Cheap Date Ideas For Students in Manchester

Written by Nicole So

Dating as a student in Manchester is a sport. You want something cute, fun, and a bit memorable… but you also don’t want to spend £40 on two drinks and a side of chips.

The good news: Manchester is so good for low-budget dates if you know where to go — and a couple of student discounts can make it even easier.

1) Canal walk in Castlefield

If you want a date that feels thoughtful with basically zero effort, do a Castlefield canal walk. It’s calm, scenic, and perfect for chatting without the pressure of sitting opposite each other at a table.

Make it cuter: bring a snack, grab a takeaway drink, and sit by the water for 10 minutes.

2) Free museum or gallery date

This is such a good low-pressure date because it gives you loads to talk about.

Try:

• Manchester Museum

• Manchester Art Gallery

• Whitworth Art Gallery

It’s free, it’s indoors (perfect for Manchester weather), and it still feels like a proper plan.

3) Northern Quarter wander + “choose a snack” challenge

If you’re both indecisive (same), the Northern Quarter is the perfect date zone. Wander around, browse vintage shops, look at street art, and do a little “pick a snack for each other” challenge.

Easy version: pick a budget (like £5 each) and choose something small for the other person.

4) Afflecks Palace + snack stop

Afflecks is basically Manchester’s most iconic “wander around and see what happens” date. It’s fun even if you don’t buy anything — and it’s such a good rainy-day plan.

5) Picnic date in a park

If the weather is even slightly decent, do a picnic. It’s simple, but it always works.

Good student-friendly parks:

• Platt Fields Park (Fallowfield classic)

• Heaton Park (big walk + views)

• Mayfield Park (central and underrated)

Budget tip: supermarket snacks > expensive café food.

6) Cheap dinner date that still feels like a treat

Sometimes you just want food. The trick is picking somewhere casual that still feels like a proper date.

A few Student Beans discounts you can use in Manchester:

• wagamama — 20% Student Discount

• Pho — 15% Student Discount

• Franco Manca — 20% student discount

• PizzaExpress — 25% student discount (dine-in)

• Barburrito — 20% student discount (plus a free soft drink)

• Taco Bell — 15% student discount

• ASK Italian — 30% student discount

• Zizzi — 30% student discount

7) Greggs “walk and snack” date

This is the most student date idea ever and it’s genuinely elite. Grab something small, go for a walk, and chat.

Student Beans discount: Greggs — Free Sausage Roll or Vegan Sausage Roll

8) “Competitive but not serious” date night

If you want something more fun than dinner, go somewhere you can actually do something together — it makes conversation way easier.

Student Beans discount: BOOM BATTLE BAR — student discount

Perfect for a playful date where you’re laughing the whole time.

Another fun option if you’re doing a “games night” vibe is grabbing a cheap bite first, then doing an activity after.

9) Pub date without spending silly money

If you want a cosy date that doesn’t feel too formal, do a pub + chat night.

Student Beans discounts you can use:

• Greene King — 20% student discount

• BrewDog — 50% student discount on drinks

• O’Neills — 33% student discount

• All Bar One — 20% student discount

10) “Errands date” that’s weirdly wholesome

This sounds boring, but it’s actually cute if you do it right: go into town, browse a few shops, pick up essentials, and get food after. It’s calm, low pressure, and feels very “we’re in our cosy era”.

Student Beans discount: Superdrug — student discount

Perfect for the random essentials you always end up buying anyway.

Final tip: the best dates are the ones that feel easy

Manchester is full of cute date spots — you don’t need loads of money, you just need a plan that feels like you.

Pick one idea, keep it simple, and save the discounts you’ll actually use.

👉 Find student discounts in Manchester on Student Beans

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