183. Devil's Night Drive-In

Date night at a drive-in sounds more fun & romantic, no?
Did you know that a patent was issued for the first drive-in theatre exactly 33 years ago from this month? The first one opened in June 1933! At that time, it was 25¢ per car and 25¢ per person ($1 total maximum). Sounds like a cheap date, right? Well, the admission at Devil's Night Drive-in (formerly known as Angel City, ironically enough) is at least comparable to a regular movie theater ticket at $10 pp. Despite the price, many Yelpers have raved about this being a great date night idea (4.5 stars).

Drive-in-Theater - 1933
Originally uploaded by Origins of Business

For a guaranteed parking spot in front of the screen, pre-sale tickets are available online 1.5 weeks prior and until 2 PM on the day of the show. Due to limited capacity (60+ cars), come early to find this place on top of a 2-story parking structure in Downtown LA and settle in with a FM-transmitter. With a DJ to entertain, gates open 1.5 hours before show time, usually at 8 or 9 PM. No car is required though as walk-ins and bike-ins are welcome to sit and watch from a designated astroturf area. If you do, feel free to bring lawn chairs, blankets and bundle up. Like in the good ol' days (before my time), car hops on rollerskates go around to the cars offering popcorn, candy, hot dogs, soda, coffee and tea, all at non-theater prices. Here's the best part of Devil's Night: you can bring your own food and drinks (Read: BYOB).

On the 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month, get ready to watch some oldies but goodies on a 24'x18' projector screen (see website for tickets and updates):

• 5/22 Pretty in Pink
• 6/12 Labyrinth
• 6/26 Showgirls
• 7/10 Easy Rider
• 7/24 Pulp Fiction
• 8/14 People's Choice (vote online)
• 8/28 Rushmore
• 9/11 Indiana Jones

For another unique date night, you have to experience Cinespia screenings at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery (see Cheap Date Idea #182), which is also BYOB! If these spots are too much of a trek, check out OC Great Park, such as Cheap Date Idea #165. Or if you like the typical theater, go on Cheap Date Idea #132 for only $3. Drive-ins are rare nowadays, so if you know of another one in LA or OC, let me know.

UPDATE 05/22/10: Per the recommendation by the owner at @DevilsNight, after the movie, continue your date night at the local fave dive bar. Leave your car there (no extra parking fee) and walk over to @Bar107 with no cover, a dance floor and a 4-star rating on Yelp.com.

Approximate cost of creative date idea = $10 pp.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = $20 Total.
Kiss & Tell Date Idea by @LAsnark & @estarLA

174. Free Dinner with Dave

Good friends, Good (free) food, Great (free) music.
Dinner with Dave is a 100% free event with a complimentary light dinner at Memphis at the Santora in the Santa Ana Art District AND live music. I heard the food is good here and if it's anything like it's sister bar/restaurant, the nightlife atmosphere at the Manhattan Beach location is pretty cool (there's another one in Costa Mesa). Tomorrow on May 12th, the event kicks off with a DJ at 9 PM, then the live band and dinner start at 10 PM. It is a bit of a late start, but it's F-R-E-E. With that said, arrive early and enjoy a drink at their bar (optional). This is a great group date idea for 21+ (sorry, the restaurant is normally family-friendly, but not for this late-night activity).

Cool bar at the Memphis Cafe
Originally uploaded by PAGalloway

The single-course dinner is served buffet style and according to many Yelp reviewers, Memphis at the Santora is yum! One Yelper claims that the freshly made chocolate berry bread pudding is worth the wait (and money). Parking is free here, either on the street or at a parking lot a block away. Free food, no cover AND free parking!

I won't be able to make it tomorrow night, but I'm marking my calendar for every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month (yes, it's bi-monthly!!). I'm not sure when @DinnerwithDave events first started but it's first mentioned on Yelp in 2007. Click HERE to read the Yelp reviews mentioning this event. I can't believe I just learned about it now. Looking forward to this one!

Approximate cost of creative date idea = Free.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.
Kiss & Tell Date Idea by @TheOCGazette

169. FREE Tuesday Night Cafe

Support your local artists in Downtown LA!
Yup, it's Tuesday again, which means Tuesday Night Project shares performing art again with the public, such as music, poetry, theatre, comedy improv, dance, karaoke and more. Tuesday Night Cafe (TNC) is a FREE event at 7:30 PM every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month between April and October. Of course, donations are always appreciated! This outdoor performance is usually held at the Aratani Courtyard in Little Tokyo, which is family-friendly and dog-friendly (that's a rare find!). For directions, tonight's line up and updates, click HERE.

IMG_4161
Originally uploaded by waxstyles

TNC has been teetering between #1 and #2 spot for Yelp LA Nightlife (click HERE to read Yelp reviews). Either way, this is something worth checking out. Street parking is free after 8 PM. The cheapest paid parking lot is at Joe's on 2nd St between Central and San Pedro. Come early to find parking and grab a seat. Otherwise, bringing your own chair and blanket would be a smart idea to stay comfortable for 2 hours outdoors. No drinks and food are served here, so feel free bring something or stop into Little Tokyo Cafe next door before the show.

If prefer to watch from the comfort of your own home or are out of town, watch the performances LIVE online (yes, streaming live at 7:30 PM PST). If you miss it or simply want to rewatch it, no worries! TNC is on YouTube too! As of this moment, there are at least 16 previous shows at your fingertips. Enjoy!

UPDATE 05/11/10: For ease of reference, the future show dates are: 5/18, 6/1, 6/15, 7/6, 7/20, 8/3, 8/17, 9/7, 9/21, 10/5 and 10/19. Mark your calendars!


UPDATE 05/17/10: Last minute change of venue due to chance of rain: Senor Fish at 7:15p at 422 E 1st St, Los Angeles.

Approximate cost of creative date idea = Free.
Actual value of the cheap date idea = Priceless.
Kiss & Tell Date Idea by @tnproject