Seattle Bars For Each Stage of Dating 

Seattle Bars For Each Stage of Dating 

First Date Bar– Feeling each other out. You want somewhere casual, but lively. You don’t want to break the bank, because if things don’t click, you’ll never see other again. Our pick: Unicorn/Narwhal.  Probably one of the least pretentious, casual bars in Seattle. There’s enough room to be in the center of things at street level(Unicorn), but a huge downstairs area(Narwhal) that you can find a secluded area if need be. It has a fun atmosphere that hopefully relaxes both of you, so you can get to know each other.   

Impress The Date Bar-You decided you’re interested and want to pursue the relationship. Time to impress. You want someplace with a price point a bit higher than normal to show your date they’re different from the rest.  It has to be quiet, chill with some dark lighting to set the mood for romance.  Our pick: Suite 410.  It’s a pretty intimate setting and it’s been around long enough to not be a crowded hot spot. There’s seats at the bar, a few along the window and just a few  seatings  for groups  along the wall and that’s it. It’s also in downtown and not really close to anything else which might be a reason it’s relatively easy to get seats. I find the cocktails here superb.    

The Test Bar -You’ve now shown your date the  high end  bar. Those places are reserved for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries and other important life events. Now take your date to a bar to see if they’ll have a fun time. Not  divey, but not too fancy. Can your date have some fun?  Our pick:  Rhein Haus.  We’ve all bowled, mini golfed, shot pool or played video games/pinball before. Bocce is a little out of the ordinary, but such a simple game to play that anybody could play it.  You can find out a lot of things in these situations. Is your date game to try something new, are they competitive, how do they handle winning, defeat or trash talking?  This is also a great atmosphere for your friends to meet your date for the first time since it’s a great place for groups. Then when you’re alone with your friends, get the scoop on what they think of your date.  

Seal the Deal Bar-You’ve determined after dating a while this is  thee  one! Now it’s time to pull out the big guns and make it special.   Awh, yeah, playa! You want to ask for a committed relationship or a wedding proposal even, this is the place in Seattle.   Our Pick: The Smith Tower Observatory Bar.  This place will cost you an arm and a leg because you pay to go up to the observatory and then you pay for the expensive drink, but you cannot beat the views, the history and the ornate Asian-inspired décor. It just feels special. At one time The Smith Tower was once the tallest building west of the Mississippi River, which is funny because it’s really dwarfed now by all the more modern downtown buildings. I believe it costs $12 to go up if you’re from Washington and $19 if you’re not. Cocktails run in the $15 range.  Sit down, relax, take in the view, hold your date’s hand and ask away.    

Drive Off the Date Bar-This is the opposite of the Seal the Deal Bar. You’ve determined that it just  ain’t  gonna  work out. How do you tell your date? If you take your date to this bar, they probably know what’s coming next.   It’s one of those places where if you dump your date and you get a bottle broken over your head because of it, nobody will blink an eye. It’s normal here.  It’s also loud enough to drown out any screaming or loud arguments   Our Pick: Take your date to  The  5 Point. It’s the type of bar where you don’t plan to go to, but end up there after a full night of drinking. It’s open 24 hours and although they don’t serve beer after 2:00am, I believe they start up again at 6:00am and known for morning barflies starting up early there. This bar is notable for a few things. Their signage of  “We cheat tourists-n-drunks since 1929″  and “Alcoholics Serving Alcoholics since 1929” and Tom  Leykis  getting thrown out and assaulted outside. He required 17 stitches. They do have one cool thing in the men’s restroom though. It’s a periscope that’s set up so you can see the Space Needle while peeing. Fancy.   

Also see: Seattle Coffee Places For Each Stage of Dating.   

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