Northern Liberties

For me? You shouldn’t have! Trading Treasures from Flea Markets

For me? You shouldn’t have! Trading Treasures from Flea Markets

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. We started at one end and worked our way slowly through the teeming treasure trove of vintage toys, retro clothes and shoes, ceramics, jewelry, watches, furniture, antique cameras, handmade quilts, faded photographs, and every imaginable kind of trinket.

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This Summer’s Sit-in Movies: BYO Blanket!

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One of my favorite cheap dates this time of year is to take a blanket and some treats to one of the many outdoor movie screenings that take place all over Philly all through the summer months.  I said it once, and I’ll say it again: There is something undeniably romantic about cuddling up after the sun goes down, sharing some candy and maybe a clandestine bottle of wine or beer, and taking in an outdoor movie on a hot summer night. And from the looks of this handy-dandy list I’ve prepared − complete with titles and times! – this is a date you can enjoy almost any given night of the summer! Choose from Blockbusters at Penn’s Landing, classic favorites at Schuylkill Banks and Liberty Lands Park, Indie hits at the Piazza, films with local ties at Headhouse Square and more!  There is literally something happening almost every single night, and...

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THANK GOODNESS ITS FIRST FRIDAY!

THANK GOODNESS ITS FIRST FRIDAY!

On the first Friday of every month, Philadelphia’s art galleries stay open late and welcome everyone — from casual passerby to serious collectors — to come in and peruse their current curations.  The aptly dubbed “First Friday” has been happening, rain or shine, since 1991, and has become one of the city’s most visible and popular events.  Although historically focused on the 40+ galleries between Front and Vine and Market and 3rd streets in Old City, First Friday open houses are now hosted by galleries all over the city, from Space 1026 in Chinatown to the Projects Gallery in Northern Liberties to Highwire in Fishtown.  The best thing about this expansion is that, even though every First Friday shares the same core elements, depending on who’s showing what where, you can have a radically different experience every single time. How cheap we talkin’: FREE! Why this will impress your date: Because you can show...

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Free Tour of the Yards Brewery Plus Beer Tasting

Free Tour of the Yards Brewery Plus Beer Tasting

On Saturdays, the Yards Brewing Company offers free tours of their facilities. I went there with a date last weekend, and we enjoyed their tour as well as their tasting room. Read the full date review here! Cheap Date writes amonthly column for Drink Philly featuring cheap dates for drink lovers. Or for those of you (er, me) that need to drink  on your dates so as not to throw up from nerves…

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Make a Meal with Finds from the Asian Supermarket

Make a Meal with Finds from the Asian Supermarket

First Oriental is a full-service grocery store at 6th and Washington streets, but in addition to its wide selection of ordinary foodstuffs, it also stocks tons of fascinating products that you can’t find in the average supermarket: lychee, jackfruit and other exotic produce, every kind of rice and noodle imaginable, an entire aisle of imported candies and cookies, quail eggs by the dozen, vats of seaweed crusted with salt, tripe, pig’s feet, frogs, eels, frozen fish (whole), and dozens of varieties of dumplings, fish balls, gyoza, and shumai.  In other words, it makes shopping for a dinner date into an adventure of its own. How cheap we talkin’: $10-$15 per person.   Our total came to roughly $20, which included frozen dumplings, ingredients for noodle soup, and dessert. Why this will impress your date: Did I mention the live frogs? The Inside Game: Buy at least one thing you’ve never seen/eaten/cooked with before....

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Tuesday Night Baseball & Pizza at the Piazza

Tuesday Night Baseball & Pizza at the Piazza

  Every Tuesday evening throughout the summer (or as long as the season lasts) the folks down at the Piazza in Northern Liberties throw the big game up on the big screen.  Whether you are a huge Phillies fan (because you live in Philadelphia and therefore pretty much have to be), or are feigning interest (because you didn’t always live in Philadelphia but it’s too early in the relationship to quibble about sports), this weekly event – when coupled with some take-out slices from nearby Pizza Rustica – is a downright pleasant way to spend a summer evening. How cheap we talkin’: $5-10 pp (depending on how hungry/thirsty you are).  Figure $3 or less per slice for pizza, and $2, give or take, for beverages.  Optional post-pizza treat, about $2. Why this will impress your date: Because baseball is America’s pastime, dammit. The Inside Game: Avoid your dinner getting cold by getting drinks...

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