Best place for a first date with a butch—or a nellie

Butch N Nellie's Coffee Company
First dates are awkward enough without leaping straight (or gaily forward) into the pressures of intense romance. Get to know your butch—or nellie—at a relaxed spot where the laughs flow free. Not only is the comedy and poetry free, you'll also get a chance to find out just where your potential love-match's sense of humor hides if you start with Life Sentence, the poetry and comedy open mic at Butch-N-Nellie's Coffee Company. Held every Tuesday at 8 p.m., it's got to be the best low-pressure, high-fun way to get to know that hot femme or smoldering butch you've had your eye on. And, if the date doesn't work out, there's always gelato. 1827 I Street, (916) 443-6133. K.M.