Dating on a Budget
By Alex Felsinger, Contributor
The idea of a cheap date makes most people cringe, but there's a fine line between smart and stingy. Smart: eating gourmet food for free during a swanky lounge's happy hour. Stingy: sharing a Happy Meal and pocketing the extra ketchup packets. Smart: dancing to live music without paying a cover charge. Stingy: insisting your date down three Jaegerbombs in one hour because that's what's on special. See the difference? Err on the side of crafty ingenuity and you may wind up impressing your date with more than just your good looks. Smart is sexy, after all.
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Emmy's Spaghetti Shack
18 Virginia Ave, San Francisco, CA
Red wine and red-sauce pasta for reasonable prices make this quirky Mission hangout the perfect cheap date. -
Osha Thai Restaurant
819 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA
Whether you’re searching for a bite after a few drinks or looking for an affordable dinner before the hitting the bars, this Thai favorite serves up great food in a pleasant setting. You’ll leave happily with stomachs full, but the prices are the best part. -
Lucca Delicatessen
2120 Chestnut St, San Francisco, CA
On a sunny day, stop by this Marina district deli, order a couple sandwiches and walk towards the Golden Gate. They’ll even pack up the sandwiches with some sides and a bottle of wine, making the perfect picnic without any prep. -
Home
2100 Market St, San Francisco, CA
A prix-fixe meal doesn't have to be pricey, especially when at Home. Their three-course deal from 5pm to 6pm comes with a glass of wine for only $10.99. -
Patxi's Chicago Pizza
511 Hayes St, San Francisco, CA
This Chicago-style pizzeria is the perfect start to a romantic night out. Stay in to enjoy the ambience, or grab a pie to go and find somewhere more private.
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Bottom of the Hill
1233 17th St, San Francisco, CA
One of San Francisco’s smallest venues, Bottom of the Hill books popular indie acts without the hefty price tag of bigger venues in the city. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a show on their schedule that costs more than $20, and their back patio is perfect for escaping the noise for a quick chat. -
Brain Wash Cafe and Laundromat
1122 Folsom St., San Francisco, CA
Although couples laundry might not sound romantic, this small cafe consistently hosts some of the best live music in the city with no cover charge. The food, beer and coffee are all priced more than fairly, making this one of the best one-stop affordable date plans in the city. -
Sugar Lounge
377 Hayes St, San Francisco, CA
This hip Hayes Valley lounge hosts a weekday happy hour with a generous and delicious buffet and a deep discount on drinks. The food runs free until 7:30pm and, on most days, a DJ keeps the night going. -
The Mint
1942 Market St, San Francisco, CA
Although probably not the best idea for a first date, it can be fun to leave your inhibitions at home and belt out a few favorites for some strangers. To lessen the embarrassment factor, make sure to sing a duet with your date--making you both equally culpable for a bad performance. -
Vertigo
1160 Polk St, San Francisco, CA
Do the meet-and-greet over cocktails at this popular Tahitian-themed hangout, where happy hour goes until 9pm. If the talking gets tired, the dance floor is a welcome diversion.
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Musee Mecanique
Pier 45 (at the end of Taylor Street), San Francisco, CA
A handful of change is all you need to explore this playground of nickel-and-dime curiosities. -
Castro Theatre
429 Castro Street, San Francisco, CA
Probably the cheapest movie theater in the city, this art house plays recent releases and cult favorites on their lone screen. Save a few dollars by catching a matinee before dinner, or stick around for a late-night double-feature. -
Yerba Buena Ice Skating and Bowling Center
750 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA
Ice skating could possibly be the most cliche date idea next to dinner and a movie, but there’s a reason for its popularity. Couples can skate while holding hands and talking, and then stop for snuggle breaks on the side of the rink--and unless there’s a serious accident, it won’t cost an arm and a leg. -
Exploratorium
3601 Lyon St, San Francisco, CA
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but once inside the Tactile Dome, your only option is to touch. The dome immerses you into a pitch-black world and forces you to feel your way through a maze--a unique, intimate, trust-building excursion for two. -
City Kayak
Embarcadero at Townsend, San Francisco, CA
Sunset and moonlit outings can be adventurous and romantic, but make sure to dress warmly. The voyage won’t set you back any more than a trip to the movies.
