“Whenever Wednesdays” at the Institute for Contemporary Art

January 24, 2011
“Whenever Wednesdays” at the Institute for Contemporary Art

The Philadelphia Institute for Contemporary Art (“ICA”), located at 118 South 36th street on Penn’s campus in University City, is a nationally recognized museum dedicated to exhibiting innovative painting, art, and sculpture by contemporary (i.e., living) artists.  Founded in 1963, the museum gave Andy Warhol his first museum exhibition, and continues to have a reputation for identifying emerging bright stars in the art world.  The ICA is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, but stays open until 8pm on Wednesdays for “Whenever Wednesdays,” a rotating series of lectures, discussions, and screenings, usually connected somehow with the current exhibits. The best part? It’s FREE! That means that you’ll have plenty of cash left to indulge in a drink or a bite at a spot nearby, like the cozy and popular White Dog Cafe. How cheap we talkin’: Admission is FREE! The rest is up to you. White Dog Cafe has half-priced drafts 5-7pm, and their...

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Weekend Jazz Nights at Bob & Barbara’s

January 18, 2011
Weekend Jazz Nights at Bob & Barbara’s

Bob & Barbara’s, located at 1509 South Street, is not only a classic dive bar, but practically a Philadelphia historic landmark. If you haven’t been there yet, chances are you’ve at least heard of it, and if you’re the one introducing your date to Bob and Barbara’s for the first time, it’s going to be a date to remember. With walls heavy with vintage Pabst’s Blue Ribbon beer paraphernalia, a rowdy bar, and a venerable jazz tradition going back over twenty years, weekends at Bob and Barbara’s may feel more like a rite of passage than a date.  For example, a PBR pounder and shot of Jim Bean might not be the classiest of choices on most dates, but at Bob and Barbara’s it’s just what you order – every time.  It’s also a great spot for a group date, as my cohort discovered on a recent Friday night. How cheap we talkin’: Entry is...

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Free Tour of the Yards Brewery Plus Beer Tasting

January 10, 2011
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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I’m Seeing Other Blogs #1: PhilaDate Takes Me Busker-Hunting

January 3, 2011
I’m Seeing Other Blogs #1: PhilaDate Takes Me Busker-Hunting

Meg Mirzoff is a 27 year old “self proclaimed dating pro” and the author ofPhilaDate, a relatively new (October 2010) blog that highlights fun date spots culled from Meg’s own extensive experience with both dating and Philadelphia. A lifelong area resident, her twitter profile quips positively that “Philly is a hotbed for the singles… you just gotta put yourself out there!” And that is exactly what Meg did when she agreed to meet me for a blind date after I pitched my I’m Seeing Other Blogs idea to her via email. My Date’s stats  Blog: PhilaDate — Hot Spots for Great Dates in Illadel! Age: Started blogging in October 2010. Likes: Walking the city, singing, jazz and blues, and being the go-to source for her friends (especially her guy friends) for date ideas sure to impress the ladies. Dislikes: Negative Feedback. (Who doesn’t?) Little Known Fact: Also writes Songs That Won’t...

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New Feature Coming Soon!

December 22, 2010
New Feature Coming Soon!

“I’m Seeing Other Blogs” As it turns out, with blogging, as with dating, there is something out there for everyone.  At least, that is what I’ve discovered while poking around on the world wide web doing research and looking for inspiration for my own posts. There are blogs dedicated to local music, art, design, dating, biking, drinking generally, drinking specifically, eating lunch, eating out, eating sandwiches, being fashionable, being sporty, being geeky - and each one has its own specific blog personality: its own look, style, wit, charm, and point of view.  I mean, some of these blogs are downright sexy! After a recent afternoon spent clicking through blog profiles I (as Cheap Date Philadelphia) started thinking: ”man, some of these blogs seem like they would be really fun to hang out with.”  And then it hit me:  I should start seeing other blogs.  Part date review, part blog review, this new feature will highlight a...

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It’s back! Hot Chocolate and the Holiday Light Show.

December 9, 2010
It’s back! Hot Chocolate and the Holiday Light Show.

Traditions are what make holidays special.  (They can play a pretty big part in relationships, too). There is probably no holiday ritual more iconic in Philadelphia than the John Wanamaker (now Macy’s) Christmas Light Show. Since 1955, this dazzling display of lights and music (with narration by the equally iconic Julie Andrews) has delighted children and adults alike. At least it delighted my date and I (two consenting adults) when we went to see it together last week. Add to the experience two thick and decadent hot chocolates from nearby Naked Chocolate (which we surreptitiously spiked with shots of liquor) and this was a holiday date worth making a tradition. How cheap we talkin’: The light show is FREE! An “Indulgent” sized hot chocolate at Naked Chocolate is $5.00.  A single-serving shot of liquor (optional) is $2-3. (We used 3). Why this will impress your date:  Because nothing beats feeling like a kid again. Except feeling like a kid who’s snuck into...

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