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Holding hands in Zilker Park is a rite of passage for any Austin couple.<\/p>\n
Mikala Compton\/American-Statesman<\/p>\n
Ah, February in Austin. The air is crisp, the flowers are overpriced, and everyone seems suddenly obsessed with hearts and chocolate.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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But what if I told you romance doesn\u2019t have to drain your wallet? Welcome to our “Dating on a Dime” series, where each month we hunt down affordable date ideas that won\u2019t leave your bank account crying\u2014and yes, we\u2019re bringing you some Valentine\u2019s Day inspiration, too.<\/p>\n
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Related: Top 10 most romantic restaurants in Austin for date night<\/a><\/p>\n $20: Coffee, culture and classic movie romance<\/p>\n If you can’t get to the Central Library downtown, the Austin Public Library has introduced an eCard that allows adults who don’t live in Austin to get a year of access to the library’s online materials for $22. [JAY JANNER \/ AMERICAN-STATESMAN]<\/p>\n Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n Start your day at Intelligentsia Coffee in downtown Austin near the Central Library, where an\u00a0avena latte warms your hands and a flaky pastry warms your heart. You can steal sips from each other\u2019s cups while the world hustles past outside the window.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Then, wander over to the Central Library and dive into its DVD collection. Sure, streaming is convenient, but nothing says \u201cromantic nostalgia\u201d like physically picking up a copy of “Before Sunrise,” “Cinema\u00a0Paradiso,” or “Mississippi Masala.” If you don’t have a DVD player, you can stream titles on Kanopy, Hoopla or Libby using your library account<\/a>. Settle in at home for a cozy movie night.\u00a0<\/p>\n Three experiences, one day, less than $20. Who says love can\u2019t be thrifty?<\/p>\n Central Library: 710 W. Cesar Chavez St. 512-974-7400, library.austintexas.gov<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Intelligentsia: 607 W. Third St. 737-414-6696, intelligentsia.com<\/a><\/p>\n $30: Latin beats and tacos on a Sunday<\/p>\n Popular bar Hotel Vegas is located at 1502 E. Sixth St in Austin, Texas.<\/p>\n DEBORAH SENGUPTA STITH\/AMERICAN-STATESMAN<\/p>\n If early rising is your love language, Sunday mornings are for Primos on the Patio at Hotel Vegas. Imagine swaying to Latin rhythms, a taco in one hand, your partner\u2019s hand in the other. The crowd is lively, the energy contagious \u2014 and the best part? Free tacos.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Add a couple of drinks from the bar, and you\u2019ve got a date that\u2019s festive, flirtatious and just a little spicy \u2014 much like your relationship should be. The morning ends, the sun dips, and you leave with memories rather than scary card statements.<\/p>\n 1502 E. Sixth St. texashotelvegas.com.<\/a><\/p>\n $40: Wednesday pick-me up deal at Holiday<\/p>\n Holiday’s Mexican martini comes in a cute cactus glass.<\/p>\n Photo provided by Holiday on 7th<\/p>\n For a midweek pick-me-up, head to Holiday on Seventh Street for their Wednesday Happy Meal. They serve wagyu smashburgers with fries and your choice of a mini spaghett or mini cosmopolitan for $15. Casual, charming, wallet-friendly and a perfect replacement for cooking or doom-scrolling on the couch.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n If you got some extra dollars to spend, don’t miss out on Holiday’s signature frozen Mexican martini.<\/p>\n 5020 E. Seventh St. holidayon7th.com.<\/a><\/p>\n The perfect Valentine\u2019s date if you\u00a0want to go the extra mile<\/p>\n For the\u00a0foodie couple who wants a slightly more intimate night, grab a weekly sushi bento from the foodie + tina pop-ups at Strangelove<\/a> ($40) and a bottle of wine recommended by the cafe’s friendly staff. Pre-orders can be placed online every Monday, and pick-ups happen every Friday. Eat under string lights on the patio, toast to love and let the city fade away for a few hours. Or take your haul to go and pair it with one of those library DVD classics. Romance has never been so simple.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n 2614\u00a0E. Cesar Chavez St. 512-337-2170, strangelove.wine.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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