Top 5 Dates For Under $30 in Auckland

                                           Thanks to Tim Parkinson for the photo

You may have noticed my mild obsession with eating well on the cheap.

I managed to claw my way through two degrees while living 'The Student Lifestyle' for 6 and some years and let me impart this nugget of wisdom to you: One doesn't go through THAT without learning a thing or two about thrift.

At any rate my partner would rather spend his dollars on Miles Davis records and I would prefer a nice pair pants over a swanky ass date. We are alike in our extreme sense of frugality when it comes to romance. In light of my last post wherein I spoke disparagingly about the lack of dating culture in New Zealand, here are some dates that Aucklanders can get behind:

1. The Chocolate Boutique, Parnell
Question: where else in Auckland would you be able to get a downright DIVINE slice of homemade chocolate mud cake for $5.50? NOWHERE. Most of the desserts here are under 6 clams and certainly don't taste it. I'd suggest going either earlier in the evening or very late as all school age children are also aware of the awesomeness that is The Chocolate Boutique. Luckily it's open late (an Auckland rarity).

2. Bitchin' Bingo, Vulcan Lane, Central City
A downright amusing mash up of stand up and gambling, Bingo Mistress Viv serves up a whip smart 2 hours of laughs and rad prizes for $7. She's only at Cassette #9 now, but as they also do tapas it could serve well for either an 'early on' date or just something to do for a less full on evening out.

3. Academy Cinema, Central City
During the last few months Academy Cinemas have totally redeemed themselves from 'that pokey place that's down like 6 flights of stairs' to 'that boss cinema that's playing classics for $12.' We saw a 35mm print of 'Casablanca' a couple months back and had a couple bucks left over for some ice cream cones. Everyone in the theatre was quiet as mice since it was a CLASSIC film and not the new X-Men.

4. Little Cake Kitchen, Upper Queen St, Newton
Do you know what most women like? Sweet, sugar laden baked goods AND small things. Few women are immune to cuteness, especially in food. This is where cupcakes comes in. We are hopeless suckers for small cakes that are well decorated. HOPELESS. SUCKERS. Men-! Take note! Little Cake Kitchen is cute as pigs and full of things your gal will go batshit over. Also, their cupcakes rock in at around $3.50, so you'd be able to spring for a couple AND a coffee or 3.

5. Bite Cafe 2nd Floor Smith & Caughey's, Central City
Bite is one of the best cafes in the central city. It still confuses me that nobody has done a decent write up on them and there are virtually NO websites with a review. The cafe is much more like a restaurant, it's relatively quiet, the food is very high quality yet reasonably priced, and the staff are unreal with their level of customer service. Go for lunch or their $9 high tea and be sure to get a coffee card, they're generous with the stamps.

6. *BONUS FOR NERDZ* Video Game Arcades on Queen St
There are two video game arcades in close proximity on Queen, Time Zone does a half priced Thursday on ALL their games. Now, call me corny & American, but in my book, it's the actual activity of a date that gives you stuff to talk about. Hence all the random cafes, they're all well placed for a good wander after eating lunch/cupcakes. Video game arcades, however, are just FUN. Spend $20 on credit (which would translate into $40 on a Thursday), then have $10 left over for two coffees.

How helpful! See? I told you I was helpful.