25 Cute Cincinnati Date Ideas Under $25 That Are Actually Good

Try Your Hand at Duckpin Bowling at Pins Mechanical Co.

$6 per person per game
This multi-level OTR entertainment bar features duckpin bowling, vintage pinball machines, ping pong, foosball and a rooftop patio with bocce ball and firepits. Duckpin bowling uses smaller bowling balls (without holes), smaller pins and smaller lanes than traditional bowling alleys. Games are first-come, first-served and are only $6 per person per game; no special shoes required. If there’s a line for a lane, happy hour runs until 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and features $2 off signature cocktails, drafts and wine, so grab a drink while you wait for your name to be called. Giant Jenga is free and pinball and foosball only cost 50 cents per game. 1124 Main St., Over-the-Rhine.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Go on a Self-Guided ArtWorks Mural Tour

Free
Each summer, ArtWorks and its apprentices put new murals up on buildings around the Greater Cincinnati area. Download a PDF of downtown and Over-the-Rhine murals at artworkscincinnati.org. 20 E. Central Parkway, Downtown.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Sip on Some Vino During a Friday Night Tasting at Oakley Wines

$10 per tasting
Nothing says "date night" quite like a belly full of beaujolais. Visit this Oakley wine bar on Friday nights for their ever-popular evening tasting, where everyone from newbies to oenophiles can sample five wines for $10. The vino party happens again Sunday afternoon from 1-4 p.m. — same number of wines, same price. It also happens to be Sunday Sauce day, a “pasta pop-up party with chef David Jackman,” from 1-7 p.m. with rotating and creative pasta dishes, with varying price points. 4011 Allston St., Oakley.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Visit Everybody’s Treehouse and Walk the Trails of Mt. Airy Forest

Free
Everybody’s Treehouse is an otherworldly, elevated structure buried in trees and seemingly snatched out of a fantasy novel. The structure is also fully wheelchair-accessible. 1212 Trail Ridge Road, Westwood.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Score Some $1 Tacos at Tortilleria Garcia

$1 per taco
Every Tuesday, Tortilleria Garcia serves its tacos (with housemade corn tortillas) for just $1 each, all day. The restaurant’s menu consists of straightforward Mexican classics like tamales, burritos, housemade salsas and rotisserie chicken, in addition to tacos, plus classic tortilla shells that are available in two-pound packs so you can make your own inspired creations at home. 11774 Springfield Pike, Springdale; 5917 Hamilton Ave., College Hill.
Photo: Paige Deglow

Take a Walk on the Wild Side at the Krohn Conservatory

$7 per person
Located in historic Eden Park, the Krohn Conservatory is an aluminum-and-glass Art Deco destination (in the shape of an upside-down heart) filled with more than 3,500 plant species from around the world. Permanent displays include a rare orchid house, steamy tropical room, succulent-filled desert space and a fun walk-through rainforest rock waterfall. 1501 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams.
Photo: Kellie Coleman

Visit the Foodie Amusement Park That Is Jungle Jim’s International Market

Free to wander
Jungle Jim’s is an amusement park for foodies, and not just because of its kitschy statues and animatronics. It sells nearly 1,000 different kinds of hot sauce, which makes the Aisle of Inferno (as it’s so dubbed) “the largest retail selection in the United States.” It’s pretty hard to miss — it’s the one with the giant fire truck on top of it. Stop by the bar to grab a glass of wine or a beer while you wander and indulge in several cheese samples. Or, grab ingredients to make a meal together. 5440 Dixie Highway, Fairfield.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Stuff Your Face with Cheese at The Rhined’s Raclette Night

$12 per order
The Rhined is a little slice of cheese heaven located across from Findlay Market. The artisan shop stocks a collection of the best hand-selected domestic cheeses, plus wine, beer, nuts, olives and jams to accompany the dairy of your dreams. On top of their excellent selection of cheese, which you can grab to go by weight or eat inside on a curated cheese board, they also offer a specialty sandwich of the week, adult "lunchables" and their Raclette Night, where on Wednesday nights starting at 5 p.m., they heat and scrape raclette cheese (a type of Swiss) onto a selection of goodies like potatoes, veggies and charcuterie. 1737 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Partake in Some Friendly Competition at Arcade Legacy: Bar Edition

Free to play as long as you buy something to eat or drink
Arcade Legacy: Bar Edition is a gamer's paradise, whether you’re into vintage arcade and pinball machines or Sega Genesis. And even if you aren’t, the glowing screens and gentle ping of the machines is a perfect backdrop for a playful date night — especially if you and your beau go head to head in a digital battle to the death. In addition to games, the bar serves craft beer, cocktails, nachos and crazy hot dog creations (even vegetarian ones). 3929 Spring Grove Ave., Northside.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Double Down at Cancun and Western Bowl

$3.95-$4.75 per game; shoe rental extra
It’s a two-for-one at Cancun Restaurante & Cantina and Western Bowl Strike & Spare — the establishments are connected by a doorway, making it easy to go from classic strip-mall tacos and tequila to classic bowling and beer. Since 1958, the glowing Western Bowl sign has been beckoning amateurs and pros alike to play on its 68 automatic lanes. With a Big Lebowski-esque atmosphere, the rates are reasonable (less than $5 a game), the snacks are cheap and the bar is fully stocked. Grab a pitcher of beer for $9 and get ready to bowl. 6383 Glenway Ave., Western Hills.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Sample Some Spirits and Take a Tour of Newport’s New Riff Distillery

$10 per person
New Riff offers three regular distillery tours and tastings: the Bonded Tour, the Barrel Proof Tour and the Distiller’s Tour. The Bonded Tour offers the best bang for your buck at $10. Guests can get a detailed look at New Riff’s distilling process “from grain to barrel” and then sample spirits made in house ranging from New Riff’s bourbon to their Single Barrel. And your ticket price can be applied to a gift shop purchase of $25 or more. 24 Distillery Way, Newport.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Watch the Sun Set Over the City at Devou Park

Free
Devou Park is the largest park in Covington, covering 700 acres of land. Bike, hike, golf or catch a beautiful view of the city at the park's overlook. 790 Park Lane, Covington.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Stare at the Stars with Your Sweetie at the Cincinnati Observatory

$5-$7 per person; RSVP required
Founded in 1842, the Cincinnati Observatory houses the oldest fully operational telescope in the nation. And on most Thursday and Friday nights — and some Saturday nights — it hosts public viewings where anyone and everyone (who RSVPs) is welcome to come explore the cosmos with a local astronomer. Listen to a presentation and then partake in a guided stargaze through the aforementioned telescope: “a 16-foot long wood and brass refractor first used in 1845.” Weather permitting, you’ll see the moon, planets and stars. If it’s cloudy, you’ll get a tour of the cool historical building. 3489 Observatory Place, Mount Lookout.
Photo: Brittany Thornton

Dine on Cheap Oysters at Branch

$1 per oyster
When O'Bryonville's Eighth & English closed last year, Branch took over the restaurant’s Tuesday $1 oyster special to keep the tradition alive. Each week, Branch offers “all you can eat, chef’s choice oysters on the half shell” for a buck a piece. 1535 Madison Road, O’Bryonville.
Photo: facebook.com/eatatbranch

Catch a Show (for Free) During the Wednesday Welcome Experiment at Know Theatre

Free Wednesday night mainstage performances; $10 advance
Know Theatre is known for putting on cutting-edge and avant-garde productions in its black box theater (true to type, it also produces the city’s annual Fringe Festival). The Wednesday Welcome Experiment makes shows accessible to all with totally free admission, so you can spend the ticket money you saved at the venue’s Underground Bar — a cocktail and cabaret space with drinks and programming that complements the goings-on upstairs. 1120 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine.
Photo: Dan R. Winters

Get Lucky at the Lucky Cat Museum

Free, but donations are greatly appreciated
The excellently odd meow-seum boasts a one-of-a-kind collection of Japanese maneki neko “lucky cat” figures. See over 2,000 of these waving felines, varying in design from antique porcelain to slot machines and pop-culture-themed cats. And don’t worry: There’s a gift shop. 2511 Essex Place, Walnut Hills.
Photo: Kellie Coleman

Go to an Interactive Screening of the Rocky Horror Picture Show at Esquire Theatre

$10.25 per adult ticket
Every other Saturday, the local Denton Affair presents an interactive screening of this cult classic film with a live cast. Audience members are encouraged to dress up in their best Frank N. Furter or Janet cosplay (depends on the vibe you’re going for) and bring flashlights, noisemakers and bells. The theater does ask that you not throw toast, confetti, toilet paper or rice. And if you don’t feel like doing the Time Warp again with your boo, head to the Esquire on Bargain Tuesday, where tickets to most movies are $5. Or go to the theater on Thirsty Thursday for $3 beers from the in-house “Back Alley Bar” before 9 p.m. (adult film tickets are full-price on Thursday aka $10.25). 320 Ludlow Ave., Clifton.
Photo: facebook.com/TheDentonAffair

Catch Free Live Music at MOTR Pub

Cheap drinks, free music
MOTR Pub does two things really well: rocks your face off with loud music and sweaty crowds and serves up one hell of a burger. The bar hosts some of the best live shows in the city, highlighting local and touring Indie, Rock and Folk acts — all without a cover. Find larger acts across the street at sister establishment and venue the Woodward Theater, also helmed by the same team of longtime area music promoters. Along with excellent live music, MOTR is home to a lively sketch comedy and stand-up scene, late-night eats (including veggie and vegan options) and weekend brunch. 1345 Main St., Over-the-Rhine.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Share Some Laughs at Go Bananas Comedy Club’s Pro-Am Night

$5 per person on Wednesdays
While Go Bananas hosts national touring comics, they also have a soft spot for Cincy’s local comic scene. Every Wednesday night is Pro-Am night while newbies, club regulars and special touring guests take the stage to work out new material. Tickets are only $5 per person, so you still have cash to burn on a bucket of domestic beer (just $20). 8410 Market Place Lane, Montgomery.
Photo: Facebook.com/GoBananasComedyClub

Sip, Bite and Stroll Your Way Through Findlay Market

Free to wander
While Findlay Market is free to wander, they do offer a free 30-minute guided tour bi-monthly to introduce you to special market vendors and recount tales of the market’s 160 year history. Grab a bite to eat — or groceries to make dinner later — and stop by Market Wines 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday for the famous wine tasting. For under $10 each, you can get hefty samples of four handpicked wines. 1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger