

So many people ask how I travel so much. The answer is Kindred- a members only home swapping app. If you have your own place, I highly recommended checking it out. I know it cant be nerve wrecking to host someone in your place- so use my code “ARI.NAT” for expedited review and 5 free credits.

FORA

I went on a side quest to become a travel agent earlier this year, now I do all my (and my close friends vacation bookings). It costs nothing to use a travel agent, and you get the best rates and perks. If you have something you want to book- email ariana.nathani@fora.travel or if you’re interested in the industry, check out Fora using my link ($50 off your membership).

SPENCER’S SPA

This chic as hell spa in SoHo is one of the best resets you can do for yourself. I loved the 60 min facial and the massages always hit. Try it for yourself- use code DRINKSFIRST for $50 off.

SHOPMY

Just my favorite products (travel, beauty, etc.)

ShopMy

BENTO

I rent my clothes from BNTO and I love the styles they have, I always get complimented on what I’m wearing. Use code “NNQSUK” (expires aug 31) for $20 credit!

BNTO CREDIT

EMPOWER

You’re still paying full prices for Uber? Please… This weekend when it was monsooning I paid $18 on empower to go to tribeca when uber was $70. Here’s my referral code: 5MW6WQ

<3 That’s all for you freeloaders xx

Now… enough of all that serious talk. Paid subs- Time for my rapid fire recs:

These are the things, places, etc. I’m loving right now.

Rapid Fire Recommendations

• Date Night: Dandelion

Read more

Subscribe now

Hello hot people- if you are receiving this, it is because you signed up for/attended a Drinks First event. If you’re lucky, I send this out once a month (it’s usually less lol)… Give me a chance before you choose to unsubscribe, and if you do- I’d love to know why you hate me and want to see me fail xx <3 p.s. you can pay to support my work (aka health insurance) xx

TLDR;

Upcoming Events

Musings

Codes

-$PAYWALL$-

Rapid Fire Recs

Travel Recs (Hamptons)

DRINKS FIRST UPCOMING EVENTS

PARTY IN A TENNIS BUBBLE 🎾 — TOMORROW (THURS) NIGHT - JULY 30

Thursday, July 30th. 9:30pm–12am. Advantage Tennis, Hell’s Kitchen. This is Spark Session #6, which means we’ve been doing this for awhile.

Open bar (wine, beer, cider, the non-negotiables). All three skill levels, self-identify at check-in, gear provided if you need it (bring your own if you’re precious about your racquet, no judgment). At least 40 minutes of drills with a pro, up to 30 minutes of free play, a court with LVBL, and one court just for hanging at the bar if you’d rather watch than sweat.

Check-in starts at 9. Courts open at 9:30 sharp.

GET TICKETS

Musings

I’ve worked with a lot of the biggest dating apps in the game, and I’ve been a user of most of them too. A year ago I wrote about the “dating app renaissance,” a batch of scrappy little apps trying to fix the swipe-and-ghost pipeline by putting your actual friends into the loop instead of a stranger’s algorithm. At the time it felt like a fringe experiment, but twelve months later it’s not. It is the entire industry- there is more venture money chasing “fix dating” right now.

Here’s some worth mentioning:

Overtone — Justin McLeod, the guy who built Hinge, left to build a new one. No feed, no swiping, an AI voice interview introduces you to someone. Match Group is an investor.

Known — Celeste Amadon (stanford drop out) raised over $10 million for a voice-based AI matchmaker that skips the profile grid entirely (Only SF based right now)

Amata — same genre, NYC focused. An AI plays matchmaker instead of handing you a stack of photos to judge.

Breeze — no chat function, at all. You match, the app books the date, you don’t talk until a couple hours before. Bold move. Also, per its own reviews, apparently a lot of people just don’t show up.

Rivet — your friends do the vetting, dating gamified with AI avatars. Matches come with a friend-of-a-friend seal of approval instead of a compatibility percentage.

Timeleft — dinners for strangers, no app-brain required, just show up. They’re running something like 6,500 of these a week across 200+ cities, which is a genuinely huge number for something that started as “let’s put six strangers at a table and see what happens.”

222 and Matchbox — group-first, event-first, similar bones to Timeleft. Less about matching two people to each other, more about matching people into a room and letting the room do the work.

Tinder Events — the incumbent’s answer to all of the above (though bumble has been doing events for ages). Ran 60+ events in LA this spring, pulled in two thirds of its eligible active users to at least one (apparently). Now expanding to nine new cities. New York is one of them (we were approached, and said no… for right now)

That is a lot of money and a lot of engineering hours pointed at the exact same problem: people don’t want to swipe anymore (DUH THANK YOU CAPTAIN OBVIOUS)

Here’s the part that took me longer to piece together, and I think it’s the actual story. Look at who’s currently winning and who isn’t. Grindr is public, fully independent, not owned by Match, and it is gaining market share right now while Match and Bumble both lose paying users, specifically because it never tried to be for everyone. Feeld’s the same story, independent, growing, never chasing mass market. None of these apps ever tried to be everyone’s app, and staying small and specific is exactly why they’re still standing on their own (for now).

Now look at the other lane. Sniffies built a real niche, got good at it, and Match showed up with $100 million and an option to buy the rest later. Hinge is the closest thing to a counterexample, a genuinely general app that broke through on its own merit, and Match backed it in 2017 and fully owned it by 2018. It didn’t get a full year as an independent success story before it got folded in.

So here’s the actual pattern: nobody, and I mean nobody, has built a general, mass-market, standalone dating app success story and kept it standalone. Your options right now are get specific and stay small, or get good and get bought. There is no third lane where you serve everyone and remain your own company. I don’t think that’s an accident and I don’t think it’s temporary.

Which is what makes the current funding wave interesting to actually sit with. Bumble’s stock is down something like 90% from its IPO peak. Match’s own growth has been flat to declining for a couple of years. The going wisdom for a while was that dating apps were a tired, saturated category nobody wanted to fund anymore. And then, in the last several months alone: $10 million-plus into Known, pre-seed into Overtone, $100 million into Sniffies. The category is back and investors are reinvigorated. But nobody’s writing those checks to build the next general-market winner, because that lane doesn’t produce winners anymore (at least not yet).

And this is where the Match Group of it all stops being a side note and becomes the whole plot. They own Tinder, Hinge, OkCupid, Match.com, Meetic, Plenty of Fish, The League, Azar, and Her. Bought OkCupid in 2011, Hinge in 2018, Plenty of Fish and Pairs in 2015. Now they’re an investor in Overtone, the app that’s supposedly coming to kill the swipe model, while also building Tinder Events in-house off the same balance sheet. That’s not hedging, that’s owning both sides of the table and getting paid no matter who wins. Bumble is the only real company left standing outside that umbrella, and even that might not last, there were reports last month that Bumble is exploring a sale (allegedly), all while touting their new structure “Bee” which is… you guessed it… an AI matchmaker. But if it happens, there’s functionally one company that owns the entire relationship economy in America. That’s not a metaphor. That’s a monopoly, and it should worry you more than whichever app has the nicest onboarding flow this month.

Here’s the thing underneath all of it, the reason none of this ever quite lands no matter how good the AI gets. Connection isn’t a product. It’s an outcome. Every era of dating tech has sold connection as the pitch while actually selling something narrower: access, probability, a metered shot at the thing. Match.com charged you per message. Tinder sells an engagement-optimized feed that needs you to keep opening it. Known and Overtone are selling a subscription to an AI’s opinion of who you should meet next. None of them have ever actually sold you connection, because connection isn’t a product, it’s an outcome, and outcomes don’t have a very good subscription model.

I don’t think the renaissance is over, it may have just begun, and I don’t think any of the apps above are wrong to try. But if you’re waiting on one of them to actually fix this, you’ll be waiting a while. They’re all selling you the same appointment with a slightly different receptionist, and the guy writing half the checks is the same guy who broke it in the first place.

DRINKS FIRST EVENTS RECAP:

It’s a tennis summer

We’ve been keeping lowkey- but playing tennis. These events are a hit, it’s hard to explain but if you haven’t been to one we highly recommend coming, all levels welcome

GET TICKETS

My Codes

things I actually care to push because I genuinely like them.

*I may make some commission if you use my link/code*

KINDRED

I’m part of Kindred’s member board for female travelers, and I have to say it has changed my life. Kindred is a home-swapping network where members earn credits by hosting others, so travel gets more affordable with no money changing hands. They just launched a Women Travelers Circle built specifically for women who want to travel more and connect with hosts they trust.

I know it cant be nerve wrecking to host someone in your place- but I specifically have only hosted women that I have approved, and have had nothing but great experiences.

FOR ANYONE:

Use my code “ARI.NAT” for expedited review and 5 free credits.

Join Kindred

FOR WOMEN:

Use this link for expedited review into both kindred, and the women’s travel circle (+ 5 free credits!)

WOMEN'S TRAVEL CIRCLE

MYODETOX

I have gone through quite a few injuries in my lifetime- including tearing my ACL earlier this year. I opted not to get surgery, and instead have gone a holistic route. What does this mean- I have gone through months of PT, massage, chiro, acupuncture, contrast therapy, etc. And the best PT/Chiro I have experiences has been at MYODetox. They believe in “Future Proofing” your body. I can’t tell you it’s cheap, but if you are suffering or looking to improve- I can’t recommend it enough.

Use my code ARIANA50 for $50 off here.

MEALPAL

I literally eat lunch out everyday and MealPal has made it so easy for me to eat healthy and for way less money (also I get to try new places!)

Here is my referral

OTHERSHIP

You may already know how much we love Othership.

• Use code “DRINKSFIRST” for a 15% discount

• A SPECIAL DRINKS FIRST MEMBERSHIP (2x a month for $84)

• For first timers: a 2-for-1 special

BLADE

The other day I saw it cost over $300 to get to JFK in the rain. Skip all that- take a BLADE helicopter - use code “ARIANA” for $50 off.

THERAPIE

Therapie Clinic for Med Spa Needs (I go for Laser Hair Removal): Code- ARIANA10 and use this link to check out other offers!

OPEN

I am NOT a woo woo wellness girly but I’mm so bought in to Open. I did a breath and sound class @op_e___n in Santa Monica / Venice in Los Angeles and it took me on a JOURNEY!

If you cant make it to their studio- im truly obsessed with their app. use my code ARIANAOPEN30 for a free 30 day trial.

FORA

I went on a side quest to become a travel agent earlier this year, now I do all my (and my close friends vacation bookings). It costs nothing to use a travel agent, and you get the best rates and perks. If you have something you want to book- email ariana.nathani@fora.travel or if you’re interested in the industry, check out Fora using my link ($50 off your membership).

SPENCER’S SPA

This chic as hell spa in SoHo is one of the best resets you can do for yourself. I loved the 60 min facial and the massages always hit. Try it for yourself- use code DRINKSFIRST for $50 off.

Now… enough of all that serious talk. Paid subs- Time for my rapid fire recs:

These are the things, places, etc. I’m loving right now. As well as my south of france itinerary

SHOPMY

Just my favorite products (travel, beauty, etc.)

ShopMy

<3 That’s all for you freeloaders xx

Now… enough of all that serious talk. Paid subs- Time for my rapid fire recs:

These are the things, places, etc. I’m loving right now.

Rapid Fire Recommendations

• Date Night:

Read more

Hello hot people- if you are receiving this, it is because you signed up for/attended a Drinks First event. If you’re lucky, I send this out once a month (it’s usually less lol)… Give me a chance before you choose to unsubscribe, and if you do- I’d love to know why you hate me and want to see me fail xx <3 p.s. you can pay to support my work (aka health insurance) xx

Subscribe now

DRINKS FIRST JULY 4 - IN LONDON

Before we get into it: Drinks First is throwing a July 4th party this Saturday in London. Yes, London. We’re going international baby.

WHEN July 4, 2-6pm

WHERE Tiny Wine in Fitzrovia

WHAT All American wines, a DJ, and your first drink is included

For 15 pounds.

JOIN US

If you’re in London or know someone who is, send them this way. It’s going to be a time.

MUSINGS

Ok. Let’s talk about Cannes.

TLDR: I went to Cannes Lions for the first time. Was there for 48 hours. It is genuinely one of the most surreal, overfunded, sweaty, fascinating, occasionally soulless, sometimes magical experiences I’ve ever had. I have a lot of thoughts. Some of them are not nice, some of them are. I saw Keke Palmer. I spent 55 euros on a single cocktail. I stood in a 40-person line in 95 degree heat and it was the most productive networking I did the entire trip. I went back to a yacht at 1am. I have opinions about every brand activation I walked into and I’m going to share all of them.

If you want the South of France recs (restaurants, hotels, the whole thing), those are at the bottom in the paid section because ya girl has gotta eat.

Let’s get into it.

How I Ended Up There in the First Place

I wasn’t supposed to go to Cannes Lions. Let me just say that upfront. I was in the South of France for a wedding. My flight was Nice to Florence. I happened to be in the area. That’s literally it.

I posted once on LinkedIn, one of those casual “hey I’ll be in Cannes for a day if anyone’s around” posts, and my inbox starting pinging. People I hadn’t talked to in months suddenly had “a table” or “a yacht” or “a thing you should come to.” That alone tells you something about what Cannes Lions is. It’s the kind of event where everyone wants to seem connected, everyone wants to be the one who brought someone interesting, and the entire French Riviera turns into a networking fever dream for a week.

So I went. For less than 48 hours. Really one full day of actually engaging. And I have a lot to say.

The Croisette Is Black Mirror

I need to set the scene because if you haven’t been, you genuinely cannot imagine it.

The Croisette is the main strip along the water in Cannes. Beautiful, normally. During Lions, every single inch of it is branded. I mean every inch. Canva Beach. Pinterest Beach. Spotify Beach. Yahoo has a whole setup. Snapchat. These aren’t like, a little pop-up tent with some signage. These are full-scale, multimillion dollar activations with stages and DJs and catering and production that would make most music festivals look underfunded.

Performances by RAYE, John Summit, The XX, J Balvin, and more. At a marketing conference.. let that sink in for a second.

It’s a big dick competition between brands and I mean that in the most literal way possible. Everyone is trying to outdo everyone else. The budgets are genuinely obscene. I don’t know exact numbers but I would bet my entire company that some of these activations cost north of five million dollars for a week. For a marketing conference. On a beach. In France.

And here’s the thing that really got me: it’s not actually cool.

I’ve been to Art Basel in the early 2020’s (prime time) and Basel had this energy where you walk around and everyone is gorgeous and dressed up and there are models and DJs and the whole thing has this aspirational, cultural, slightly unhinged energy.

Cannes Lions has... C-suite marketing executives in ill-fitting polo shirts sweating through 95 degree heat. That’s the general vibe. That’s what’s happening on a random yacht. A bunch of VPs of Brand Strategy getting drunk holding warm rosé. In a way it’s kind of beautiful, but also the disconnect is kinda like watching someone spend $200K on a wedding and then serve cold chicken.

But I’m getting ahead of myself.

The Creator Situation

There were somewhere between 500 and 1,000 creators at Cannes this year. Next year it’ll be 2,000 plus. Probably more. The creator economy has officially infiltrated the ad world and Cannes is ground zero for it.

The content coming out of Cannes was... a lot. Every creator posting the same “day in my life at Cannes Lions” video. Similar beach clubs. Similar yacht shots. The same “so grateful to be here” captions. It was repetitive to the point of parody. I hope this piece provides something slightly different, but honestly, who knows…

Here’s what I noticed: the creators making real money there, the ones getting flown out and put up in hotels and actually doing deals, they’re the thought leadership/tech/AI people. The business creators or creators who had founded a business. Not the lifestyle girlies. The people brands want to work with at Cannes are the ones who can speak intelligently about marketing and media and the future of whatever. Which makes sense… It’s an advertising festival.

I was a barnacle in the ocean of people there. I don’t even really consider myself a creator first, I’m a founder who happens to make content. And even the “smaller” creators I met had 100K plus followers.

The 48 Hours: A Play-by-Play

The HP Yacht

This was my first stop and honestly the most instructive experience of the whole trip.

I got invited via LinkedIn. Some HP contact reached out, said they’d love to meet. I showed up to this yacht thinking I had a meeting. Like, I was prepared to sit down and have a conversation about a potential partnership or collaboration or whatever. I get there and they’re basically like “no, this IS the meeting. Just hang out.”

So I hung out on a yacht. With a bunch of very corporate ad tech people. Which, fine. I learned that HP has an entire media arm that sells data from printers and computers, which is the kind of thing you learn at Cannes and then never use again but it lives in your brain forever.

The key thing about the HP Yacht though, and why I was so grateful to be invited: being registered meant I could come back anytime. Which I did. At 1am. More on that later.

The Vayner Creator Salon

This was supposed to be a roundtable with Gary Vee. What it actually was: a bunch of creators hanging out in a beautifully appointed room overlooking a main square of the Croisette.

I’ll give Vayner this, they were PREPARED. Hair and makeup available, those Shark Chill Pill fans (which retailed for like $135 and honestly did more for brand loyalty than any activation I saw the entire trip), AC in certain areas, drinks flowing. They understood the assignment on a human comfort level in a way almost nobody else did.

But there was zero structure. None. You just showed up and had to figure it out yourself. Which, if you’re an extrovert who knows people, fine. I went alone and had to just butt into conversations, which is not my favorite thing to do but I’m good at it.

I saw Keke Palmer. I saw Ashley Graham. I saw Karissa Dumbacher. My friend Greg from Studio Santos did all the event production, which was fun to see. I met a 19-year-old who is apparently one of the top female Twitch streamers in the world. I was telling her about Drinks First, she asked if I had ever met anyone through it… the answer was yes.

The Vayner Launch Party

This was downstairs from the salon and it was where things started clicking because I finally ran into people I actually know.

Contessa, who works at Vayner. Amber from Glioblastoma Research Org. Brian from the Sweat Equity podcast. Brandon Berman from Updating. Jacob Pace, who founded Flight House. All in Cannes. There’s something very specific about seeing your network and friends on the French Riviera that makes your brain short circuit a little.

Digital Fight Night (The Five-Minute Stop)

After Vayner I went to this thing called Digital Fight Night. It was supposed to be some exclusive party or fight event. We got there and it was a verbal debate. Very ad tech heavy. Very weird. Left after five minutes. Back to Vayner.

La Petit Maison

Ended up meeting friends for dinner at La Petit Maison, which is down the Croisette. I’d actually been to their pop-up in New York a couple weeks before. A friend of mine ordered drinks for us without looking at the menu because he’d been to the Miami location.

The drinks were 55 euros. Each.

Legit highway robbery. I didn’t eat much because I didn’t want to hemorrhage money, though I will say the potato gratin was genuinely one of the best things I’ve ever eaten. So there’s that.

Back to the Yacht at 1am

After dinner, my friend and I went back to the HP yacht. Because it was still open… because of course it was.

And this is where I landed on something I think is actually useful advice: sit yourself in one or two places and let people cycle through. Everyone at Cannes is running from event to event to event. If you just... stay somewhere, people will find you.

The yacht at 1am was more interesting than the yacht at 3pm because by that point people had their guards down, the corporate mask had slipped a little, and actual conversations were happening. I talked to a father of two who told us all about his ayahuasca trip and highly recommended we do it. He was a super buttoned-up ad exec.

I took a 30-minute Uber back to my parents’ hotel in Saint-Paul-de-Vence (I told you, I was on a family vacation that accidentally became a work trip), slept, and woke up for day two.

Day Two: The Motorola Brunch

Their PR team in New York invited me. I genuinely have no idea how they knew I was there. Maybe they saw the LinkedIn post, maybe they’re just good at their jobs. Either way, it was a panel and lunch at a Michelin-star restaurant outside the Croisette with people from Motorola, Pantone, Bose, and Swarovski.

I’ll be honest: I have been to a lot of conferences. I have found value in exactly zero panels at any of them. All of the value, every time, is in the conversations with the people sitting next to you. That was true here too. But the setting was beautiful, the activations were memorable, and the food was good. Also, now I’m writing about Motorola, Pantone, Bose, and Swarovski so slay for them.

Collins House

This is where things got interesting.

Collins is a design agency that was known for having the best activation at Cannes the year before. My friend Eron Lutterman is one of their heads of experiential, and my friend Jake Sacks from 3rd Space was helping produce their events and dinners. So I had an in. But I didn’t use it.

I got there and there’s a line of 40 people in 95-degree heat. I could have texted Jake. I could have name-dropped. I just... got in line. By myself.

The two guys in front of me were probably late 30s, early 40s. One of them looked at my fan and goes “you’re not going to share that with me?” I gave it to him because I had a backup in my bag (Vayner, thank you). We ended up talking for 20 to 30 minutes. Just chatting. No pitching, no “so what do you do,” just people standing in the heat trying to pass time.

Eventually Jake comes running out looking for one of these guys. Turns out one of them started Hyphenated, an agency. The other was Head of Creative at Audible. Jake sees me, goes “why didn’t you text me?” The kind thing anyone who is working an event has to say in that situation. I could tell everyone was working hard to make things move.

This is another point: the valuable networking I did at Cannes was standing in a line I didn’t have to stand in, being friendly to strangers I didn’t know were important. And I genuinely didn’t know. That’s the whole point.

Inside Collins House it was actually not that packed, which is a testament to the fact they were holding their capacity limits hard. I can imagine the french neighborhood bureaucracy isn’t easy to work with. I did what I’d learned the night before: parked myself and let people come to me. Talked to a woman who runs a creative agency in Dubai, a guy from london who did the typography for the event, met Brian Collins because he liked my sunglasses, and sat in on some talks.

And then one of the moments that’s probably going to stick with me the longest from the entire trip… I stopped to take a photo and this Indian woman asks me to take her picture. I said of course. We started chatting. She had a British accent, asked where I was from, very warm. At no point did I ask what she did. We ended up grabbing water together, I helped her figure out her Uber home.

She was Head of Sony Music Asia.

She told me, unprompted, “I don’t really say this to a lot of people, but please connect with me if you ever need help with anything.” All from taking a photo and being kind. That’s the magic of Cannes when it works. The people there are genuinely high-quality, and you have no idea who you’re standing next to. Collins House was absolutely worth the trip and the time.

The Forbes Top Creators Party

As some of my followers know (lmao), I’m Forbes 30 Under 30. I like the team at Forbes a lot, but they are underfunded… and if they do have money I don’t think they put it in the right places necessarily.

They had probably every single huge creator at this party. The guest list was incredible. But there was nothing to do. Barely any alcohol. It was really hot. They were handing out weird gifting. People came and left quickly.

This is where I want to make a broader point about brand activations at Cannes, because I kept seeing the same mistake over and over.

What Brands Get Wrong (And What Actually Works)

The most important thing at Cannes is the guest list. That’s table stakes. Forbes had it, Collins House had it, Even the HP yacht had it (in its own corporate way). But a great guest list with a bad experience is a wasted opportunity.

Here’s what people actually need at Cannes: they’re hot, they’re tired, they’re hungry, they’ve been on their feet all day, and they want to talk to interesting people. That’s it. Solve those problems and you win.

The $130 Chill Pill fan from the Vayner Creator Salon (and UTA beach) did more for brand recall than 90% of the activations I walked through. That’s not shade, it’s just true. A weird little pastel fan that people actually wanted, actually used, and actually posted about without being asked. No QR code to scan, no “immersive journey,” no five-step brand activation funnel. Just a cute fan that made people go “wait, I need that where did you get it?” That’s the bar. And most brands spending six, seven figures on the Croisette didn’t clear it.

I think about what I would have done if I were, say… Uber at Cannes: instead of spending hundreds of thousands on an activation, put $100K+ towards Uber credit within the Croisette or run shuttles from one end to the other and sponsor late-night Uber Eats. My friend ordered a pizza late one night and I think it was actually sponsored by Uber, and that is such a smarter play than a branded tent nobody remembers.

If I were J&J, I’d hand out hydrocolloid band-aids for blisters and small first-aid kits with electrolytes and deodorant. Clip-on stuff people could carry in their bags. Things that say “we see that you’re a human person who has been walking in the sun for nine hours.” The brands that won at Cannes were the ones that thought about people as people, not as impressions.

Would I Go Back?

Honestly? Probably. But differently.

If I go back, I’m planning months ahead. Not weeks. The people who had the best Cannes were the ones who’d been building relationships all year and used the week to deepen them. They had dinners locked, meetings set, a real reason to be there beyond “I should probably be there.”

I also want to see if some of the relationships I started actually go somewhere. That’s the real test. Cannes is great at generating warm intros and “we should totally do something together” energy. Whether any of that converts into actual work, actual partnerships, ask me in six months.

Here’s what I do think: next year is going to be even more creator-forward. The shift was already obvious this year. Brands are realizing they need people who actually know how to make things people want to watch, not just media buyers who can negotiate CPMs. And the experiential side? That’s where I think there’s a real lane. If you’re someone who knows how to bring people together IRL, create moments people talk about after, Cannes is basically a week-long pitch meeting for that skillset.

I’m not going to pretend I wasn’t thinking about Drinks First the entire time. Because I was. The whole week felt like a giant case study in what works and what doesn’t when you’re trying to get strangers to connect, and I’ve been doing that every week in New York for years.

So here’s my actual pitch, out loud, in writing: if you’re a brand who wants to show up at Cannes next year and do something people actually remember, not a bigger tent, not another beach takeover with a headline DJ, but a room people genuinely want to be in, I want to build it with you. I know exactly what that looks like and I know exactly what’s missing. Reply to this email or DM me. Let’s talk before everyone else starts planning theirs.

But here’s my biggest takeaway on the logistics: you do not need seven days. Three, maybe four if you’re pushing it. Fly in Tuesday, leave Friday. The first couple days are slow and the last day is a ghost town of hungover people pretending to network. The middle is where everything happens. Cannes is a marathon, and most people try to sprint it, and by Thursday they’re shells of themselves ready to start their real euro trips.

If You’re Thinking About Going

I’ll be real with you. If you don’t already know people there, or know people who know people, don’t go yet. Build the relationships first. Cannes is not the place to cold-start a network. It’s the place to activate one you already have.

Also: you cannot do Cannes on a “budget”. I mean you physically can, but you’ll be on the outside of every room that matters. Between flights, hotels (which are absolutely insane that week), dinners, drinks, transportation, random expenses you didn’t see coming, expect to spend somewhere between $5K and $10K. Minimum. If that number makes you flinch, it’s not your year. No judgment. It wasn’t my year for a long time either and I’d argue it still isn’t. I know someone who flew via serbia and stayed at an airbnb an hour away, they did it but it was a struggle. I would say if you want to show up as your best self, you should optimize for being close and flexible.

Go if you have real conviction about why you’re going. A specific deal you want to close, a relationship you want to build, a part of the industry you want to break into. Go with intention. Don’t go because you saw everyone posting about it and felt FOMO. That’s the most expensive FOMO on earth.

And remember, it’s still a professional conference. I know the rosé and the yachts and the beach clubs make it feel like vacation, but the people getting the most out of it are working. Hard. Between every party there’s a meeting. Between every meeting there’s a follow-up. It’s fun, but it’s work disguised as fun, and if you treat it like a vacation you’ll come home with a tan and nothing else.

I watched a lot of Cannes content coming out of the week, during, after, the whole thing. And most of it said the same stuff. “It’s about relationships.” “Brands need creators.” “AI was everywhere.” I know. We know. I hope this was at least a little different. I tried to write the version I actually wanted to read and couldn’t find. I also want to make a note about how grateful I am/was to be in these rooms, I know this article sounded very cynical, but this was meant to be an honest op-ed of my brief time at Cannes. I’m excited to see how it evolves, and if I’ll continue to be a part of it.

Anyway, my full South of France itinerary and restaurant recs (the actual good ones, not the scene-y ones everyone already knows) are below for paid subscribers. Because if you ARE going next year, at least eat well.

My Codes

things I actually care to push because I genuinely like them.

*I may make some commission if you use my link/code*

MYODETOX

I have gone through quite a few injuries in my lifetime- including tearing my ACL earlier this year. I opted not to get surgery, and instead have gone a holistic route. What does this mean- I have gone through months of PT, massage, chiro, acupuncture, contrast therapy, etc. And the best PT/Chiro I have experiences has been at MYODetox. They believe in “Future Proofing” your body. I can’t tell you it’s cheap, but if you are suffering or looking to improve- I can’t recommend it enough.

Use my code ARIANA50 for $50 off here.

MEALPAL

I literally eat lunch out everyday and MealPal has made it so easy for me to eat healthy and for way less money (also I get to try new places!)

Here is my referral

OTHERSHIP

You may already know how much we love Othership.

• Use code “DRINKSFIRST” for a 15% discount

• A SPECIAL DRINKS FIRST MEMBERSHIP (2x a month for $84)

• For first timers: a 2-for-1 special

BLADE

The other day I saw it cost over $300 to get to JFK in the rain. Skip all that- take a BLADE helicopter - use code “ARIANA” for $50 off.

THERAPIE

Therapie Clinic for Med Spa Needs (I go for Laser Hair Removal): Code- ARIANA10 and use this link to check out other offers!

OPEN

I am NOT a woo woo wellness girly but I’mm so bought in to Open. I did a breath and sound class @op_e___n in Santa Monica / Venice in Los Angeles and it took me on a JOURNEY!

If you cant make it to their studio- im truly obsessed with their app. use my code ARIANAOPEN30 for a free 30 day trial.

KINDRED

So many people ask how I travel so much. The answer is Kindred- a members only home swapping app. If you have your own place, I highly recommended checking it out. I know it cant be nerve wrecking to host someone in your place- so use my code “ARI.NAT” for expedited review and 5 free credits.

FORA

I went on a side quest to become a travel agent earlier this year, now I do all my (and my close friends vacation bookings). It costs nothing to use a travel agent, and you get the best rates and perks. If you have something you want to book- email ariana.nathani@fora.travel or if you’re interested in the industry, check out Fora using my link ($50 off your membership).

SPENCER’S SPA

This chic as hell spa in SoHo is one of the best resets you can do for yourself. I loved the 60 min facial and the massages always hit. Try it for yourself- use code DRINKSFIRST for $50 off.

Now… enough of all that serious talk. Paid subs- Time for my rapid fire recs:

These are the things, places, etc. I’m loving right now. As well as my south of france itinerary

<3 That’s all for you freeloaders xx

Rapid Fire Recommendations

• Date Night: Bar Chimera

Read more

Subscribe now

THE DRINKS FIRST RETREAT

Ok I’ve been holding this one in for a while and I’m so excited to finally tell you…

We’re doing a retreat. 20 singles for a weekend of debauchery.

May 1–3 · Gatherwild Ranch · Germantown, NY

20 people. A full weekend upstate. Private chef dinners, cocktail hours, a bonfire, yoga, a botanical walk + amaro infusion class, mixology class, sauna, cold plunge, paddleboarding, hiking, biking, and a white party Saturday night. All lodging, food, drinks, and programming included.

This is the thing I’ve been wanting to build since I started Drinks First. Not just another bar night with 200 people- but an intimate, curated weekend where you actually get to know people. Where you’re doing things together, not just standing in a circle holding a vodka soda trying to think of something to say.

The whole weekend is designed around shared experiences- which, if you read the rest of this newsletter, you’ll know I believe is the future of how people connect. Whether you come solo or bring a friend, you’re going to leave with real relationships. I’m confident in that because I’ve seen it happen at every single one of our events, and this is the most intentional version of that we’ve ever created.

$995 solo · $1,850 per pair

APPLICATIONS CLOSE APRIL 19TH OR EARLIER IF WE FILL SPOTS. ACCEPTING ON A ROLLING BASIS.

Only 20 spots. This is application-based because I want the right energy in the room.

Learn More/Apply

MUSINGS

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately- the way people talk about wanting to meet someone versus what they’re actually doing about it.

Every week someone tells me some version of the same thing: “I’m so tired of apps.” “I never meet anyone.” “NYC dating is dead.” And I get it, I really do, I’ve been there. I’m literally in the business of solving this problem and I feel the same frustrations.

But here’s what I’ve noticed after running Drinks First events for years, hosting the podcast, and talking to thousands of single people in this city- the people who actually meet someone are never the ones who optimized their Hinge profile or swiped for an extra 20 minutes before bed. They’re the ones who said yes to something.

Not “yes” in a vague manifestation way. Like literally yes to the random plan, the weird invite, the thing that required them to get off the couch and be a little uncomfortable.

And I think the reason is simpler than people want to admit: it’s 10x harder to build chemistry sitting across from a stranger asking “so what do you do?” Chemistry comes from doing things together. It comes from shared experiences- from the tennis lesson where you’re both terrible at it, from the cold plunge where you’re screaming, from the one too many martinis you had in the corner of Temple Bar.

I’m not the first person to say this but I think I see it more clearly than most because I literally watch it happen in real time. At our events- the people who connect the deepest are never the ones who are scanning the room for “who is my type” and waiting to be approached. They’re the ones being actively engaged, going up to people and participating in whatever activity is there.

The dating app model trained an entire generation to think that meeting someone is a search problem (check out this new “fair match calculator”). Filter by height, age, neighborhood, vibe. Find the right person, then go on a date to confirm. But that’s not how it works. Attraction isn’t a checklist. It’s a feeling that emerges when you’re in the right environment, doing something that brings out the best version of yourself, surrounded by people who are doing the same.

That’s why I think the future of dating isn’t an app. It’s not even a bar night. It’s experiences. Supper clubs, workout classes, random birthday parties, group travel- things that give you a reason to talk to someone beyond “hey, I like your prompt.” The shared experience IS the icebreaker. It removes the pressure of “is this a date?” and replaces it with “are we having fun?” And from that- real things grow.

I know this because I’ve watched it happen hundreds of times. People who came to a Drinks First event alone and left with someone’s number. People who said yes to the rogue experience. People who told me they hadn’t been excited about meeting someone in years and then something shifted because they put themselves in a room with intention.

So if you’re reading this from your couch, swiping through the same faces, wondering why nothing is clicking- I want you to consider that the problem isn’t the apps. It’s not NYC. It’s not that “everyone is emotionally unavailable” or whatever we’re telling ourselves this week. The problem might just be that you haven’t given yourself the chance to connect with someone while actually living your life.

The best date you’ll ever go on isn’t a date. It’s a random Saturday where you said yes to something.

Get off the couch. I’ll see you out there.

My Codes

things I actually care to push because I genuinely like them.

*I may make some commission if you use my link/code*

MYODETOX

I have gone through quite a few injuries in my lifetime- including tearing my ACL earlier this year. I opted not to get surgery, and instead have gone a holistic route. What does this mean- I have gone through months of PT, massage, chiro, acupuncture, contrast therapy, etc. And the best PT/Chiro I have experiences has been at MYODetox. They believe in “Future Proofing” your body. I can’t tell you it’s cheap, but if you are suffering or looking to improve- I can’t recommend it enough.

Use my code ARIANA50 for $50 off here.

MEALPAL

I literally eat lunch out everyday and MealPal has made it so easy for me to eat healthy and for way less money (also I get to try new places!)

Here is my referral

OTHERSHIP

You may already know how much we love Othership.

• Use code “DRINKSFIRST” for a 15% discount

• A SPECIAL DRINKS FIRST MEMBERSHIP (2x a month for $84)

• For first timers: a 2-for-1 special

BLADE

The other day I saw it cost over $300 to get to JFK in the rain. Skip all that- take a BLADE helicopter - use code “ARIANA” for $50 off.

THERAPIE

Therapie Clinic for Med Spa Needs (I go for Laser Hair Removal): Code- ARIANA10 and use this link to check out other offers!

OPEN

I am NOT a woo woo wellness girly but I’mm so bought in to Open. I did a breath and sound class @op_e___n in Santa Monica / Venice in Los Angeles and it took me on a JOURNEY!

If you cant make it to their studio- im truly obsessed with their app. use my code ARIANAOPEN30 for a free 30 day trial.

KINDRED

So many people ask how I travel so much. The answer is Kindred- a members only home swapping app. If you have your own place, I highly recommended checking it out. I know it cant be nerve wrecking to host someone in your place- so use my code “ARI.NAT” for expedited review and 5 free credits.

FORA

I went on a side quest to become a travel agent earlier this year, now I do all my (and my close friends vacation bookings). It costs nothing to use a travel agent, and you get the best rates and perks. If you have something you want to book- email ariana.nathani@fora.travel or if you’re interested in the industry, check out Fora using my link ($50 off your membership).

SPENCER’S SPA

This chic as hell spa in SoHo is one of the best resets you can do for yourself. I loved the 60 min facial and the massages always hit. Try it for yourself- use code DRINKSFIRST for $50 off.

Now… enough of all that serious talk. Paid subs- Time for my rapid fire recs:

These are the things, places, etc. I’m loving right now.

<3 That’s all for you freeloaders xx

Rapid Fire Recommendations

Get outside people

Read more

Subscribe now

MUSINGS

A few months ago as I was planning out our roadmap for 2026, I looked at February and knew that we had to out do ourselves this year. We did 3 events last year for Valentine’s Day, so we said- F*CK IT. Double it and give it to the next person.

Typically marked as the end of cuffing season, valentine’s honestly represents the worst of our perceived projections of what it means to have a partner.

Let me explain.

Last year I sat down with 3 of my closest girl friends for dinner right after Valentine’s Day. At the time, I was the only single one.

We were there to celebrate our friends birthday, but the dinner took a turn. Not only was the meal horrendous (sorry Mr. Chow Tribeca…), my 3 friends spent the entire time talking about how their valentine’s days went. I sat there listening to them recount the highs and lows of their partners and how they performed on this “hallmark holiday”.

The overwhelming feeling was that all of them were disappointed in some way (spoiler alert: 2/3 of those friends are now single. disclaimer: the guys sucked). I think we all walked away from that dinner feeling… bad?

Them- annoyed at the lack of care.

Me- annoyed at the lack of even having someone to be annoyed at.

Why do we put so much weight on this stupid capitalistic way to prove that we have love in our lives? February sucks anyway. It’s short, it’s dark, it’s cold.

So I decided to make Valentine’s into a full week of plans. Choose your own adventure, there is something for everyone.

Welcome to the inaugural Drinks First Valentine’s Week.

We are teaming up with some of our favorite brands/creators/communities to bring you a series of events where you can flirt, laugh, eat, drink, detox, and socialize.

Pick one, pick a few, or clear your calendar.

There is something for everyone (yes, even you non-singles).

TUE 2.10: DRINK-O with SuperVinoBros & Wingmate

📍 Pearl Box, SoHo

Our most-requested collab is back with our faves- SuperVinoBros

Come ready to meet new people, try new wine, and win prizes with our twist on bingo- hosted at one of our favorite chic SoHo venues.

DRINK-O is activity bingo: every completed line gets you entered into a raffle with prizes.

Thanks to Wingmate, tickets include free entry + a free drink if you have a completed Wingmate profile using our link.

Wingmate is is a friends-of-friends connection app where anyone can play matchmaker. No swiping, no algorithms, just real introductions and IRL chemistry

👉DOWNLOAD WINGMATE HERE👈

FREE RSVP

Perfect for: singles and friends of singles

WED 2.11: One Night, Stand-Up with Comedy Underground Overground & Oban Whisky

📍 Drai’s Supper Club, Meatpacking District

Stand-up comedy meets single malt in NYC’s swankiest new lounge.
Drinks First and Comedy UO are teaming up with Oban Single Malt Whisky for a night of actually GOOD stand-up comedy.

Each ticket includes two Oban cocktails, so you can sit back, relax, and laugh without overthinking anything.

TICKETS

Perfect for: singles, couples, and groups of friends

THUR 2.12: Not A Book Club, Book Club with Bodega Flowers

📍 Broome St Project, NoLiTa

We’re back with a Bodega Flowers cult-favorite gathering- a “book club” for people who don’t actually want homework.

Expect a night of surprises spanning The Bluff Magic to treats from Loser’s, powered by Rosaluna Mezcal, with Bodega Flowers setting the mood and Drinks First helping curate the room.

🎶 Music by Ethan

Guest list only by application

APPLY TO COME

Perfect for: hot singles

SAT 2.14: TOO FULL TO F*CK with 8it, Bodega Flowers, & SuperVinoBros

📍 Georgia Room, NoMad

The only Valentine’s Day party that matters.

To close out Valentine’s Week, we’re throwing an old-fashioned banger with some of our favorite collaborators{: food, wine, music, flowers.

Our magnum opus to this insane week.

WINES: SuperVinoBros
FOOD: 8it
– CMarty’s Jerk
– Settepani dessert drop
MUSIC: Elijah Rawk, Smurfo, Matthew Law
VIBES: Drinks First & Bodega Flowers

Doors:
Bar Calico + Studio — 10:30 PM
Georgia Room — 11:30 PM

FREE ENTRY BEFORE MIDNIGHT WITH RSVP, ENTRY AT ANY TIME WITH TIX

FREE RSVP + TIX

Perfect for: EVERYONE

SUN 2.15: Drinks First @ Lore Bathing Club with Manna

📍 Lore Bathing Club, NoHo

After a full week of festivities, we’re slowing it down.

Join an exclusive group from our community for a complimentary 75-minute contrast therapy session at NYC’s newest neighborhood bathing club. Expect social sauna, cold plunging, and a Scandinavian-inspired space designed to reset you (together).

Each guest receives a FREE Manna water bottle, so leave yours at home.

📝 Guest list by application or invitation only

APPLY TO COME

Perfect for: our inner circle (or those who want to be)

Tickets are limited and each event runs differently, please check details before grabbing yours.

Come solo, bring a date, or rally the group.

💌

xx,

Ariana & team
Drinks First

See you out there.

BONUS - IN MEXICO CITY FOR ZONA MACO?

Come detox/socialize while sipping Vida Bebida with the budding Drinks First community in CDMX at our fav- Koti Wellness <3

BOOK NOW

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Hello hot people- if you are receiving this, it is because you signed up for/attended a Drinks First event. If you’re lucky, I send this out once a month (it’s usually less lol)… Give me a chance before you choose to unsubscribe, and if you do- I’d love to know why you hate me and want to see me fail xx <3 p.s. you can pay to support my work (aka health insurance) xx

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TLDR;

Upcoming Events

Musings

Events Recap

Codes

-$PAYWALL$-

Rapid Fire Recs

Travel Recs - CDMX

Discount Codes for Events

DRINKS FIRST UPCOMING EVENTS

DRINKS FIRST x OTHERSHIP & RAYS on JAN 14

we’re back at Othership TOMORROW- for the cost of a normal session you get both the session and entry into our after party at nearby Ray’s BK with free Peroni / Peroni00 while supplies last.

p.s. there’s a discount code behind the paywall

if you have been interested in trying Othership- this is the time to do it. Come with your friends, or alone.

ticket price goes up tomorrow.

NO FOMO

Musings

I downloaded Hinge in January of 2025 because my mom told me I had to “try harder” and that I would be “30 soon.”

Casually- like she was reminding me to get a flu shot.

So I did what any rational person would do:

I downloaded Hinge and decided to take dating seriously. Or at least… more seriously than before.

In theory, this was the year I was going to be intentional, thoughtful, present, and open.

In practice, I spent the first six-ish months of the year traveling, never in one place long enough to build momentum with anyone. And then, as if to really drive the point home, I tore my ACL.

Dating while constantly in transit is hard.
Dating in a knee brace, with limited mobility, is… harder. and not particularly sexy.

Somewhere in the middle of all that, I ended up with HingeX, the premium version. Full disclosure: I didn’t pay for it. I got six months for free, which is ideal, because it means I can evaluate the experience without pretending this was a financial investment.

Here’s the Brutal Thing About Dating Apps

Apps like Hinge don’t have an incentive to get you off the app, they profit when you stay on it longer. You are the product. They hope you: spend more time scrolling,pay for premium, and keep swiping instead of connecting offline.

The algorithm isn’t designed to be deleted. It’s designed to delete your savings.

Hinge’s parent company, Match Group, has built a business around this model: basic functionality for free, but premium features behind a paywall that, according to many users (friends and all my scientific research), say barely move the needle unless you commit to paying. Meanwhile, those endless swipes keep you invested, testing the theory that the next swipe could be the one.

Hinge by the Numbers

Here’s what the data looks like around Hinge (thx Business of Apps):

• Hinge has about 23–30 million active users worldwide.

• Around 1.2–1.53 million of those users pay for premium— roughly 4–5% of total users.

• In the US, Hinge holds about 18% market share of the online dating app market— behind Tinder and Bumble (Tinder still generates the most amount of money worldwide).

• Hinge generated about $550 million in 2024 alone, with growth continuing YoY.

• Hinge has been downloaded over 35 million times and facilitated more than 12 billion matches to date. Matches =/= dates or success btw…

What this tells you is:
Hinge is big, growing, profitable- and only a tiny percentage of users actually pay for premium, even though the app strongly nudges toward it.

So What Might This Mean for You?

It means that:

1. The algorithm barely works if you don’t pay- you get very limited likes and lower visibility.

2. Once you pay, you’re more engaged- but the app still benefits from you staying on it, not leaving it.

3. Your time is a key part of the business model.

This is classic engagement economics: the product is free, but your attention and desperation is what they’re really monetizing.

What Premium Dating Promises vs. What It Delivers

HingeX promises better matches, more visibility, and unlimited likes. Which sounds empowering until you realize friction is the only thing standing between you and endless scrolling.

The moment I had unlimited likes, my Hinge screen time jumped to about 30 minutes a day. Not because I was meeting more people, but because I was considering more people.

I was “dating” constantly, without actually going on dates.

Okay. The Numbers.

Let’s do my Hinge Wrapped (I generated this myself by revisiting the trauma of my last year, you’re welcome).

• 234 matches

• 7 dates

• ~3% conversion rate

Of those 7 dates:

• 2 happened before HingeX

• 5 happened after

• 2 made it to a second date

• 0 turned into a relationship

As you can imagine, I’m thrilled.

The Cost Per Date No One Talks About

HingeX costs about $50/month.
Six months = $300.

I went on 5 dates while on premium. That’s $60 per date.

On top of that, my 30 min on Hinge a day = 900 min/month = 15 hrs/month.On average, it took me about 26 hours on Hinge to get one date.

Again: I didn’t pay for this. And yet it still feels expensive.

Because the real cost wasn’t money- it was time, attention, and mental energy I did not want to spare while rehabbing a knee and living out of a suitcase.

The Worst Part Is That It Kind of Works

Here’s one uncomfortable truth:
the quality of matches was better once I had HingeX.

More people I was genuinely attracted to and more moments where I thought, okay, I could be interested.

But the other thing we aren’t talking about is getting to a match is one thing, converting that match to an IRL date is another (as we saw, ~3%, which apparently is higher than average)

So Is Paying for Hinge Worth It?

In my opinion? No.

Because it optimizes for engagement, not outcomes.

It didn’t improve my dating life.
It dramatically increased my screen time.
And it turned dating into something I was managing instead of experiencing.

Taking dating seriously doesn’t mean spending more time on an app. It means having the capacity to show up, and premium features can’t manufacture that.

Final Thoughts From Someone Who Tried to “Try Harder”

If you’re thinking about paying for Hinge:

• Save your money

• Limit your likes

• Ask people out sooner

• Use the filters to pinpoint people you may actually be interested in, but know that isn’t how attraction works IRL

• Log off faster

Or don’t… but now you have the data.

As a final anecdote, I met quite a few people IRL in 2025. Through work, friends, and going out.

Maybe that $50/month with no promise of a date is better spent on an event where you can meet someone. Just saying…

our next event

DRINKS FIRST EVENTS RECAP:

MEXICO CITY VAMOSSSSSS

WE LAUNCHED IN CDMX!!!!!

Hello??? Not at all on my roadmap but a lovely surprise. Two sold out events in CDMX- a nightlife event with Freek NU at Tonal

and a wellness event with Koti Wellness, Vida Bebida, and Nisho.

My Codes

things I actually care to push because I genuinely like them.

*I may make some commission if you use my link/code*

MYODETOX

I have gone through quite a few injuries in my lifetime- including tearing my ACL earlier this year. I opted not to get surgery, and instead have gone a holistic route. What does this mean- I have gone through months of PT, massage, chiro, acupuncture, contrast therapy, etc. And the best PT/Chiro I have experiences has been at MYODetox. They believe in “Future Proofing” your body. I can’t tell you it’s cheap, but if you are suffering or looking to improve- I can’t recommend it enough.

Use my code ARIANA50 for $50 off here.

MEALPAL

I literally eat lunch out everyday and MealPal has made it so easy for me to eat healthy and for way less money (also I get to try new places!)

Here is my referral

OTHERSHIP

You may already know how much we love Othership.

• Use code “DRINKSFIRST” for a 15% discount

• A SPECIAL DRINKS FIRST MEMBERSHIP (2x a month for $84)

• For first timers: a 2-for-1 special

BLADE

The other day I saw it cost over $300 to get to JFK in the rain. Skip all that- take a BLADE helicopter - use code “ARIANA” for $50 off.

THERAPIE

Therapie Clinic for Med Spa Needs (I go for Laser Hair Removal): Code- ARIANA10 and use this link to check out other offers!

OPEN

I am NOT a woo woo wellness girly but I’mm so bought in to Open. I did a breath and sound class @op_e___n in Santa Monica / Venice in Los Angeles and it took me on a JOURNEY!

If you cant make it to their studio- im truly obsessed with their app. use my code ARIANAOPEN30 for a free 30 day trial.

KINDRED

So many people ask how I travel so much. The answer is Kindred- a members only home swapping app. If you have your own place, I highly recommended checking it out. I know it cant be nerve wrecking to host someone in your place- so use my code “ARI.NAT” for expedited review and 5 free credits.

FORA

I went on a side quest to become a travel agent earlier this year, now I do all my (and my close friends vacation bookings). It costs nothing to use a travel agent, and you get the best rates and perks. If you have something you want to book- email ariana.nathani@fora.travel or if you’re interested in the industry, check out Fora using my link ($50 off your membership).

Now… enough of all that serious talk. Paid subs- Time for my rapid fire recs:

These are the things, places, etc. I’m loving right now.

<3 That’s all for you freeloaders xx

Rapid Fire Recommendations

• Date Night: Strip House Speakeasy

• Where to take your parents/out of towners: Clemente Bar

Read more

As we enter dry jan, we are bringing back one of our most highly anticipated events:

Drinks First x Othership - Jan 14

we’re back at Othership on Jan 14th- tickets start at $56 (a session is usually $70!) but you get both the session and entry into our after party at nearby Ray’s BK with free Peroni / Peroni00 while supplies last.

if you have been interested in trying Othership- this is the time to do it. Come with your friends, or alone.

tickets will go fast so we recommend snagging your spot now!

TICKETS

2026 Ins / Outs

these do not reflect my personal beliefs, just my personal observations

INS

• yearning

• hockey

• storytime (the app)

• renting clothes

• going out only to dance

• hip dips

• friends with benefits (diff from situationship)

• sleep masks

• flighty

• balconies

• hanging out and doing nothing

• high speed rail

• coworker bonding

• family style

• horizontal photos

• stuffed animals

• contrast therapy

• 2016

• thirst traps

• under eye bags

• making living decisions based on friendships

• alcohol

• niche music festivals

• wine nights

• day parties

• bare nails

• dating younger (women to men only)

• crocs

• one piece swimsuits

• wired headphones

• quality

• uniqlo heat tech

• birthday trips

• going out on a monday

• pancakes

• the club

• bidet

• voice notes

• islam

• investing in real estate

• $$ on experiences

• brazil (not rio)

• punjabis

• orange

• white noise

• apres sea (going out after swimming)

• house parties

• hickeys

• audio books

• sports bars

• turtle chips

• natural medicine

• home swapping

• making money

• compliments

• going on a drive

• conversation pits

• ambient lighting

• wikipedia

• african travel

• IV drips

• dating (like actually going on dates)

• gallery thursdays

• all-inclusive pricing

• set ups

• nyc ferry

• repeating outfits

• 4 person group chats

• over accessorizing

• clowns

• foreplay

• sotol

• salt bread

• following up

• lower case

• email

• salsa clubs

• street food

• men wearing thick-rimmed sunglasses with colored lenses

• marking texts as unread so you actually respond

• makeup wipes (4am clean sheets)

• brownies

• coca cola + champagne (coke-agne)

• frequent massages

• toaster ovens

• wavy hair

• polls

• chicken burgers (not fried)

• being 30

• playing pool

• swimming

• fiber

• soho house (sry not sry)

• domestic travel

OUTS

• group birthday dinners

• chez margaux

• microplastic obsession

• ACLs

• quantity

• business school

• boyfriends

• nose drugs

• tulum

• small sharing plates

• boeing

• resy

• sleep scores

• heels

• guns

• nicki minaj

• man on the street content

• HingeX

• red pill

• art basel

• deodorant

• strava

• engagement photo shoots

• lounges (nightclub and most airport)

• dynamic pricing

• brand logos

• founder dinners

• boring plane safety videos

• learning how to dj

• credit card disputes

• being awkward

• SF

• coffee chats

• friendzoning

• DIML videos

• podcasts

• showing up for support (show up bc u mean it not bc you feel obligated)

• lab grown diamonds

• the flu

• looksmaxxing

• paid ads

• moderation

• congestion

• “community building”

• beans

• panels

• napping

• $10 coffee/matcha

• “call me” texts (mom…)

• getting cancelled

• coachella

• injuries

• press

• not disclosing if you are visiting on your dating app profile

• stealing

• iPhone (but I will still use mine)

• not responding to texts

• cinnamon rolls

• air fryers

• beef burgers

• being 29

• mta fare gates

• david protein bars

• the williamsburg bridge lip

• ignoring awkward situations

  ---

  Can’t wait for 2026, it’s the year of the level up. More to come soon!
  

  xx,

  Ariana

Thursday, 10pm–2am @ Alice, Greenwich Village

Free entry + free drink with download of DION.

Sounds by: Mussette & Kahlil

We’re also doing a gift raffle, because it’s December and we deserve a little chaos. For every drink you buy at the bar, you will get a raffle ticket to win:

• A bottle of Don Julio 1942

• A bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label

• 5-pack to Othership

• and more…

Clear your Thursday. Download DION. See you out of office.

RSVP

FOR FREE ENTRY TO OUR HOLIDAY PARTY

YOU MUST DOWNLOAD

From matcha to martinis, members send and redeem real drinks at top venues across New York, Miami, Dubai, and Mexico City.

Download Dion

and a special thanks to GOODWORD

​Goodword is your networking copilot to help you take the “work” out of “networking” — an intelligent, human-centered way to stay connected with the people who matter. From remembering follow-ups to discovering who you should reconnect with next, Goodword helps you nurture your network with intention (not spreadsheets).

Use code “DRINKS“ to skip the waitlist and get a 30 day trial as a Goodword Founding Connector.

Not ready to commit? Join the waitlist here:

JOIN WAITLIST

MUSINGS

There’s a specific kind of quiet that hits December when you work for yourself.

Being a founder comes with a lot of social upside. I get invited to things, I’m in rooms, I talk to interesting people for a living. But the day‑to‑day reality is still oddly solitary. Most decisions happen alone. Most ideas live in your head longer than they should. Momentum isn’t shared, it’s self‑generated.

That’s the part people gloss over when they talk about freedom. Yes, you control your schedule- but you also don’t have a default group of people to sanity‑check every thought, pressure‑test every idea, or tell you whether something is brilliant or completely unhinged. I’m lucky to have built a small but mighty team and group of friends that I can bounce ideas off of, but it takes a certain level of conviction to do even that.

Things don’t move unless you move them.

There’s no promotion cycle, performance review, or title change that signals you’re “doing a good job.” Some days the work feels incredibly serious, and other days it feels like an elaborate group project you invented for yourself.

When my events & partnership manager, Hayden, half-jokingly said, “What if we had an unemployed holiday party?” it landed a little too close to home. Because that’s what it can feel like sometimes. Not unemployed in the literal sense, but unclassified. No badge, office, or external structure to point at and say, see, this is legitimate.

Founder identity lives in that in-between space. You’re not unemployed, but you’re also not clocking in. You’re not lost, but you’re definitely self-directed. The job is real, the responsibility is real, the validation just arrives late (or not at all).

That ambiguity is uncomfortable. It’s also where the skill gets built. The ability to keep going without applause. To believe in the thing before there’s proof. To create momentum when no one is assigning it to you.

Some days it feels like I have a real job. Other days it feels like I’ve created an extremely convincing google calendar to avoid having to explain myself. But at the end of the day- I’ve never worked harder at a job that technically no one could fire me from.

If you work for yourself, build things from scratch, or spend most of your time pushing ideas forward solo, this is your reminder that it’s ok that it’s hard, and it’s ok that it can feel lonely.

Founder life is often times romanticized, a lot of people ask me how I manage, especially as someone that has completely bootstrapped Drinks First. And the reality is that it is so much harder than anything else I’ve ever had to do, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

So whether you yearn for freedom and flexibility, or you would do anything to know what a little stability would feel like- I hope to see you on Thursday night.

Live a little, we all deserve a break :)

THURSDAY NIGHT

Subscribe now

TLDR;

Upcoming Events

Musings

Events Recap

Podcast

Codes

-$PAYWALL$-

Rapid Fire Recs

Travel Recs

Discount Codes for Events

DRINKS FIRST UPCOMING EVENTS

MEET CUTE - OUR EXCLUSIVE SINGLES-ONLY DINNER SERIES

Our incredibly exclusive dinner party with our faves When &Where is happening on Saturday, Dec 6th.

If accepted, $120 includes:

• 4-Course Dinner (we can accommodate reasonable dietary restrictions)

• Unlimited Drinks - Thanks Peroni and Saintwoods Vodka!

• An after party for all attendees (and friends) including table/ bottle service

• 22 other hand-picked eligible single people (no +1s allowed)

• A night of debauchery

If this sounds like fun to you (or your most eligible single friend - apply to come below.

APPLY TO COME

DRINKS FIRST HOLIDAY PARTY

we can’t say much for now but, let’s go out with a bang.

Save the date for thurs dec 18, 10pm-late.

stay tuned

DRINKS FIRST DRY JAN

• Some of our favorite wellness events are making a come back for January - think Othership and Tennis…

DRINKS FIRST VALENTINE’S DAY

• All we’re saying is save the mf date. All week we are teaming up with some of our favorite collaborators for a week of Valentine’s Day shenanigans. If you are a brand and you’d like to be involved- get in touch hello@drinksfirst.co

Musings

As always, I have been thinking a lot about dating, relationships, and why so many people are opting out of both. And the more I talk to people, it dawned on me: dating feels less like a path to partnership and more like a humiliation ritual. Not humiliating in the dramatic way, but humiliating in the slow, friction-filled, vulnerable way where you walk away wondering why you even tried.

People are having less sex than ever. A large share of Japanese adults report no sex in the past year. Many hit their twenties or thirties without any sexual experience at all. I have numerous friends who have never been in a relationship. Women are taking part in the what I’m calling “The Great Opt Out”, where their emotional and physical peace is worth more than attempting to date. We tend to treat this like a cultural anomaly, but it mirrors a global reality. In the U.S., a growing percentage of young men report no sexual activity in the past year. It is not a dry spell. It is a pattern.

Social atrophy. People do not know how to connect. Long stretches of digital life replaced in-person presence, and we lost the micro-skills that make relationships workable. The flirting. The risk. The reading of cues. The basics. Obviously this is a lot of why I created Drinks First, I always say I’m not reinventing the wheel because it is truly that simple. Create a space where connection is encouraged and expected, people will follow suit.

And then there is the cultural layer. Having a boyfriend has become embarrassing (if you haven’t seen the Vogue article, teach me how to be less chronically online please). The idea is that admitting you are in a relationship makes you look less independent, less aspirational, less aligned with the self-optimization ethos the internet worships. It is wild that the most intimate, human desire to pair up is now treated like a soft weakness- but not without cause.

Women have more social mobility today, and we wanted that. But increased mobility created a mismatch. Scott Galloway talks about this in his new book (Notes on Being a Man), especially in the sections on modern masculinity. Men once had a clear value proposition: provide, protect, produce. Today the script is foggier. What is a man supposed to be in a world where women can do everything* men were historically needed for.

*asterisk here because obviously there is a HUGE gap still on the privilege men and women hold in all aspects.

The men who thrive are the ones who adapt, but a lot of men are stuck. And when they feel stuck, they withdraw. Sex and relationships drop off. Not because they do not want connection, but because they do not know how to participate in connection anymore. I wish I could tell you how easily it is to perceive when a man on a dating app just wants to talk to you with the expectation of having sex. The veil has become thinner and thinner- and you have to ask if this sort of behavior happens because it is reinforced somehow.

Galloway also talks about the collapse of male friendships and how friendship used to teach young men emotional range. Without those bonds, a lot of men never build the muscle memory required to date well. The issue is not chivalry or confidence- it is the inability to socialize in a meaningful way. All of this shows up on dates. All of this makes dating feel humiliating. The mere thought of taking someone out on a date feels like the burden of commitment to some- case and point:

This also affects women. If the dating pool feels socially underdeveloped or emotionally unavailable, dating requires a level of patience that borders on martyrdom. And when it works, maintaining the relationship is sometimes harder than finding it. People hold on because they are afraid of being alone, not because the relationship is nourishing.

The bigger question: what does it mean to connect today? Actually connect- not message, not match, not follow. But connect in a way where someone picks you up from the airport or waters your plants when you are out of town. We have lost reliance. We have optimized our lives so aggressively that we accidentally made interdependence feel like an inconvenience.

People want to share a life- they just do not know how to build the scaffolding around it anymore.

So here is my thought: We do not fix dating by being better daters. We fix dating by relearning how to socialize, how to risk, how to be around people in ways that require patience and trust. Whether you are in a relationship or not, you need to force yourself into connection. Not romantically- socially. Practice being with people again.

If dating feels humiliating, maybe dating is not broken. Maybe we are socially out of shape, and the only way out is to train the muscle.

DRINKS FIRST EVENTS RECAP:

instagram saw it first.

It’s been a minute and we’ve been busy…

WE WENT INTERNATIONAL (AND NATIONAL)

LONDON

WE LAUNCHED IN LONDON!!!!!

I truly can’t believe it - I had been wanting this for years and I finally made it happen. 3 weeks ago we crossed the pond and in 2 days threw a sold out party at one of the coolest venues in East London- Behind This Wall, a cocktail and listening bar with no menu. We are so excited to continue expanding, please reach out to us on instagram if you are in London and would like to get involved!

LOS ANGELES

We did a class at Open in partnership with Sitch Matchmaking for their launch in LA. Scroll down for a free 30 day trial of Open’s incredible wellness app.

COLUMBUS, OHIO for Forbes 30u30 Summit

We threw a super secret after party to the Forbes 30 under 30 Summit that happened in Columbus, Ohio at the sickest venue - Brass Eye.

We did it in partnership with all Forbes-lister owned companies-

Glioblastoma Research Organization

Posh

6Degrees

theCut

YAPPY HOUR

We did a few Yappy Hour’s since our last email - one at Pearl Box / Heroes and one at Silver Lining Lounge.

This is our lowest lift event, anyone can come and buy a ticket to experience the Drinks First community at some of our favorite venues with special drink deals.

DIWALI

Our biggest event of the year. 2000 people. Some of the best creatives in the south asian diaspora. I want to do a longer recap on this, and what it takes for it to happen, but for now enjoy these photos:

If you attended any of these events, you can find all the photos on our SWSH:

EVENT PHOTOS

PODCAST:

Have you been listening and/or watching? Available on audio wherever you listen to podcasts and video on YouTube. We have new episodes coming out very soon to round out the season…

Reminder - you can match with our podcast guests at this form:

MATCHING FORM

My Codes

things I actually care to push because I genuinely like them.

*I may make some commission if you use my link/code*

MYODETOX

I have gone through quite a few injuries in my lifetime- including tearing my ACL earlier this year. I opted not to get surgery, and instead have gone a holistic route. What does this mean- I have gone through months of PT, massage, chiro, acupuncture, contrast therapy, etc. And the best PT/Chiro I have experiences has been at MYODetox. They believe in “Future Proofing” your body. I can’t tell you it’s cheap, but if you are suffering or looking to improve- I can’t recommend it enough.

Use my code ARIANA50 for $50 off here.

OTHERSHIP

You may already know how much we love Othership.

• Use code “DRINKSFIRST” for a 15% discount

• A SPECIAL DRINKS FIRST MEMBERSHIP (2x a month for $84)

• For first timers: a 2-for-1 special

BLADE

The other day I saw it cost over $300 to get to JFK in the rain. Skip all that- take a BLADE helicopter - use code “ARIANA” for $50 off.

THERAPIE

Therapie Clinic for Med Spa Needs (I go for Laser Hair Removal): Code- ARIANA10 and use this link to check out other offers!

OPEN

I am NOT a woo woo wellness girly but I’mm so bought in to Open. I did a breath and sound class @op_e___n in Santa Monica / Venice in Los Angeles and it took me on a JOURNEY!

If you cant make it to their studio- im truly obsessed with their app. use my code ARIANAOPEN30 for a free 30 day trial.

KINDRED

So many people ask how I travel so much. The answer is Kindred- a members only home swapping app. If you have your own place, I highly recommended checking it out. I know it cant be nerve wrecking to host someone in your place- so use my code “ARI.NAT” for expedited review and 5 free credits.

FORA

I went on a side quest to become a travel agent earlier this year, now I do all my (and my close friends vacation bookings). It costs nothing to use a travel agent, and you get the best rates and perks. If you have something you want to book- email ariana.nathani@fora.travel or if you’re interested in the industry, check out Fora using my link ($50 off your membership).

Now… enough of all that serious talk. Paid subs- Time for my rapid fire recs:

These are the things, places, etc. I’m loving right now.

<3 That’s all for you freeloaders xx

Read more

RSVP AND TICKETS

MUSIC:
@itskoad
@djsharad
@srizzybeats
@rajidselim b2b @tejxpatel
@arjun___shah [vinyl]

FOOD:
@chaatdog

DRINKS:
@rosaluna
@peroniusa
@kolkatachaico

HENNA
@hennabyaxa

extra special support from our friends at
@dostmeansfriend

WANT A FREE DRINK TONIGHT AT BAR CALICO 🤫

if you’re single- day after matching by @sitch.matchmaking use code “DIWALI” to skip the waitlist 🎇 DOWNLOAD HERE.

ANYONE WITH A NEW SITCH PROFILE CAN GET A FREE DRINK - find someone from the sitch team for a drink ticket.

DRESS CODE

indo/indowestern but come fly and whatever you feel festive in- we are partnering with Boomie, a peer-to-peer south asian clothing rental app to help people get an outfit asap. USE CODE DRINKSFIRST for a discount. Download Here

this event is open to all, come celebrate the magic of diwali with us 🎆

You can do a free RSVP, but we HIGHLY recommend getting a guaranteed entry ticket, the price goes up at 8pm tonight:

RSVP AND TICKETS

If you have any feedback- please reach out to us on IG or leave a comment below! We recorded this episode at Sotto Social Club in Little Italy, New York. Sotto Social Club is the best hidden secret under Gelso & Grand in a rustic and elegant private dining space in Little Italy and has a crisp cocktail list, downtown vibe, and can just about be the best venue to throw secret parties (including my own bday party).

If you are interested in matching with this week's guest, go to our instagram @drinks.first, our beacons or directly to our matching form

Matching Form

And check out this episode on our YOUTUBE (pls subscribe lol, we just hit 50 subs, thanks!):

Get more from Drinks First in the Substack app

Available for iOS and Android

Get the app

Hello hot people- if you are receiving this, it is because you signed up for/attended a Drinks First event. If you’re lucky, I send this out once a month (it’s usually less lol)… Give me a chance before you choose to unsubscribe, and if you do- I’d love to know why you hate me and want to see me fail xx <3 p.s. you can pay to support my work (aka health insurance) xx

Subscribe now

TLDR;

Upcoming Events

Musings

Events Recap

Podcast

Codes

-$PAYWALL$-

Rapid Fire Recs

Travel Recs

Discount Codes for Events

DRINKS FIRST UPCOMING EVENTS

YAPPY HOUR @ PEARL BOX + HEROES

Are you tried of going out for drinks and never talking to anyone else but your friends? Do you have the desire to meet people but it’s hard to know where to start? Are you looking to get out of your bubble or feel like NYC summer nights are empty?

Yappy Hour is our most entry level event. It could not be more low pressure. Anyone can come, just buy a ticket.

We choose to highlight some of our favorite venues in the city, and work with them to get great drink deals for the event. This time we have $5 MARTINIS at one of the coolest venues in the city- Pearl Box and Heroes in Soho.

$30 ticket includes entry, a free martini, and access to the special extended happy hour food and drink menu. Tickets at the door are $40.

SEE YOU ON WEDNESDAY!

COME YAP

SPARK SESSIONS: ADVANTAGE TENNIS III

THIS IS YOUR FIRST CHANCE TO BUY TICKETS- We threw a tennis party a couple of weeks ago and it was such a hit that we’re doing it again.

To paint the picture:

• tennis is $110 for an hour on an off peak court at Manhattan Plaza Tennis Club

• We’re bringing this event to you for $75*

• 1.5hrs of social tennis w. pros/drills/red ball

• Open bar with canned bevvies

• A chance to meet new people (not just singles)!

  BUY NOW

SPARK SESSIONS: OTHERSHIP WILLIAMSBURG

Othership Williamburg is finally opening and we are a part of their soft launch week. This event is FREE and strictly invite only, you can apply to come at the following link. Very limited spots. Application does not guarantee any entry, must be approved to attend.

Scroll to the bottom of this newletter for our special Drinks First Othership codes

APPLY TO COME

Musings

Jambo from Tsavo West National Park in Kenya! Yes, I’m serious lol.

I’m watching a monkey eat twigs from my tent at Finch Hattons, the first stop of my 20-day trip through Kenya and Tanzania with my family.

As I sit here, alone, looking at the hippo watering hole, I can’t help but feel eternally grateful… and slightly lonely.

When I was a kid, my parents took me and my brother to Botswana and South Africa, and after traveling to over 40 countries, it’s still one of my favorite trips ever. For the next decade, they kept reminiscing about “Africa” like it was a great lost love and dreamed of taking us back when we were “older, settled, and able to appreciate it more.”

So here we are: Older? Yes. Appreciative? Incredibly. Settled? Uhhhh…

This is a five-person trip: my mom, my dad, my brother, his wife/my sister-in-law… and me. Something’s slightly off about that lineup, right? 3 rooms, one with single occupancy. An extra chair in the jeep on game drives. 10% off couples’ spa treatments that mysteriously never apply to “me and my stuffed animal”… A trip of a lifetime with a tiny part of me wishing I could’ve filled the proverbial empty seat with someone.

Meanwhile, at home, I’m gearing up for my fourth wedding this year. Talking with my other single friends, we all agree: weddings have gotten expensive. Bachelorette parties, transportation, hotel rooms, wedding gifts. I love celebrating my friends, but my bank account does not. My sister-in-law assures me it will “come back” when it’s my turn… but girl, who knows what inflation will be like by then. By 2032, the price of a wedding bouquet might rival a month’s rent.

And that’s just the obvious stuff. The hidden costs hit harder: rent you don’t split, Raya or Hinge subscriptions, the beauty tax, the “I need a new dress for this one” tax. I am one Aperol Spritz away from financial ruin. Economists won’t admit it yet, but the single tax is real, and the rate is criminally high.

Case in point: a friend of a friend who works at Hinge gave me six free months of Hinge X, the most premium version at $60 a month. I thought this would change at least something. And yes, the people I see are technically “better”… but now I spend hours parsing through likes/likees like I’m reviewing resumes for a job I don’t even want. If I’d actually paid for this, I’d be paying to waste more of my time.

All of which is to say: I am actually grateful there isn’t someone in that empty seat. I’ve dated people (disclaimer: all lovely and good) that I didn’t even enjoy grocery shopping with, let alone spending two weeks in remote Africa with my entire family.

With the single tax comes something priceless: freedom. The freedom to spend my time exactly how I want, with exactly who I want, to be gloriously, selfishly autonomous.

So yes- I’ll happily pay the single tax for now. Besides, not having to share a bathroom with a man? That’s luxury in itself.

DRINKS FIRST EVENTS RECAP:

instagram saw it first.

SPARK SESSIONS with Play Advantage

We brought 85 people (of all skill levels) together to play late night tennis with an open bar. It went well. We’re doing it again Thursday, August 21th. Come.

YAPPY HOUR

We brought back our popular happy hour series- our most entry level Drinks First event. No pressure, just vibes where we highlight one of our favorite venues in the city with exclusive drink specials. Anyone can come (single, taken, etc.), just buy a ticket and make new connections.

Last event was at the elusive Temple Bar, the quintessential date and martini spot in the middle of downtown manhattan.

OPEN BAR

Invite only. With our favorite co-hosts, the supper club- When & Where. The price of admission? A bottle of wine to share. (or $25 if you forgot). We spent hours on the W&W balcony with new and old friends downing nearly 40 bottles of wine and ranking it on our very professional hot/slutty scale.

If you attended any of these events, you can find all the photos on our SWSH:

EVENT PHOTOS

PODCAST:

Have you been listening and/or watching? Available on audio wherever you listen to podcasts and video on YouTube. We have new episodes coming out very soon to round out the season…

Reminder - you can match with our podcast guests at this form:

MATCHING FORM

My Codes

things I actually care to push because I genuinely like them.

OTHERSHIP

You may already know how much we love Othership.

• Use code “DRINKSFIRST” for a discount on packages.

• A SPECIAL DRINKS FIRST MEMBERSHIP (2x a month for $84)

• A SUMMER DAYTIME SPECIAL ($35/session for weekday mornings)

• And email shannon@othership.us if you’re a first timer and want an intro 3-pack or 2 week membership!

BLADE

The other day I saw it cost over $300 to get to JFK in the rain. Skip all that- take a BLADE helicopter - use code “ARIANA” for $50 off ($145 after discount!!).

THERAPIE

Therapie Clinic for Med Spa Needs (I go for Laser Hair Removal): Code- ARIANA10

OPEN

I am NOT a woo woo wellness girly but I’mm so bought in to Open. I did a breath and sound class @op_e___n in Santa Monica / Venice in Los Angeles and it took me on a JOURNEY!

If you cant make it to their studio- im truly obsessed with their app. use my code ARIANAOPEN30 for a free 30 day trial.

KINDRED

So many people ask how I travel so much. The answer is Kindred- a members only home swapping app. If you have your own place, I highly recommended checking it out. I know it cant be nerve wrecking to host someone in your place- so use my code “ARI.NAT” for expedited review and 5 free credits.

FORA

I went on a side quest to become a travel agent earlier this year, now I do all my (and my close friends vacation bookings). It costs nothing to use a travel agent, and you get the best rates and perks. If you have something you want to book- email ariana.nathani@fora.travel or if you’re interested in the industry, check out Fora using my link ($50 off your membership).

Now… enough of all that serious talk. Paid subs- Time for my rapid fire recs, my Puglia, Italy recs, and a special discount code for an upcoming event!

These are the things, places, etc. I’m loving right now.

<3 That’s all for you freeloaders xx

Rapid Fire Recommendations

• Date Night: Binx Wine Bar

• Where to take your parents/out of towners: Chateau Royale

Read more

Get more from Drinks First in the Substack app

Available for iOS and Android

Get the app

Hello hot people- if you are receiving this, it is because you signed up for/attended a Drinks First event. If you’re lucky, I send this out once a month (it’s usually less lol)… Give me a chance before you choose to unsubscribe, and if you do- I’d love to know why you hate me and want to see me fail xx <3 p.s. you can pay to support my work (aka health insurance) xx

Subscribe now

Let’s start with the obvious:

DRINKS FIRST UPCOMING EVENTS

We threw a tennis party a couple of weeks ago and it was such a hit that we’re doing it again.

To paint the picture:

• tennis is $110 for an hour on an off peak court at Manhattan Plaza Tennis Club

• We’re bringing this event to you for $75*

• 1.5hrs of social tennis w. pros/drills/red ball

• Open bar with canned bevvies from Rain Water, Olipop, Just Ice Tea, Dio Cocktails, and Lunar Hard Seltzer (and snacks from Mezcla)

• A chance to meet new people (not just singles)!

*TICKET PRICES INCREASE TMRW- and a discount in our paid section for our loyal subs

BUY NOW

I sometimes write things down and then realize how many people actually read this and then get nervous so like- if you’re my parents/parents adjacent just pretend you don’t read this when you see me…

Everyone seems to be dating, but also no one seems to be dating. The more I speak to my female friends, a lot of them have abstained from being on apps or actively trying to meet people. It’s too exhausting, the apps go almost nowhere, they aren’t willing to put their emotional and physical wellbeing on the line for some random guy. So valid.

This was me, at least for a better part of a year. So many people make the same comment “It must be so easy for you to date”, but in actuality it’s the hardest. If your 9-5 means crunching numbers all day, predicting stock markets, building products- you most likely don’t also do that from 5-9. And that’s what this profession has become to me- I think so much about dating, how other people do it, how to make it better, etc. etc. that I found myself forgetting (or rather, forgoing) doing it for myself.

But I wasn’t the only one. There is a mental toll it takes to open yourself up to people, and so many people aren’t willing to put in the work anymore because often times there is disappointment at the other end. Protect your peace, hang out with your friends, work on yourself, and when you least expect it- it will come. Man FUUUUUCK THAT.

Somehow though- all my guy friends are dating. Excessively. Multiple dates a week. So overwhelmed they have to pause their Hinge. I can’t make this up, that’s how exhaustive the NYC market is. Women are opting out, and men are opting in.

Something seemed to shift in the last few weeks though. I’ve gone out with more men in the last month than I have in the last year. As per my last substack:

It seems as though the natural evolution of this would mean a fresh start, and everyone is dating again.

One may ask how? For some of my friends, they can’t walk out their door without being asked out (slay divas). For others, the dating app activities are off the charts. Something about this subtropical climate has everyone h*rny as hell.

But there is something about the summer that has a level of impermanence. People flit away for the weekend, that person who is a “creative director” somehow is in europe all summer, and though the dating activity is up- so is the lack of accountability. And maybe that’s why people tend to be more open- because they can fade into the distance without an explanation. Summer is “so busy”.

I say this as I gear up to be gone for the rest of the summer, and then subsequently have to get ACL+Meniscus surgery that will render me immobile for a while. I asked myself- what’s even the point? The point is- it’s important to exercise the muscle. If i’ve learned any thing from my prehab for my knee surgery- the more work you put into becoming stronger (knee or relationship wise), that will only benefit you in the long run when it comes to the real deal.

So that’s all my musings for now- I hope you’re out there deciding to put yourself out there, even if it isn’t “the right time”.

DRINKS FIRST EVENTS RECAP:

It’s been a minute since we’ve talked about all things Drinks First, but a lot has been happening and I hope you’re keeping up on instagram because that’s who sees it first.

Let’s work backwards:

SPARK SESSIONS with Play Advantage and SITCH

We brought 60 singles (of all skill levels) together to play late night tennis with an open bar. It went well. We’re doing it again but for everyone, not just singles. Thursday, July 10th. Come.

SUMMER INTERN BLOCK PARTY

Our friend and creator Zoë Apple wanted to host a party to help get her college aged peers together- so we took over Cello’s Pizzeria in the East Village (they also own Dough Donuts) and brought together recent grads, current college students, and summer interns. Start em young.

SITCH x a16z SpeedRun: NYTW Closing Party

We helped our friends at SITCH and a16z speedrun (one of the top accelerators) throw the official closing party for NY Tech Week at Jac’s on Bond with help from Peroni and Rosaluna Mezcal.

This was weirdly the horniest party ever at sunday at 5pm. You never know man…

If you want to join SITCH, use our code ‘DRINKSFIRST’ to skip the waitlist.

Nuit Noire at Chelsea Living Room

We got a lil raunchy and through a party where the theme was “come undone” at one of NYC’s sexiest venues- Chelsea Living Room. Complete with drinks from Ten to One Rum, an ice luge from FunLuge, day after pills from Winx Health, and condoms from STIX, things got messy on a rainy thursday evening. It was truly a start to a feral summer.

Drinks First x DROME: Pride at Soho Grand Hotel Club Room

It had been a minute since we had thrown a free banger, and no better time to do it other than Pride. We partnered with our friends at DROME, a queer magazine, and brought the heat to our first party at Soho Grand.

If you attended any of these events, you can find all the photos on our SWSH:

EVENT PHOTOS

PODCAST:

Have you been listening and/or watching? Available on audio wherever you listen to podcasts and video on YouTube.

Reminder - you can match with our podcast guests at this form:

MATCHING FORM

SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR YOU ALL <3:

You may already know how much we love Othership. Well we have something special for the community that we are launching here first:

• Use code DRINKSFIRST for a discount on packages.

• A SPECIAL DRINKS FIRST MEMBERSHIP (2x a month for $84)

• A SUMMER DAYTIME SPECIAL ($35/session for weekday mornings)

• And email shannon@othership.us if you’re a first timer and want an intro 3-pack or 2 week membership!

Now… enough of all that serious talk. Time for my rapid fire recs for our paid subs and some hamptons recs!

These are the things, places, etc. I’m loving right now.

<3 That’s all for you freeloaders xx

Read more

If you have any feedback- please reach out to us on IG or leave a comment below! We recorded this episode at Alice in Greenwich Village. Alice is hidden in a townhouse on 13th street and is serving some of the best Italian food, and can be a super fun night out when they throw their secret parties.

If you are interested in matching with this week's guest, go to our instagram @drinks.first, our beacons or directly to our matching form:

Matching Form

And check out this episode on our YOUTUBE (pls subscribe lol):

If you have any feedback- please reach out to us on IG or leave a comment below! We recorded this episode at Broken Shaker in Gramercy. Broken Shaker has recently been revamped by the Authentic Hospitality team, and is one of the best indoor/outdoor rooftops to hang this summer. Do a bar crawl and stop in at Bar Calico, also located in the Freehand Hotel.

If you are interested in matching with this week's guest, go to our instagram @drinks.first, our beacons or directly to our matching form:

Matching Form

And check out this episode on our YOUTUBE (pls subscribe lol):

Subscribe now

Let’s start with the obvious:

DRINKS FIRST EVENTS

This is the party to start the summer. Sounds by Mark Wolf at the sexiest venue in NYC– Chelsea Living Room.

Feral energy only. Including a VIP back room with a strict no photo policy. We won't tell if you won’t. Let's play.

STRICT DRESS CODE: Come undone – Think lacy lingerie, sexy fishnets, satin, suits, oversized button downs, the works. Anything after hours-attire goes. Entry can be denied if not abiding by dress code.

INSPO BOARD

Specialty drinks by Ten to One Rum.

This party is for friends, lovers, and everything in between.

TICKET PRICES INCREASE TMRW- BUY NOW (p.s. there is a discount code for subscribers at the end of this newsletter)

APPLY TO COME

Ok so obviously the subject line is tricky. In the past few weeks I’ve had a lot of close friends be surrounded by misfortune- breakups, deaths, and sicknesses. Me? I happened to tear my ACL, MCL, and meniscus. But I’m not in the business of making other friends tragedies my content. The question still stands though- in your late 20’s life seems to become slightly more existential. The quarter-life crisis seems to be a real thing.

I really started noticing it when I was 26. Things are changing, and they will only continue to change. Your early 20’s, especially in New York, has a lot of people on the same playing field. New to adulthood, very little attachments, living for life at that exact moment. You probably started a new job out of college, living with a roommate or in a new place, and excited to start building. Life felt more carefree, and as I reflect on the life of Drinks First, that was definitely true.

Ages 22-25: I was throwing parties at The Jane (work was play), going on careless dates, working at my 9-5 with health insurance. Everyone was on the same track, things were just easier.

Ages 25-28: I was in a relationship, I left my job to build a company (play is now work), and now everyone else around me seemed to start diverging at their cross roads.

So what is that crossroads?

The easiness of life seems to fade as we move further into our 20’s. Adulthood starts to become real, and we are all grown up.

I’m sure a lot of you in your 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, 60’s etc. who are reading this are rolling your eyes. This isn’t rocket science, it’s just life.

The bachelorette parties, weddings, baby showers, grad school acceptances and graduations, company acquisitions, layoffs, friends moving to different states and countries. These are all markers of time moving past us.

So what is all of this about?

I think I will die early.

Woooah ok sorry for that lol

I’m not sure what early is- but I think it will happen in an unexpected way. But honestly, I don’t often think about death, but for some reason I always believed this was my fate.

My friends always get mad when I bring it up… and I understand why. I’m not religious or spiritual, I don’t believe in astrology, I’m not a manifester. And I hope I get proved wrong about this but…

What I do believe is that life is worth living for the now.

No matter the age- go on that trip, talk to that person, start that company, go to the party where you don’t know anyone, try that new restaurant, lie in bed all day if that’s what you want.

You won’t regret it.

I refuse to wake up one day and realize I was living for someone else, or I wish I did more. I don’t think this is a lesson that you can stop learning, regardless of what age you are.

So as transience persists: people break up, die, move on to new chapters in their lives, know that your timeline is just that. It’s yours.

PODCAST:

Have you been listening and/or watching?

Now… enough of all that serious talk. Time for my rapid fire recs for our paid subs.

These are the things, places, etc. I’m loving right now.

<3 That’s all for you freeloaders xx

Rapid Fire Recommendations

• Date Night: ten11

Read more

If you have any feedback- please reach out to us on IG or leave a comment below!

We recorded this episode at Bar Calico in NoMad. Bar Calico has a serious cocktail program, and Is attached to one of our favorite clubs (that is only open once in a while now) Georgia Room. Go say hi to Alex who is creating incredible drinks, listen to vinyl, and bring your date for a fun night at the Freehand Hotel.

If you are interested in matching with this week's guest, go to our instagram @drinks.first, our beacons or directly to our matching form:

Matching Form

And check out this episode on our YOUTUBE (pls subscribe lol):

If you have any feedback- please reach out to us on IG or leave a comment below!

We recorded this episode at Cathedrale, one of the most stunning restaurants in NYC located in the Moxy East Village. Cathedrale is french cuisine, perfect for a special occasion, but has one of the best happy hours deals in nyc! $12 martinis and $5 bites anyone??

If you are interested in matching with this week's guest, go to our instagram @drinks.first, our beacons or directly to our matching form:

MATCHING FORM

YOU CAN ALSO NOW WATCH THE EPISODE ON OUR YOUTUBE:

If you have any feedback- please reach out to us on IG or leave a comment below!

We recorded this episode at Ray's in the Lower East Side. Ray's is the perfect catch all bar, and the cool kid hot spot of downtown. Go in for some of the best onion rings you'll ever have, some pool, and an espresso martini. If you're lucky you can snag an iconic Ray's hat.

If you are interested in matching with this week's guest, go to our instagram @drinks.first, our beacons or directly to our matching form:

MATCHING FORM

YOU CAN ALSO NOW WATCH THE EPISODE ON OUR YOUTUBE: