With a very special day in the middle of February coming up, you’re probably wondering what you’re going to do with your significant other. But on a student budget and in a small town like Waterloo, it’s tempting to say that there’s simply nothing to do. We, however, disagree and think that there is a lot of charm to this quaint town, and have decided to share with you our wisdom on some student-friendly dating solutions.
Coffee Dates
The coffee date is a staple of the crucial non-committal (read I-can-pretend-this-wasn’t-a-date-if-it-goes-poorly) dating scene. It’s casual, can be as short or as long as you want, and you satiate your need to buy things while socializing at a minimal cost. The ideal coffee-date is cozy, quiet, has comfortable seating, and, of course, a good selection of coffee, tea and snacks. While David’s Tea and Starbucks are popular spots to get your caffeine fix, they lack the ambiance and character which you’d ideally want on a date. Here are our picks for a good coffee-date in KW.
Located on 84 King Street North, DVLB (Death Valley’s Little Brother) bills itself as a “craft espresso & whiskey” bar. Its atmosphere is very rustic: the décor comprised of mismatched wooden furniture, copper-coloured fixtures, warm lighting, and music featuring the likes of Otis Redding and Creedence Clearwater Revival. In short, something of an aging hipster vibe. Of course, even if that isn’t your taste, the coffee is worth a shot as it offers what is easily some of the best lattés in the city.
If coffee and Macbooks aren’t your forté, make your way to 79 Regina Street North, Lotus Tea House for a simpler and peaceful atmosphere. Unlike most restaurants, this date spot is actually a converted house which boasts comfortable seating, hidden corners, and all the Buddhist reading material you could want. Feel free to explore the upstairs library and meditation room, or just go straight to the comfortable and homey dining area. The selection of tea is all made in-house with dubiously credible health benefits. While we’re unsure if you’ll actually gain longer life or improve your memory, we can attest to the fact that the teas are delicious. One thing to note is that the menu is vegan, making it friendly to even the strictest of diets.
Food Date
If you’re a little more comfortable with your date and want to try eating out, Waterloo is home to several charming cafés and restaurants. For an ideal dinner date you’d want a fuller menu, good service and seating (which unfortunately knocks out Burrito Boyz ), and the ability to actually hear one another. As a student, we’re expecting that you don’t want to break the bank, nor should you. We believe that character can make up for austerity, especially while we’re young.
For a great lunch date, we recommend The Raintree Café, located at 220 King St N, behind Phil’s Grandson’s Place. Don’t let its neighbour deter you; Raintree is colourful, light and casual. Its unique layout provides privacy between tables while still maintaining an open atmosphere. With seasonal daily specials and a solid regular menu, you can expect the food to be very fresh, vegetarian-friendly, and reasonably priced. Especially recommended is the Venus dip (artichoke, garlic and asiago) which would be enough on its own to warrant a recommendation.
Princess Café, on 46 King Street North, has a lot more to offer than just grilled cheese after a night of clubbing. With an excellent selection of drinks, paninis and salads, what really makes this place stand out is their dinner-and-a-movie special available everyday which offers an entrée, appetizer, drink, dessert, and movie admission to either of the Princess Cinemas for only $20. The atmosphere is your standard café fare with mismatched furnishings, clean décor, and super-colourful napkins. For those who have yet to go, the cinemas are locally owned and often feature the best limited releases, documentaries and cult-classics. Also, who doesn’t like to stick it to the monopolizing Cineplex giant?
Activity Date
For people who would rather do than talk, there is the one-night stand. For those who are a little more romantic, but still not as chatty, activity dates allow for a shared experience with minimal larynx-stimulation. An ideal date allows for you to do something together rather than simultaneously individually. A couple obvious (and frugal) options include skating at Town Square in Uptown and going for a walk through the beautiful Waterloo Park. But if you needed us to tell you about those then we doubt that you have a date considering you haven’t left your room all term.
For those who like a little culture, check out the Registry Theatre at 122 Frederick St in Kitchener. Every week there are a variety of shows from silent film nights to live jazz shows to dance performances. The prices are reasonable and the outing is unique and memorable.
The Museum, on 10 King St W in Kitchener, is another outing that offers you and your date something new. They feature a myriad of exhibitions that include the usual electricity room, Plasma Ball, and aquarium. Much like the Ontario Science Centre, there are also featured exhibits that are only viewable for a certain time; however, one major difference between the former and this venue are the number and sheer variety of events held every week – for example, No Name Wednesdays are such weekly encounters at The Museum.
Well, there you have it. While this is a long list, it’s certainly not a complete one. Waterloo (and Kitchener, for that matter) is home to an assortment of establishments that boast character and flair of which, if not for dates, should be explored just for the sake of trying something new. With that, we’ll keep our farewell short and sweet and bid you adieu!
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