Whether you make a big deal out of Valentine's Day or not, it’s a nice reminder you can put the effort into a special outing with your significant other any day of the year. With that, we’ve got heart eyes for these date night ideas that go beyond dinner and a movie. Looking for more ideas to impress the object of your affections? Check out our full Valentine’s Day guide.
Get a (private karaoke) room
Baby Ketten Klub Like Add to a List (for all you plant-based cuties out there) and Voicebox have private rooms where you can belt out your favorite power ballads to your sweetie. Both karaoke spots have bars if you need some liquid courage. Make it a double or triple date with other couple friends!
Raise a glass at an urban winery
As much as we love Oregon’s wine country, it can be a bit of a to-do to get out there. Blessedly, many of Oregon’s top-notch wineries have tasting rooms in Portland, making it easy to enjoy glasses or flights on a weeknight date—plus, it’s an easy Lyft or Uber ride home rather than an hour away. We love spots like Fullerton Like Add to a List or Battle Creek Like Add to a List in the heart of Portland, or Maryhill Winery Like Add to a List on the Vancouver waterfront.
Reading is sexy
Grab the latest books you’ve got your noses in and head to the Rose City Book Pub Like Add to a List for some dedicated quiet reading time. Riveting conversation is a key part of any relationship, sure, but it’s equally important to be comfortable in silence with each other. After your reading sesh, fill each other in on your reads while enjoying some appetizers like Brussels sprouts and charcuterie or a full meal of pasta puttanesca.
Get steamy
Take a dip into the Kennedy School Like Add to a List soaking pool, which is filled with salt water for buoyancy and a mini oasis tucked into North Portland. Afterward, head inside to wet your whistle at the Boiler Room bar or Detention Bar. If you want to sail off into the sunset, rent a Yacht Tub Like Add to a List , in which you can float the Willamette River in heated comfort and even hook up your painstakingly selected sexy Spotify playlist.
Go on a romantic picnic
Bike over to Mocks Crest Like Add to a List park—more commonly known as Skidmore Bluffs—with some picnic supplies (perhaps including some elegant desserts from Jinju Patisserie Like Add to a List ?) and enjoy a stunning sunset. Parking is sparse by the park, so public transportation is another good way to get over there; the N Prescott St MAX station is roughly a 10-minute walk away.
Learn something together
Depending on your/your partner’s level of success at the task at hand, this can result in some funny anecdotes for down the road, but nevertheless, the willingness to try something new is super attractive. There are plenty of fun classes and activities in Portland, including crafty fun at DIY Bar Like Add to a List or Wildcraft Like Add to a List or sharpening your cooking skills at Cookshop Like Add to a List .
Quit playin’ games with my heart
Whether you prefer tabletop games, card games, or RPGs, head to the game mecca Mox Boarding House Like Add to a List for hours of fun. The store/restaurant/hangout has a free game library you can take advantage of while you enjoy shareable plates (Lady and the Tramp vibes, anyone?), house or zero-proof cocktails, and more.
