Best date night ideas in Nashville under $100
Short answer: the cheapest great date nights in Nashville are free or nearly free live music (the Sunday bluegrass jam at the Station Inn, the no-cover early set at Rudy's Jazz Room, $5 Motown Monday at The 5 Spot), a $13.50 movie at the Belcourt, or a free arcade night at Game Terminal. Pair any of them with a casual dinner and you'll land under $100 for two before the sitter.
The sitter is usually the biggest line item. Care.com lists Nashville's average starting babysitter rate at $20.67 an hour (October 2026), so a 3-hour date adds about $62. We show that number separately so you can see what the date itself costs.
1. Free bluegrass jam + whole-hog BBQ
The The Station Inn in the Gulch hosts a bluegrass jam every Sunday at 7 PM with no cover. Eat first at Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint (Downtown) downtown (about $15–25 a person), where there's free live music in the beer garden Thursday through Sunday.
- Date cost: about $30–50 for two
- Sitter: about 3 hours
2. Free early jazz set
Rudy's Jazz Room charges no cover from 5 to 8 PM on regular show nights, then $8–15 for the 8–11 PM sets. Go early, order food from the New Orleans menu, and you're home before bedtime chaos ends.
- Date cost: about $40–70 for two with food and a drink each
- Note: closed Tuesdays; seats are first come, first served
3. Motown Monday dance party
Every Monday, The 5 Spot in Five Points throws a Motown dance party. Tickets are $5, swing dancing starts at 9 and party dancing at 10. Eat beforehand at Two Ten Jack for ramen and yakitori.
- Date cost: about $10 in tickets + $60–90 for dinner
4. An indie movie and ice cream
The The Belcourt Theatre in Hillsboro Village is a nonprofit movie house in a 1925 building. Tickets are $13.50 (plus $2 online). Then walk off the popcorn and get dessert at Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams (12 South).
- Date cost: about $45–55 for two
5. Free arcade night
Entry to Game Terminal is free for adults and most games are free too; pinball runs about $1 a play (bring cash for tokens). It's 21+ after 8 PM. Grab burgers at Bobbie's Dairy Dip first.
- Date cost: about $25–40 for two
6. Thursday night at the art museum
The Frist Art Museum is open until 8 PM on Thursdays. Adult admission is $20 ($10 through Oct 26, 2026). Follow with a cheap dinner at Edley's Bar-B-Que (12 South).
- Date cost: about $70–90 for two
7. Songwriter round with dinner
At The Listening Room Cafe the cover is usually $5–15 plus a $15-per-person food-and-drink minimum. You hear the people who wrote the hits, and your ticket is also your dinner reservation.
- Date cost: about $40–70 for two
8. Bowling on a weeknight
A lane at Pinewood is $67.50 for 90 minutes Monday through Thursday ($90 Friday–Sunday). Split a couple of snacks and you're under $100.
9. Sunset walk + hot chicken
Climb the stone steps at Percy Warner Park (free, open until 11 PM), then go to Hattie B's Hot Chicken (Midtown) or the original Prince's Hot Chicken (South) for about $15–22 a person.
10. Tiki trivia
Pearl Diver runs trivia every Thursday from 7 to 9 PM, with happy hour 4–7 PM on weekdays. Built-in conversation, built-in competition.
How to keep it under $100
- Go early. Free sets, happy hours and early tables cluster between 4 and 7 PM.
- Pick weeknights. Bowling, comedy and many restaurants cost less Monday through Thursday.
- Count the sitter separately. A 3-hour window costs about $62 at the average starting rate. If that's the budget breaker, do an at-home date instead.