Your dating guidebook

Free (or nearly)  |  Old standbys  |   Staff picks  |  Big splurge
Valentine’s Day alternatives

Old standbys

Strut peddler

Show your lover that you’re adept at fingering sesame-topped fried chicken wings ($12 for 18 pieces) at Japanese takeout spot Tebaya (144 W 19th St between Sixth and Seventh Aves, 212-924-3335). For $3 more, potemochi, potato circles topped with a dollop of butter and house-made miso sauce, should elicit creamy contentment.

Next, get footloose by ditching your shoes and even your socks at twice-monthly dance-off Barefoot Boogie. And just like the Kevin Bacon flick, this volunteer-run not-for-profit soiree is sans alcohol every second and fourth Saturday of the month from 8:30pm until 12:30am at the Insight Meditation Center (28 W 27th St between Broadway and Sixth Ave, tenth floor, buzzer 27; barefootboogie.org). But thankfully bopping to rock & roll won’t land you in court—as long as you pay the sliding-scale cover of $10 to $15.
This date features: dining  |  mixed bag

Spice market

In lieu of opening up that delicious can of beans, add some flavor to your humdrum weekday night with wallet-friendly Indian fare from Kinara (473 Fifth Ave at 11th St, Park Slope, Brooklyn; 718-499-3777). For about the cost of 12 subway rides, you can score samosas, lamb vindaloo with basmati rice and nan with mango chutney ($24 for two).

Continue your nonvanilla adventure by escorting your mate to boho joint Barbès’ (376 9th St at Sixth Ave, Park Slope, Brooklyn; 718-965-9177) movie night. Grab some brews ($10 for two) and kick back for indie flicks from such far-flung countries as Japan, France and Italy, screened in the back room every first and third Monday at 7pm.
This date features: dining  |  film

Heavenly bodies

You might not be quite ready to strip to your skivvies in front of your sidekick, but the ladies at at Rififi Cinema Classics’ (332 E 11th St between First and Second Aves, 212-677-1027) twice-weekly burlesque shows ($15 for two) will always undress to impress. On Thursdays and Sundays at 10pm, imbibe $3 PBRs as Veronika Sweet, Nasty Canasta and other vixens instruct you in the art of dropping trou.

Though rarely naked, the wieners at Crif Dogs (113 St Marks Pl between Ave A and First Ave, 212-614-2728) are certainly still tasty. Deep-fried bacon-wrapped and lettuce-topped tube steaks ($10 for two) should provide you both with much oral pleasure.
This date features: film  |  dining

Parker roll

Science is wrong: You can turn back time, especially at retro, Christmas ornament–bedecked club Arthur’s Tavern (57 Grove St between Bleecker St and Seventh Ave, 212-675-6879). Catch Dixieland, jazz and blues musicians like the Grove Street Stompers every evening with a one-drink minimum (from $5) in a former haunt of legendary sax fiend Charlie Parker.

Then mosey on over to Southeast Asian nook Wild Ginger (51 Grove St at Bleecker St, 212-367-7200) where you can play chopsticks while nibbling on basil chicken ($18 for two). Chug Thai beer before requesting that your companion wear the Bob Mackie thong-and-leather-jacket ensemble from the former partner of Sonny Bono’s music video.
This date features: drinks  |  music  |  dining

Employees only

If you’re uncomfortable about revealing your current occupation as an anthrax tester, let the experts, including burlesque performer Johnny Porkpie and magician Albert Cadabra, do the dirty work at conjecture fest What’s My Line? ($10 for two), which takes place every second Wednesday of the month at 8pm. Even if you end up losing your honey, you’ll win cash if you stump the panel at Parkside Lounge (317 E Houston St between Aves B and C).

Spend your prize money at comfort-food spot Clinton Street Baking Company & Restaurant (4 Clinton St between E Houston and Stanton Sts, 646-602-6263). Opt for blueberry pancakes ($20 for two) and beer ($12 for two) to get sharing a morning-after meal out of the way.
This date features: mixed bagx  |  dining

Reader’s picks

Comedy Cellar (117 MacDougal St between Bleecker and W 3rd Sts, 212-254-3480) is a lot of fun. The space is pretty open and lively. The drinks on the menu were also unique like an alcoholic peach iced tea and White Russian milkshakes.” —Kate, Tribeca

“Well, I’ve only been on one official date there, but Louis 649 (649 E 9th St between Aves B and C, 212-673-1190). has a great laid-back, ‘let’s get a table, listen to live jazz and drink some cool drinks’ thing going on. There’s a big, cute dog that is always hanging out, and lots of people sitting at candlelit tables for two. It’s a perfect place for conversation.” —Joe, East Village

“I would just head over to Austin Street in Forest Hills. It’s Queens’ trendiest spot: You can shop, eat, drink, catch a movie or just stroll through the nearby Forest Hills Gardens (Continental Ave and Dartmouth St) and pretend you have a million handy to call the affluent enclave home. Standouts in the area include the Midway Theater (10822 Queens Blvd between 71st Ave and 71st Rd, 718-544-5545), the Santa Fe Steakhouse (107-18 70th Rd between Austin St and Queens Blvd, 718-459-4040) for a nice meal, and Piu Bello (7009 Austin St between 70th Ave and 70th Rd, 718-268-4400) for ice cream. If you can’t find something to do there, you’re not trying hard enough.” —Frank, Middle Village, Queens