- The Up & Up (21+, also connects to Rudy’s Pizza): The outside section with small tables creates an intimate environment at a fun bar. It’s also quieter, so you can actually talk to your date.
- Boundary Bay (Also serves food! All ages): The classic brewery hosts events like Bluegrass night and Irish & Folk Night if you want to shake it up!
- Schweinhaus (Also serves food! All ages): The newer biergarten hosts karaoke every Wednesday, it’s also owned by Copper Hog just down the block. Their German style food is perfect if you’ve had a liter or two of craft beer.
- Casa Que Pasa (The Jumbo Potato Burrito will run you $7.29): A Bellingham staple with burritos the size of a newborn baby, you and your date can even split one making the dinner bill a little bit lower.
- Man Pies (The Classic Chicken Pie coasts $7.30): This quirky restaurant also serves beer on tap. Go for lunch on the weekend and check out the Bellingham Farmer’s Market just a couple of minutes away!
- Aslan Brewery (All ages! The Classic Bison Burger costs $12): Aslan is a newer brewery and includes things off the menu that are gluten free, vegan and their beer is 100 percent organic
- Copper Hog (Price varies based on lunch or dinner menu, Pulled Pork Sandwich will run $10 while Flemish Wild Boar Stew is $16): The Copper Hog a self-proclaimed gastro-pub. It’s a good place for group dates and hosts seating inside and outside. They also offer mimosas with POG juice and hard liquor specialty drinks like jalapeño vodka.
- Bayou on Bay (Again depends on lunch or dinner, Catfish runs $10 or Steak Frites at $19): It’s great place to find Cajun food in the Pacific Northwest. If you and your date are brave, try their catfish or frog legs.
Clothing & Makeup Appearance tips for men:Sidenote!
No more “The man has to pay for the first date!” Offer to split it.
Rule of thumb is, the person asking should pay.
If one person is adamant about paying, let them do it! If one person is adamant about splitting, do it!
If your date ends up paying for you, thank them.
And from a worker in the foodservice industry: tip your server!
- Hair is styled or cut and groomed, same with eyebrows.
- Shave your face or keep your beard trimmed.
- Shower!
- Wear a button-up shirt and a cardigan because it’s that time of year. You could also wear a flannel, but make sure it’s clean.
- Clean! Make sure your pants and shoes are clean, you don’t want to look like you just came from doing construction, it’s not flattering.
- Similar to men’s tips, keep it fresh and clean with showering and hair styled.
- Don’t go overboard with makeup, it depends on where the date will be but keep it as “you” as possible.
- Don’t look like someone else, be yourself (same for guys.)
- It’s cold this time of year, layers will be your best friend! You can totally wear a dress but add leggings, a cardigan, a warm overcoat, some gloves and a hat.
- Ask your date questions, it shows them you’re interested in them
- Be on time, if not a minute or two early
- Have good manners, use “please” and “thank you,” no burping, holding the door open
- Always tip if you’re paying, your date will notice if you don’t and it says a lot about your character
- Don’t talk about your exes. Never a good sign, it’s a red flag you’re not over the ex.
- Don’t monopolize the conversation!
- Know that there are certain topics that are off limits for first dates – financial situations, exes, religion and politics are generally not topics to talk about on a first date.
- Don’t check your phone constantly, it’s rude and the person you’re on a date with should be the center of your attention
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