I have nothing against alcohol at all! Like most men, I enjoy beer when I can, however dates that involve consistent trips to the bar can be repetitive. While they are great for introductory dates and getting to know one another, at some point, you need to move beyond the bar. There are plenty of really good date ideas that aren’t centered around alcohol, that can be  very intimate and inexpensive. Here’s a few that I enjoy:

1. Movies: this is an old favorite. Going to the movies  is a great date and shared experience. While sitting in a dark room with another person you like next to you may not seem like the most exciting idea for a date, it provides an opportunity to sit close with someone and enjoy an experience with them. You know you two will silently chatter or hold each other throughout the event anyway!
2. Indie shows: concerts are very exciting, but seeing a good indie group or artist tends to occur at interesting venues that can double as a date.  Shows tend to provide the best venues for a date. While most shows happen at bars and lounges, and drinks are served, the point of going is attending a great performance. The lounge atmosphere only makes the date even comfortable. Some of the best shows I’ve been to happen at house parties, art galleries, or small parks.
3. Walking the Brooklyn Bridge/Brooklyn Promenade: I’m always surprised when someone tells me they haven’t walked across the Brooklyn Bridge at all or visited the Brooklyn Promenade. They provide some of the best views in New York that can’t be seen elsewhere. These areas provide very romantic, awe inspiring, and intimate moments. Some alternatives are the West Side Park during certain times of the day, and the view on the Empire State Building or on the top of 30 Rockefeller Plaza.
4. City Tour: There are some great places to just walk around in the city, especially when you consider some of the great areas in the boroughs. Fort Greene in Brooklyn is a wonderful place to walk thru, especially with its brownstones and small stores. Tribeca is another great area to wonder thru with your date. You’ll be surprised as how a great date can occur merely by walking through a new neighborhood.
5. Cuddling: Not every date has to be some sort of elaborate adventure outside. Some can be simple. One date, many moons ago, was with my girlfriend at Barnes and Noble, where we just cuddled and flipped thru some books. While silly, romantic and cheesy, it’s one of my most memorable times with her. Cuddling can include something like a picnic, or just staying in and hanging out with one another. Try it, although cheesy, they may be some of the best time spent with your date.

Image By: yanz67