A first date works better when the location does some of the heavy lifting. Spokane has enough restaurants, parks, and activity venues that two strangers can find a setting where neither feels forced to carry the conversation alone. The city sits along the Spokane River, which gives it natural scenery that pairs well with an evening out. Museums, historic neighborhoods, and waterfalls all fall within a short drive of downtown. Picking the right spot comes down to knowing what kind of date you want to have.
Finding Your Way Through Spokane’s Dating Options
Spokane offers enough variety that two people getting to know each other can pick a setting that suits their preferences. Some prefer a quiet dinner with wine and candlelight, while others want something active where conversation happens naturally between rounds of mini golf. The city accommodates both.
People looking for connection come at it from different angles. Some use apps, others meet through friends, and a growing number are exploring sugar dating in Spokane as one of many ways to meet someone compatible. A first date location matters less than finding a spot where both people feel comfortable enough to talk openly.
Upscale Restaurants Worth Booking
Lorèn Social Club
This French-inspired restaurant sits underground beneath the Papillon Building, north of Riverfront Park. The space has a speakeasy quality to it, with low candles and soft lavender lighting. Seasonal French dishes make up the menu, and the drink program matches the food in quality. The restaurant opens Tuesday through Thursday from 5pm to 9pm, Friday and Saturday from 4pm to 9pm, and Sunday from 4pm to 8pm. Mondays are closed. A limited number of VIP memberships exist for access to private events in a hidden room called the Sophia Room, though regular reservations work fine for most visitors.
Italia Trattoria
Chef Anna Vogel runs this Italian restaurant in the Browne’s Addition neighborhood. She is a James Beard Foundation Semi-Finalist, and her menu changes frequently based on what ingredients are available. House-made pastas, fresh seafood, and naturally raised meats fill out the offerings. The space has an enclosed heated patio that works well in cooler months. Italia Trattoria has operated since 2010 and maintains a loyal following. Hours run Wednesday through Saturday from 5pm to 8pm, with Sunday brunch from 9am to 2pm.
Mizuna
This downtown restaurant opened in 1996 and has kept its focus on fresh, simple cooking. Organic produce and sustainable meats take priority in the kitchen. Vegetarians have a full menu of their own, which makes it a practical choice when dietary preferences differ between two people. A small patio in the alleyway beside the restaurant offers outdoor seating during warmer months. Mizuna ranks number 5 out of 1,099 restaurants in Spokane according to local listings and holds the top spot among wine bars in the city. Lunch runs Monday through Saturday from 11am to 5pm, dinner follows until 10pm, and Sunday service starts at 4pm.
The Gilded Unicorn
Located beneath the Historic Montvale Hotel, this restaurant has an old-world atmosphere that fits its downtown entertainment district setting. You enter through a side door and walk down stairs to reach the host station. The menu features modern American dishes with ingredients sourced from the Northwest. Happy hour runs twice daily. Sunday through Thursday hours are 4pm to 11pm, with Friday and Saturday extending from 3pm to midnight.
Activity-Based Date Spots
Flatstick Pub
Mini golf and beer make for a low-pressure first date. Flatstick Pub sits inside River Park Square and offers an in-house designed course with artwork by Ryan Henry Ward, a Seattle muralist. A game called Duffleboard combines mini golf with shuffleboard if you want something different. Trivia nights happen regularly. The venue allows all ages until 7pm, then switches to 21 and older. Hours are 11am to 11pm Sunday through Thursday, and 11am to 1am Friday and Saturday.
Chaos Arcade
Virtual reality gaming, arcade games, craft beer, and espresso all share space here. Pizza rounds out the menu. The atmosphere stays relaxed, and the games give you something to do with your hands while you talk.
The Knitting Factory Concert House
This 1,500-capacity venue brings touring performers and local bands through downtown Spokane. The sound system works well, and the room puts you close enough to the stage that live shows feel personal. A full menu of bar food and cocktails means you can eat before or during the performance. Reviewers consistently rate it as the best live music spot in the city.
Outdoor Options
Riverfront Park
The park runs along the Spokane River and stays busy with events throughout the year. The Lilac Bowl amphitheater hosts free concerts during warmer months. Nightly light shows at the Riverfront Park Pavilion add visual interest after dark.
Numerica Skyride
The gondola starts from Riverfront Park and carries passengers over City Hall, Huntington Park Natural Area, and the Spokane Falls. The 15-minute round trip costs $13.95 for adults and $9.95 for youth ages 3 to 12. Seniors 65 and older and military personnel receive a 10% discount. Water levels peak between March and June, which makes the falls more dramatic during those months.
Riverside State Park
This park covers 9,194 acres along the Spokane and Little Spokane rivers, about 9 miles northwest of downtown. Roughly 80 miles of trails run through the property. The Bowl and Pitcher Loop Trail gets the highest ratings on AllTrails, with 4,406 reviews and a 4.8-star average. That trail runs 2.1 miles with 134 feet of elevation gain and crosses a swinging bridge over the river. A day pass costs $11, or you can buy an annual Washington Discover Pass for $30.