Ephrata Date Night Budget: What Two People Spend at 12 Hawks

6 days ago

3 min read

Two people can expect to spend between $35 and $110 on a date night out, depending on whether you hit happy hour, order appetizers and drinks, or go for a full dinner with cocktails. Here is how that breaks down so you can plan ahead.

Happy Hour Date: $30 to $45

This is the cheapest way to have a real night out. Happy hour runs Monday through Friday, 2pm to 4pm. Two people splitting a couple of appetizers and drinking discounted beer or well drinks usually land between $30 and $45 total, tax and tip included. If you want specifics on what gets marked down and why locals time their visits around it, there is a breakdown of what happy hour actually includes.

Two appetizers at happy hour prices: $12 to $16
Two discounted drinks: $8 to $12
Tax and tip: $10 to $17

Casual Dinner Date: $55 to $75

This covers two entrees, one shared appetizer, and non-alcoholic drinks or one round of beers. Entrees at a place like this run $14 to $22. An appetizer runs $9 to $14. Add two drinks and tip, and you are looking at $55 to $75 for the night.

Two entrees: $28 to $44
Shared appetizer: $9 to $14
Two drinks: $10 to $16
Tax and tip: $8 to $15 depending on the total

Full Night Out with Craft Cocktails: $85 to $110

If you are ordering craft cocktails instead of beer or well drinks, the price per drink jumps to $9 to $13 each. Two cocktails per person, two entrees, and an appetizer to share puts you in the $85 to $110 range once tax and tip are added. This is the number to plan for if you want a real sit-down experience with no cutting corners.

Two entrees: $28 to $44
Shared appetizer: $9 to $14
Four craft cocktails (two each): $36 to $52
Tax and tip: $14 to $20

Where the Money Actually Goes

Drinks are usually the bigger swing factor, not food. Two entrees are fairly predictable. What changes your total most is whether you stick to beer and well drinks or order cocktails, and whether you add a second round. If you are watching the budget, decide on your drink plan before you sit down. You can check current prices and what is actually on offer on the full menu before you go, so there are no surprises when the check comes.

Honest Tradeoffs

Going during happy hour saves money but limits your window. If you want a slower dinner with no rush, that 2pm to 4pm slot on a weekday might not fit your schedule, especially if you both work normal hours. Weekend dinners cost more but give you more flexibility on time.

Ordering one appetizer to share instead of two individual ones saves $9 to $14 without really changing the meal. Splitting a dessert instead of skipping it entirely adds $6 to $9 but can be worth it if you are celebrating something.

Sticking to beer or well drinks instead of cocktails is the single biggest way to cut your bill. Two cocktails each versus two beers each can be a $20 to $30 difference for the night.

Planning Around the Schedule

One thing that trips people up: this place is closed on Tuesdays. If you are planning a date night, check your calendar first. There is a short explanation of why Tuesdays are closed if you are curious, but the practical takeaway is simple: pick another night.

If there is a game on, Friday and weekend nights get busier, especially during football season. If you want a table and not just a spot at the bar, calling ahead or arriving early helps.

Quick Budget Summary

Happy hour date (Mon to Fri, 2 to 4pm): $30 to $45
Casual dinner with one round of drinks: $55 to $75
Full dinner with craft cocktails: $85 to $110

For a couple in Ephrata or anywhere in Grant County looking for a straightforward night out, 12 Hawks gives you a range that fits almost any budget, from a cheap happy hour stop to a full dinner with drinks. Decide what kind of night you want first, then pick your time and order around that number.