How to save money on date night | 20 cheap and free date night ideas

It’s date night tonight! And, well, every night. Because when you know how to be savvy on spending, any and every night can be special.

We all know that impressing a significant other can mean shelling out - on food, on outfits, on gifts. But regardless of whether you’re a Match.com master or a long-term lover, going on dates day-in, day-out can leave your wallet love-sick for the one that got away. From dinners with a new flame on a weeknight for our serial singletons to weekend activities to woo the long-time partner - we know that dating demands as much budgeting as it does charisma.

So, here’s our list of affordable date night ideas. We'll bring the budget-friendly date ideas - you bring the romance. (Good luck!)

Whether its for your first date or your thirtieth, you’ll find all the ways to save money on dating (whilst still wowing your match). Because you can cut the costs without cutting the charm.

Food & drink date night ideas

Home-cooked gourmet night

Ah, the food of love. Cooking together can be a genuinely romantic experience - as long as you don’t argue over how much salt to add or who does the washing up. It’s intimate - so you can really talk. It’s cheaper - no service charge when you’re the waiter and the customer. And it’s fun - you can cook whatever you want, not just what the menu has. Go big and make a 3 course meal for your loved one, donning a waiter’s apron and taking drink orders for a bit of fun, or club together on making a fakeaway.

Money saving tip: Use supermarket loyalty schemes for discounts. Tesco Clubcard can save you serious coin on your food shop, Nectar points can stack up for discounts, and Lidl Plus gives coupons and freebies on sweat treats that mean dessert is sorted.

Coffee-date

A simple, low-pressure and high-caffeine environment to get to know your new beau. Casual and friendly, it’s a chance to talk 1:1 without too much background buzz - so there’s no shouting over any over-zealous DJs. And, if you’re not getting on well, you can just order an espresso. No sitting through hours of entrées and desserts. And your budget will love it too.

Money saving tip: Use loyalty cards at chains like Prett or Costa to stamp your way to a free frappe or discounted drink. The Prett subscription is £30 a month, and the Caffé Nero app gives you a free drink after 9 stamps. Or, if you prefer to go independent for the vibes, check your local spots for offers.

BYOB dinners

When you find a restaurant that doesn’t have an alcohol license, sometimes you are encouraged to take your own drink and just pay corkage. That means you can get a bottle from the supermarket and pay way less than you would have for even the house! Plus, this means you can wow your date by opting for a nicer choice at a lower price than you might have been able to secure from the menu. No mark-up, no problem. And, you can avoid the awkwardness of inevitably asking for the cheapest bottle on the list and pretending to the waiter it’s because you love that specific grape, anyway.

Money saving tip: Check the discounted sections for a great deal on wine. Often you’ll find even the popular brands (yes, we mean the infamous chicken wine) have their prices slashed from time to time. And keep an eye out for restaurants near you that allow for BYOB or peruse this list.

Picnic

PSA hayfever sufferers - this one is not for you! What a romantic setting: nature, finger food, a blanket, and a couple lost in conversation. Because when the sun shines, we hope so too does your wit. You can win over your date by stocking a proper picnic basket full of their favourite treats, cracking open a bottle of fizz (soda or Prosecco - your choice) and absolutely obliterating them at a game of Uno.

Money saving tip: Head to the supermarkets bright and early before your picnic to grab any last minute deals on yellow sticker food. Or check out Too Good To Go or Olio for free or discounts surplus food from local retailers.

Tasting-evening at home

It’s time to test your sommelier prowess. Lay out a selection of wine and cheese pairings for an evening of sophistication. You can pour a small glass of a few of your favourite wines and nibble on an array of fromage. No, we’re not dribbling - you are! The best pairing of all? You two.

Money saving tip: Opt for pre-made cheese board selections. When you’re dining for two, you don’t need to buy whole blocks of cheddar, brie, camembert and blue to sate your needs - you just need a small supply. So instead of shelling out for full-sized options at a big cost, find 4 packs of classic cheese board cheeses. And when it comes to keeping costs low on wine, rather than buying full sized bottles of three or four different grapes that you won’t be able to finish (we assume), opt for the 20cl options at lower prices so you can enjoy variety without the cost.

Top codes to save on food and dining:

Activity-based date night ideas

Car-boot sale

Hear us out! Quirky, fun, and budget-friendly, a car-boot sale is actually a great spot for a date. Yes, maybe not the first date, but if you’ve already been seeing each other for a few months and want to mix it up, then this could be for you. Set a budget (£5 or £50 - it’s totally up to you!) and head out on a hunt for the best gift for your partner. Split up for 20 mins, and whoever comes back with the best deal and the best surprise, wins. Because healthy competition is even more fun when there’s no losers. Gifts for everyone!

Money saving tip: Arrive later to get the lower entry tickets. Earliest arrivals snag the best finds, but late arrivals can grab the best deals. Sellers want to get their stock gone, so you can haggle more effectively (and politely).

Museum or gallery visit

Lots of art galleries and science museums offer free or low cost entry. You can spark some intellectual conversation discussing what truly counts as art or what period of history you’d most like to live in. As you explore bygone eras and learn about the world, so too do you explore and learn each other.

Money saving tip: From Durham Cathedral to the British Museum, from the National Gallery to the National Railway Museum in York, from the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester to Lincoln Castle, the UK is full of free entry attractions. And if you have to pay, student or retiree discounts often apply.

Mini-golf

Affordable, playful, and fun, mini-golf could be a hole in one choice for a date. And the best part? The 19th hole: the bar! Grab a well-earned drink after your victory.

Money saving tip: Book off-peak sessions, such as mid weeks and early in the day, rather than prime times like weekends and evening when the costs spike. For instance, Puttshack offers special offers for second games, student and key worker discounts (e.g. 2-for-1 Monday-Wednesday), and a free birthday game.

Beach visit

We live on an island. Okay, it’s not exactly the Caribbean, but we do have access to a lot of coastline - like a lot. Some of it can be surprisingly blissful, no matter the season. A short drive or train journey should get you to the seaside. And then all you have to do is decide whether the first port of call is fish and chips or ice cream.

Money saving tip: Check out Trainline split ticketing to save a few bob, or book well in advance to ensure you nab the best prices. Travel off peak if you can, and use a season ticket if you have one. Railcard is a brilliant way to cut the costs, if you are within the age bracket.

Sports day for two

School’s out! But nostalgic and competitive date day is in. Whether it’s a casual game of badminton in the park or a full set up with 100m sprints, sack throwing, and three-legged races, it’s time to up the stakes and decide once and for all who does the washing up this evening. There’s nothing like a bit of adrenaline and competition to test out your bond. And if they don't get the ick when they see you doing shotput, they're a keeper. Some people would run a mile - literally.

Money saving tip: You can do a very budget friendly version of this date by committing just to the activities that require no equipment. But if you want to go the full mile, check out vouchers for Sports Direct or JD Sports, head to your local charity shops, or check out Facebook Marketplace.

Top codes to save on activity dates:

Creative & educational date night ideas

Hobby sharing

Maybe they can play the piano or you can paint a portrait. Whatever your skills are, it’s time to share. Or, if you don’t have anything to bring to the table (not that we can believe that!), use YouTube tutorials to learn a new skill together. Be it a language, a recipe, or knitting, whatever the lesson is, it’s so much more fun when it’s done together. Because couples that upskill together, stay together - right?

Money saving tip: If you’re showing them your hobby, chances are you already have everything you need. But if you are learning something new, to avoid the costs of trial and error, make sure you’ve read all the instructions properly. Some cheap hobbies to try include painting by numbers (buy individual kits for just over a fiver at Hobbycraft or opt for multi-packs on Amazon), learning a language online (think Duolingo, YouTube, or even just ChatGPT), or enrolling on a free or low cost course (BBC Masterclass, LinkedIn Learning, The Open University, Skillshare).

Trivia night

Put your knowledge to the test. Whether it’s a general knowledge showdown or questions to test how much you know each other, a quiz is a great way to have a laugh without costing a fortune. You can go head-to-head, using a pre-made quiz or brining ChatGPT into the fray, or you can each take turns being the ultimate quiz master with a full PowerPoint of questions. Yes, you can totally ask the name of the current pope on slide one, and ask what your favourite sandwich filler is on question two. You’re the quizmaster, after all.

Money saving tip: Pub quizzes tend to be a couple of pounds at most to enter and some are even free on specific days. If you opt for a soft drink to keep your mind sharp and wallet full, you can have an affordable but memorable night. And if you win - you’re quids in! For an at-home date night, you can buy trivia cards or games like Trivial Pursuit for a board-game-meets-quiz-night. But if you want to keep things completely free for date night. Use a free app like Kahoot or Sporcle, or even ChatGPT.

Paint and sip

Channel your inner Picasso! While sipping your favourite drink, you can bring a blank page to life. Embrace the mess and don’t feel any pressure to be a master artist - this is just about unleashing creativity for a cheap date night in. Whether its paint by numbers or portraits of each other, you can compare your creations at the end. Playful, creative, and peaceful - you’ll have a relaxing time together with as much creative licence for the cocktail mixing as the likeness of the portraits.

Money saving tip: Skip costly organised paint-and-sip events in town and DIY it at home. Grab cheap supplies from The Works, Poundland, or B&M, and stock up on budget-friendly wine from Aldi or Lidl. For inspo, use free YouTube painting tutorials.

Mario Kart games night

Banana skins and mushrooms at the ready! Keep your eyes on the road (and the prize) because it’s Mario Kart night. If you have an old Wii from childhood (or that your kids normally hog), a Switch, or even an antique DS Lite, then you have a raucous date night ahead. Throw some snacks into the mix and build a scoreboard to keep track of who is the ultimate Rainbow Road winner.

Money saving tip: If you don’t own the game, check out CEX or musicMagpie for second-hand copies, or even rent from BoB Game Rentals or your local library (some lend games now!). You can often find dramatic discounts and deals on Nintendo Store, too. Pair it with budget gamer snacks from Too Good To Go to keep costs low.

Scrapbooking evening

One for the seasoned daters: turn your favourite memories into a savoured scrapbook that you can keep forever. Print out photos, add train tickets or receipts, and use any stickers or masking tape to jazz things up. You can relive all your special moments together this date night - and have something you’ll treasure from it.

Money saving tip: Head to your local The Range, Hobbycraft, or online Wilko to peruse the clearance aisles and pages. Chances are, you have a spare notebook knocking around if not. Use free printing apps like FreePrints (which offers 45 free prints a month for only the cost of postage) and collect free magazines from Waitrose, Superdrug or airports to stock up on collage material.

Top codes to save on creative date nights:

Relaxing date night ideas

At-home spa night

Forget pricey spa days – you can bring the full pamper experience straight into your living room. Think candles, fluffy towels, face masks, bubble baths, and a chilled playlist to set the vibe. Add in a DIY manicure or foot soak and suddenly your bathroom feels like a five-star retreat. The best part? You can laugh, chat, and relax in your comfies without worrying about anyone judging your cucumber slices slipping off.

Money saving tip: Stock up during Boots 3-for-2 skincare offers, check out Superdrug Health & Beautycard deals, or head to TKMaxx for cut-price luxury beauty. If you’re really on a budget, raid your kitchen cupboard – honey, oats, and coconut oil make great homemade scrubs and masks.

Stargazing

Few things are more romantic than lying back under the night sky with a blanket, a thermos, and someone special. Whether you’re spotting constellations, looking out for shooting stars, or simply enjoying the quiet, stargazing is the kind of date that feels cinematic – without costing a thing. It’s low-key, magical, and a great excuse to cuddle up.

Money saving tip: No telescope needed – just download free astronomy apps like SkyView Lite or Stellarium to help you find constellations. Your garden, balcony, or window will do. But for the best (and still free) views, head to a designated Dark Sky Discovery site in the UK and pack your own snacks instead of splashing out at service stations.

Country side walk

Sometimes the simplest dates are the best. A countryside walk gives you uninterrupted time together with fresh air and beautiful scenery. Whether it’s a long hike with muddy boots or a leisurely stroll past fields and hedgerows, it’s a wholesome way to connect, chat, and maybe even sneak in a pub stop at the end.

Money saving tip: Download free route planners like AllTrails or Komoot to avoid paying for guided tours. Bring a flask and sandwiches from Tesco Meal Deal or Co-op £3.75 deal instead of splashing out in pricey cafés along the way. If you walk regularly, a National Trust membership can save money on parking and access to trails. But really, you can follow in the footsteps of any nature lover and just get out there for the grand price of nothing.

Yoga session

Whether it’s stretching together in the park, joining a free online class, or dimming the lights and rolling out mats at home, yoga is a date idea that’s equal parts relaxing and bonding. It’s mindful, energising, and a great way to feel in sync with each other’s movements – even if you both collapse giggling out of tree pose.

Money saving tip: Skip the boutique studios and stream free YouTube sessions with Yoga with Adriene (our personal fave!) or Alo Yoga. For kit, check out Decathlon, Argos, or Facebook Marketplace for affordable second-hand mats. We secured one in TKMaxx for £10! Bonus hack: some local studios run first class free deals, so you can test one together without the commitment.

Cocktail making

Shake things up – literally – with an at-home cocktail (or mocktail) making night. Mix up margaritas, mojitos, or your own signature creation. It’s hands-on, playful, and way more affordable than rooftop bar prices, with the bonus of experimenting with flavours. No more shelling out £10-15 per drink.

Money saving tip: Pick up budget-friendly spirits from Aldi or Lidl, use supermarket own-brand mixers, and look out for Sainsbury’s Nectar Prices or Tesco Clubcard discounts on alcohol. Glassware and shakers can often be found cheaply at Home Bargains or IKEA, or grab a bargain cocktail-making kit from Wowcher for an extra fun twist.

Top codes to save on relaxing and outdoor date plans:

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