Bellingham Date Night: Ready for Romance

If there's one tradition that remains unchanged across time and generations, it would have to be date night. The heady combination of dark romantic restaurants and someone you're attracted to or have grown to love never loses its many charms. We tend to save the romance for special occasions like Valentine's Day, anniversaries and the like, but if we've learned anything in the past couple of years, it's that anything can be a good reason to get dolled up and go on a date. Locally, what constitutes a perfect Bellingham date night is as unique as the people on the date, but we have some ideas that might get you started. 

Date Ideas in Bellingham

Hit the Streets: Everyone wants a night on the town, but when we use that term, we mean it literally. Park the car or lock up the bike and take your prospective person on a stroll around town. Without all the distractions of a loud restaurant or boisterous bar to interfere, you can get to know each other in a way that feels entirely natural. Downtown is incredibly charming no matter the time of year, with no small amount of businesses to pop into or sights to see. If you time your outing for a town-wide First Friday event, you can take in art, run into friends and experience Bellingham when it really shines. As far as Bellingham date nights go, this one is inexpensive, easy and a great way to get to know someone on a more personal level. 

Have a Bite to Eat: A dinner date is the go-to classic date idea for a reason. Getting to know someone, or enjoying time spent with someone you know well and love, over a meal is tried, true and the type of small stuff that long, happy relationships are built on. We prefer a dark romantic restaurant rather than a rowdy pub or eatery, and in that vein, within walking distance of the Hotel Leo you'll find the approachable elegance of Rock and Rye (ask to be seated on their all-season outdoor deck for the most romantic experience), the hearty food of Bellingham Cider Company, or the cozy and casual sophistication of the Temple Bar, where you can share small plates with a bottle of wine. Of course, we would be remiss if we didn't mention our own restaurant, Amendment 21, among the candidates for date ideas in Bellingham. With a menu that skews proudly local filled with snacks to share (we're especially fond of the flatbread, crostini and slider selection) as well as full meals (including what we believe to be the best burgers in town) to go with our signature cocktails, we very well may be the best date in town.

Romantic Cocktail Bars: Like any other town with a thriving nightlife, Bellingham has its fair share of romantic cocktail bars. And while we could run down a list of best date night bars, we happen to believe that Amendment 21 tops them all for a Bellingham date night that strikes a perfect balance of being impressive without ever being intimidating. But we're more than just one of Bellingham's romantic bars. Our walls are covered in photos depicting the city's history through the eras and colorful characters that have defined this distinctive place. Order a pair of Prohibition-era cocktails or a flight of gin with a sampler of our house-made tonics and stroll the room pointing out photos to each other before settling into our comfortable seats for a sip and some intimate conversation. As Bellingham date night backdrops go, it doesn't get more local or more romantic than Amendment 21. 

Stay the Night: We can't really talk about date ideas in Bellingham without also mentioning that the Hotel Leo is an excellent place for a romantic overnight. Whether you're visiting from a far-flung locale or checking in from somewhere closer to home, we pride ourselves on creating an experience that allows you to relax and enjoy your romantic getaway. With our combination of historic elegance and modern comfort, a stay at the Hotel Leo is date night done right. Start your evening at our romantic cocktail bar, Amendment 21, before heading to your room and you'll have no need to leave the premises until checkout time. Just be sure to hang the "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door.