THE PERFECT DATE

Spokane Valley isn’t all car lots, strip malls and quiet residential subdivisions.

Almost 50 bars are scattered among the city’s retail areas. Two wineries, four casinos and the region’s minor league ball park all sit within a few minutes of Valley neighborhoods.

“Everybody goes downtown, but really there’s a lot to do in the Valley,” said DJ Yasmine Cortier between introducing karaoke singers at Volcano’s Party Island Monday night.

Whether it’s dinner and a movie, swing dancing lessons or a simple walk through the park, Spokane Valley affords its couples plenty of opportunities for a night out on the town.

Wine and/or dine

(A, I, and U on the map on P. 3)

Max at the Mirabeau Park Hotel features a regional vineyard and local artwork on the first Wednesday of every month.

Visitors can converse with the artist, sample wines and enjoy complimentary light appetizers from 5 to 7 p.m.

“It’s a good place to take a date any Wednesday,” when bottles of wine are half off, said food and beverage director Dennis Manley.

From time to time, the restaurant and its chef also arrange special dinners paired with featured wines.

Aspiring sommeliers also can go straight to the source. Tasting and tours of the Latah Creek Cellars are available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

It also offers special tastings and events throughout the year, including its 25th anniversary celebration July 13 through 15.

Overlooking the Spokane Valley, Arbor Crest winery offers tastings from noon to 5 p.m. daily. Starting June 3, its summer concert series will take place every Sunday evening from 5:30 until sunset.

Hit the casinos

(B, C, D, N and O)

Three of them sit within a one mile stretch of Sprague Avenue.

Jerry’s Valley Casino is the newest shop on the block. With a full restaurant in back and a small card room with Texas hold’em and traditional table games in front, the dealers can be heard greeting their regular clientele by name.

Though slightly larger, Ringo’s at Sprague Avenue and Bowdish Road has a similar neighborhood-casino feel, with 13 tables, a dedicated poker room, electronic pull tabs and a restaurant.

Couples looking for a night out without having to hire a baby sitter can leave the kids at the bowling alley or arcade and head into the other room at Players and Spectators. The restaurant and bar offer a more formal dining experience secluded from the bowling alley, with 15 gaming tables and poker a few steps away.

Or, for the more open-minded and adventurous, Hooters just east of the mall is the first in the chain’s history to be built with a mini casino.

For those tired of losing their money on Sprague, right behind Ringo’s, Jackson Hole II offers a change of pace for those looking to imbibe with their winnings, or across the street, O’Dohertys serves its time-tested barbecue in a classic Irish pub setting.

Dance

(F, G, L, R and T)

Hip hop, Western, Latin and swing dancing are all available to Valley couples who know where to look.

Every Tuesday, an instructor offers $5 swing dance lessons at Ripley’s Plantation. Beginning lessons start at 7 p.m. Intermediate lessons start at 8, and a different dance is featured every month.

A DJ plays Latin sounds at Puerto Vallarta on Wednesday nights, and the full-service bar also books live Mexican music.

Bottoms Up and Goodtymes can rightfully be described as night clubs on the weekends, but both have a more laid back feel than many dancing spots downtown.

Bottoms Up features a disc jockey on Thursdays and music throughout the weekend. Goodtymes features live music every Thursday through Saturday.

On the other end of the cultural spectrum, classes on country dances take place during the week at the Western Dance Hall in Sullivan Park with dances held on the weekends. For more information, call the hall at 926-0717 and leave a message.

Rock out

(E, H, I, J, K, L and U)

Small venues abound on the weekends in Spokane Valley, where cover charges are usually small or nonexistent.

In addition to many of the bars mentioned above, Bolo’s hosts a band on Fridays and Saturdays, as does Volcano’s. The Blue Dolphin also has been known to schedule a DJ and live bands from time to time.

Acts in the Valley trend toward hard rock, though the weekend acts at Max offers lighter sounds and a blues band plays Mr. G’s in Greenacres every Friday and Saturday.

Crawl the mall

(V)

In addition to the movie theater and stores that draw people to the mall on the weekends, there are also nine full-service restaurants in the area with seven full-service bars.

Right next to the theater, Mangia offers Italian cuisine as well as a bar with wine and beer. Or, a little further inside the mall, Thomas Hammer coffee offers seating for those who prefer espresso.

Restaurant choices abound on pad sides in the parking lot, including Boston’s, IHOP, Red Robin, TGI Friday’s, Outback, Tony Roma’s and Black Angus.

Inside the mall itself, Azteca Mexican selection is complimented by fresh mojitos and an array of specialty margaritas.

Late night libations at the mall are not a problem. Boston’s is open until 1 a.m. Friday’s and Saturdays and TGI Friday’s is open until 2 .m. on the weekends.

Get in the game

(P, M, Q, C and S)

Fun in the Valley isn’t all about eating, drinking and gambling.

Right off Appleway, the Dishman Hills Natural Area offers a nearby respite for a picnic or a quiet hike.

Fans of contemporary Christian and gospel music can gather at Roller Valley at 7 p.m. the first Saturday of each month for Christian skating night.

Pool tables are prolific in Spokane Valley, and two bowling alleys offer lanes for both leagues and individuals depending on the night.

Just inside the Spokane Valley city limits, the Indians’ ball field is another wholesome and relatively inexpensive way to spend an evening. The first home game this season takes place June 19.

University City – not dead yet

(E)

Ignore the abandoned buildings, grab a pair of sensible shoes and head to the intersection of Sprague and University. Despite its appearance, there’s still a lot going on.

Diners can find a sit-down meal at the Mustard Seed or at Percy’s Cafe Americana, drink frozen cocktails in a cup shaped like a coconut and shoot some free pool from 5 to 8 p.m. at Volcano’s tiki lounge across the street or grab a beer at the Monkey Bar.

Those on an afternoon outing can peruse the selection at Gusdorf’s books then grab some fresh ingredients at Williams Seafood Market and Wines for a romantic dinner at home. Or stop next door at Egger Meats and take home a steak or the popular bratwurst for the barbecue.