Live music at local dining. There are lots of talented amateur or semi-pro musicians performing covers or original music, often costing you no more than the cover charge. We like to drop in just for after-dinner coffee and dessert, which also keeps the baby-sitting hours shorter and simpler (you can get everyone ready for bed first).
Similarly dinner theatre/cabaret.
Many symphonies/ballets/theater productions have performances that are preceded by educational talks (and hors d'oeuvres!), which can add some cognition to the aesthetic experience. For a cheaper version, daytime/afternoon dress rehearsals of same can be fun, too. (Though generally without the talk, sometimes you do get to see bits of the behind-the-scenes process.)
And don't judge us too harshly...but we often combine date opportunities with not-so-happy social obligations, such as wakes/funerals, since we already have childcare anyway...
