If you’re traveling on a budget, there’s no time like the present to hop a flight to Dublin (with cheap airfare, of course!) and discover this fun city.

Once you’re on the ground and you’ve booked your Dublin hotel, use these five tips to keep your money where it belongs: in your pocket.

Dublin budget tips

1. Don’t waste money on transportation

It can be tempting in Dublin just to hop in a cab, but this is one way to empty your pockets very quickly. Instead of cabs, check out the local bus schedule. Dublin Bus is very affordable, and routes connect all different areas of the city.

Alternatively, Dublin’s bike share program, called Dublin Bikes, is a cheap and easy way to get around the city. And remember, Dublin is very small and manageable on foot, too.

2. Eat your dinner early

With Dublin’s current boom, there are more and more gourmet restaurants opening in the city. These same restaurants do have deals if you know where or when to look. One strategy to fill seats is offering heavily discounted “early bird” or pre-theater specials.

Take one of my favorite restaurants in Dublin for example — The Winding Stair. A meal here is usually a splurge, but early birds can enjoy an incredible 2-course meal for just €29. You will leave stuffed and your wallet won’t be nearly empty.

Related:  Five ways to save on dining in Dublin.

3. Make friends with the half-pint — And keep your change!

There’s no such thing as a discount on alcohol in Dublin — you won’t find any “happy hours” in the city. If you’re trying to keep your costs down on beer, order a half pint instead of a full pint. This way you can spread your money a bit farther between different pubs.

Also remember, if you order from a bartender, there is no need to tip. Keep all your change!

4. Seek out free entertainment

While you’re sipping on that half-pint, how about some entertainment? Many Dublin pubs are known for their live music, so check out pubs that provide some entertainment beyond the Guinness and Jameson.

For traditional music, check out O’Donoghue’s on Merrion Row. Another great option for live music is Doyles, right across the street for Trinity College. If you happen to be in Dublin on “match day” (whether it’s rugby, soccer, or the Gaelic games) be sure to grab a seat in the pub — both the game and the locals will provide the entertainment.

5. Research your ride to the airport

If there’s one thing visitors complain about when it comes to Dublin — it’s the lack of airport transportation. You won’t find a train or a subway system that connects Dublin Airport to the city center. Some visitors resign themselves to taking a taxi (this costs at least €20) but Cheapos will want to check out the buses.

There are two options: the local bus that is very cheap (but stops frequently, seriously lengthening your journey into Dublin) or taking the Aircoach, a 24-hour express bus service into the city. Purchase a return fare to save a few euros instead of paying for a ticket each way. (Read more on Dublin’s airport transportation.)

A little airport research ahead of time could mean a lot of money saved during a trip to Dublin.

Your Dublin tips

Do you have any favorite ways to save? Share in the comments below!

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Unless that show is “Hamilton.”

Since opening at Broadway’s Richard Rodgers Theatre last July, the hip-hop musical tracing the unlikely story of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton has been playing to sold-out audiences.

Related articles:

• 7 ways to save on Broadway tickets

• Head Off-Broadway for Great Shows and Cheaper Tickets

• Cheap hotels near Broadway theaters

And not just your average sold-out audiences. “Hamilton” has attracted the world’s top celebrities — from musicians Jay-Z and Beyoncé to entertainment royalty Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg and even a bipartisan caucus of current-day political figures led by former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney and President Barack Obama.

Hamilton is attracting huge audience and even bigger price tags. But there are still a few ways to score cheap tickets. Photo: Chip Pate

How Hot Is “Hamilton”?

Ask Laurens! (Sorry, that’s a thing from the show.) But seriously, even in the dead of winter, when many Broadway productions are scrambling to lure anyone into the theater, “Hamilton” was selling every seat and packing more into standing room. According to published figures, they were paying an average of about $165 per seat, with the top tickets on sale at the box office — when they have any — for a staggering $475 each.

Finding tickets at all is a real challenge. Standard and premium seats available from the theater are still being snapped up the moment new dates go on sale. As of early March, the revolutionary show was sold out 10 months into the future.

If price is no object — and that doesn’t apply to any of us cheapos — tickets are available on the secondary market. The best option is TicketMaster, which allows verified ticket holders to resell their tickets. But brace yourself: The cheapest ticket for a recent weekend performance was $695 for a seat the following day, and most offered further in advance were between $1,200 to $2,500. Yes, per seat.

You may need to empty the national bank, but at least your tickets will be real. With such exorbitant prices, forgeries are everywhere. The New York Times has reported that people try to enter the theater almost daily with fake tickets.

Related: Cheapo Guide to visiting New York City

There Are Cheap Options

It is a long shot, but don’t throw it away! If you want to see the ground-breaking musical — and even do it in true cheapo fashion — consider the ticket lottery and standing room.

Crowds line up for the Hamilton lottery outside the Richard Rodgers Theatre. Photo: Chip Pate

1. Ham4Ham In-Person Lottery (most of the year).

If you manage to win this “Hamilton” powerball, you’ll enjoy the best deal on Broadway — the opportunity to purchase one or two front-row seats for $10 each. That’s a sort of poetic price, since the hero of your show is also the face on your $10 bill. Hence, the catchy title, “Ham4Ham.”

To enter the in-person lottery, complete an entry form at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, 226 West 46th Street, beginning two and a half hours before the performance you want to attend. Entries are accepted for 30 minutes, closing two hours before the performance, when winners are drawn and immediately purchase their tickets. Usually, 21 front-row seats are available.

Hundreds show up for the in-person lottery, so your chance to win isn’t all that great. On the other hand, during the production’s first seven months, before winter set in and the lottery moved online, most lotteries included The Ham4Ham Show, a live performance outside the theater just before winners were drawn. Often featuring cast members from “Hamilton” and other Broadway musicals, the shows became so popular that many fans came just to see the performance. (You can see them on YouTube.) The Ham4Ham Show also has moved online for the winter and if it returns live this spring, it’s likely to be offered only on two-show days.

2. Ham4Ham Online Lottery (winter)

Perhaps it was the brutal weather, or maybe the army of fans spilling into 46th Street, but whatever the reason, “Hamilton” shifted to an online lottery for the winter.

To enter, visit the official online lottery site starting at 9 a.m. the day you want to attend. Applications are accepted from 9 am to 11 am for matinee performances, from noon to 4 p.m. for evening performances that follow a matinee, and from 9 am to 4 pm on days with only an evening performance. Once winners are selected, they are notified by e-mail and have 60 minutes to pay online for tickets, which cannot be transferred to anyone else. Nobody is saying how many people enter each lottery, but there were enough the first day that the entire system crashed.

Expect a bustling scene on performance days outside the Hamilton Theatre. Photo: Chip Pate

3. Standing Room Tickets

When the in-person lottery is offered, standing room tickets are part of a duel process. After the $10 lottery tickets are gone, drawings continue for the opportunity to purchase standing room tickets at $40 each. Not many are available — maybe one dozen on a good night — but it is another cheapo way to see the wildly inventive and popular musical. (Public sale of standing room tickets disappeared when the online lottery began.)

And, If You’re a New York City 11th Grader …

You’re young, scrappy, hungry and lucky! Thanks to “Hamilton” producers and The Rockefeller Foundation, more than 20,000 11th-grade students will see “Hamilton” for $10 each in an initiative designed to bring the show’s historical perspective to New York City students attending high schools serving low-income families. It doesn’t help most of us cheapos see history unfold on stage, but it’s still a pretty impressive outreach. And it’s something that would make Eliza Hamilton, Alexander’s wife and founder of the city’s first private orphanage, justifiably proud.

The post New York: 3 Ways to buy cheap tickets to “Hamilton” on Broadway appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

This year you can find 2-for-1 tickets for performances of 22 Broadway productions between September 7 and 20. See blockbusters like “Chicago”, “Phantom of the Opera”, “Wicked”, “Jersey Boys” or “Hedwig and the Angry Inch”,  just to name a few.

With the average Broadway ticket now ringing in at more than $100 (to say nothing of “The Book of Mormon” and “Lion King”, which both average more than $160 per seat!), this is a rare chance to save big on one of New York’s most cherished cultural attractions.

Tickets are going fast — in fact, so fast that the site’s server was having a hard time keeping up this morning. Get your 2-for-1 tickets now, while they’re available.

Too late?

Even if you’re not able to catch this deal, there are still ways to save on Broadway shows, year-round. Check out:

• Our guide to saving on Broadway (including 7 easy ways you can save when looking for tickets)

• Ways to save big on Off-Broadway shows

• Ways to make the most of your night at the theater

• Top affordable hotels in or near the Theater District

The post Cheapo Alert: 2-for-1 Broadway tickets on sale for “Broadway Week”, Sept. 7-20 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

No matter how much you spend, though, it’s always a good idea to make the most of your night at the theater. Here are our tips to do just that.

Related articles:

• 7 ways to save on Broadway tickets

• Head Off-Broadway for Great Shows and Cheaper Tickets

Read Reviews Before You Buy

The staggering cost of bringing a new show to the stage means complete bombs aren’t nearly common as they once were. Still, you don’t want to waste time seeing a mediocre show when there are dozens of great ones happening all around. You can usually guarantee a good experience by reading reviews before you buy your seats.

Sure, reading reviews can take a little time. But for people who love theater, New York is the world’s biggest and best candy store. Part of the enjoyment is sorting through what will be on the shelves when you arrive — and deciding which ones to sample.

Two particularly helpful sites:

DidHeLikeIt.com is a one-stop roundup featuring top reviewers from the New York Times, Washington Post, Variety and other major media outlets. Click on a show to get a quick look at which reviewers give it a thumbs up, thumbs down or are on the fence. Then, go deeper by reading full reviews, learning what new shows will open before you arrive or signing up to get new reviews by e-mail on opening night.

Time Out New York is a particularly good source. The short, concise format makes them easy to read, the star rating system helps you sort through options and their reviewers cover a lot of ground — including plenty of Off-Broadway productions.

Brave the crowds by the stage door and you may get an autograph from a star like Alan Rickman. Photo: jastrow75.

Meet Stars at the Stage Door

The stage door is literally as it sounds: The place where actors and musicians enter the theater to get backstage. More importantly, it’s where they almost always leave, which gives you a chance to meet the people you just saw perform.

Of course, there are no guarantees. Once in a while, an actor needing to get away quickly slips out another exit. And on two-show days — usually Wednesday and Saturday — they may stay inside between performances. But more often than not, even the most famous take time to sign programs, pose for photographs and maybe even hang around to talk with fans.

What to expect depends on the size of the crowd. The scene was a madhouse when Daniel Radcliffe, AKA Harry Potter, was performing in “How to Succeed in Business.” On the other hand, I’ve seen the entire casts of “Next to Normal” and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” — two Tony Award-winning shows with Tony-Award winning actors — hang out for a good 30 to 40 minutes with two dozen fans.

To have an enjoyable stage door experience, bring your camera and a Sharpie marker or two (in case one disappears in the crowd). Then, before the show begins, ask an usher where the stage door is located and whether your favorite actor is likely to sign autographs and talk with fans. While some stage doors are obvious, others can be hard to find; one is actually located one block behind the theater’s main entrance.

After the final curtain, move quickly to the stage door. Depending on their obligations after the show, some stars will come out quickly; others may take a while. A member of the theater security staff will usually let you know if your favorite performer is still inside or has already left.

And one more tip: Out of respect, don’t ask actors to sign anything that’s not related to the show they’ve just performed. It’s considered rude and many simply won’t do it. After all, actors are generous with their time because people have taken the time to come see them perform that show.

The post NYC: How to Make the Most of Your Night at the Theater appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

How bad can it get? A single orchestra (lower-level) ticket to The Book of Mormon, one of the hottest shows on Broadway, will set you back $169 to $299, depending on the seat location and day of the week. And that doesn’t even count the $8.50 service charge and any handling fees.

But don’t panic! It’s easy to enjoy the spectacle of Broadway without breaking the bank.

Here’s the big secret: You rarely have to pay full price. Except for a few blockbuster musicals that sell out every night or the occasional, short-running play headlined by some A-list Hollywood star, discounts are everywhere. You just need to know where to find them.

Related: Best cheap hotels near Broadway theaters

7 ways to save on Broadway tickets

Here are 7 ways you can save on tickets to most Broadway (and Off-Broadway) shows in New York:

1. TKTS Booth

You may have heard about the TKTS booth, an iconic fixture in Times Square for more that four decades, where tourists and locals alike line up to buy discounted seats for Broadway and Off Broadway shows that same day. TKTS also operates locations at the South Street Seaport in Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn where lines are much shorter.

The Good: All seats are 20-50% off, depending on the show, and it’s a fantastic option for someone deciding to see a show at the last minute.

The Bad: You’re never quite sure which shows will be available by the time you step up to the ticket window — and you’ll probably wait 30 to 60 minutes in line before you get there.

Insider’s Tip: Download the free TKTS app to track what’s available; visit the South Street Seaport or Downtown Brooklyn location to get next-day tickets for matinees only; and have a backup plan in case the show you want to see isn’t available.

2. Discount Codes

Theater producers regularly offer discount codes you can use at online ticket sites — Ticketmaster or Telecharge are the two most common — or at the theater’s box office. Plenty of websites list these codes. Two are BroadwayBox.com and NYTix.com.

The Good: Discount codes can land seats that are 20-40% off, often on par with prices at the TKTS Booth, and you can buy them weeks or months in advance.

The Bad: Producers can revoke discount codes at any moment, without notice. When does it happen the most? After shows receive Tony Award nominations, win some major honor or rave reviews are posted on opening night.

Insider’s Tip: Codes have expiration dates, but it’s not unusual for new ones to be issued as an expiration date approaches. Also, if you’re already in New York, buy directly at the box office to avoid paying the service charges tacked on by Ticketmaster and Telecharge.

You can join TDF as a local or “national” member.

3. TDF Membership

One of the best-kept secrets for finding truly cheapo seats is membership in the Theatre Development Fund, a nonprofit supporting the performing arts. Visitors living more than 100 miles from New York City can join for just $12 per year — less than the service charge for two tickets purchased online — and members enjoy huge discounts.

The catch: Not everyone qualifies, though membership is open to a lengthy list of people that seems to include everyone except middle-aged part-time workers or professionals in for-profit organizations. (Seriously, check the eligibility list to see if you or someone in your family qualifies.)

The Good: The prices can’t be beat and sometimes the seats are very good. Tickets run about $30 to $45 on Broadway, $20 to $30 Off Broadway and $9 Off-Off Broadway.

The Bad: You won’t know exactly where your seats are until you pick them up just before the show and only select dates are available for popular shows, if they appear at all.

Insider’s Tip: Monitor TDF listings regularly, since more popular shows often appear one to two weeks before the performance, and pay close attention to buying notes, including where your seats may be located and what theaters require when you pick up tickets.

HipTix is the Roundabout Theatre Company’s free program for theatergoers 18-35 years old. It sells tickets to all shows for $20.

4. Free Memberships for Young Audiences

In their ongoing effort to attract younger audiences, theater companies all over New York City offer free memberships that include cheap seats for people under 30 or 35 years of age. There are too many to list, but those staging Broadway productions include HipTix, LincTix and 30 Under 30.

The Good: The price, of course, which usually runs about $30 per show. Membership includes other benefits, as well, ranging from post-show parties to free stuff.

The Bad: There’s a limited number of member seats for each performance and, let’s face it, if you’re approaching middle age, you’re out of luck.

Insider’s Tip: Check membership guidelines for exact age requirements and join early if you’re out-of-town and want the best chance at the limited number of cheap tickets.

Lottery winners are announced before a performance of the “Book of Mormon”. Photo: andrepierre

5. Lottery Tickets

Some shows hold drawings where winners can buy one or two of the most inexpensive seats on Broadway. And sometimes those seats are some of the best, too — even on the front row, where the person sitting just behind you is paying $100 or $200 more. Rules vary, but most begin registration two-and-a-half hours before the performance and hold the drawing 30 minutes later. Details are available on official show websites, and Playbill.com publishes an overview of Broadway and Off Broadway policies.

The Good: Lottery tickets are dirt cheap, about $30 per seat, and it’s the only way to get cheap seats to blockbusters like Wicked and The Book of Mormon.

The Bad: There’s no guarantee you’ll win and lottery seats occasionally have a partial view (it will be stated in the rules). Oh, and make sure you bring cash; credit cards are rarely accepted.

Insider’s Tip: If you’re attending the lottery alone, double your chances of winning by finding someone else flying solo and agreeing to attend together if either wins.

6. Rush Tickets

Don’t want to take a chance on winning lottery tickets just before the show? Some theaters sell a limited number of lottery-priced discount seats, usually as soon as the box office opens, for same-day performances. “Rush,” as it’s called, is either for students only (“student rush”) or anyone at all (“general rush”). Details are available on official show websites, and Playbill.com publishes an overview of Broadway and Off Broadway policies.

The Good: You don’t need to hit the lottery to score some of the cheapest seats on Broadway and you can get your tickets early in the day — with plenty of time for Plan B if no tickets are available.

The Bad: The number of rush tickets varies by performance and there’s usually a limit of one or two per person.

Insider’s Tip: Arrive early! It doesn’t hurt to wander by a couple of hours before the box office opens and, if there’s no crowd, come back a little later.

7. Last-Row Seats

Some theaters offer last-row seats for $30 to $50. These are not true discounts — they’re just the least-expensive seats in the theater — but you will be paying $30 less than the person sitting right in front of you.

The Good: You can buy these long in advance.

The Bad: If you buy online, you’ll still pay service and handling charges.

Insider’s Tip: Buy early! Since they’re few and cheap, they may not last long.

With so many options, it can seem daunting to navigate the world center of theater to find good seats at a good price. But the fact is you can find discounts — and even truly cheap seats — with just a little research. And if you end up saving $50 to $100 per ticket, that can be well worth the time.

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Cinémathèque Française 

Founded in 1901 and relocated in recent years to a building in the 12th arrondissement by Frank Gehry that was once an American center in Paris, the legendary Cinémathèque Française Film Center and Museum is a national monument dedicated to preserving, restoring and promoting cinema. The Cinémathèque offers a permanent film history exhibit, temporary film-related exhibitions and film screenings, and also has a film library open to scholars and students.

A ticket that allows you to see the museum, temporary exhibitions and a film is only €7. A free mini history of cinema audio guide is available to download in English here.

The Forum des Images is located in the center of Paris. Photo: Javier Peláez

Forum des Images

Founded in 1988, the Forum des Images is a self-described audiovisual memory bank of Paris. Housing a library of more than 8,000 feature films, documentaries, animated films, television series, short films, advertising films and more, this temple of cinema also offers some 2,000 screenings every year on its five screens. Tickets are a bargain at €3.50 to €5, and the Forum also offers an ongoing series of master classes with noted filmmakers, conferences, film festivals and more.

A €5 ticket will also buy you two hours in the comfortable collection room where you can watch just about any piece of video ever made about Paris. An all-day pass offering free access to any movie showing that day plus two hours in the collection room and a complimentary coffee in the bar is a wallet-friendly way to while away a rainy afternoon at €9.

Film buffs will also want to check out:

Centre Pompidou

Not just an art museum, the Centre Pompidou is a popular French cultural institution that also houses two movie screens that show an eclectic selection of art, experimental and documentary films throughout the year. Full price tickets are €6. Closed Tuesdays.

The post Two Paris Hot Spots Film Buffs Shouldn’t Miss appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Saving your pennies can feel like an impossible task in a city like London when just using public transport can burn a massive hole in your pocket. Thankfully, all the main museums are free, meaning that large chunks of your day can be spent admiring everything from the wonders of the universe at the Science Museum, to the world-famous artwork at the National Gallery without parting with a penny.

Beyond the museums, you need to be crafty to get the best value out of central London – so get your Oyster Card ready (see my previous post on saving on public transport) and follow these tips to have fun on a budget in London.

Cheapo-friendly live music

Ronnie Scott’s aside, many of London’s lesser known blues and jazz bars offer free entry and excellent live music. Plus, the venues are quirky and the atmosphere friendly and relaxed.

Try Ain’t Nothin’ But blues bar in Soho for a fun night of live entertainment without the hefty entry fees. There is live music every night of the week and free entry Sunday-Thursday. On Fridays and Saturdays it’s free to get in before 8.30 p.m.

The Spice of Life in Cambridge Circus, Soho, also hosts an eclectic open-mic night on Mondays and a blues jam on Tuesdays, both of which are free to get in.

Free laughs at Islington’s Camden Head. Photo: Dom Stocqueler

Alternatively, head to the Road Trip Bar in Old Street on a Wednesday night for the jazz-fusion Hoxton Jam.

For something more relaxed, factor in a trip to ‘Round Midnight in Angel, Islington for the Monday night acoustic session which kicks off at 8 p.m.

Free laughs

London is also home to an impressively large number of free comedy nights, so if you’re up for a bit of good old British humor, this is an ideal Cheapo way to spend an evening.

The beautiful Queen’s Head pub in Denman Street (Piccadilly Circus) runs The Absolutely Free Comedy Night every Wednesday and Sunday from 8.30 p.m.

The Camden Head, just off Islington’s buzzing Upper Street, plays host to Angel Comedy on Saturday nights, plus Free and Funny every Thursday and each second and third Sunday of the month, all of which start at 8 p.m.

If you’re in the mood for a New York sense of humor, don’t miss Lewis Schaffer is Free Until Famous at The Source Below, just behind Regent Street. The Brooklyn-born comedian’s twice weekly show has become pretty legendary on the London comedy scene and is now in its 18th year. Catch Lewis on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8 p.m. and be sure to register your name on the guestlist in advance to guarantee entry.

Eat, drink and be pampered

If you’re looking to frequent some of London’s more exclusive establishments on a Cheapo’s budget, be sure to check out Travelzoo’s Local Deals. I can’t guarantee what you’ll find as the deals change all the time, but I have been wowed by huge savings at some of London’s finest restaurants, as well as some pretty nifty deals to swanky spas and bars. The deals last for several months so even if you see something ahead of your trip you can snap it up and then use it when you arrive in London.

For discounts on all sorts of different restaurants across the city, from the cheap and cheerful to the downright expensive, make sure you check out TopTable before booking. This is especially good for lunch and pre-theatre menus.

Also in our guide: All laughing aside, we also have recommendations for great inexpensive hotels in our London guide. Our editors have inspected, photographed and reviewed hotels throughout central London looking for the best deals.

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So, in celebration of our city’s generous share of movie-going choices, here are our favorite theaters for taking in a foreign film.

Film Forum
209 West Houston Street
Web site
Normal Ticket Price: $12.50

What started in 1970 with 50 folding chairs and a projector has become a New York institution. Film Forum is the only autonomous nonprofit cinema in New York (and one of few in the U.S.). A self-described “cinema of ideas,” Film Forum screens myriad independent films from all over the world. Two of its three theaters are devoted to ongoing film programs: One premieres American indie and foreign art films and the other shows repertory classics.

Museum of Modern Art
11 West 53rd Street
Web site
Tickets: $10 for a day of screenings (see below)

The MoMA has an excellent and diverse film screening program, showing some American and many foreign films in its three theaters. The week starts with Modern Mondays, an exploration, through screenings and discussion panels, of the cutting edge in cinema. More traditional screenings from the MoMA film library happen daily, with many festivals and special exhibitions, as well.

Film tickets for all three theaters can be purchased at the lobby information desk starting at 9:30 a.m. daily. You can also purchase tickets for the Roy and Niuta Titus Theaters 1 and 2 at the film desk beginning at 4 p.m. on weekdays and 1 p.m. on weekends, and for the Celeste Bartos Theater (Theater 3) at the lobby desk of the Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Education and Research Building starting at 1 p.m.

All tickets for a day of screenings cost $10 ($8 for seniors and $6 for students, free 16 and under). Tickets are (our favorite word) free during Target Free Friday Nights, every Friday from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. (as is the rest of the museum). Planning to attend more than one film in a day? Simply present your ticket stub at the film desk to receive your ticket for the next film. Hello bargain!

Sunshine Cinema
143 East Houston Street
Web site
Normal Ticket Price: $13

Built in 1898, the beautiful building now known as Sunshine Cinema has gone through incarnations as the Houston Hippodrome movie theater, a Yiddish vaudeville house and a hardware warehouse. Currently run by the art-house company Landmark Theatres, the Sunshine shows first-run indie and foreign films on five screens.

Get there early to check out the Japanese rock garden, or head up to the impressive third-floor glass annex for some jaw-dropping city views.

Cheapo tip: While regular ticket prices are $13 ($9 for seniors and the under-12 set), Sunshine offers special midnight showings cult favorites like Clue and the bizarre The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things for just $10. Check the Web site for featured weekend films.

Quad Cinema
34 West 13th Street
Web site
Normal Ticket Price: $11

This Greenwich Village mainstay has been showing great foreign, independent and documentary films since 1972—and has played a role in popularizing many of them (think Cinema Paradiso and Hoop Dreams), to boot. Given its Village location, expect many a social-issue film and an old-school “boho” vibe.

Angelika Film Center
18 West Houston Street
Web site
Normal Ticket Price: $13

This pretty little art house theater is located just around the corner from EuroCheapo headquarters in the Village. It’s so close, in fact, that our afternoon coffee runs often involve glancing at posters that line the building’s outer wall for the latest and greatest in edgy, artsy and foreign flicks.

The Angelika café on the main floor is a great place to dabble in pre-movie lattes or even organic sandwiches (dinner and a movie all in one place!). It’s so popular, actually, that it’s not uncommon for non-moviegoers to stop in to enjoy tasty treats and health shakes among chandelier and columns of the lavish, old-fashioned lobby.

BAM Rose Cinemas
30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn
Web site
Normal Ticket Price: $12

Across the river, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, hub of all things art, operates a four-screen theater in what was formerly the academy’s music hall. That means pretty, historic spaces with excellent acoustics. Three screens show first-run independent and foreign films, and the fourth is dedicated to BAMcinématek, a program that shows repertory classics. Also keep an eye out for special film festivals.

Tickets cost $12 for adults and $9 for seniors and students 25 and under (do note that the student price is valid only Monday through Thursday). Matinees, Monday through Thursday before 5 p.m. and Sunday before 3 p.m. can be seen for $8.

Your favorite movie theater in New York?

Have a theater to add to our list? Tell us about it in the comments section.

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Now that the worst of the winter weather seems to be finally easing off, lots of fun London activities are quite rightly taking themselves outdoors. Theater is one of London’s biggest selling points, and one of the city’s beloved spring and summer activities is to catch an Open Air Theatre production in the stunning surrounds of Regent’s Park, or take in a riverside performance in the more urban setting of The Scoop on the South Bank.

Here are the details for how to enjoy London’s outdoor theater offerings this year:

Open Air Theatre
Regent’s Park
Web site

Open Air Theatre stages four outdoor theatrical performances annually. Starting in May, the 2011 program includes productions of William Golding’s sinister classic, “Lord of the Flies,” John Day’s comic ballad opera, “The Beggar’s Opera,” Shakespeare’s “Pericles” re-vamped for audiences of six years and over, and the popular Gershwin musical, “Crazy For You.”

Tickets for Open Air Theatre at the bottom end of the scale are delightfully affordable, starting from around £14 per person, and each production offers a window of dates with reduced ticket prices.

Book online or by phone on 0844 826 4242. You can make further savings by buying tickets for two or more productions at once or buying group tickets, and under-18s and senior citizens qualify for concessions. Check out the Open Air Theatre’s Web site for more information on dates and prices.

The Scoop
Thames riverside
Web site

An outdoor venue of an altogether different nature is The Scoop, a modern sunken amphitheatre by the river in the shiny More London complex, hosting theatrical performances from April to September. This year’s line-up includes lively Shakespeare adaptations, modern re-workings from The Merry Opera Company and a version of Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales.”

The Scoop holds an audience of 800, and it’s absolutely free to catch a production here. Get there early to bag a space, and you might want to bring something to sit on, as the surfaces are quite hard. For further information on events and how to get there, see the More London Web site.

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It would figure that “the city that never sleeps” is home to many of the late night greats, from “Saturday Night Live” to “Late Night with David Letterman.” And where there are late night shows, there are studio audiences. The coveted (and free!) tickets to these shows are hard to come by, and usually require some advance planning. Because each show has a different set of rules, it can all amount to quite a headache.

But before you reach for the aspirin, check out our handy dandy breakdown.

Saturday Night Live

Really, “SNL” simply wouldn’t be the same without the phrase, “Live from New York, it’s Saturday night!” Tickets to the weekend mainstay are issued by a lottery system. To be entered, send an email with your contact information to snltickets@nbcuni.com. If selected, you’ll be granted two tickets to a randomly determined show date.

Important Note: The email must be sent in the month of August (for the 2011-2012 season) and specific date requests are not allowed. Only those selected will be notified.

Standby: Try your luck, and line-waiting, at standby tickets for either the 8 p.m. dress rehearsal or the 11:30 p.m. live show. Tickets are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis at 7 a.m. on the morning of each taping. Plan to line up at the 49th Street side of 30 Rockefeller Plaza early (read: sleep over). Note that a standby ticket does not guarantee admission, and tickets are limited to one per person.

The Late Show with David Letterman

Letterman tickets are also distributed via a lottery, and you can either request either by using their online form or visiting the theater (1697 Broadway). In-person hours are Monday through Thursday 9:30 a.m. until 12 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. (Note: Arriving prior to 9 a.m. will disqualify you!)

Tickets may be requested for up to one month in advance of the taping date, and those with flexible dates should note that listing multiple date requests increases the likelihood that you’ll be selected.

Standby: To be placed on the standby list, call the phone line (212-247-6497) at 11 a.m. on the morning you wish to attend. Then show up at the time you are given (the show tapes in late afternoon) and keep your fingers crossed that seats will be available.

The phone line remains open for 30-60 minutes, depending on the number of standby slots, so call as early as possible. Government-issued IDs matching the names given over the phone are required for all standby tickets.

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

Fun fact: Crush-worthy late night host Jon Stewart is this New Yorker’s favorite New York celebrity sighting. Unfortunately—though not surprisingly—said sighting does not make up for the fact that his show books up quickly. When available, up to four tickets and be acquired through an online request form. Simply choose from the dates offered, fill out your form and wait for a response.

If nothing is available, be persistent. The site changes quickly (we visited three times within one night and each time offerings were different) so keep checking back for available dates. You can also email requesttickets@thedailyshow.com, but we prefer following up with the form. Those with flexible dates can sign up for the email list for alerts to new shows.

The show tapes Monday through Thursday at 733 11th Avenue (at 52nd Street), and doors open at 5:45 p.m.

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

To watch funny-man Jimmy Fallon do his late-night thing, call (212) 664-3056 to request up to four tickets. Tickets are usually booked one month in advance.

Standby: Follow Late Night’s Twitter updates for updates on last minute ticket openings, or head to the “NBC Studios” marquee on the 49th Street side of 30 Rockefeller Plaza (GE Building) on the morning of the taping. Arrive no later than 9 a.m. to receive tickets (one per person), or visit the NBC Studio Tour Desk on the second floor of the NBC Experience Store in Rockefeller Plaza later in the day to see if there are any extra tickets available.

Tickets must be picked up by 4:15 p.m. for the 5:30 p.m. taping. As with all shows, visitors should note that a standby ticket does not guarantee admission.

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