Even the cheapest happy hours add up, and as someone who has been on more dates then I’d like to admit, drink dates are … uninspired. We asked Jade Womack of Clockout DC for local dates ideas under $15 that will leave your date thinking “wow, they’re kinda weird, but I want more!”
Go Social Dancing
Sure, the club is fun and all but have you ever learned to awkwardly swing dance with someone you just met? Nightmare for me, but could be perfect for you. The Georgetown Waterfront, Navy Yard, and The Wharf all have free themed social dancing workshops weekly in the summer.
Buddy Up For a Budget Book Haul
D.C. has tons of great used bookstores to browse, but even better might be D.C.’s Friends of the Library book sales. Local libraries open their book sale collection at least once a month and you can find volumes for as little as $1. (So that performative Immanuel Kant book won’t break the bank.)
Go For a Hike
Maybe not for a first date (safety first and all that), but if looking into someone's eyes while talking to them scares you, this is the date for you! Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, Theodore Roosevelt Island, and the Valley Trail in Rock Creek park all offer that perfect “scenic but I’m not sweating” combo.
Learn Something New and Nerdy
What’s hotter than engaging each other's child-like curiosities? Nerd Night at DC9 is like a professional, nerdy version of a PowerPoint party. Or go mega nerd and head to Astronomy On Tap.
“Mahjong Night" at the Martin Luther King Jr. Library on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. (The Washington Post/Getty Images)
Go Fish
No, literally. Anacostia Riverkeeper hosts a free learn-to-fish program every Friday evening in Navy Yard on the Anacostia. No gear needed. Even if the date is bad, at least you can snap some classic fish pics for your Hinge profile.
Get Competitive With Some Board Games
Every Thursday, Labyrinth in Eastern Market has a free board game night. And MLK Library has Mahjong nights. Or, for something more casual, The Boardroom is a board game-centric bar in Dupont. Just remember, there is such a thing as too competitive.
Get Outside and Volunteer
Pick a local organization — Casey Trees, District Clean-Ups, Kenilworth Gardens, Ward 8 Woods, D.C.’s National Parks — and volunteer to help them keep our city green. Plus, it shows you’re not afraid to get your hands, ahem, dirty.
Go On an Art Walk
On the first Friday of each month Dupont has a self-guided gallery/museum walk where you can check out the local art scene for free. Match that with a little gelato from Dolcezza and bam, a date to remember.
