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13 Last-Minute Valentine's Day Ideas for All You Slackers

Feel the love at these romantic bars and restaurants

by Michelle DeVona Updated
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by Michelle DeVona Updated
Shutterstock

In the fickle world of love, it's always good to have reservations. But sometimes we blindly fling ourselves into Valentine's Day, and if this is you, this last-minute guide might make you look as though you had a plan all along.

You'll find some of the city's most romantic restaurants that still have reservations (at the time of publication), and the requisite Portland dive bars throwing very beery Valentine's Day parties. You'll find Valentine's Day brunches, for those who like to start early. And in case you consider Valentine's Day a dumb greeting-card holiday, the list includes options for hating on Valentine's Day alone, or with friends.

Just think, there are plenty of drinking holes you can drag your lonely heart to and get properly sloshed with drinkers of the same persuasion. That includes karaoke options. Here are some Valentine's Day ideas, for both those on the good and the bad sides of St. Valentine.

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Dame Restaurant

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[Photo: Dina Avila/EPDX]

2930 NE Killingsworth St, Portland, OR 97211
(503) 227-2669
(503) 227-2669

Purringtons Cat Lounge

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Looking for non-human love? Head to Portland's cat cafe, because, while cats act like they don't need you, the thing is, they do need you. If you find true love, you can adopt any of the cats at Purringtons this Valentine’s Day—all while enjoying a cheese plate and a nice glass of pinot gris, too.

NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland, OR 97212
(503) 334-3570
(503) 334-3570

Black Water Bar

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Forget all the Valentine’s Day hooblah and have yourself a heavy metal vegan meal with friends or your anarchist-leaning beau. This bar has some of the best meatless “junk” food in town, like handmade veggie burgers, chili cheese fries, and sandwiches. Perhaps you’ll catch a show. And don’t worry, the decor is simple and no-fuss. In other words, there will be absolutely zero tea candles on your table.

835 NE Broadway St, Portland, OR 97232

Swift Lounge

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Whether you have a date, are hanging with friends, or going solo, you really can’t go wrong with this laid-back bar's happy hour, aka Jolly Hour, running 4 to 8 p.m. In addition to the variety of food options, like kim chee, taquitos, and sliders, Swift Lounge makes strong cocktails. This Valentine’s Day brings a DJ spinning 90s R&B music. Just saying.

1932 NE Broadway St, Portland, OR 97232
(503) 288-3333
(503) 288-3333

Also featured in:

Aalto Lounge

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[Photo: Facebook/Aalto Lounge]

3356 SE Belmont St, Portland, OR 97214
(503) 235-6041
(503) 235-6041

Crush

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At this LGBT bar this year, the Bi Bar dance party falls on Valentine’s Day. It's a prime opportunity to either flirt with some attractive singles or dance the night off with your beloved. Come early for happy hour (3 to 7 p.m.) and get a $5 martini along with some bar snacks, like nachos or pulled pork sliders.

1400 SE Morrison St, Portland, OR 97214
(503) 235-8150
(503) 235-8150

Also featured in:

The Lovecraft

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Think Valentine's Day is horrible? Head to horror-themed Lovecraft Bar and order a nice Jack the Ripper sandwich with grilled pepper jack cheese on 12 grain bread. Or some other delicacy named after a murder scene. Lovecraft serves stiff drinks for those who love the darkness, and every second Tuesday is Burlesque night, which means kinky performance art this Valentine’s Day.

421 SE Grand Ave, Portland, OR 97214
(971) 270-7760
(971) 270-7760

Epif Restaurant & Pisco Lounge

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[Photo: Dina Avila/EPDX]

404 NE 28th Ave, Portland, OR

Punch Bowl Social

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[Photo: Dina Avila/EPDX]

340 SW Morrison St Fl Rotunda, Portland, OR 97204
(503) 334-0360
(503) 334-0360

Also featured in:

Grassa

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Ever fantasized about reenacting the romantic spaghetti and meatballs scene from Lady and the Tramp? This Valentine’s Day you can do just that since Grassa is offering spaghetti and meatballs for two for $15 at both locations. Add a bottle of house red for another $15. And yes, the deal is appropriately named “Lady and the Tramp.”

1205 SW Washington St, Portland, OR 97205
(503) 241-1133
(503) 241-1133

Also featured in:

Low Brow Lounge

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If your idea of Valentine’s Day involves UV lighting, pinball, and well drinks, look no further than Low Brow Lounge. It’s kind of like entering a dark cave punctuated by neon and wafts of stale chips, but it'd be remiss to dismiss it as just another dive: The fact that a place like this still exists in the upscale Pearl District is a Valentine’s Day miracle in itself.

1036 NW Hoyt St, Portland, OR 97209
(503) 226-0200
(503) 226-0200

The Waiting Room

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[Photo: Yelp]

2327 NW Kearney St, Portland, OR 97210
(404) 996-6177
(404) 996-6177

Also featured in:

Salt & Straw

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Portland's wildly imaginative ice cream shop Salt & Straw is teaming up with Basic Rights Oregon to help support LGBTQ youth. Come out between 6 and 11 p.m. on V-Day, and a portion of the proceeds will go to Basic Rights Oregon. There will also be a photo booth where your snapshots will be shared on social media with messages of love and solidarity.

838 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210
(971) 271-8168
(971) 271-8168

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Dame Restaurant

2930 NE Killingsworth St, Portland, OR 97211

[Photo: Dina Avila/EPDX]

2930 NE Killingsworth St, Portland, OR 97211
(503) 227-2669
(503) 227-2669

Purringtons Cat Lounge

NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland, OR 97212

Looking for non-human love? Head to Portland's cat cafe, because, while cats act like they don't need you, the thing is, they do need you. If you find true love, you can adopt any of the cats at Purringtons this Valentine’s Day—all while enjoying a cheese plate and a nice glass of pinot gris, too.

NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland, OR 97212
(503) 334-3570
(503) 334-3570

Black Water Bar

835 NE Broadway St, Portland, OR 97232

Forget all the Valentine’s Day hooblah and have yourself a heavy metal vegan meal with friends or your anarchist-leaning beau. This bar has some of the best meatless “junk” food in town, like handmade veggie burgers, chili cheese fries, and sandwiches. Perhaps you’ll catch a show. And don’t worry, the decor is simple and no-fuss. In other words, there will be absolutely zero tea candles on your table.

835 NE Broadway St, Portland, OR 97232

Swift Lounge

1932 NE Broadway St, Portland, OR 97232

Whether you have a date, are hanging with friends, or going solo, you really can’t go wrong with this laid-back bar's happy hour, aka Jolly Hour, running 4 to 8 p.m. In addition to the variety of food options, like kim chee, taquitos, and sliders, Swift Lounge makes strong cocktails. This Valentine’s Day brings a DJ spinning 90s R&B music. Just saying.

1932 NE Broadway St, Portland, OR 97232
(503) 288-3333
(503) 288-3333

Aalto Lounge

3356 SE Belmont St, Portland, OR 97214

[Photo: Facebook/Aalto Lounge]

3356 SE Belmont St, Portland, OR 97214
(503) 235-6041
(503) 235-6041

Crush

1400 SE Morrison St, Portland, OR 97214

At this LGBT bar this year, the Bi Bar dance party falls on Valentine’s Day. It's a prime opportunity to either flirt with some attractive singles or dance the night off with your beloved. Come early for happy hour (3 to 7 p.m.) and get a $5 martini along with some bar snacks, like nachos or pulled pork sliders.

1400 SE Morrison St, Portland, OR 97214
(503) 235-8150
(503) 235-8150

The Lovecraft

421 SE Grand Ave, Portland, OR 97214

Think Valentine's Day is horrible? Head to horror-themed Lovecraft Bar and order a nice Jack the Ripper sandwich with grilled pepper jack cheese on 12 grain bread. Or some other delicacy named after a murder scene. Lovecraft serves stiff drinks for those who love the darkness, and every second Tuesday is Burlesque night, which means kinky performance art this Valentine’s Day.

421 SE Grand Ave, Portland, OR 97214
(971) 270-7760
(971) 270-7760

Epif Restaurant & Pisco Lounge

404 NE 28th Ave, Portland, OR

[Photo: Dina Avila/EPDX]

404 NE 28th Ave, Portland, OR

Punch Bowl Social

340 SW Morrison St Fl Rotunda, Portland, OR 97204

[Photo: Dina Avila/EPDX]

340 SW Morrison St Fl Rotunda, Portland, OR 97204
(503) 334-0360
(503) 334-0360

Grassa

1205 SW Washington St, Portland, OR 97205

Ever fantasized about reenacting the romantic spaghetti and meatballs scene from Lady and the Tramp? This Valentine’s Day you can do just that since Grassa is offering spaghetti and meatballs for two for $15 at both locations. Add a bottle of house red for another $15. And yes, the deal is appropriately named “Lady and the Tramp.”

1205 SW Washington St, Portland, OR 97205
(503) 241-1133
(503) 241-1133

Low Brow Lounge

1036 NW Hoyt St, Portland, OR 97209

If your idea of Valentine’s Day involves UV lighting, pinball, and well drinks, look no further than Low Brow Lounge. It’s kind of like entering a dark cave punctuated by neon and wafts of stale chips, but it'd be remiss to dismiss it as just another dive: The fact that a place like this still exists in the upscale Pearl District is a Valentine’s Day miracle in itself.

1036 NW Hoyt St, Portland, OR 97209
(503) 226-0200
(503) 226-0200

The Waiting Room

2327 NW Kearney St, Portland, OR 97210

[Photo: Yelp]

2327 NW Kearney St, Portland, OR 97210
(404) 996-6177
(404) 996-6177

Salt & Straw

838 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210

Portland's wildly imaginative ice cream shop Salt & Straw is teaming up with Basic Rights Oregon to help support LGBTQ youth. Come out between 6 and 11 p.m. on V-Day, and a portion of the proceeds will go to Basic Rights Oregon. There will also be a photo booth where your snapshots will be shared on social media with messages of love and solidarity.

838 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210
(971) 271-8168
(971) 271-8168

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