 ANDREA J. WRIGHT / THE SEATTLE TIMES
The Century Ballroom's a great place to take your new date dancing — or you can just watch if you've got two left feet. |
Feb. 9, 2004 Make a date
You've got only one chance to make a first impression, friend. Don't stress out; we've come up with a dozen scenarios to suit your situation.A NORMAL, NOT-TOO-PRICEY DINNER DATE Madame K's in Ballard has good pizza, a fun, sexy faux-brothel atmosphere, and if you hit it off you can share an Orgasm for dessert (it's a giant chocolate-chip cookie, OK?). Walk to the Locks afterwards or go to a Ballard pub or club. BLIND-DATE This is the toughest kind of date to navigate. Meet in a noncommittal and public space. Choose Starbucks if you're not sure about the person (the Belltown location's a good one), and somewhere cool like Vivace or Victrola if you're psyched about them. ROMANTIC FIRST-DATE The intimate and exceptional Matt's in the Market is always a good bet, especially on Wednesday nights, when the sounds of live jazz fill the air. Afterwards, have a drink at Shea's Lounge next door and stroll the Market. THE I'M-NOT-LIKE-EVERYBODY-ELSE DATE Do something "uncool" that no one does anymore: Go to the zoo! Afterwards, eat some Vietnamese pho at Than Bros. on Aurora. It's pretty healthy, very cheap and you get a sinfully good cream puff with each bowl. DINNER AND DANCING DATE The Century Ballroom has a small café and introductory swing and salsa lessons. The Pampas Room, downstairs from El Gaucho, has a dance floor and live music. DATE WITH THAT FRIEND YOU'VE KNOWN SINCE 5TH GRADE Try some old-fashioned romantic fun — head to an ice cream parlor such as Mix Ice Cream, where you can slurp from the same milk shake. Some more ideas: Procopio Gelateria Italian Ice Cream and Scoop Du Jour Ice Creamery. OUTDOORSY FUN Show off your physical prowess or check out your date's. A nice relaxing outdoorsy time can be had at Agua Verde Cafe & Paddle Club, where you can go rent kayaks for an hour or so, then grab some tasty Mexican food afterwards! HARD-DRINKING DATE Do you both like to knock one back? Get your date drunk for cheap on those knock-you-on-your-ass drinks at the Cha Cha Lounge! If you're seeking to really impress your date, try the W Hotel Bar — that joint is classy and has great cocktails. SMOKERS' DELIGHT Both like to light up? Get thee to the Ballard Smoke Shop for a night of drinking, smoking and carousing. THE NON-DRINKING DATE You don't have to hang out in crowded, smoky bars, particularly if one of you doesn't drink, so visit the Seattle Art Museum, check out a play at the Hugo House and play pinball at Shorty's or pool at the Garage. THE TOURIST-IN-YOUR-OWN-CITY DATE You can tell a lot about someone by whether or not they're willing to do something potentially cheesy. Why not try the Space Needle — I mean, when was the last time you went to the top? AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT Why not get tattooed at the same time? Or change your hair color to something a lot brighter? You can do both at Rudy's Barbershop on Capitol Hill, then head across the street for a delicious crepe at 611 Supreme.  |
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