Entertainment, Lifestyle, Manchester

Valentine’s Day on a budget

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By Wayne Finnigan


With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, it is once again time to give your special person an evening to remember. Treating your other half isn’t always easy on a student budget though, so check out our list of great local activities for the those of us with looming overdrafts who need to impress even when money is tight.

Wine and dine

You don’t have to spend a lot to wine and dine your loved one. In fact, in Manchester, there are loads of places that can cater to everyone’s hunger needs and pockets. Whether you are a spice lover or a noodle fanatic, there is something out there for everyone.

Here are some of our recommendations:

Chiquitos: the ideal place if you fancy a bit of a Mexican spice, Chiquitos offers a great range of delicious tacos and burritos whether you and your date are cool or hot salsa kind of people.

Red Hot World Buffet, TOPS and Buffet City: Everyone loves an All-You-Can-Eat buffet, right? Manchester has a whole host of venues where you can pile your plate as high as you like. With money-saving vouchers and offers plastered across the internet, not only will your stomach thank you, but your finances as well.

Nandos: If you would like to add a bit of fuel to the fire then try everyone’s favourite dining experience. If you want spice things up a bit, you might want to try the Extra Hot and lets be honest, who doesn’t love the Peri Peri sauce!

Days and Evenings out

If eating out isn’t to you and your partners liking, there are a lot of alternative events going on over Valentine’s week if you both feel like trying something a bit different. You could take a trip out to the Manchester Eye and get a great view of the city, or perhaps head over to Event City and catch the Moscow State Circus, which runs until 26th February. Heading down to the Comedy Store is always a safe bet when you’re looking to bring some humour to your evening, and there’s even a Valentine’s Day Special.

Quiet Night In

If the student finance influx feels like a long lost memory and there’s now nothing more than cobwebs and dust filling your wallet, there’s nothing wrong with staying in this Valentine’s Day. Get a nice bottle of wine, a takeaway, and perhaps pick out a movie from one of our alternative romantic movie list.

What’s more romantic than a partner who appreciates your company without spending a fortune? Well a trip to Paris, but come on we’re students and the MetCard only covers a few romantic gestures…

About the author / 

Wayne Finnigan

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