Affordable Date Night Ideas in JC
Looking for an affordable and unique date out in Jersey City? We’ve compiled a list of fun ideas to help you get out and get to know your date without breaking the bank.
Browse Books & Bond
Whether it’s a first date or 100th, one of the best ways to get to know someone is by browsing the shelves of your local bookstore. Start your date at Hamilton Park’s WORD, Jersey City’s only independent bookstore, and see what section they make a beeline for to find out whether you’re on a date with a true crime junkie, fantasy fiend, or a hopeless romance reader.
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Grab a Cuppa
Find out how they take their coffee! There’s no shortage of cafes in Jersey City, with over 50 to choose from, for a cute and casual lunch date or for a pick-me-up before an evening out. Two of the newest additions are Bergen-Lafayette’s Kọ Cafe at 722 Grand St, with planned poetry readings and live music showcases, and Downtown’s Kaffa Espresso Bar at 276 Newark Ave, featuring strong espresso and homemade tiramisu.
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Get the Look for Less
Before you head out, check out one of Jersey City’s thrift and vintage stores to add a little extra fashionable flair to your date. Split up and covertly pick out outfits for each other that you must wear on the date. Whether that means finding a cool vintage t-shirt or adding a touch of humor with a goofy hat, you’ll be sure to hunt down something memorable – just make sure to snap a selfie together showing off your style. You can read all about our favorite places to catch a deal on a steal here.
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Take Advantage of the Happiest Hours
Start your date a little earlier to get the best deals on drinks and dinner all over Jersey City. Depending on the vibe, some of our favorites are Thursday’s $8 rum punch at Harry’s Daughter in Bergen-Lafayette, Downtown’s Lucky 7 Tavern’s everyday deal of $5 PBR and shot of bourbon, and McGinley Square Pub’s daily $10 burger, shot, and beer special, available until 7 p.m.
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Save at the Movies
Even with movie ticket prices skyrocketing, you can still do a classic dinner and movie at the AMC Newport Centre 11 Theatre for less with this one simple trick. Sign up for a FREE AMC Insider account on AMC Theatres’ website to get special perks, including discounted tickets on Tuesdays – a savings of $9+ per ticket! Then, use that $18 of savings to buy your date an extra-large popcorn tub with buttery topping because they deserve it.
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Friendly Competition
Flex your (brain) muscles together with a night out doing free trivia and bingo with a chance to win big over drinks and snacks from the bar. Here are some of our favorite places to play:
– Downtown’s Hudson Hound does bingo every Tuesday at 7 p.m. and trivia every Wednesday at 7 p.m.
– Downtown’s Pint has bingo every Tuesday at 8 p.m. and trivia every Wednesday at 8 p.m.
– The Heights’ Jersey Social has trivia every Tuesday at 7 p.m.
– Hamilton Park’s Ed & Mary’s hosts Charity Trivia every 2nd Wednesday of the month and karaoke every Thursday from 9 p.m. – 1 a.m.
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Show a Little PBG: Public Board Gaming
Bring the excitement of playing board games from the living room to the bar. See if your date is a sore loser or humble winner at Zeppelin Hall Beer Garden’s game nights, hosted every Thursday and Friday, featuring everything from chess to Jenga – loser buys the next round. There are also free, public board game nights hosted by an independent gaming group at Departed Soles Brewing Company in the Powerhouse Arts District, with the next event coming up on May 16th.
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Don’t miss out on making priceless memories because of cost – give this list a try and tell us your favorite low-cost date ideas in Jersey City!
