Date Night Seattle
by Stephanie Montague - May 11th, 2022
If you’re stationed at a military base in the Puget Sound region, you have the advantage of being a short drive from Seattle. While there are many terrific date spots right outside the gates of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, NB Kitsap-Bangor-Bremerton, and NS Everett, sometimes you want to do it up a bit and enjoy a world class city. Keep reading for our favorite date nights in Seattle, for military families!
Read all the reasons to enjoy being stationed in the Seattle area in this blog post.
Date night ideas in Seattle
Here are a few great ideas for a fun date night outing in Seattle. Whether you just PCSed to the Seattle area, you're traveling through on your next move, or you've lived there for years and just need to explore, PCSgrades has you covered!
The jazzy date in Seattle
Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley is a Seattle institution and an absolute “must” for anyone who likes jazz. This intimate club has live music Tuesday through Sunday with the occasional special performance on a Monday. You can catch big-name acts, like Jeffrey Osbourne and Maceo Parker, as well as some lesser-known and up-and-coming artists. You have the option of ordering dinner from their full menu or simply enjoying a drink while you listen to the show.
Jazz Alley offers half-price admission for military on Wednesdays and Thursdays. You must have reservations and a current military ID to receive the discount. Bonus: they have free parking!
The Seattle musical date
The historic 5th Avenue Theater has been around since 1926. Originally a movie theater, it later transitioned to a stage for Broadway shows and other musicals. Part of the fun of going to “The 5th Ave,” as locals call it, is seeing its gorgeous Chinese-inspired design with its ornate décor.
The 5th Ave is in the heart of Seattle, only .5 miles from Pike Place Market. You can easily incorporate a show into a full “quintessentially Seattle” evening.
The foodie-on-a-budget-date
If you like gourmet food but don’t have the salary to go with it, check out the restaurants at Seattle Culinary Academy. You can indulge in a delicious, multi-course lunch prepared by culinary students at a bargain price. There are three different restaurants, each with its own theme and specialties. Buzz, the Academy’s coffee shop, also stocks pastries made by students in the “Specialty Desserts and Breads” program.
Please note that each restaurant has its own hours, which vary based on the academic calendar.
The sushi and stroll date
Nishino, an upscale restaurant in the Madison Valley area, offers high-quality sushi along with a full menu of other traditional Japanese and fusion options. If you’re feel adventurous, try the omakase dinner, which is a multi-course option at a fixed price, and all courses are selected by the chef. It is a great way to taste the best of what the restaurant has to offer!
Nishino is located right near the Washington Park Arboretum. Open daily until dusk, the park has many paths that you can explore on your own. You can also take a guided or self-paced audio tour to get the most of the beautiful gardens.
The dive bar date
If you’re looking for something fun and casual, Shorty’s in Belltown is your spot. Their specialty is hot dogs, and they offer eight different varieties, including Chicago style, German Sausage & Kraut, and even two vegetarian options. You can play pinball and more than a dozen other arcade games. Shorty’s may sound like a good place for kids, but with a full bar and plenty of great beers, it’s definitely an adults-only hangout.
Or, check out our list of favorite Seattle breweries here.
The Seattle panorama date
On a clear night, you can’t beat the view from Kerry Park on Queen Anne Hill. Catch an incredible vista that includes the Seattle skyline, Elliott Bay, and – if you’re lucky – majestic Mount Ranier. Kerry Park is great for a walk after dinner at one of the many great restaurants in the area. Go for a short stroll or take the full loop around the top of Queen Anne Hill.
The dinner date in Seattle
If you want to enjoy good food and live entertainment in a beautiful setting, head to the Triple Door. This intimate venue has a wide range of performances ranging from burlesque theater to jazz soloists to orchestra music. The Triple Door also has a lounge called Musicquarium, which has a daily happy hour and features a variety of live music from different genres.
PCSgrades.com is a community of military and veteran families helping each other with our biggest relocation needs through trusted reviews. Help us help each other and submit your reviews today. Together, we can truly make a difference!
Stephanie Montague is a communications consultant and freelance writer. She is the founder of Poppin’ Smoke, a website designed to encourage members of the military community to use their military benefits for (fun) travel. Stephanie shares news from military MWR facilities, updates from other military blogs, and links to great travel content on the Poppin’ Smoke Facebook Page.
