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Top Fives: My Five Fave Dates of 2011

December 31, 2011

December is the time for reflection, which in the blogosphere means: Best-of lists! Here are my Top 5 Cheap Date discoveries of 2011 (in no particular order). These are the dates that stood out in terms of providing the most unique and fun activities, the best atmosphere, and the tastiest food and drink. If you didn’t get to try these last year, make it a resolution! 1. Whenever Wednesdays at the ICA 2. Free tours of the Yards Brewery plus Beer Tastings! 3. Disc Golfing at Sedgley Woods park 4. Kegs and Eggs $10 Brunch at Distrito 5. Happy Hour at Beneluxx What was your favorite Cheap Date of 2011? What would you like to see more of next year? Let me know!

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Tacos and Tequila at Loco Pez

December 22, 2011
margaritas at loco pez

A trip to the taco truck can be a delightful cheap date. But as winter sets in, the prospect of waiting outside and then hunching over to eat before it all gets cold seems decidedly less pleasant. Enter new Fishtown pub Loco Pez! I spent a lovely date there recently, relaxing at the bar with an oversized margarita and fish tacos – for less than $15! Read the full review here, at Drink Philly (now Drink Nation!)

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Meet Me Downtown! Happy Hour at Sampan

December 12, 2011
Sampanbar

A downtown date for happy hour may seem convenient and economical, but it can also be majorly hit or miss.  Overcrowding, poor selection, long waits for service, and lack of food can turn what should have been a happy hour (or two) into a date disaster.  Luckily, my date recently introduced me to the perfect center city happy hour spot: Sampan. Located at 124 S.13th street, Sampan is a contemporary-Asian bar/restaurant that’s sophisticated and modern without being snobby or trying too hard – a good balance for a post-work date. It’s large enough to accommodate a sizeable crowd without feeling cramped, yet the cool lights that saturate the walls cast an intimate and almost sensual glow. There’s also a giant wraparound bar in the center where you can watch the chefs hard at work expertly slicing Satay and garnishing dumplings as fast as the orders come in.  And ordering...

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Introducing: Top 5’s! My top picks for cheap fun in Philadelphia.

November 21, 2011
Introducing: Top 5’s! My top picks for cheap fun in Philadelphia.

First up: Top 5 spots for FREE live music!* The Curtis Institute. Talented young musicians perform solo and chamber pieces nearly every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during recital season at Field Concert Hall in Rittenhouse Square. Fiume. This tiny West Philly hot spot hosts a blue grass night every Thursday featuring the band City-Wide Specials. Bob and Barbara’s. Every Friday and Saturday, from 9:30 to close, veteran jazz musicians, The Crowd Pleasers, bring down the house. The Kimmel Center. Their “Free at the Kimmel” series features a wide variety of musical acts, with most events taking place Saturday or Sunday afternoons. World Cafe Live. Every Friday afternoon at noon, you can get up close and personal with bands big and small, local and national. A great segue to a lunch date, or skip lunch and enjoy a naughty mid-day drink at the bar! *Top 5′s are listed in no particular...

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BYO Is the Way to Go! Second Friday Jazz at Moonstone Arts

November 8, 2011
BYO Is the Way to Go! Second Friday Jazz at Moonstone Arts

Hello readers and friends. Some of you might have noticed that I haven’t been as diligent about bringing you new cheap date ideas quite as often over the last several weeks. I wanted to assure you that there’s a lot more coming your way soon so keep checking back! And once a month look for my column at Drink Philly about a boozy cheap date. This month I wrote about BYO Second Fridays at Moonstone Art Center featuring eclectic and excellent Jazz performances curated by Lucky Old Souls. Read the full review here! Thank you for your continued readership and support! XOXO, J.S. Cheapdater

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Kegs and Eggs! $10 Brunch at Distrito

September 20, 2011
Kegs and Eggs! $10 Brunch at Distrito

Somewhere between a Mexican-themed tiki bar and a lawn party, Distrito’s $10 Kegs & Eggs brunch makes for a great weekend date and hangover cure! Read the whole review here, at Drink Philly!

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