☛ Cameron Naish
In places like Colorado, there are more great date spots than you can shake a one-night stand at. Unfortunately, as any Coloradoan with good taste can attest, repeated visits to said locations may be great for atmosphere and memories, but it can wreak havoc on one’s wallet.
Enter the “Less is More” dating approach.
“Whoa,” you’re thinking. “Is he about to tell me I should be a cheap-ass on a date? Does he have no respect for what it means to wine and dine?”
Before you stop reading to go check your Facebook, hear me out. This isn’t to say every date should be affordable-first, nor does it mean this concept needs to be saved for romantic partners. It is a great way to have some one-on-one time with a close friend, too. Regardless of what you’re looking for, if you want a fun night with someone you care about for less than 20 bucks, keep reading.
First off, eat beforehand. We’re all adults here who can cook something that resembles a meal. Feel free to eat before meeting up or plan to make dinner together beforehand, it doesn’t really matter. What really matters in this date is going out for a drink.
Ah, a drink. When people go out for a drink, it’s not about the liquor. When looking for an excuse to get wasted, there is a plastic bottle of vodka at home that will do the job for almost free—people go out for a drink for conversation, atmosphere and experience. But let’s back up for a moment, we’ll get to the drink later. Let’s start with the “going out” part.
When making a date of more is less, planning should be involved. After picking a night you both are available, think about the kind of places your date likes, and what places he or she hasn’t been to in the area. Don’t just look at what’s close or popular, look for unique attributes that you’ll maybe only want to experience once, or destinations that are not near places you frequently visit. Pick a place (but keep it a surprise) and find out what kind of call-ahead policy they have, if there is plenty of bar seating, and what kind of drink specials they have.
Now that the location is settled, take some time in getting ready. Wear something nice you don’t wear often, and try a new look or style—something fun that says, “Tonight is special.”
Once that’s done and it’s time to get going, decide if someone is picking up the other or if you’re meeting along the way. Don’t just meet at the location, this takes all the fun out of arriving together. On the way, play some music that you think your date will enjoy, and point out you picked it out specifically for them. Remember, every thought counts.
After arriving at the destination, do a quick status check. The mood is set, bellies are full and there is atmosphere abound. The best part? So far this date is entirely free. OK, maybe you paid a few bucks for that Bertolli dinner, and gas isn’t free, but on a normal date you would already be 40 bucks deep from a dinner and movie. So, we’re doing well so far.
Now, back to the drink.
This is the best part of the night, because it’s time to find a nice sipper that can’t be thrown together at home in 30 seconds and will take some time to drink. Treat it as an experiment! Ask the bartender for recommendations. Listen. See what people around you are drinking. Check out the menu. Heck, go online and see what kind of crazy drinks you can try to order. Whatever you both do, make it count—it’s the only drink for the night.
After all the drink work is done, it’s time to sit back and enjoy a nice conversation. Let it last as long as you both desire.
When the check comes, it’s best to do another status review. This whole process started hours ago (or days, if including bar-picking) and cost probably less than 20 dollars. The night was filled with (hopefully) fun memories and discussions, and you and your date had a good reason to get dressed up and get off the beaten path.
Not a bad night, right?
Right.
If you’re eager to do it again, that’s great! But you shouldn’t. Half the fun of a date like this is its rarity. My friend and I who came up with this method only meet once a quarter—four times a year—to keep the memories special.
And it is always nice to have something to look forward to.