Broke Man's Guide to Romance in Shanghai
520 is here! This means, another weird Chinese Valentine's Day (you know, 5-2-0 also means, 'I love you'.) And as you know, living in Shanghai is not cheap, and neither is trying to woo a girl around here. But even if you're broke as hell, there are still plenty of ways to make a good impression. After all, having a tiny room in a flat share doesn’t mean your bed should be cold and lonely.
IMPRESSIVE VIEWS
CAPTAIN HOSTEL
Address: 37, Fuzhou Lu
Tel: 021-63235053
Who can resist a tucked away gem at the Bund, with gorgeous views without the typical Bund prices.
STARBUCKS-XUJIAHUI
Address: Room 219, 1111, Zhaojiabang Lu
The first date should be casual and impressive. What says it more than grabbing a Starbucks in Metro City, after a quick catch up there are plenty of cheap eateries in the building to snack on. Oh, and the movie theater inside metro city is less than RMB80 per person.
HIGH SOCIETY
HAKKASAN
Address: 5F, Bund18, 18, Zhongshan dong yi Lu
Tel: 021-63215888
When: Every Wednesday, 7:30p.m. onwards
Be thirfty without looking like a cheap skate! Hakkasan Wednesday Night deals are by far one of the best in town. RMB48+10% for a martini, including snacks. This is highway robbery!
MR. & MRS. BUND
Address: 6F, Bund18, 18, Zhongshan dongyi Lu
Tel: 021-63239898
Mr. & Mrs. Bund are holding an Apero session from 5:30pm onwards, which includes RMB 50 for bistro selections such as escargots, oysters and French tapas, and RMB50 for French wines. This is certainly the best place for the cheapest of all penny pinchers.
KEEPING THINGS CASUAL
BUMBU
Address: B1F, 555, Nanjing west Lu
Tel: 021-62227693
Need a low key approach to thrifty living? Bumbu has great Indonesian noodles for only RMB28. This certainly is one step classier than the around-the-corner noodle Ayi, plus with some exotic South East Asian flavors, your date would take you in for an adventure-lovin’ bloke.
HAPPY BUDDHA
Address: 2F, 388, Shanxinan Lu,
Tel: 021 5436 6083
Need a heathy night out instead of always slinging cocktails? Happy Buddha has two of the best deals that will make you look like a health nut, for impressing the health conscious chick with all-you-can eat vegan tacos AND vegan ice cream for RMB88
BAR CENTRALE
Address: 101, No 135, Yanping Lu
Tel: 021-62051068
Every Tuesday you can get a free dish of antipasti with every drink at RMB50 from 4-8pm.
DOZO
Address: 2F, 1717, Nanjing west Lu
Tel: 021-31278558
Every night of the week beginning from 5:30pm, you can enjoy 10 oysters with two glasses of Chandon for RMB100 in this exquisite Jing’an Japanese restaurant.
FREE FLOW BRUNCH
PENTALOUNGE
Address: 1525, Dingxi Lu
Tel: 62521111-8100
Brunch is one of the weekend rituals that is the perfect accompaniment to a great Saturday date. Right near Zhongshan Park, pentalounge of pentahotel offers up free-flow DIY Bloody Mary brunch for RMB148 per person. Brunch comes with a main course and a breakfast buffet of select cheese, fruits and other items that will be sure to fill your bellies.
ICE CREAM
IKEA
Nothing screams summer more than delicious ice cream. Forget fancy yogurt bowls and go for the classic soft serve at Ikea! At RMB 1 per cone, you can bring back the childhood nostalgia while taking your date and admiring all the furniture sets. Heck, you can even sweet talk her and imagine a perfect future together. This is one spot you can even offer to buy her seconds! And if you cannot even afford the ice cream, you got some serious issues man.
Now, if your pockets are really hurting, there are other amazing ways to not spend a dime to have a good date around town. Check our other article here for 90 Free Ways to Enjoy Spring!
First Taste: Austin Hu's diner