New York's Best: Cheap Dates

So, you've landed a great date for this weekend and you want to plan an impressive event. Even in NYC, you don't have to spend this month's whole paycheck to make that happen!

Check out our list of New York's best cheap date ideas for your next romantic rendezvous.

Havana Nights

Journey to the Cuban capital without leaving Manhattan, starting with dinner at Cafe Habana in SoHo. Despite the trendy location, entrees are surprisingly affordable, hovering around $12/person for a intimidatingly large plate of delicious Cuban cuisine. Try the Enchiladas de Mole Poblano: chicken enchiladas in a mole sauce with rice & beans.

Then shake your stuff at Ripley Greer studios, where celebrated salsa instructor Frank "Ritmo" Garcia leads classes for just $5 on Fridays. Begininners and seasoned dancers alike will get down with their date and enjoy the salsa beat!

Cafe Habana: 17 Prince Street, Manhattan; 212.625.2001; www.cafehabana.com; average entree: $12
Ripley Grier Studios: 939 Eighth Avenue, Manhattan; www.asuritmo.com; $5/person


Get Sporty

Sports fans don't have to sit on the sidelines with their dates. Instead, have a drink at Floyd NY, where you don't just watch the game - you can be the star of the team! Floyd NY has indoor bocce courts, and hosts the city's only bocce tournament! Join together to play another team, or compete against each other (Loser owes the winner another drink!).

Worn out from the heat of the competition? Relax at 200 Fifth, where Brooklynites from around the borough will be watching the night's game during POGO's March Madness Event (March 18th). Choose your college basketball picks and root for your favorite team. Then celebrate your victory together - or comfort each other after a defeat.

Floyd NY: 131 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn; 718-858-5810; www.floydny.com; free
March Madness Event at 200 Fifth: 200 Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn; www.bklynevents.com; $5


Take a Trip to Chinatown

Manhattan's Chinatown is one of the largest Chinese communities outside of Asia, and just browsing the streets and market is intriguing enough for a daytime date. But when you need a break from the crowds outside, take a breather and check out the Museum of Chinese in America, a beautiful and serene spot dedicated to Chinese experience in New York. The collections include beautiful and delicate paper sculpture, detailed Chinese opera costumes, and art pieces from the past two centuries. Admission is 2-for-1 until May, making it a great stop for a couple!

Hungry? Check out Xi'an Famous Foods for what is often hailed as the best Xi'an food outside of China. Perfect for the frugal and adventurous gourmet, the tiny space specializes in hand-pulled noodles; try the famous cumin lamb noodles, or go for the more adventurous "spicy and tingly lamb face."

Museum of Chinese in America: 215 Centre St, Manhattan; 212-619-4785; www.mocanyc.com; $7 for two (through May 31)
Xi'an Famous Foods: 88 East Broadway #106, Manhattan; 646-209-8242; www.xianfoods.com; average entree: $5


Fun & Games

Get rid of first-date jitters by laughing the night away at the best comedy show in New York. Need another reason to check it out? It's free! Join hosts Max Silvestri and Gabe Liedman at Big Terrific, where visiting comedy guests will have you rolling on the floor (We hope it's clean). SNL cast member Jenny Slate started out here, so you might catch some comedians just before they make it big.

Then go back to your childhood with the Brooklyn date staple, Barcade. With dozens of classic arcade games, you'll feel like it's 1985 again - except this time, the games are accompanied by 20 delicious beers on tap!

Big Terrific: Cameo, 93 N. 6th St, Brooklyn; 718-302-1180; free
Barcade: 388 Union Ave, Brooklyn; 718-302-6464; www.barcadebrooklyn.com

As Seen on TV

TV fanatics, rejoice: you can see all your favorite classic shows for free right here in NYC! The NY Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center has a video arcived packed with episodes of classic shows like I Love Lucy, M*A*S*H, and more. If you reserve in advance, you can also borrow from their extensive film archive and spend a Saturday afternoon snuggling in front of one of the collection's free multimedia viewing centers.

Then head over to a watering hole made famous by TV, Tom's Restaurant. The face of the celebrated diner on Seinfeld, Tom's is a local favorite, and is easy on the wallet! Enjoy classic diner fare like the hamburger special ($5) or the roast beef sandwich (6.25).

NYPL for the Performing Arts: 40 Lincoln Center Plaza, Manhattan; 212-870-1630; www.nypl.org; free
Tom's Restaurant: 2880 Broadway, Manhattan; 212-864-6137; average entree: $6