How Much Dating Actually Costs in 2019 in Canada

If you’re single, it’s a dilemma you’ve faced before. Should you spend a small fortune wooing your would-be mate or should you do something cheap and cheerful that shows off your (hopefully) winning personality? Well, we’re looking at how much modern dating costs in Canada — and here to help with some options. Here are five common types of dates and how you can do each by either splashing out or conserving your cents.

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A dinner date — Expensive: $200

Few things make a better impression on a would-be partner than dinner at a nice restaurant. There’s something about slow-cooked food and great wine that no amount of nuggets and fries can match. But all that classy fare will add up: once the tip is factored in, you’ll be lucky to escape for under $200.

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A dinner date — Cheap: $50

If you still want a great dining experience but don’t want to spend a fortune, opt for a brunch date. The food will be cheaper but probably still tasty; it’s hard to mess up eggs, bread and fruit. Plus. aside from maybe a mimosa or two, you won’t be on the hook for alcohol.

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Drinks date — Expensive $300

Forget cocktails in a bar. If you really want to impress a date, take them on a wine tasting tour. And don’t let our geography fool you. Despite Canada's harsh winters, provinces like Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia all have wine-growing regions where tours abound. The down side: they’ll routinely set you back upwards of $150 per person.

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Drinks date — Cheap: $75

If you’re short on funds, organize your own brewery tour. In cities like Toronto, many breweries will allow you to sample their hops onsite, often for much less than you’d pay in a bar. Plus, there’s just something beautiful about a row of beer tanks. (Tear.) If you’re on a tight budget, take public transit from brewery to brewery. If you’re a little more flush, hail an Uber. But, of course, never, ever drive.

Pro dating tip:

Talk about some of the Canadian breweries and distilleries where women are leading the way.

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A show date — Expensive: $300

If you really want to impress your date, splurge on tickets to a top-notch musical. This year alone, Toronto will play host to award-winners Hamilton, Come From Away and Dear Evan Hansen. Those spectacles won’t be cheap, though. Good seats for Come From Away, for example, will set you back $150 a pop. (And yes, you should be getting good seats.)

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A show date — Cheap: $20

If your budget can’t accommodate mezzanine-level seats to Hamilton, fret not. You can soak in some high-brow entertainment by going to a cheap outdoor production of Shakespeare. This summer, parks in cities like Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Halifax will all play host the bard’s plays. Many tickets are pay what you can, so for $10 apiece — a reasonable donation in most places — you can catch some of the finest wordplay in the history of Western civilization.

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An adventure date — Expensive: $150

Show your date you’ve got an adventurous side by taking them glamping. Canada is packed with semi-luxurious campsites where you can revel in nature by day and bed down in a swanky cabin (or tepee or yurt) by night. Fancier places will cost you upwards of $150 a night, but there’s a good chance they’ll come equipped with amenities, like hot tubs, saunas and flush toilets (an absolute must).

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An adventure date — Cheap: $40

If glamping is too pricey, opt for an afternoon at an obstacle course. These adult playgrounds, which will set you back around $20 a head, are becoming extremely popular, so there’s probably one near you. If you and your date are not the athletic types don’t worry. You can bond over your shared failures.

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An educational date — Expensive $200

Instead of plopping down on the couch and watching Netflix, do something educational on your next date, like taking a pottery class. (Just please resist the urge to re-enact Ghost.) If throwing clay isn’t your thing, try cooking, painting, or, if you’re both extroverts, standup comedy. It’ll be great fun, but chances are the classes won’t be a one-off and you’ll need to sign up for a complete course.

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.An educational date — Cheap: Free

If private classes are too expensive, check out what’s on offer at your local library. From French lessons to podcasting seminars, chances are there’s something that will pique the interest of you and your date. And the best part: many classes are completely and gloriously free.

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