14 'First' Dates

Next time you consider asking a special someone to “grab a drink” why not try something a little…different? Here are 14 ideas to get you started

1 | Eat Around » Take a DIY food tour in downtown Salem: Appetizers at one location, dinner at the next then wrap things up with dessert at a third. Visit our website for a list of downtown eateries and some recommended itineraries.

2 | Climb a Rock » The Rock Boxx, 3895 Cascadia Canyon Ave SE, is an indoor bouldering gym offering 5,400 square feet of climbing walls for all experience levels. Each climber needs to complete a safety orientation and waiver so make sure to leave yourself enough time. Get the details at therockboxx.com.

3 | Take a Cooking Class » Willamette Valley Kitchen offers small, intimate classes where you can learn to make a variety of delicious meals with Chef Amy. See what’s cooking at willamettevalleykitchenco.com

Kelley’s also offers Cooking Classes, both hands-on and demonstration. Check what’s on the menu at kellyshomecenter. com/cooking-school/

4 | See What's On Stage » A night of live music, comedy or theater might seem like a given, but where would we be if we didn’t put it in writing? For large-scale local events as well as nationally touring acts, check out the Elsinore Theatre. For more local experiences, try Infinity Room, Christo's Pizzeria & Lounge, Venti's Cafe and The Bad Space, to name a few. For the theatrical side of things, see what’s happening at Pentacle Theatre or Enlightened Theatrics

5 | Throw an Axe » Check your aim at Oregon Axe Salem. To be guaranteed a spot, reserve your 90-minute session online at oregonaxethrowing. com/book-salem. It’s $30-$35 per person.

6 | Play Bingo » There are a few places you can play bingo in Salem, but by far the more exciting is at the Southside Speakeasy where they host 1st and 3rd Thursday Bingo 7 to 9 p.m. Admission is free, just pay for however many cards you want to play. Don’t forget your daubber.

7| Explore Art » Art is a subjective, conversationinspiring topic, and that’s perfect for getting to know someone…especially when Salem has so many fun options for viewing, such as:

ART HALL @ Salem Public Library, 585 Liberty St SE

Bush Bart Art Center & Annex, 600 Mission St. SE

Elsinore Framing & Fine Art Gallery, 444 Ferry St. SE

Ernie & Gray, 329 State St

Hallie Ford Museum of Art, 700 State St

Level 2 Gallery at Salem Convention Center, 200 Commercial St SE

Salem on the Edge, 156 Liberty St. NE

You can also take a self-guided tour of Salem’s public art collection. Find a reference at cityofsalem.net/community/ things-to-do/explore-public-art-in-salem

For more places to see art, check out the Picture Disc column on page 31.

8| Try Yoga...and Beer? » Yep, it’s a thing…and you don’t need any experience (with yoga or drinking beer) to participate. Yoga & Beer offers non-intimidating, all-levels yoga for everybody and every body at breweries and wineries in Salem and beyond. See the schedule at cheersandnamaste.com and make it a happy hour.

9 | Sing your heart out » Belt it out during karaoke at Venti’s Cafe + Beer Vault in downtown Salem 8 to 11 p.m. every Thursday with host Robert Huston.

Infinity Room has added karaoke to its weekly line-up 9 p.m. on Thursdays. It follows their music and poetry open mic (8-9 p.m.) so you could always make it a two-fer. Get all the details at facebook.com/IRmusicandpoetrymic

Looking for karaoke on another night? Holland’s Bar & Grill, 2155 Silverton Rd NE, has it Wednesday through Saturday.

10 | Play a Game » Try billiards. The Cue Ball, 1262 State St, is a family-oriented (and alcohol-free) pool hall providing hourly table rental. Learn more at thecueballsalem.com. You can also play at Shack N Cue, 1970 Lancaster Dr NE, and Phil’s Bar & Grill, 1686 12th St SE.

Or darts. A handful of area bars have dart boards so it just depends on what vibe you’re looking for. British-style pub? Santiam Brewing, 2544 19th St SE, is a must. Dive Bar? That would be Magoo’s Sports Bar, 275 Commercial St SE. A locals place? Try Free-Loader, 501 Lancaster Dr S, plus it’s home of the Salem Dart league.

11 | Get Crafty » Design and create your own wearable art (aka t-shirt) at CreativiTEE + rofe designs. Walk-in or book a creation time to have a reserved spot waiting for you. 110 Commercial St. NE. creativiteespace.com

12 | Dance » There are ample opportunities for social dancing in Salem including salsa, ballroom, swing, club and ceili (that’s Irish). And Note: If you don’t have a date, these events welcome singles, too. No partner is needed at any.

Salem Rueda de Casino hosts Bachata Night 7 p.m. every Sunday at Fork Forty Food Hall. Need instruction? Get there at 6:15 p.m. for a lesson. $5 per person.

RJ Dance Studio hosts Social Dance on the first and third Saturday of the month 7:30 to 10 p.m. The evening starts with an intro lesson to one of the many dances and music is a mix of Latin, ballroom, club and swings. $5 per person.

Ceili of the Valley Society hosts the 2nd Friday Ceili on, you guessed it, the second Friday of every month at the VFW Hall, 630 Hood St NE. No experience is needed basic dance steps are taught and then dances are called. The evening also includes live music, so if you don’t go for the dancing, go for the tunes. Doors open at 7 p.m., instruction begins at 7:15 and live music starts at 8. Cost is $10 per person.

Silver Spur, 1821 Silverton Road NE, is a 21 and older dance club featuring Latin on Tuesday, lessons at 7:30 p.m., and country on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, lessons at 7 p.m. Stay in the loop with their happenings at facebook. com/silver.spur.3

13 | Got Trivia? » A handful of venues host weekly trivia so you can test your knowledge and maybe win a prize, too.

Mondays

 Epilogue Kitchen, 6 p.m.

 The Campus, 6 p.m.

 The Yard, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesdays

 Sparky’s, 6 p.m.

Wednesdays

 Alleycat, 6 p.m.

 The Bad Space, 7 p.m.

 The Woods, 7 p.m.

 Westside Taphouse, 6:30 p.m.

Thursdays

 The Best Goose, 7 p.m.

14 | Brunch It » Forget dinner, go for brunch with added entertainment à la drag queens.

At Infinity Room, 210 Liberty St SE, you’ll find Makeup and Mimosas Drag Brunch hosted by Nicole Onoscopi on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month. The show begins at 1 p.m. Get all the details and reserve your spot ($10) at showpass. com/o/infinity-room

And The Night Deposit Whiskey Library, hosts Brunch N' Babes Drag Brunch featuring Miss Ivanaha Fusionn and friends on the first Sunday of every month. The show starts at 11 a.m. Table reservations ($20) are a must and you can make those at eventbrite. com/e/brunch-n-babes-drag-brunchtickets-332445542567