Love on a student's budget: 5 cheap date nights
Heather Busby
Call us old-fashioned, but we here at The A.V. Club believe that for a relationship to last, there ought to be at least a brief period of courting between meeting in Intro to American Lit and tying a necktie on the doorknob to ward off your roommate. Dating in college, however, can be a tricky thing. Maybe it’s the association with classes and homework, but on-campus rendezvous are often missing that special something. (As much as everyone loves taco night in the dining hall, one thing it’s not is romantic.) So get away from campus and spite your student loan-prescribed budget with these ideas for free to relatively cheap dates.
A backpack makes a fine picnic basket
You don’t often find a metropolitan area with so much nature within its city limits—and remember, nature is almost always free. The Twin Cities are riddled with parks, lakes, and trails for hiking and biking, but our prime picnicking spot is Minnehaha Park (Minnehaha Ave. & E. Minnehaha Pkwy., 612-230-6400). Roll up a blanket, pack a quick lunch, and spend the day lying out in the sun and admiring the waterfalls. If you lack even the most rudimentary cooking skills (what, you can’t build a sandwich?), drop a little cash at the in-park Sea Salt Eatery (4825 Minnehaha Ave., 612-721-8990). If you’re feeling fancy, oysters on the half-shell (a classic aphrodisiac) are $2.50 a pop, but the restaurant’s stellar catfish po’ boy costs only $10.95.
Dating on the lake
Too cold for a picnic? If you can handle the chilly wintry air, turn up the heat with a night of soup and skating. Uptown’s French Meadow Bakery & Café (2610 S. Lyndale Ave., 612-870-7855) offers a great selection of delicious soups (a cup costs $3.50, a bowl $5.75) and homemade bread. The restaurant’s organic ingredients and wallet-friendly prices are both Uptown standards. Once you’ve warmed up, walk a few blocks west for ice skating on Lake Of The Isles. Its public skating rink is open from December through February, and it’s 100 percent free.
Coffee and a movie
Is it any wonder illegal file-sharing took off on college campuses? The standard movie date can leave anyone feeling gouged these days, fixed budget or no, but the Riverview Theater (3800 42nd Ave. S., 612-729-7369) aims to make movie night accessible again. Evening shows are $3 (except on Tuesdays, when they only cost $2), and matinees before 6:00 are $2. A second-run theater, the Riverview shows films a couple of months old, as well as special one-offs that cost just a little more. (Its summer late-night series included $5 screenings of favorites like Labyrinth, Amelie, and Fight Club).The Riverview also has a nice retro décor, old-school stadium seating with super-comfy seats, and real butter on the popcorn. If you have money left over, walk across the street to the Riverview Café & Wine Bar (3745 42nd Ave. S., 612-729-4200) for a post-show latte and some free live music.
Art for less than the student rate
Here’s a way you can seem smart, sophisticated, and savvy in front of your date, all on a student’s budget. Getting cultured is completely gratis at the Walker Art Center's (1750 Hennepin Ave., 612-375-7600) Target Free Thursday Nights. Every Thursday from 5-9 p.m., the Walker offers free admission to the main gallery and that night’s programs, which can include exhibitions, films, and lectures. Think of it as an educational, self-directed field trip that might at some point involve a make-out session. Plus, a moonlit stroll through the Sculpture Garden (always free!) is a reliable catalyst for romance.
Could you really be with someone who doesn't like bowling?
An excellent first-date option, this one’s an old standby for students who are of age. Every Monday from 6 p.m. to midnight at the Bryant-Lake Bowl (810 W. Lake St., 612-825-3737) you can get two entrées, a bottle of wine or a few beers, and one round of bowling for just $28. The menu includes gluten-free and vegan options, so there’s little chance that either of you won’t be able to find something appealing. The popular restaurant and bowling alley are just loud enough to make up for any awkward lapses in conversation. And if you’re not feeling a connection, you can always concentrate on your game.
