As mentioned in our guide to cheap dating, a fun outing can, potentially, give your wallet a critical beatdown. But you don’t have to blow 10% of your paycheck on pricey drinks and expensive shows to have a good time. Take a gander at five fun-filled activities that you can engage in that wouldn’t cost more than a five spot.

1. Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, 307 W. 26th Street, Manhattan

If the recent cast of Saturday Night Live has ruined your perception of sketch comedy, set you sights on UCB, where some of the city’s finest comedians serve up the ha-ha’s on a nightly basis. Swing by on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, and you’ll get in for a cool 5-spot. Free, if you venture over on Wednesday at 11PM.

2. Kent Theater, 170 Coney Island Avenue, Brooklyn

Are you of the mindset that far too many movies coming out of Tinsel Town just ain’t worth the $10-$12 ticket price? We concur. That’s why we recommend heading out to Midwood’s Kent Theater on Wednesday nights, when flicks are a remarkably wallet-friendly $5 a pop. These aren’t old or obscure B-movies; you can catch any one of current films for your Lincoln.

So why $5? The Kent Theater is old. Very old. Not old as in “rats are going to bite me in the Achilles Tendon and render me a cripple for life” old, but it lacks several amenities you may come to expect in a contemporary theater such as a robust air conditioning system, or modern heating system (there’s a furnace-like thingamajig near the screen). And there aren’t many seats, so try to get there early.

3. Chinatown Fair, 8 Mott Street, Manhattan

Back in the early-to-mid ’90s New York City had a thriving arcade scene. No matter your hood, there was always a place where you could plop your allowance down on a game of Marvel vs. Capcom, Ms. Pac-Man, Street Fighter II, or other popular quarter-munchers. But as the home videogame consoles began to rival the graphic capability of the upright machines, the arcades died a swift and sudden death–except for one.

The Chinatown Fair, located in the heart of the most packed neighborhood in NYC, is an old school arcade to the core. $1 gets you four game coins, and unlike corporate arcades like Dave & Busters, most games are only $0.25 (although mega-hot games like Dance Dance Revolution and Street Fighter IV require the whole buck). Still, if you stick to the $0.25 games, you get 20 plays under your belt before leaving, and with the sheer number of fun games, and the mostly friendly patrons, have a blast.

4. Metropolitan Museum of Art Gallery Talks, 1000 5th Ave, Manhattan

Held Tuesdays thru Sundays at various times throughout the day, Gallery Talks cover topics ranging from Feudal Knights and Tournaments to Greek and Roman sculptures to Medical Practices in ancient Mesopotamia. You’ll never run out of things to learn and a piping hot cup of joe will cost you less than the entrance fee for the museum and the discussion.

5. Julliard Student Performances, 60 Lincoln Center Plaza, Manhattan

Ever wanted to enjoy the glory of Lincoln Center without the hundred dollar price tag? Head over to the West Side and hit up The Julliard School’s box office instead of Lincoln Center’s for free music and drama performances all year round.  Check out their performance calendar to make plans and reserve tickets.

Related posts:

1. 5 Fun Things to do in NYC for $5 or Less
2. 5 Cheap Ways to Spend New Year’s Eve in NYC