While trawling the apps, Portlanders are often faced with the all too familiar conundrum: Just where do you take someone on a first date? It often comes down to vibe: the move is to go for a spot that can shape-shift depending on the mood, which is not an easy task to pull off. Finding a space that can be casual and flirty, fun and sexy, or intimate and romantic all at once is relatively herculean. However, many of these spots on this map have the ability to do it all, whether you’re looking for a quick drink or a full-on meal. Many spots on this map also include nearby secondary locations, in case things are going well (or a change of scenery is imperative).
Foolproof First Date Spots for Every Kind of Portlander
Bars and restaurants that can make anyone look good
If none of these feel like the right fit, we have a few other map options for you: Our romantic restaurant guide is available for those hoping to send a strong signal, while our game bar, cocktail heatmap, and happy hour guides will provide more laid-back options for an initial meetup. And hey, if the move is coffee or tea, we have plenty of maps along those lines, too.
Foolproof First Date Spots for Every Kind of Portlander
Bars and restaurants that can make anyone look good
While trawling the apps, Portlanders are often faced with the all too familiar conundrum: Just where do you take someone on a first date? It often comes down to vibe: the move is to go for a spot that can shape-shift depending on the mood, which is not an easy task to pull off. Finding a space that can be casual and flirty, fun and sexy, or intimate and romantic all at once is relatively herculean. However, many of these spots on this map have the ability to do it all, whether you’re looking for a quick drink or a full-on meal. Many spots on this map also include nearby secondary locations, in case things are going well (or a change of scenery is imperative).
If none of these feel like the right fit, we have a few other map options for you: Our romantic restaurant guide is available for those hoping to send a strong signal, while our game bar, cocktail heatmap, and happy hour guides will provide more laid-back options for an initial meetup. And hey, if the move is coffee or tea, we have plenty of maps along those lines, too.
Campana
There’s something about Italian food that feels very “date night,” and this Woodlawn restaurant can dress up or down easily. Meet for happy hour — which conveniently runs all night at the stylish (but approachable) bar — for a couple Negronis, and if the vibe is right, stick around for bowls of puttanesca or arrabbiata. If things are going particularly well, move from the bar to the full-on dining room, where you can snack on olives or meatballs ahead of ramp risotto or ravioli.
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Gabbiano’s
The overarching sense of fun at this Italian American restaurant off Northeast Killingsworth is palpable: Couples clink glasses of sundried tomato Negronis at the bar, sharing plates of marinara-filled fried mozzarella “shots” and fried calamari. If the chemistry seems promising, stay for bowls of spaghetti (Lady and the Tramp moment optional) and Dungeness crab alla vodka, either in the boisterous dining room or on the quieter back patio. Lines can develop here, but this intersection is packed with promising alternatives: Opt for cocktails and burgers at Expatriate, Italian-inflected Americana bar fare at Take Two, or whatever residency is on offer at either of the Dame Collective spots.
One Haus Creative
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Interurban
This North Mississippi cocktail bar — with its dark wood, dual-story indoor space and firepit-warmed all-season patio — is an ideal location for a first date, with nearby restaurant options if things go well. Start high brow (oysters) or low brow (curly fries), plus a whiskey or 1930s-era classic cocktail. Dinner options include smash burgers and Japanese curry risotto, though you could easily head to one of the many other stellar spots on Mississippi for a meal.
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Wonderly
This bustling hotspot is casually elegant with beautifully warm lighting, the kind that makes anyone look good. Sip cocktails like the Banhattan (a banana Manhattan) or the clarified Jungle Bird variation. Martinis and Manhattans are actually a drink and a half (with the half served on the side for refills), which makes the liquid courage easily accessible. And should your date be an aficionado of wine or beer, they’ll appreciate the combination of domestic and old-world selections.
Wonderly
Free House
Hardwood floors and leather banquettes imbue this relaxed neighborhood bar with warmth and sophistication. It’s as much the spot for craft cocktails as it is for cheap beers. The food menu offers bar snacks, charcuterie, salads, and meat-forward plates; otherwise, the hungry can stroll down Fremont for dinner at the foraging-centric Morchella (fancier) or the pan-Latin American En Vida (more informal). The partially covered patio seating is available for those wanting an airy atmosphere.
Phuket Cafe
This colorful Northwest 23rd Place Thai restaurant from star restaurateur Akkapong Earl Ninsom can adapt well to the mood, depending on what you’re going for: Grab a seat at the bar to keep things low-key, where you can knock back tropical-vibed cocktails or a glass of orange wine. Split an order of pork belly bites or Thai pickles, and if you’re willing to graduate to full-on dinner, you can grab a seat on the cool train car-inspired patio or in a low-lit corner of the restaurant.
The Love Shack
This new, pseudo beach bar-vibed cocktail lounge from the team behind G-Love is an interactive option for first dates — a welcome distraction if conversation isn’t flowing, or a way to bond if the energy is right. After bartenders serve coupe glasses of complimentary sparkling wine, owner Garrett Benedict rolls by with a cart of small snacks, things like mini croissant banh mi, pickled onion rings, oysters on ice, and brioche waffles topped with lox. Hang out for a snack or two, or order a full-blown, sparkler-adorned prime rib from the kitchen.
Carter Hiyama
Bar Diane
Tucked down an alley across the street from Cinema 21, Bar Diane is both a quiet, cute spot to grab a glass of wine ahead of a movie and a main event dinner destination. The cheerful pink and blue dining room keeps the vibe light, with an outdoor patio for those who prefer a little fresh air; the by-the-glass list includes several strong pours for natural wine nerds, plus spritzes, cocktails, beers, and nonalcoholic drinks for all types. Share some oysters and hamachi crudo — maybe even splurge on some caviar if you’re looking to impress — and if you decide to linger for dinner, the burrata and butter poached carrots are standouts.
Angel Face
Dimly lit and alluring, this romantic East Burnside bar attracts those looking for a customized cocktail experience. At Angel Face, bartenders ask visitors for their preferences before surprising them with a drink; the cocktail menu is all off the top of the bartender’s head. The food menu items, like the pickle plate or Castelvetrano olives, give you something to snack on while you get to know each other. Dinner choices like lamb stew and steak frites are available onsite, though those who want to shake things up can easily wander down the street and stumble upon something stellar; East 28th is a veritable restaurant row.
Hey Love
This bar inside the Juniper NEXT hotel is an indoor jungle teeming with plants and vibrant decor. The cocktails list leans on the tropical side, seemingly imbued with sunny days, making for a lovely escape from the often dreary Portland weather. The playful food menu adds to the vacation-esque spirit of the space, with many vegan and gluten-free options for a wide range of diners. Those seeking a change of scenery can easily head over to Canard or Dimo’s Apizza for a bite.
Midtown Beer Garden
For an after-work option in downtown Portland, this food cart pod on Harvey Milk offers plenty of onsite seating, many noteworthy food options, and an onsite bar cart for Portland-made beer and cocktails. Live musicians often make appearances, serenading visitors awaiting gorgeous Japanese-style sandwiches, hand-pulled noodles, and loaded jianbing. In terms of secondary locations, you’ll find a handful of bars nearby, including dive-adjacent spots like Kelly’s Olympian and ritzier cocktail lounges like Abigail Hall.
Lil’ America
A food cart pod is often a safe bet for a first date dinner — lots of options, not too fancy — and this eclectic pod on Southeast Stark has the added benefit of a next door brewery for drinks or indoor dining. Multiple essential food carts reside in this pod, if you’re craving fried chicken or Guyanese food, but overall it’s hard to go wrong here, with things like vegan smash burgers, seafood boil, or Hainanese chicken. For a more upscale option, the hidden seafood bar in the back is a worthy upgrade.
Bellwether Bar
Mt Tabor tavern Bellwether shape-shifts in the best way. It can be animated and relaxed at the same time inside, with a beautiful backyard garden that still feels informal. The beer and wine list is killer, but the cocktails are no afterthought. The food menu, similarly, can be a burger-and-fries scene, or you can share sophisticated plates like harissa roasted cauliflower and duck yolk-bolstered beef tartare.
The Observatory
The Montavilla stalwart known as the Observatory is an adaptable spot, whether your date prefers a craft cocktail or a cheap pilsner. Starry hanging lamps throw a romantic glow about the front room, with a mishmash of modern, vintage, and industrial design. For a “divier” experience, meander the hallway to its sporty back-end bar, Over + Out, for some pinball and pool. Dinner options nearby are abundant, including Thai Chinese food and Lebanese lemon chicken.
A Roadside Attraction
Those with a penchant for the bizarre can canoodle beside the fire pit at this cash-only, quirky Southeast bar adorned with seemingly random paraphernalia. A Roadside Attraction has been a Hinge date standby for years, likely because there’s always something to talk about, thanks to the decor; lucky visitors might be able to secure a place for two on the porch swing. It’s a casual, inexpensive night out with little nooks indoors and out. Head to Kachka for dinner to keep the party rolling.
Palomar
Step into this Southeast Division cocktail bar and restaurant for pineapple gin shots, blended strawberry daiquiris, shrimp ceviche, and mojo-braised chicken wings, all served in a cool, Miami-esque, two-story space. If all of the above indicates a raucous environment, think again: Palomar exudes a fun, but sophisticated air, which means it can be a sexy spot for a drink and a snack, or a place for an intimate dinner date. You’ll get more privacy by sitting on the mezzanine, though if you’re going for a livelier vibe, the seasonal rooftop patio, opening June 1, is a better fit.
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The Richmond Bar
This down-to-earth Division bar is the ideal setting for a casual date. Richmond boasts a variety of aptly named cocktails, as well as a beer and wine menu; hungrier dates can share things like shoestring fries and charcuterie boards. Prefer outdoor seating? Richmond offers a heated patio out back, complete with a fire pit.
Lauren Massie/The Richmond Bar
The Houston Blacklight
The Houston Blacklight’s cheeky custom wallpaper, 1970s psychedelic aesthetic, and fun cocktails (including nonalcoholic options) make it a lively spot for a first date with abundant conversation starters. For a more casual — but more private — conversation, head out to the back patio, or cuddle up in one of the booths by the bar. Another bonus: the Houston Blacklight is near so many amazing spots for dinner, if the mood strikes; head over to Jacqueline for oysters or Magna for Filipino food, and maybe even sneak over to Libre for dessert and a nightcap.
Molly J. Smith/Eater Portland
Street Disco
There’s often something special going on at this jade-hued Foster-Powell restaurant, whether it’s a pop-up, an Italian American night, or a collaborative dinner with another Portland spot. Even on the nights Street Disco runs its standard menu, however, you’re still in for a treat. One side of the restaurant behaves more like a natural wine bar, which is great for an initial glass of rosé, cocktail, or vermouth on the rocks; if you stick around for dinner, expect many seafood offerings and inventive, approachable plates (think house-made “chicken nuggets” or steaks with cacio e pepe compound butter).
Nick Woo/Eater Portland
Bible Club
With a pre-prohibition schtick and vintage tchotchkes throughout the space, Bible Club is equal parts museum and cocktail bar indoors, with a summery all-season back patio. Everything about Bible Club tells a story, from the antique crystal glassware to the master class menu of early 20th century cocktails. The backyard patio is a completely different vibe, better for folks seeking a more energetic atmosphere.
Katie Acheff/EPDX
By Rebecca Roland
By Michelle DeVona
