In this city there are a lot of options when it comes to eating out, getting drinks with a friend, or exploring the outdoors. But trying to label the best first date spot adds stress to the equation, because you want it to be as perfect as possible. When I first started going on dates in Bellingham I left it up to the guy to decide, now I see the advantage in picking the location. And the first step is knowing the right places to choose, for the right type of date.
Breaking the ice
One of the best go to places for a first date if you're feeling extra nervous is a bar, because well, alcohol. It takes the edge off, and bars tend to have an outgoing and exciting atmosphere that's ideal for a first date. Uisce Irish Pub is classy, and has a great cocktail and beer menu. It's small enough to assure intimacy on the first date and it's located in the heart of downtown, so if the date goes well you can hop over to another nearby bar for a second drink!
Address: 1319 Commercial St Bellingham, WA 98225
Hours of operation: Monday-Friday 4pm-2am, Saturday-Sunday 6pm-2am
Coffee and spice make everything nice
Sometimes the ideal spot for a first date with that special someone you met out on the town last weekend, is a coffee shop. If the date goes haywire, you can end it after one cup of coffee and if it goes extremely well, you can stay until the employees kick you out. Woods Coffee at Boulevard Park is without a doubt the most pleasant coffee shop in town. Located right on the water and furnished with wooden tables and comfy lounge chairs, the ambience is excellent for a first date. Additionally, if you and your date want to continue your date and take a walk, Woods is located in the middle of one of Bellingham's most favored parks.
Address: 470 Bayview Dr. Bellingham, WA 98225
Hours of operation: Monday-Sunday 6:30am-8pm
A fun afternoon for a cheap price
One may assume the best first date spots in Bellingham are locations where money is spent on nice meals and drinks, but it can also be an afternoon spent at the Farmers Market. The market is located downtown and takes place on Saturdays from 10am-3pm. There are vendors who sell locally grown and crafted items, as well as fresh cooked food for an affordable price. The Farmers Market would be a great location to grab lunch and engage with your date in a positive and happy environment.
First impression in paradise
Some of the best first date spots in Bellingham are the scenic, nature locations. There are many hikes, beaches and lookout spots that residents constantly visit, especially for the famous Bellingham sunsets. If you ask someone where their favorite place is for the first date, many will respond with Clarks Point. A quick walk through the forest brings you to an overlook of Chuckanut Bay and the San Juan Islands, one of the ideal sunset watching locations. You can hike through various trails located in the forest, or set up a hammock in the trees and relax by the water. This first date would allow you to get to know each other in a tranquil environment with plenty of privacy.
Brunch is the best advice
Everyone loves brunch, whether they know it or not. Spending the first date over one of the best meals of the day will surely start the day off right, and the relationship. Bayou on Bay serves brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 10am-3pm, offering a New Orleans atmosphere and Southern influenced cuisine. They serve classic dishes like gumbo and jambalaya, fried okra and hush puppies, and scrambles or benedicts. And of course, a long list of brunch drinks including mimosas and cocktails, and even a build-your-own bloody mary bar. Brunch is a great option that doesn't make a date feel too serious like a fancy dinner, but you also get the restaurant vibe if that's what you're looking for. Bayou on Bay definitely makes it on the list of best first date spots in Bellingham, with its' ideal location and unique character.
Address: 1300 Bay Street Bellingham, WA 98225
Hours of operation: Monday-Friday 3pm-late, Saturday-Sunday 10am-late
Hours of operation: Tuesday-Friday 3pm-late,