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10 Reasonably Priced Date Ideas for Winter in Toronto

With the economic situation upon us, it's time to be resourceful and find some "easy on the pocket book" date ideas.

1. Be-A-Chef
A self prepared candle lit dinner f or two created by you. Yes, you be the chef. You may slog in the kitchen all day for this romantic date, but it will be well worth it.

Check out how to make the perfect meal:

2. Winterlicious
Winterlicious is held from Jan. 3 to Feb. 12, 2009. Toronto’s top restaurants offer fixed prices on pre-set lunch and dinner menus that usually cost much more. The reason why – to attract new clientele. It’s also great for you and that special someone to try out new tastes for a great price! Be sure to make reservations as spots fill up fast - so don’t delay.

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3. The Second City
Known as one of the best entertainment venues in Toronto, The Second City is indisputably the funniest improvisation comedy productions in North America.  With audience interaction; the show will have you laughing all the way home. Dinner and show specials are available.                                            

Click here for details

4. Toronto Orchestra Symphony
Here’s a great inexpensive date idea brought to you by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO).  If you like Mozart or want to check out one of many intricately crafted and most invigorating symphonies in Toronto for a reasonable price, this is where to go. The TSO has a promotion called tsoundcheck, that gives those between  15-34 years of age the chance to see four concerts for $12 ( next to nothing) and enjoy the benefits of being a subscriber. What a romantic night out.
    
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5. Dueling Piano Bar
At a dueling piano bar, piano players face off on stage playing anything from oldies to current hits. Audience participation and requests fuel the interactive show.

At Pearl’s, the dueling piano team of Mark and Randy will entertain you for the entire evening. Every show is different at this new cabaret piano bar located in the heart of Toronto. The entertainment gets started Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.

Catch a sneak peak of Pearl’s Bar in action:

6. Lounge
A perfect place to unwind with your date is a lounge bar, where the music is great and the mood is laid-back. The Reservoir Lounge on Wellington in Toronto has a clientele mix of laid-back locals and international jazz lovers. Here you will be entertained listening to swing-jazz and rhythm and blues.  And if you’re lucky you might sight a celebrity or two; Nick Nolte, Chas Palmetieri, Peter O’Toole and Tom Jones have been known to pop in on occasion.

Click here for more details

7. Bata Shoe Museum
 “Is your girl, crazy about shoes?”, then why not surprise her with an outing to the Bata Shoe Museum. It’s a unique cheap date idea in the heart of downtown Toronto. The museum focuses exclusively on the art, history and culture of shoes and how they evolved.

For more information on the Bata Shoe Museum, click here

8. Skating
For those who love the outdoors, skating is a great inexpensive date for this season.  Nathan Philip Square (Toronto City Hall) with its sky scrapers can be quite the tourist spot, but for those who’d like a more intimate location try the Harbourfront Centre. Located down by Toronto’s Harbourfront, this natural skating rink is less crowded then Toronto City Hall and more picturesque with Lake Ontario’s scenic views.  Don’t forget to stop at one of the many cafes afterwards for hot chocolate.

9. Karaoke Bars
It doesn’t matter if you can’t sing. We’ve all seen Cameron Dias in My Best Friend’s Wedding singing to express her feelings…how romantic was that?  Check out Karaoke bars in your area or find a local club that is hosting one and serenade your loved one. This night out will only cost you what you drink, so keep the alcohol to a minimum and have a good time.

10. Bowling
Bowling can be expensive, but there are great deals to be had if you’re willing to work around them. Playtime Bowl, the largest state-of-the art bowling alley in Toronto has a fabulous special you can take advantage of right now. Bowl free from Sunday thru Thursday between 9 p.m.-12a.m. with the purchase of a V.I.P pass for only $8. You can also enjoy $1 Hot Dogs, $1 Fries, $1 Soft Drinks and $1 Shoe Rental.