Bargain-basement Dating

If you regularly read articles about London dating, you'd be forgiven for thinking that everyone who wants to get their end away in the capital is loaded.

It's all about taking your date to La Caprice, what the hottest bars are in town, where to get a great cocktail. But what about those poor folk (literally) who fancy a bit of action on the London dating scene, but aren't drawing a six figure salary?

Well, contrary to what the Sunday supplements might have you believe, there are plenty of budget dating options around - and not all of them will make you feel like a cheapskate.

Firstly you need to get a date. No point hanging wistfully around a flash bar nursing your half pint trying to catch some posh bint's eye. Let's face it, even if she does give you the time of day, you're hardly going to be able to date her in the style to which she's no doubt accustomed.

No, you need to get your arse on one of the online dating sites. There are plenty of free dating services around that don't even have a joining up fee - get on the interweb, and see what's on offer. Even if there is a joining fee, most of the internet dating services let you browse their member database before handing over your credit card details, so have a look at a couple and see if anyone takes your fancy. Try before you buy, if you like...

Once you've uploaded your internet dating profile (and please, don't make out you're minted) and secured yourself a hot date, you need to come up with an evening of pleasure that won't break the bank. Get your mind out of the gutter on this one - you can't skip the date bit and head straight for the bedroom, even though that would be the budget option.

Make a virtue of the fact that you're not buying into the typical London dating cliché - tell her that you've got some hidden, back-street gems that you want to introduce her to. That way you can take her to a cute, cosy local that won't trouble your wallet.

A film is always a good date option. The Prince Charles cinema just off Leicester Square shows a great mix of arthouse and box-office films for a fiver - and it's just been done-up, so feels nothing like the fleapit of yore.

If you're into a bit of culture, nowhere beats London for free exhibitions. The National Gallery, the Portrait Gallery, the Photographers Gallery... they're all free, and there's nothing more impressive than a chap who's unafraid to explore his artistic side.

But if you are a chap who's afraid to explore his artistic side, what about a walk in Richmond Park to find the deer? Or a bottle of cheap plonk on the South Bank by the river.

There are myriad ways to enjoy the London dating scene without breaking the bank - bargain-basement dating, it's all the rage don't you know.