Finding a great spot for a date need not be so difficult (or expensive). To make your already complicated love life a little easier, we've compiled ideas for some free (well, pretty much free) and very wallet-friendly outings for your next date, whether it's the first or the 100th.
1. Pack a picnic and head to Red Town
Because of its artsy surroundings and large grassy area, Red Town is an awesome locale for an afternoon picnic. If you’re not familiar with the area, it’s a former steel mill that’s been turned into a creative zone and sculpture park, and is also home to lots of art galleries. It’s free to visit, and they let you stick around until late - perfect for those dates that you want to linger on after dark. Afterwards you could also hop on over to On Stage for some live music. For other picnic-worthy parks, check out our list of Shanghai's best picnic spots online.
2. See a Mainland classic at Time Out’s monthly film screening
Take your date over to Glam on the second Sunday of the month, when Time Out teams up with M on the Bund to show a pick from our list of the top 100 Chinese Mainland films of all time. The list was compiled by a team of 88 top film critics, and it’s got everything from silent classics, independent films and epic blockbusters. Best of all, it’s free - just text ‘film’ to our WeChat account and we’ll reserve you a comfy spot at Glam to snuggle up with your date in front of the big screen.
Glam is at Seventh Floor, Five on the Bund, 20 Guangdong Lu, near Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, Huangpu district.
3. Have a photoshoot along the M50 graffiti wall
In addition to the dozens of galleries that are free to enter in the district, M50’s graffiti wall can provide hours of photo-worthy material for even the most active selfie-takers. Why not plan out some unique outfits or bring along some alternative swag as props? And if you don't have a third wheel to play photographer, there's always the selfie stick.
M50 is at 50 Moganshan Lu, near Xi Suzhou Lu, Putuo district.
4. Ride it out
A great opportunity to get a little sweaty with your date is by doing what millions of Mainlanders young and old do every day…cycling! Luckily for you we’ve got details on the best cycling routes in Shanghai online including turn by turn plans - this way you can prove to your date that you’ve got a good sense of direction in at least one way.
5. Show off your sophisticated side at the China Art Museum
Boasting five floors of artwork and free entry all day every day (well, except Monday when it’s closed), the China Art Museum is a great pick for a cheap but classy day out. It’s got tons of mostly 20th century artwork - more than you would want to see, in fact, so be sure to check out our guide to getting the most out of your visit so you don’t bore your date with the underwhelming parts.
China Art Museum is at World Expo Park, 161 Shangnan Lu, near Guozhan Lu, Pudong.
6. Art+Shanghai classic Bund walk
Add a little something extra to a classic Bund walk date with a visit to Art+. The gallery showcases the work of both emerging and already established contemporary artists - international and Chinese - in a pretty dynamic space. With The Bund being on nearly every list of things to do, a visit to this art space is a brilliant finishing touch. And of course, free entry.
Art+ is at 191 Suzhou Nan Lu, near Sichuan Bei Lu, Huangpu district.
7. Make your date LOL (hopefully) at an open mic comedy night
Kung Fu Komedy Club hosts open mic stand-up shows on Wednesday and Sunday evenings (8.30pm and 7pm respectively). The gags may be hit or miss, but it’s free to attend and is bound to provide some prime date conversation material either way.
Kung Fu Komedy Club is at fourth Floor, Xiangyang Bei Road, near Julu Lu, Jingan district.
8. Let out your jazzy self at Cotton Club
The classic jazz bar and Shanghai staple has live music every night at its smoky location. Whilst the drinks aren’t the cheapest, entry to Cotton Club is totally free, which you won’t find at many music venues. A place you can count on.
Cotton Club is at 1416 Huaihui Zhong Lu, near Fuxing Lu, Xuhui district.
9. Stroll hand-in-hand on one of our Shanghai walks
If you’re not very direction-savvy, going for a walk may seem like a daunting date. But don't fear - we’ve mapped out and shared our favorite walks around the city, from the big streets to hidden lilongs. Some of our favourite picks are Hidden French Concession, Eileen Chang’s Shanghai, and JG Ballard’s Longhua - you can see the full list by going to timeoutshanghai.com/walks.
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