VALENTINE’S DAY
Looking for last minute plans?
LoDo is for Adventure Lovers:
For couples who crave adventure, LoDo delivers a plan that takes you from day to night. Start slow with a restorative spa experience at Sway before taking a stroll down Larimer Lover’s Lane, then wander to Dairy Block for something shiny from Sarah O. Jewelry before sharing a wine flight at Blanchard Family Wines. Dinner goes bold at Brutø for a boundary-pushing tasting menu, or opt for comfort classics at Carmine’s or La Loma at McGregor Square, and nothing says forever like a piece of permanent jewelry from Chained Up. Union Station is a one-stop-shop for chocolate and flowers from Telluride Truffle and Beet and Yarrow. Save room for dessert and bubbles at Baumé, before capping off the night sinking into the velvet seats at Cooper Lounge.
Low-Key Lovers:
Low-key lovers looking to skip a busy date night can still celebrate Cupid’s favorite day - just a little earlier. Ditch the dinner reservation tetris and opt for an easy brunch at Work & Class Englewood (900 E. Hampden Ave), where the team keeps things fun and fuss-free. Dig into classics (Dana Rodriguez style) with favorites like the short rib hash, pork carnitas burrito, or avocado toast-adas and be sure to save room for shareables like skillet bread pudding or papas locas. Pair with a stiff drink from Work & Class full cocktail list or keep caffeinated with house-made coffees from next-door café, Dayshift. Brunch reservations are available, and walk-ins are always welcome. Make a day of it with a post-brunch walk along the nearby High Line Canal Trail.
For a First Date:
First dates need good conversation, and Corsica's coastal French and Italian small plates menu is designed to encourage sipping, sharing and conversation. Lean in together at the RiNo spot that blends rustic dishes with Mediterranean flavors in a beautiful reclaimed space anchored by the glittering central bar, where you can sip on cocktails like the Clericot with house red or white with grapefruit cordial, orange, lemon, bergamot and seasonal fruits or the Cafe Shakerato with amaro, espresso, orange bitters and dried orange for an elevated take on the espresso martini. If things are going well, the menu encourages exploration and sharing with small dishes like mussels l’aziminu in a saffron-lobster broth or the beef Babette with green peppercorn before moving on toe large plates like the NY Strip or baked lumache, and topping off the night with the iconic almond cake, with citrus, rosemary, and a crème fraîche frosting.
Together Forever:
When you've been together long enough that Valentine's Day is less about impressing each other and more about just enjoying a good meal, Barcelona Wine Bar in RiNo delivers as your go-to, with an award-winning Mediterranean wine program and Spanish tapas. The restaurant has earned Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence every year since 2007 and was named Best Organic Wine List in North America in 2023, offering 400+ wines by the glass and bottle alongside traditional shareable dishes like jamón and Manchego croquetas, gambas al ajillo, and three versions of paella. The European-inspired courtyard patio (heated in winter) and moody interior make it the kind of place where you can settle in for hours without anyone rushing you.
Palentine's Day:
Palentine's Day calls for tacos, tequila, and good company, which is exactly what Federales delivers. The RiNo spot's energetic atmosphere under a soaring retractable roof creates an indoor-outdoor urban oasis where groups can enjoy signature tacos like the lamb quesabirria with duck mole or wood-grilled shrimp with mango, alongside a roster of margaritas (both frozen and classic) and craft cocktails. Don’t miss this month’s special cocktail, the Chile Fantasma Margarita with ghost pepper oil infused tequila with customizable rim and adjustable spice level to challenge friends. Federales’ modern industrial design and lively vibe make it a natural gathering spot for groups of pals who want to keep things casual, fun, and decidedly unromantic.
Adrift is serving up caffeinated cocktails designed for your girl gang, from the Island Grind Espresso Martini (coconut rum, espresso, coffee liqueur, and island swagger) to Double Shot, No Boys (A coconut rum espresso martini bowl for you and your favorite troublemaker) and the The Caffeinated Coven, a large-format espresso martini bowl built for group chats, deep laughs, and questionable decisions. Also featured: The Goddess Bowl— Aphrodite's Orbit, a tequila-forward twist on the Saturn with bright citrus, spice, and island elegance that is complex, radiant, and impossible to ignore.
Where to avoid couples and clichés:
Nothing says "I'm avoiding Valentine's Day" quite like cliff divers, puppet shows, and a haunted cave; daytime lunches and meals amidst Casa Bonita's theatrical chaos is the opposite of romantic ambiance. Think live mariachi bands, daring cliff divers plunging into pools, and enough spectacle to distract from any couples in the vicinity. The Lakewood icon offers weekday lunches reservable online with the same reimagined Mexican menu and includes your meal, unlimited chips and salsa, world-famous sopaipillas, and all the entertainment that has made Casa Bonita a must-visit for locals and visitors alike.