Cheap, relaxed date night

29 November 2006 | Tim Ashlock

Round one:

6pm | The Dog and Duck Pub

photo / Edward O’Connor

Get there during happy hour and get a good price on beer. Split a large order of the Dog and Duck’s awesome fish and chips – this is a LOT of food. Seriously. If you need more than a half order, you probably haven’t eaten in a year or so. Sit outside on the patio and enjoy the night air, your Murphy’s Stout, and your significant other’s company.

512-Go!» Dog and Duck Pub
406 W 17th St • 479-0598

Round two:

8pm | The State Capitol

No, I’m not kidding. This is a good place to work off all those calories you just ingested. Play Frisbee out on the soft grass under those enormous oak trees, or just wander around exploring and reading the plaques on all of those statues. The building itself is open all of the time, so go inside and make small talk with one of the bored State Troopers pulling guard duty.

The State Capitol Grounds
Seriously, you shouldn’t need the address for this one…

Round three:

9:30pm | I Luv Video

In the age of Netflix, it’s easy to forget that Austin has some pretty cool (yes, even weird) video stores that are open late and fun to meander through. Films at I Luv Video are organized by all sorts of categories: Zombies, comedies, director, actor (the big ones), sci-fi, gay/lesbian, country of production… etc. Have fun reading the goofy comments the staff writes on the boxes, and make up some of your own. But most importantly, leave with a cool movie to watch that didn’t come in the mail.

512-Go!» I Luv Video
2915 Guadalupe • 236-0759
4803 Airport • 450-1966

Final round

photo / Pete Welsch

11pm | A Steve’s Pick bottle of wine from H-E-B Hancock Center and a movie at home

Steve’s Picks can be found in the wine section of H-E-B Hancock Center, and he picks some fine ones. Almost all of the wines are under $10, and they rarely disappoint. A vino verde, you say? How about one for $6 that tastes great? Nothing fancy, but, then again, this date is being conducted on the cheap.

H-E-B Hancock Center
1000 E 41st Street • 459-6513

Finally

Go home, uncork that wine (not an innuendo, wise guy), kick your shoes off, and watch that foreign flick about gay zombies that your girlfriend/boyfriend made you get. Now that, my friend, is living the high life.