The Blacksheep List of Alternative Date Ideas That Don’t Suck Pt2

*All of these ideas are Cape Town specific

Going to your local mall and watching a movie is over-rated, uncomfortable and damned expensive for what it is. Ster-Kinekor has just raised their prices to R50 - R62 for a 2D movie and R66 - R79 for a 3D movie (EXCLUDING GLASSES)- add popcorn and a drink to that price and you may as well cancel all future dates and declare bankruptcy.

In my last instalment, I was adamant that if you asked me on a first date to the movies, I’d instantly judge you and unceremoniously decline. I have since learnt that there are some exceptions to that rule. The following movie venues don’t suck and would make for a pretty above-average date idea.

The Pink Flamingo Cinema

The Grand Daddy Hotel is known mainly for its luxury themed rooftop trailer park but it is not the only epic thing about this quirky hotel. Among their seven vintage Air-stream trailers, conveniently located right next to their sky-bar, lies the Pink Flamingo Cinema.

This 35 seater cinema is a fool-proof way to score major points all year round as it is cooled in summer and heated it winter with blankets to snuggle under also added into the mix. It's swanky as hell and a great place to bring someone if you have little personality and need to impress someone into liking you.

For R100 rand you’ll get a welcome drink, a bag of sweets and popcorn which is significantly cheaper than a shitty movie at a commercial movie house. If you are looking to get a bit fancier then R250 will get you all that and a picnic basket full of gourmet treats.

Check out their cult movie line-up and book your spot here

The Gallileo Open Air Cinema

Besides the fact that I still hold a grudge against them because they cancelled their Star Wars Marathon last year, Gallileo Open Air Cinema is still a firm favourite date option of mine. As well as being able to watch movies under the stars, you are also sitting in gorgeous outdoor venues making it a tough decision whether to watch the movie or the scenery or just furiously make out with your date because it's just all so damn romantic. 

The cinema has set up shop in four different places which host movie nights on different nights of the week.

• Tuesday evenings at Hillcrest Quarry
• Wednesday evenings at Kirstenbosch Gardens
• Thursday evenings at V&A Waterfront Croquet Field

Watching a classic under a ceiling of stars at the V&A Waterfront Gallileo Open Air Theatre ,

A new venue has now opened up on in the Winelands which is open one Saturday a month. I would incorporate this into a leisurely (read: boozy) weekend trip to the Winelands (Check out Fairview for well-priced wine and cheese tasting). Everybody loves a good mini-break although it may be a bit overwhelming for a first date.

At R80 a ticket, it's not going to break the bank and is on a par (price-wise) with uncomfortable commercial movie houses. There are a couple of sneaky extras which I feel could be included in the ticket price, like the R10 for a blanket or R20 for a chair. The good news is that you are more than welcome to bring your own food and drink and if you forget, there are food vendors that supply a variety of different  tasty treats.

You can book and check out their website here.

The Labia Theatre

I am an absolute sucker for old school charm and alcoholic Slush Puppies, both of which can be found at The Labia Theatre on Orange Street in Cape Town.

The name is, in fact, NOT a tribute to female genitalia but instead an homage to Princess Labia of Italy. She turned the former Italian embassy ballroom into a venue where plays could be performed. The Cinema was then turned into an independent theatre and for the last 65 years has been a haven for a more alternative crowd of movie-goers.

The vibe and passion of this old cinema more than makes up for the not-so-great sound and less-than-comfortable seating. Did I mention the Chocolate bar which serves all the normal movie treats as well as alcoholic Slush-Puppies (I highly recommend the Orange Cocktail Slush Puppy), the cosy coffee shop and fully stocked bar?

The Labia Theatre, 68 Orange Street, Gardens, Cape Town.

The best part is the price. Students get in for R25 and the rest of you will pay just R30. It gets better though: the theatre offers many movie and dinner specials in conjunction with Societi Bistro, Divas, Kauai and The Ocean Basket. A dinner and movie for two will cost you just under R100!

Fun fact: The owners wanted to call the bigger and smaller theaters Labia Majora and Labia Minora respectively but decided against it when they realised that there are a lot of righteous old prudes in Cape Town that would probably boycott them.

Check out the movies and specials here. 

If you don't bore the pants off your date with a lousy choice of activities, dates can be the gateway to a myriad of wonderful things. Keep your eye on my blog for the next installment and please comment with your date ideas that don't suck.