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. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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 right here 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Let out your jazzy self at Wooden Box
For a chilled night of good music, you won’t go wrong at
Wooden Box – the JZ group’s relaxed jazz café hosts free
concerts almost every night of the week featuring an
impressive mixture of folk, jazz and gypsy artists. Plus,
unlike a lot of Shanghai’s nightlife establishments, the
price of a drink here won’t leave you reeling for days.
8. 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 favorite picks are Hidden French Concession, Eileen Chang’s Shanghai, and JG Ballard’s Longhua - you can see the full list here.
And there are tons more free events going on in Shanghai. See a selection below, and see the full list of free events in Shanghai here.
