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Home / Insider Blogs / A Perfect Summer Date Night in Downtown Bellingham

A Perfect Summer Date Night in Downtown Bellingham

By Teresa Schmidt / July 6, 2015

Downtown Bellingham is a lively place year-round, but there’s something special about being here on warm summer evenings. The sun stays high in the sky as the sidewalks fill up with people of all ages. Singles are out on the town, meeting friends. Families are strolling to Mallard Ice Cream after dinner. And like my husband and I, lots of couples are venturing out for a fun—and delicious—date night.

My perfect downtown Bellingham summer date night consists of three stops, at some of my favorite places. Yes, my definition of a perfect summer date night is one where I get to choose where we go. Luckily, my husband and I like all the same things, so he was happy too. (Right, honey?)

First Stop: Seifert & Jones Wine Merchants

Bellingham, Seifert & Jones, Wine Shop, Wine Tasting

Bellingham, Seifert & Jones, Wine Shop, Wine Tasting

A wine tasting is the perfect kick-off to an evening out. You get just enough to prepare your palate for the rest of the evening, with three or so little tastes. At Seifert & Jones, they host wine tastings every Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. The tasting lineup changes weekly, and there is always a theme, whether it’s the region from which the wines hail, or wines to complement different dishes, such as seafood or your holiday weekend BBQ.

Bellingham, Seifert & Jones, Wine Shop, Wine Tasting

Stop by for a chance to expand your knowledge, as well as your palate. Shop owners Ted Seifert and Diane Jones are as welcoming as can be and they love introducing customers to new discoveries. I guarantee you’ll taste at least one you’ll like. And if you’re a rosé freak like me, be sure to feast your eyes on this display of summer wine perfection.

Bellingham, Seifert & Jones, Wine Shop, Wine Tasting

Second Stop: Temple Bar

My love for the Temple Bar is no secret, so it stands to reason it’s not to be missed on date night. The sidewalk tables are perfect for catching a breeze and watching the world go by, while sipping a frosty summer cocktail or refreshing glass of—you guessed it—rosé.

TempleBarExterior

TempleBarSummerDrinks

 

TempleBarRaspberryPinaColada

TempleBarCatamaran

By this point of the date, it’s time for some food, Fortunately, we were in the right place, for on that subject, Temple Bar never disappoints. Their new menu is filled with yummy-sounding small bites and more substantial plates that cover everyone’s tastes. We started with salads and shared an appetizer.

TempleBarSummerSalad   TempleBarFingerlings

 

TempleBarSausage

Third Stop: Pure Bliss Desserts

OutsidePureBliss

Whether you’re on a downtown Bellingham culinary trek, or catching a movie at the Pickford Film Center, I can’t think of a finer wrap up to a special night out than Pure Bliss Desserts. We shared a slice of Berries & Creme and a split of brut. How did it taste? My husband said it best when he declared, “Man, they can bake a cake!”

PureBlissSign

PureBlissBerryCake

As on any date night that involves a drink or two, we traveled by bike for safety. And on this perfect early July evening, we didn’t even need jackets. Ahh, Bellingham in summer. Is there anywhere better? Just make sure you get here for a date night to remember before this fleeting season passes you by.

Downtown Bellingham Summer Events

Take your pick—there’s plenty to bring you to downtown Bellingham this summer!

Art Walk, First Friday of every month

Sidewalk Sale, July 10 – 12

Downtown Sounds, July 15, 22, 29

Pickford’s Rooftop Cinema at the Parkade, July 17 and 31, August 14 and 28, September 11

Chow Downtown (Formally known as Bite of Bellingham), September 20

 

Seifert & Jones Wine Merchants 19 Prospect St., Bellingham, WA 98225 360- 393-3271 Open Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 – 6:00

Temple Bar 306 W. Champion St., Bellingham, WA 98225 360- 676-8660   Every day, 3:00– close

Pure Bliss Desserts 1424 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225 360-739-1612  Monday noon – 6:00, Tuesday – Saturday noon – 10:00

For more fun ideas by Teresa, click here.

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Filed Under: Insider Blogs Tagged With: Cocktails with outdoor seating in Whatcom County, happy hour in Bellingham, Pure Bliss Desserts, Seifert and Jones Wine Merchants Bellingham, Temple Bar, where to drink cocktails in Bellingham, where to drink cocktails outside in Bellingham, where to have a romantic dinner in Bellingham, where to have dessert in Bellingham, wine tasting in Bellingham

About Teresa Schmidt

Teresa Schmidt, a copywriter who owns and operates Sprout Creative, comes from a long line of brewers, bootleggers and saloonkeepers. She moved to Bellingham 13 years ago to write, hike, ski and paddle—but it was the beer that really sold her. She also loves wine. And cocktails. And good food. To work it all off, she runs around in the woods at every opportunity.

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Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism
Visitor Center Located at I-5 Exit 253
904 Potter Street, Bellingham, WA 98229

Hours: Due to COVID-19, the Visitor Center is open limited hours: Friday, Saturday & Sunday 10am-3pm. Masks required.

Phone: 360-671-3990
Email: tourism@bellingham.org

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