Reagan Josephine on budget friendly date ideas in Houston. 

Well before my partner and I started dating and became official, we went on “friend dates,” just the two of us, and quickly bonded over a love of novelty and adventure. One of our first adventures was walking around Montrose and Rice Village, each a shot of whisky in, until well past three am to watch the city shut down together. One of the things I mentioned to him that night was about reading two different books, The Art of Frugal Hedonism, and Living for Pleasure- a guide to Epicurean Philosophy.

These books operate off a very similar premise. The first: life is inherently full of small pleasures and joys. Think fresh fruit, homemade roast chicken, a really good cup of coffee, the sun setting. The second premise is that these pleasures are very cheap or completely free. Hyper capitalistic society and non-stop marketing has turned us into dopamine seeking fiends and impulsive spenders. 

This especially affects the dating scene. Love, companionship, and even just discovering yourself, should not depend on spending exorbitant amounts of money. Instead, shared experiences and learning more about the world, each other, and yourself should be the end goal.

It is unfortunately our current reality that we are in the middle of a recession. As a certified diva who is also saving for a house and a wedding while actively dating my partner, here are my tried and true recession proof date ideas, curated by two very adventurous and open minded people with a try-anything-once mindset. 

Drinks in. Pick your favorite cocktail and have a contest who can make it the best. Personally, we are fans of an absolutely filthy dry vodka martini. 

Visit your local used or Indie bookstore. Houston has fantastic options: Brazos Bookstore, Blue Willow Bookshop, Good on Paper, and Kaboom Books are my favorite go-to’s.

Find your local green space and have a picnic, or go for a walk. In summer, early morning or late evening may be best for this. The Menil has a free soundbath/meditation every Sunday at 2pm. Other Houston spaces include Memorial Park, Buffalo Bayou, and the Arboretum. 

Attend museum events and happy hours. A museum membership (MFAH was my choice) offers a host of events to its members. We’ve attended early gallery shows, holiday events, and evening tours. Our museum membership often includes free drink tickets to events as well.

Build your physical media collection. I have a record player and record collection and frequent a lot of our local record shops and events. Good Junk Vintage Records hosts a lot of vinyl record events at coffee shops and beer gardens if you want a curated selection and some fantastic local guidance. My other favorite is Cactus Music, which has a great selection and they also host a lot of new album listening parties! 

Look at your local library resources. Houston Public Library has a lot of resources included in a membership such as online move and TV shows that can be accessed, events for young adults, educational lectures, workshops and craft nights. All of these are free. 

Go back to basics, and reimagine the coffee date. Think locally coffee shops, a good coffee and pastry, or even take turns making coffee and a small treat together at home. 

At the end of the day, dating during a recession doesn’t have to mean shrinking your life. It just asks you to become more intentional about the way you create joy. If anything, this season has reminded us that pleasure is still everywhere, waiting to be noticed, tended to, and shared. And when you approach dating from curiosity, play, and genuine presence, even the simplest experiences become unforgettable.

LATELY IN HOUSTON

In Houston, the Southern vampire film snags best picture. Ryan Coogler's "Sinners" devours Houston Film Critics Society awards with eight wins, a historic haul beating "La La Land." The Southern vampire drama took best picture, director, and lead actor (Michael B. Jordan). Meanwhile, Dallas and Austin critics picked Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another." Even Texas film critics can't reach consensus.

It’s the "Year of Robotics" buzz. Houston's iWok restaurant debuts robotic chefs. Precision-engineered woks replicate Chef J.D. Yang's exact techniques, wok hei included, while humans prep ingredients and plate dishes. Kung Pao in minutes, no compromise on quality. Are we into Chinese-American classics meeting algorithm mastery? Sure, doesn’t hurt to try.

Want your name on the Moon (ish)? NASA's letting you hitch a digital ride on Artemis II's 2026 launch. Four astronauts loop around the Moon in a 10-day test run as humanity's warmup lap before Mars. Submit now, get a boarding pass, live vicariously through an SD card traveling 230,000+ miles. Space tourism for introverts!

*ring ring* The food world's Oscars are calling. Houston scores 12 James Beard semifinalist nods. Hugo Ortega, Manabu Horiuchi, and 27-year-old wunderkind Adrian Torres lead the pack. Agnes and Sherman, ChòpnBlọk, and Camaraderie join the lineup. Texas flexes with 42 total semifinalists statewide. Winners announced on June 15th. Pass the champagne (and tacos, of course), please.

WEEKEND EVENTS

A cold front is hitting Houston this weekend! Please check forecasts and event details for any updates or cancellations from event organizers.

All Weekend

• Kawaii Market at Asia Society

• Real Women Have Curves at Alley Theatre

• New Honey Art Cafe location now open

• Frida: The Making of an Icon at MFAH

Thursday, 1/22

7:30pm, Film | Jim Henson: Early Experiments co-presented by Aurora Picture Show and the Jim Henson Legacy. $10.

8pm-10:30pm, Live Music | Jazz Listening Room featuring The Raven Moran Quartet at Moth. $21.

Friday, 1/23

3pm-6:30pm, Crafts | Tote Bag and Cacao presented by Rooted Threads. “In this class you’ll learn how to sew, design your own tote bag with recycled materials and enjoy ceremonial cacao sourced from Mexico.” $59.

5:30pm-8:30pm, Art | Collage for a Cause with Public Art UHS at Lyndall Finley Wortham Theatre. “This special evening combines art, community, and purpose. After a guided nighttime public art walk on campus, you’ll create an original collage inspired by the artworks you experience.” Free. RSVPs full but join waitlist.

5:30pm, Nightlife | Noche Latin at MKT Heights. Free salsa and bachata lesson. All levels welcome.

8pm, Nightlife | Funkdemic Disco Night at Axelrad. Free.

10pm, Nightlife | More RnB Please Volume 2 with Prauper Studios at Status.

Saturday, 1/24

9am-1pm, Crafts | Live mini portraits by Rocio at Cochinita & Co. CANCELLED

2pm-3:30pm, Nightlife | “Talking Frida” curator conversation at MFAH. “James Oles, consulting curator for the exhibition, sits down with curators Miguel A. López and Tobias Ostrander, artist Amalia Mesa-Bains, and documentary filmmaker Trisha Ziff to explore Frida Kahlo's story and how the artist grew from little-known painter to global icon.” Included with museum admission.

4pm, Nightlife | Dry January at The Mood Room. “Zero-proof drinks, good vibes, live DJ, and a fresh start to your year.”

8pm, Live Music | Sofar Sounds Show. Location revealed 36 hours before the event. “Join us for a classic Sofar evening featuring three singer-songwriters, stripped down to their core. We’ll also be inaugurating a brand-new space, where we'll share homemade beverages and songs meant to be enjoyed up close.” $25.

Sunday, 1/25

10am, Yoga | Yoga, Plants & Music Retreat at Blessings Plant & Music Gallery$20.

11am, Yoga | Yoga at Brazos Bookstore. Free.

12pm, Live Music | Sunday Jazz Brunch with Dan James at Empire State Jam Cafe. $12.

1pm-5pm, Community | Family Day at Bayou Bend & Rienzi. “An afternoon of free, family-friendly programs that connect myths, folklore, and American & European history through storytelling, music, activities, and demonstrations.” Free and open to the public.

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