PUBLISHED February 17th, 2024 06:00 am | UPDATED July 22nd, 2024 05:25 pm
Dating is hard enough, what we don’t appreciate is the added struggles that our wallets have to bear in the expensive Singapore economy. Whether you’re looking to impress on the first date or just tired of the same old dinner dates, breeze through with these unique date ideas and experiences below $100.
Picture Perfect Moments
If your partner is always complaining about not having good pictures together, we’ve come up with the perfect solution. Turn your ordinary date into an aesthetic photoshoot. There’s a plethora of self-photo studios to choose from in Singapore, with each offering props, backgrounds and privacy to take the perfect pictures with your partner. For the best self-photography studios in Singapore, check out our article here. Whilst, if you’re on the hunt for something more vintage and kawaii, the recent resurgence of neoprint photobooths has got to be on you to do list! Prices range from S$25 to S$80.
Be A Tourist In Your Hometown
Sometimes we take our own grounds for granted, so it’s always a good idea to reconnect and re-explore our own backyard. For imbibers, the Brass Lion Distillery also offers guided tours (S$45) of their gin distillery with a flight of 3 signature gins, made right here in Singapore. The Singapore Kopi & Loti Tour (S$85) is a hidden gem too; it takes you around the few remaining local coffee roasters in a nondescript neighbourhood in Singapore. Learn about coffee beans, where they come from, and roasting techniques before get a behind the scenes look at a local bread factory. For the wizards among us, the latest Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience (from S$44) offers a nighttime journey filled with magical creatures and wizarding wonders of the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series.
Couples Who Work Out Together Stay Together
If the relationship can last a gym session together, it can probably last a lifetime, right? For folks who have copped themselves a fitness freak, what better way to get to know your partner better than getting involved in their hobbies. From 24-hour gyms to spin classes and your know-it-all guide to weight lifting – your next date idea is lurking around right here on City Nomads! Our go-to is TRIFECTA at Orchard road, Asia’s first surf-skate-snow destination offering a variety of booking packages as well as lots of fun. If your significant other is more of a wellness dweller instead, a sound healing class is just the relaxing, calming and low-impact date idea that will impress them, without leaving a hole in your wallet.
Handcrafted Goodies Aficionados
Unfortunately, flowers wilt – why not get your partner a gift that lasts a lifetime instead? Craft your forever rose for your forever someone at Baremetalco’s metal rose workshop (S$95 per pax). Here you’ll learn and experience basic metal smithing, and blow off some steam with lots of hammering to shape and texture petals and stem. Pottery has also been making huge waves around the city lately, because there’s nothing quite like making your own crockery from scratch. If you’re on the hunt for the best pottery classes to try with your date (S$30-S$80) check our curated list here. For free smells, try your hand at candle-making through a DIY Soy Candle Making Kit by The Scent Supply Co (S$55.90). A great way to bond with your significant other, and you also get to completely customise your candle without leaving home.
Channel The Artiste in You
Art-lovers don’t have to skip out on the fun either. Providing a space space to indulge in the art of graffiti, Haven Spot is Singapore’s first graffiti warehouse. Simply grab your date, grab your cans and get to spraying (S$88 for two pax). On the other hand, Tattoo lovers will appreciate a Tattoo Art Jam by State of Shiok (from S$48 per pax for 2 hours), where you can explore the art of tattooing without committing to any permanent designs or investments.
Tufting Buddies
Tufting has quite literally ‘weaved’ its way into our hearts. The trending activity sees many crafters creating custom-made rugs, bags and so much more. Spend sometime with your beau creating your own custom artworks that you can also skilfully then display at home. The best part? Every time your partner looks at their masterpieces, they will think of you! Explore the perfect tufting workshop for you and your partner here, with prices ranging from S$30-S$200.
Chronic Picnic Lovers
If a good location, aesthetic photo opportunities and yummy food doesn’t bring people together, we don’t know what will. Spin a sunny day to your advantage and plan a chic picnic for your significant other – and you won’t even have to lift a finger! There are restaurants and café’s that offer pre-made picnic baskets with reusable and waterproof picnic mats, savoury sandwiches and sweet treats alongside refreshing drinks. Our top picks include Bee’s Knees Picnic Boxes (from S$98 for 2 pax), also available in dog-friendly versions. Minimal work, but all the praise? Count us in. Check out our list of picnic spots here.
An Adrenaline Rush
Got a partner that loves to zoom through life with adrenaline running through their veins? Believe it or not there are plenty of thrilling activities to do in tiny Singapore. We love to live out our “need for speed’ fantasies at The Karting Arena. Whether you are a novice or an experienced driver, kick in your competitive side whooshing laps through a go-karting arena (S$36 per pax). For something a little more aesthetic, Skypark Sentosa by AJ Hackett has activities that pack a punch. On The Giant Swing (S$59 per pax), get winched 40m above the ground with an epic view across Siloso Beach, then one, two, three… and cords are released and you and your partner go off soaring at speeds of up to 120km per hour.
Something Out of The Ordinary
The entertainment industry here never fails to being the most extra-ordinary experiences. For something different, The Fragment Room (S$75 for two pax) is one of our favourites to rage out and smash the tiring week away. Equally exciting is the Axe Factor (from S$ 30 per pax) where you get to throw axes at your target – perfect to get to know someone on the first date, or if your long-time partner is feeling a bit stressed out. For a more relaxed option the K Bowling Club pairs glow-in-the-bowling with food, karaoke booths and arcade games from S$11 per pax.
Romantic Candle Night Concerts
It’s no Billie Eilish or Taylor Swift, but these romantic Candlelight Concerts by Fever are not to be underestimated. From S$40 each, the evening is one that will have you and your date lost in the beauty of music. Let flickering candles ignite the romance whilst the pianists, violinists and more kick in the passionate evening. Even if classical music is not your thing, the concerts offer special features with medleys from your favourite pop stars. We’re talking Adele, Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Abba, Fleetwood Mac and more.
Let the Good Times Roll
Live out like the 80’s with Hi-roller, Singapore’s largest indoor skating rink. Not like your conventional date, here you get to glide along to the stunning sight of disco lights and head-nodding music. Pick from either inline skates or quadskates and let the good times roll. Not to fret, there are two rinks (one for beginners and one for experts), so you won’t be making a fool of yourself. The rink also hosts themed nights with the likes of disco night, Coachella night, pride night, and emo night, so keep a lookout on their socials for something that would suit both you and your date. Prices start from S$12.
Competitive Game Night
The nerd in us sometimes just would rather kick back and enjoy a night playing scrabble, monopoly or dungeons and dragons. The best part? Invite your couple friends and turn the night into a double date with food, conversation and fun games. The Mind Café is a board game café stocked with a library of over 800 games. The café also offers packages with games, free-flow drinks and food (from S$17 per person). Kommune playhouse by 82 Social House, on the other hand is a modern take offering Korean Karaoke, console gaming, board games and computer games (from S$16 per room for two).
Gastro Baby!
There are two types of people in a relationship – one that does the cooking and one that does the eating. Whichever one you might be, we’ve got some options that will satisfy your gastronomic passions. We suggest opting for a food tour or a hawker crawl. Pick five of your favourite hawker stalls or centres and do a 5-course dinner, grabbing a bite from each one. Affordable and a good excuse to roam the streets of Singapore making new memories. Baking and cooking classes are also a good alternative.
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Related article: Don’t Break the Bank: The Best Affordable Restaurants For First Dates & Date Nights In Singapore