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GUIDE

Free & Cheap Date Ideas in NYC

Date ideas that cost little or nothing

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Free and cheap date ideas in NYC: gallery nights, free concerts, walking tours, tastings and markets worth wandering. Pair any of these with a walk and you’ve got a night out. For paid ideas, see Date night.

483 verified listings right now. Updated automatically.

Happening now
Daily · 12 AM–11:59 PM
53°F · Rain Showers
✓ Verified Nov 8, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Triangular pedestrian island, Broadway between 45th & 46th S, Manhattan · official listing on diaart.org · checked Nov 8
Arts & culture

Max Neuhaus — Times Square Sound Installation (Dia)

📍 Triangular pedestrian island, Broadway between 45th & 46th Streets · Times Square, Manhattan
Free
Happening now
Daily · 12 AM–11:59 PM
53°F · Rain Showers
✓ Verified Nov 8, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at West 22nd Street between 10th & 11th Avenues, Manhattan · official listing on diaart.org · checked Nov 8
Arts & culture

Joseph Beuys — 7000 Oaks (Dia Art Foundation)

📍 West 22nd Street between 10th & 11th Avenues · Chelsea, Manhattan
Free
Happening now
Daily · 6 AM–11:59 PM
53°F · Rain Showers
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at Doris C. Freedman Plaza, Manhattan · official listing on publicartfund.org · checked Nov 11
Arts & culture

Camille Henrot: Dogs at Doris C. Freedman Plaza

📍 Doris C. Freedman Plaza · Midtown, Manhattan
Free
Happening now
Daily · 8 AM–8 PM
53°F · Rain Showers
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at National September 11 Memorial, Manhattan · official listing on 911memorial.org · checked Nov 10
Arts & culture

National September 11 Memorial plaza

📍 National September 11 Memorial · Financial District, Manhattan
Free
Happening now
Every Wed, Thu, Fri · 12 PM–8 PM
53°F · Rain Showers
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at The Museum at FIT, Manhattan · official listing on fitnyc.edu · checked Nov 2
Arts & culture

The Museum at FIT (Always Free, Open Until 8 PM Wed–Fri)

📍 The Museum at FIT · Manhattan
Free
Happening now
Daily · 12 PM–11:59 PM
53°F · Rain Showers
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · repeats, so you can go another time · at Rudy's Bar & Grill, Manhattan · official listing on rudysbarnyc.com · checked Nov 10
Music & nightlife

Rudy's Bar & Grill: free hot dog with a drink

📍 Rudy's Bar & Grill · Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan
Free to enter · purchases optional · Free hot dog with every drink or any purchase (the drink is paid).
Happening now
Daily · 12 PM–11:59 PM
53°F · Rain Showers
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · repeats, so you can go another time · at Skinny Dennis, Brooklyn · official listing on skinnydennisbrooklyn.com · checked Nov 10
Music & nightlife

Skinny Dennis: no-cover country nights (check calendar)

📍 Skinny Dennis · Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Paid; No cover on many nights. Check the official calendar. Drinks are paid.
Happening now
Daily · 12 PM–11:59 PM
53°F · Rain Showers
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · repeats, so you can go another time · at The Levee, Brooklyn · official listing on theleveenyc.com · checked Nov 10
Music & nightlife

The Levee: complimentary cheeseballs (Williamsburg)

📍 The Levee · Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Free to enter · purchases optional · Complimentary cheeseballs. Drinks and other food (chili dogs, Frito pies) are paid.
Happening now
Daily · 3 PM–11:59 PM
53°F · Rain Showers
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · limited spots · repeats, so you can go another time · at Alligator Lounge, Brooklyn · official listing on alligatorloungebrooklyn.com · checked Nov 10
Music & nightlife

Alligator Lounge: free pizza with a drink (21+)

📍 Alligator Lounge · Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Free to enter; purchases optional. Dine-in and same day only; no to-go. · 21+
Happening now
THU, NOV 12 · 5 PM–7 PM
53°F · Rain Showers
✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Flatiron Wines & Spirits, Manhattan · official listing on nyc.flatiron-wines.com · checked Oct 25
Drinks & tastings

Free tastings at Flatiron Wines

📍 Flatiron Wines & Spirits · Flatiron, Manhattan
Free
Happening now
THU, NOV 12 · 5 PM–6:30 PM
53°F · Rain Showers
✓ Verified Nov 6, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, New York Public Library, Manhattan · official listing on eventbrite.com · checked Nov 6
Painting & crafts

Ancestral Memory: Indigenous Art, History, and Language at NYPL

📍 Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, New York Public Library · Midtown, Manhattan
Free · registration required · Free; RSVP required on the NYPL Center for Educators and Schools Eventbrite page
Happening now
Every Thu · 5 PM–7 PM
53°F · Rain Showers
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · repeats, so you can go another time · at The Long Island Museum, Long Island · official listing on longislandmuseum.org · checked Nov 11
Arts & culture

Long Island Museum Free Thursday Evenings

📍 The Long Island Museum · Stony Brook, Long Island
Free at the listed days and hours · Official hours page: museum admission is free after 5:00 p.m. on Thursdays.
Happening now
THU, NOV 12 · 5:30 PM–7 PM
53°F · Rain Showers
✓ Verified Oct 31, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · at Pearl River Mart Foods (Chelsea Market), Manhattan · official listing on pearlriver.com · checked Oct 31
Arts & culture

Chef Judy Joo book signing at Pearl River Mart Foods

📍 Pearl River Mart Foods (Chelsea Market) · Chelsea, Manhattan
Free to enter · purchases optional · Free to attend; registration appreciated; cookbook for sale
Happening now
Daily · 5:30 PM–11:59 PM
53°F · Rain Showers
✓ Verified Nov 10, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · repeats, so you can go another time · at Kissa Kissa, Brooklyn · official listing on kissakissa.us · checked Nov 10
Music & nightlife

Kissa Kissa: first bowl of popcorn is free

📍 Kissa Kissa · Crown Heights, Brooklyn
Free to enter · purchases optional · First bowl of house-spiced popcorn is complimentary (on the house). Extra bowls and other food and drinks are paid.
Happening now
THU, NOV 12 · FROM 5:30 PM
53°F · Rain Showers
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Juilliard Station, Manhattan · official listing on juilliard.edu · checked Nov 11
Music & nightlife

Rush Hour at Juilliard Station: Grand Duo

📍 Juilliard Station · Lincoln Square, Manhattan
Free
Happening now
THU, NOV 12 · 6 PM–8 PM
53°F · Rain Showers
✓ Verified Oct 25, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Astor Wines & Spirits, Manhattan · official listing on astorwines.com · checked Oct 25
Drinks & tastings

Free wine & spirits tastings at Astor Wines

📍 Astor Wines & Spirits · NoHo, Manhattan
Free
Happening now
THU, NOV 12 · 6 PM–9 PM
53°F · Rain Showers
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at Weeksville Heritage Center, Brooklyn · official listing on weeksvillesociety.org · checked Nov 11
Arts & culture

Weeksville Watch Night: TRUE NORTH

📍 Weeksville Heritage Center · Crown Heights, Brooklyn
Free · registration required · Official event page: a free screening; admission is free and open to the public. Reserve your spot on the official listing.
Starts in 16m
THU, NOV 12 · 6:30 PM–8 PM
53°F · Rain Showers
✓ Verified Nov 5, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Bushwick Comedy Club, Brooklyn · official listing on bushwickcomedy.com · checked Nov 5
Music & nightlife

Bushwick Comedy Club Thursday Night Open Mic

📍 Bushwick Comedy Club · Bushwick, Brooklyn
Free
Starts in 16m
THU, NOV 12 · 6:30 PM–7:30 PM
53°F · Rain Showers
✓ Verified Nov 8, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at The Cooper Union, Frederick P. Rose Auditorium, Manhattan · official listing on cooper.edu · checked Nov 8
Painting & crafts

Public Art Fund Talks: Camille Henrot at Cooper Union

📍 The Cooper Union, Frederick P. Rose Auditorium · Manhattan
Free · registration required
Starts in 1h 16m
THU, NOV 12 · 7:30 PM–9:30 PM
52°F · Rain Showers
✓ Verified Nov 9, 2026
Why this place: Free · at David Rubenstein Atrium, 1887 Broadway, Manhattan · official listing on lincolncenter.org · checked Nov 9
Arts & culture

The Precipice: Free Musical Reading at Lincoln Center

📍 David Rubenstein Atrium, 1887 Broadway · Upper West Side, Manhattan
Free; first-come general admission; optional Fast Track
Starts in 1h 16m
THU, NOV 12 · FROM 7:30 PM
52°F · Rain Showers
✓ Verified Nov 11, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at Paul Hall, Manhattan · official listing on juilliard.edu · checked Nov 11
Music & nightlife

Ensemble Connect at Juilliard’s Paul Hall

📍 Paul Hall · Lincoln Square, Manhattan
Free · registration required · Officially free; tickets required.
Starts in 2h 16m
THU, NOV 12 · 8:30 PM–9:45 PM
51°F · Rain Showers
✓ Verified Nov 7, 2026
Why this place: Free · pay what you wish · at Eris Deep Space (Brooklyn Comedy Collective), Brooklyn · official listing on brooklyncc.com · checked Nov 7
Music & nightlife

Demon Time improvised sketch night at Brooklyn Comedy Collective (21+)

📍 Eris Deep Space (Brooklyn Comedy Collective) · East Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Suggested donation · pay what you wish · Free with a suggested donation to the BCC Diversity Scholarship fund; first come, first served seating · 21+
Starts in 3h 46m
THU, NOV 12 · 10 PM–4 AM (NEXT DAY)
49°F · Rain Showers Likely
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free · registration required · at SILO Brooklyn, Brooklyn · official listing on dice.fm · checked Nov 2
Music & nightlife

CRUD0 presents Sound of Bogotá at SILO (21+)

📍 SILO Brooklyn · Bushwick, Brooklyn
Free · registration required · Free with RSVP on DICE; 21+ · 21+
Starts in 3h 46m
Every Thu · 10 PM–11:59 PM
51°F · Rain Showers Likely
✓ Verified Nov 8, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · repeats, so you can go another time · at The Stonewall Inn, Manhattan · official listing on thestonewallinnnyc.com · checked Nov 8
Music & nightlife

Thirst Trap Thursday party at The Stonewall Inn (21+)

📍 The Stonewall Inn · West Village, Manhattan
Free to enter · purchases optional · No cover listed on the official site; drinks sold at the bar. 21+ with physical ID · 21+
Starts in 5h 16m
THU, NOV 12 · 11:30 PM–12:45 AM (NEXT DAY)
50°F · Rain Showers Likely
✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026
Why this place: Free to enter · at Mezzrow, Manhattan · official listing on smallslive.com · checked Nov 2
Music & nightlife

Vinyl After Hours at Mezzrow on Thursday Nov 12 (no cover)

📍 Mezzrow · Manhattan
Free to enter · purchases optional · No cover charge per Mezzrow's listing; drinks are sold at the bar

Questions

How many listings are in this guide?

483 verified listings right now. Updated automatically.

How are these listings checked?

Every listing links to the organizer's own page: the venue, the city agency or park, or the official ticket or RSVP page. We don't copy listings from other event sites.

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