Free date ideas in New York City: Romance on the cheap
Looking to romance your companion even when you’re totally broke? Look no further than our guide to free-of-charge date ideas.
Wed Feb 27 2013
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Free things to do in NYC: Your guide to gratis entertainment
Free date ideas in New York City: Stroll the Brooklyn Heights Promenade Photograph: Michael Kirby
It’s a common problem: You want to sweep your sexy partner off their feet. But you, you know, don’t have any coin. Worry not, romantic New Yorker! We found some great date ideas that won’t cost you a cent.
RECOMMENDED: Full list of free things to do in NYC
Hezekiah Walker + Kevin Vasser + Sheri Jones-Moffett
- Free
The Grammy-winning pastor of Brooklyn’s Love Fellowship Tabernacle summons the Holy Spirit to Brownsville.
- Betsy Head Memorial Playground Livonia Ave, between Hertz and Strauss Sts, 11212
- Wed Jun 19
The Will Clark Show
- Critics choice
- Free
Clark hosts this weekly fund-raiser, consisting of bingo, booze and porn-star worship. Ever-changing guests keep things interesting. For more information, go to willclarkworld.com.
- Uncle Charlie's Piano Bar and Lounge 139 E 45th St, between Third and Lexington Aves, 10017
- Wed Jun 19 - Thu Jun 20
Orville Davis
- Critics choice
- Free
A Southern cowboy turned New Yorker (since 1976), Orville Davis sings his story in “Somewhere There’s a Cowboy," crooning, “somewhere there's a cowboy inside a city man / He carries a rolled-up paper like a rope in his hand.” It's enough to make you all nostalgic for that chuck wagon you never had.
- Hill Country Live 30 W 26th St, between Broadway and Sixth Ave
- Wed Jun 19
Nuit Blanche: Coquettes
- Critics choice
- Free
Dances of Vice brings a glamorous collection of glittering showgirls and exotic performers to the Meatpacking District; the burlesque affair features three sets in an all-new production each week. Tonight's show stars Cassandra Rosebeetle, Little Motown, Bettina May, Lily Faye and, serving as the MC, Calamity Chang; a dance party with DJ Eve
- Beaumarchais 409 W 13th St, between Ninth Ave and Washington St, 10014
- Wed Jun 19 - Thu Jun 20
The Sherry Vine Show
- Critics choice
- Free
The great Sherry Vine brings you her brilliant song parodies and acid wit every week in Hell's Kitchen. For more information, go to sherryvine.com.
- Industry Bar 355 W 52nd St, between Eighth and Ninth Aves
- Thu Jun 20 - Wed Jun 19
Happy Hour with Pat Pervert
- Free
This after-work unwind for the alternative set has Pat Pervert spinning punk, psychobilly, goth, new wave and industrial at the never-ordinary Otto's.
- Otto’s Shrunken Head 538 E 14th St, between Aves A and B, 10009
- Thu Jun 20 - Fri Jun 21
What's Going On: Motown Burlesque
- Critics choice
- Free
Former American Idol contestant Aaron Marcellus hosts this salute to the Big Chill generation's favorite record label, singing tunes from the discographies of the Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and the rest. If that's not enough for you, the show sees shimmy-shake action coming from burlesque artists the Maine Attraction and Essence
- Duane Park 308 Bowery, between Bleecker and E Houston Sts, 10012
- Thu Jun 20
Bassment
- Critics choice
- Free
Held in one of Gotham's longest-running gay hangouts, Bassment happens every week in—you guessed it—the venue's basement. Mandy Graves and Jools Palmer are the hosts and residents for this night of tomfoolery, as the pair and their guests entertain the troops with housed-up rhythms. For more information, go to bassmentparty.com.
- The Monster 80 Grove St , at Seventh Ave South
- Thu Jun 20
Testosterone
- Critics choice
- Free
Funny guy Brad Loekle and "artist in residence" Go-Go Harder oversee this weekly buffet of boylesque, go-go dancers, strippers and more. Each show features six to eight acts for you to take in while sipping $7 Jack Daniel's drinks and $4 draft beers.
Room 69: The Hotel Chantelle Way
- Critics choice
- Free
The busy burlesque babe Calamity Chang, along with Shelly "The Singing Siren" Watson, is the host of this Friday-night parade of pulchritude on Hotel Chantelle's street-level floor, with they and their guests strutting their stuff as you tipple your cocktail.
- Hotel Chantelle 92 Ludlow St, between Broome and Delancey Sts, 10022
- Fri Jun 21 - Sat Jun 22
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