Posted in Date Night, Fairmount, Good for a first date, I asked you first! What do you want to do?, Let's do something inside, Let's do something outside, Queen Village/Bella Vista, Saturday, Shopping/Perusing, South Philly, Sunday, West Philly/University City, Where should we meet?, tagged budget dating, cheap date, Clark Park, date idea, flea market, free shuttle, fun dates, Pennsy flea market, punk rock flea market, R5, uhuru on July 12, 2011| Leave a Comment »
On a recent Saturday, my date and I went to the Philadelphia Flea Market held that weekend in Headhouse Square, near the east end of South Street. Dozens of vendors were crowded under the covered walkway between Lombard and Spruce, spilling out onto the sidewalk on both sides.
Posted in Center City East, Center City West, Date Night, Film/Movies, Friday, Good for a first date, Good for a friend date, Good for a group date, I asked you first! What do you want to do?, Let's do something outside, Northern Liberties, Rittenhouse, Sunday, Thursday, Tuesday, Uncategorized, Wednesday, West Philly/University City, Where should we meet?, tagged awesome fest, cheap date, cheap date ideas philly, Headhouse Square, indie film series, liberty lands park, movies at the piazza, movies outside, outdoor screenings, penn treaty, schuylkill banks, screenings under the stars, walnut street bridge, welcome america movie night on June 20, 2011| 6 Comments »
Posted in Date Night, Fishtown/Kensington, Good for a group date, I asked you first! What do you want to do?, Let's do something outside, Live Entertainment, Saturday, Shopping/Perusing, South Philly, Sunday, West Philly/University City, Where should we meet?, tagged cheap date ideas, cheap dates philly, fishtown, Live Music, neighborhood festival, penn treaty park, shadfest, street fairs on June 13, 2011| 2 Comments »
Last year, I recommended going to one of Philly’s many street fairs and festivals, as a great cheap date idea: There’s (usually) no cost for entry, there’s (almost always) live music or entertainment to enjoy, and there’s lots of cool stuff to look at and fun foods to try! Of course, if you don’t want to spend date money at the food stands you can always bring your own and dine picnic style – and bringing your own water anyway is a smart (and cost-saving) move.
In short, Philly’s festivals come in all shapes and sizes, and they are a great opportunity to venture out to a different park or neighborhood, mingle with a new crowd, get some sun and some exercise, see some great live music, meet up with friends, or just enjoy the company of your date.
Penn Landing's Great Plaza
Like last year, I’ve again compiled a list of upcoming street fairs and festivals for your next cheap date! As you can see, there is definitely something for everyone this summer! Mark your (2011) calendars for:
Keep checking back for updates and additions! And for a list of ALL festivals (including those with entry fees above $15, film fests, and events taking place in the greater Philadelphia area, check out this awesome festival roster from Visit Philly!
Posted in Anytime, Date Night, Friday, Good for a friend date, Good for a group date, I asked you first! What do you want to do?, Let's do something inside, Monday, Saturday, South Philly, Sports/Games, Sunday, Thursday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Where should we meet?, tagged bowling, bowling date, cheap bowling, cheap date idea, PEP, PEP bowl, philadelphia on March 9, 2011| Leave a Comment »
The bowling date is a classic, and one of my personal favorites. While not generally recommended for a first date (it can be a bit stilted trying to get to know someone in alternating 30 second increments while the pins reset) it is great for a group date, or for couples who enjoy a little friendly competition every now and again. “Social bowling” has experienced a resurgence in popularity recently, giving rise to slick and cavernous enterprises which seem to cater to large parties or corporate events, complete with fancy finger food, flashing lights, and frenetic music. That’s fine, but for a date it can be a little overwhelming, not to mention expensive. That’s why I was so thrilled to discover PEP Bowl at 1200 Broad street in South Philly. Small and laid-back, this six-lane establishment opened in 2009, but dates back to the 1950’s and maintains a retro-ambiance that is both winning and romantic in its charm. At the same time, its scoring mechanism, lanes, shoes and equipment are all modern and well-maintained, guaranteed to satisfy even the most serious of recreational bowlers. It’s also 100% handicapped accessible.
How cheap we talkin’: $3.50 per game per person and $3.00 shoe rental. Tuesdays they do one better, with $2.50 shoe rental and games from 5-11pm. And it’s BYO!
Why this will impress your date: At PEP, you are also bowling for a good cause. Patronage of PEP Bowl helps support PEP’s mission to provide education, recreation, vocational training, and job placement services to people with disabilities.
Score extra points: By throwing a gutter ball at least once. Now that may seem counter-intuitive, but it depends what kind of points you are really trying to score.
The Inside Game: Because there are only 6 lanes, it’s a good idea to call ahead and reserve one. 215 952-BOWL.
Next Date: Anytime! Well, almost. Lanes are reserved some early evenings for league play hours. Check here for the complete schedule, and here for special deals.
Posted in Anytime, Date Night, Drinking, Friday, Good for a first date, Good for a friend date, Good for a group date, I asked you first! What do you want to do?, Let's do something inside, Monday, Queen Village/Bella Vista, Saturday, Sunday, Thursday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Where should we meet?, tagged Bella Vista, Bella Vista Beer Distributors, cheap date idea, cheap date philly, couches, cozy, craft beers, Date, Fireplace, Fireside, Hawthorne, Hawthorne's, philly, shandy on February 11, 2011| Leave a Comment »
It’s that time of the season: the excitement of the holidays is over, the novelty of snow has worn off, it’s f*ing freezing outside, and it will be for the foreseeable future. Under these conditions it can be very hard to get excited about leaving the house for a date. Unless it involves curling up next to a fireplace with a perfect winter beer like I did on a recent date at Hawthorne’s in Bella Vista. Click here to read the full date review at drinkphilly.com!
Cheap Date writes a monthly column for Drink Philly featuring cheap dates for drink lovers.vOr for those of us (read: me) that drink on dates just so as not to throw up from nerves…
Posted in Center City East, Center City West, Dancing, Date Night, Drinking, Friday, Good for a group date, I asked you first! What do you want to do?, Let's do something inside, Live Entertainment, Music, Rittenhouse, Saturday, Sunday, Where should we meet? on January 18, 2011| 1 Comment »
Bob & Barbara’s, located at 1509 South Street, is not only a classic dive bar, but practically a Philadelphia historic landmark. If you haven’t been there yet, chances are you’ve at least heard of it, and if you’re the one introducing your date to Bob and Barbara’s for the first time, it’s going to be a date to remember. With walls heavy with vintage Pabst’s Blue Ribbon beer paraphernalia, a rowdy bar, and a venerable jazz tradition going back over twenty years, weekends at Bob and Barbara’s may feel more like a rite of passage than a date. For example, a PBR pounder and shot of Jim Bean might not be the classiest of choices on most dates, but at Bob and Barbara’s it’s just what you order – every time. It’s also a great spot for a group date, as my cohort discovered on a recent Friday night.
How cheap we talkin’: Entry is FREE! The “special” (a PBR and shot of Jim Beam) is only $3. Don’t call it the Citywide. It’s just the special here. (And no judgment, but if this is a first date, I recommend sticking to one per person).
Why this will impress your date: The musicians, the musicians, the musicians. Utterly unfazed by any of the nonsense that occurs in a packed bar with cheap drinks, these guys are the real deal. Fridays and Saturdays they play more of a familiar jazz repertoire, while Sundays they host a jam session.
The Inside Game: Bob and Barbara’s can pretty crowded, so getting served can take awhile. If you’re getting your date a drink, go together to the bar so you can still chat. Otherwise, make sure your date is comfortable with what could be a long wait for your return!
Score Extra Points: By treating your date to a late-night snack. The night we were there the guys from Coup de Taco were set up in a corner dishing up their inventive, non-traditional taco combinations like Sweet Thai chicken with peanut sauce, pulled pork, or castro-style rice and beans with Sofrito sauce, $3.50 each or two for $6. Between specials, it really hit the spot.
Next Date: Friday, Saturday, or Sunday!
Posted in Anytime, Center City East, Center City West, Dancing, Date Night, Drinking, Good for a first date, I asked you first! What do you want to do?, Let's do something inside, Let's do something outside, Live Entertainment, Misc. Adventures, Music, Saturday, Sunday, Where should we meet?, tagged Buskers in Philadelphia, Busking, cheap date ideas, cheap date philly, City Hall, I'm Seeing Other Blogs, PhilaDate, philly, Rittenhouse, street performers, Suburban Station, tator tots, Village Whiskey on January 3, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Meg poses with a Santa we encountered at Suburban Station
Blog: PhilaDate — Hot Spots for Great Dates in Illadel!
Age: Started blogging in October 2010.
Likes: Walking the city, singing, jazz and blues, and being the go-to source for her friends (especially her guy friends) for date ideas sure to impress the ladies.
Dislikes: Negative Feedback. (Who doesn’t?)
Little Known Fact: Also writes Songs That Won’t Make You Vomit, where she details the ups and downs of her dating life as it relates to, and reminds her of favorite songs.
Favorite Cheap Date: Brunch at Fitzwater Café.
Meg Mirzoff is a 27 year old “self proclaimed dating pro” and the author of PhilaDate, a relatively new (October 2010) blog that highlights fun date spots culled from Meg’s own extensive experience with both dating and Philadelphia. A lifelong area resident, her twitter profile quips positively that “Philly is a hotbed for the singles… you just gotta put yourself out there!” And that is exactly what Meg did when she agreed to meet me for a blind date after I pitched my I’m Seeing Other Blogs idea to her via email.
Of course, as soon as we met I realized that Meg really never had a moment’s hesitation – a spirit of adventure is just a part of who she is. Outgoing and enthusiastic, her fun-loving personality comes across in her blog as well. For example, for a date with “heat” she recommends following a meal of tacos with a night out dancing at a salsa club, and she isn’t afraid of proposing ideas for a 24-hour long date (for some “serious” quality time).
Her idea for our Cheap Date was equally adventuresome: an afternoon Busker-hunting in and around Suburban Station, followed by drinks at Village Whiskey. For those that don’t know (I didn’t), “Busking” is the act of performing in public while soliciting tips or gratuities (i.e. passing the hat). Those engaged in Busking are called “Buskers,” also known as street performers, street musicians, minstrels, or troubadours. I’ve passed by countless such performers before − on South Street, in Rittenhouse, and in the subway stations – but it hadn’t occurred to me that intentionally seeking out these performances could make for a highly entertaining afternoon and a great cheap date.
How cheap we talkin’: $1-5 in tips for the Buskers; Approx. $6 for a beer at Village Whiskey.
Why this will impress your date: Not only does Busking have a long history dating back to at least the 1860’s, but today’s Buskers have their own culture involving unspoken but understood rules and customs about who gets to play when, and where.
Score Extra Points: By ordering tater tots to share at Village Whiskey. They are only $3 and they are delicious.
The Inside Game: All Buskers are entertainers, but not all are equally entertaining. For a nice profile of various Philly Buskers and their stomping grounds, check out this article from Penn music blog God Save the Beat, or this blog by local Busker David Richenbacher.
Next Date: Anytime! But Saturday and Sunday afternoons are a pretty safe bet at Suburban Station, as well as early evenings weeknights (rush hour).
Posted in Center City East, Center City West, Date Night, Friday, I asked you first! What do you want to do?, Let's do something inside, Live Entertainment, Misc. Adventures, Monday, Saturday, Shopping/Perusing, Sunday, Thursday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Where should we meet?, tagged cheap date idea, cheap date philly, Christmas light show, european style hot chocolate, frangelico, holiday tradition, hot chocolate, kahlua, Macy's, Macy's Christmas Light Show, Naked Chocolate, philadelphia, Wanamaker Organ on December 9, 2010| Leave a Comment »
Traditions are what make holidays special. (They can play a pretty big part in relationships, too). There is probably no holiday ritual more iconic in Philadelphia than the John Wanamaker (now Macy’s) Christmas Light Show. Since 1955, this dazzling display of lights and music (with narration by the equally iconic Julie Andrews) has delighted children and adults alike. At least it delighted my date and I (two consenting adults) when we went to see it together last week. Add to the experience two thick and decadent hot chocolates from nearby Naked Chocolate (which we surreptitiously spiked with shots of liquor) and this was a holiday date worth making a tradition.
How cheap we talkin’: The light show is FREE! An “Indulgent” sized hot chocolate at Naked Chocolate is $5.00. A single-serving shot of liquor (optional) is $2-3. (We used 3).
Why this will impress your date: Because nothing beats feeling like a kid again. Except feeling like a kid who’s snuck into the liquor cabinet.
The Inside Game: Up the decadence factor by getting your chocolate “European style.” Trust me, you won’t be disappointed (but your personal trainer might).
Score Extra Points: By planning your visit to coincide with one of the daily concerts on the famous Wanamaker organ (it’s one of the largest working organs in the world). View the full schedule here.
Next Date: The 2010 Christmas Light Show runs every hour on the hour, 10am to 8pm, from the day after Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve day.
Posted in Anytime, Center City East, Date Night, Friday, Good for a first date, I asked you first! What do you want to do?, Let's do something outside, Misc. Adventures, Monday, Queen Village/Bella Vista, Saturday, Shopping/Perusing, Sunday, Thursday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Where should we meet?, tagged atomic city comics, Bean Cafe, cheap date idea, cheap dates philly, Condom Kingdom, Eyes Gallery, Lorenzo's pizza, phileo, Repo records, shopping in philly, South Street on October 18, 2010| 3 Comments »
Now that Baltimore Avenue’s $1 Dollar Stroll series is done for the winter, why not head down to South Street instead? That’s what my date and I did on a recent afternoon, and as it turns out, this underappreciated thoroughfare has lots to see and do, for next to nothing. We checked out artwork on the walls in the Bean Café, had a competition for who could find the most hilarious album cover in the fifty-cent record bins at Repo Records, made friends with the store cat at Mineralistic, browsed shops with everything from edible underwear to x-rated comic books, and stuffed ourselves with South street must-haves: slices from Lorenzo’s and ice cream (well, frozen yoghurt) from Phileo.
How cheap we talkin’: $2.75 for slices, $2 for coffee or tea, $5-7 for yoghurt (it’s sold by weight – so be careful not to overdo it!)
Why this will impress your date: Because South Street is an iconic Philly attraction that has been referenced by everyone from the Dead Milkmen to Boys II Men.
Wait for it……around 50 seconds in…Yes!
The Inside Game: Do not try this within 2 hours after an Eagles or Phillies win. (Unless getting shoved around by crowds of cheering fans and possibly getting thrown up on is your idea of romance).
Score Extra Points: By buying your date a little gift along the way, like a $1 trinket from the dispensers in Atomic City Comics, or a folkart tchotske from Eyes Gallery.
Next date: Anytime, day or night! Lorenzo’s serves until at least 4am most nights, the Bean Café stays open until midnight every night, and Phileo is open until 11 on weekends and 10 most weekdays.
Posted in Center City West, Date Night, Drinking, Good for a first date, I asked you first! What do you want to do?, Let's do something inside, Sunday, Thursday, Wednesday, tagged cheap date ideas, City Hall, Del Frisco's, drinkphilly.com, good first date, Happy Hour, philadelphia cheap date, romantic atmosphere on October 12, 2010| 2 Comments »
Drink Philly is my go-to source for information about all things alcoholic in Philly. They cover it all: where to find the season’s best microbrews, Philly’s best mixologists, and a very helpful “Specials” guide organized by neighborhood and day of the week. But they understand that it can’t be all champagne toasts and top shelf cocktails all the time. They get me. And that’s why we’re together.
So check out my Cheap Date review of Del Frisco’s happy hour at drinkphilly.com, where I recently discovered you can get dinner and drinks for under $15 per person (no, really!). And look for more Cheap Date articles on Drink Philly in the coming months!
Cheers!
Cheap Date Philadelphia 