Gone are the days of just flowers and chocolate. Don’t get us wrong, flowers and chocolate are classics but Valentine’s Day has evolved into so much more. There are so many unique ways to celebrate love nowadays and, as the city that always keeps it weird, Austin naturally has some fresh takes on the holiday. So as Cupid readies themselves to hit the streets of Austin, we’ve gathered a list of ways to celebrate love if you just happen to get struck, or right swiped.
Sour Duck Valentine Market
Sunday, February 9 | 3 to 6 p.m.| Sour Duck Market, 1814 East Martin Luther King Blvd
Join Sour Duck Market and shop for gifts for your loved one, your lovely self, or even your furry friends. Enjoy happy hour, featuring $3 Texas drafts, $6 draft cocktails, and half-off select menu items. Live music will be rocking and rolling in the background, courtesy of Aubrey Hays Band. Valentine’s Day baked goods from Sour Duck will also be for sale, expect sweetheart cookies with silly sayings!
Central Machine Works Sip and Shop
Sunday, February 9 | 12 to 5 p.m.| Central Machine Works
Buy your sweetie something unique at Central Machine Works’ V-day pop up “Sip and Shop” market on Sunday, February 9. Local vendors participating include Happy Place Candle Co., Maggie Louise Confections, High Sun Low Moon, Northern Fir Beard Co., and more!
Kick-AXE Valentine’s Day Date
Friday, February 14 | Various Times | Hatchet Alley, 443 Bastrop Highway
Nothing says “I love you” like throwing massive wood chopping tools together. Similar to darts, axe throwing is a sport where competitors propel a hatchet at a round target for points. Make Valentine’s Day 2020 one to remember with your better half (or galentine) at Hatchett Alley and enjoy guidance from expert Alley staff members who help coach and observe throughout the game. For special Valentine’s Day pricing, click here. And keep in mind that Hatchet Alley is BYOB, but they do offer rotating food specials.
Alamo Drafthouse Love Notes For A Cause
Friday, February 14 | Various Times | Alamo Drafthouse, Multiple Locations
Alamo Drafthouse is offering guests in each of its 41 locations a cinematically sweet way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, whether as a couples night, a singles solidarity night, or if you’re just taking yourself out. You can purchase a totally open-ended 60-character message to run on the big screen, with proceeds benefiting relief efforts in Puerto Rico and Australia.
Until Friday, February 7, guests who purchase advance tickets for screenings on February 14 have the option to purchase a $5 Love Note, with funds raised being split between UNIDOS Disaster Relief & Recovery Program to Support Puerto Rico and GlobalGiving’s Australia Wildfire Relief Fund). Catch screenings such as Pride and Prejudice, Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Ghost, Phantom of the Opera, and more. For a full list of films, check out their show time schedules here.
Dean’s Heartbreak Hotel
February 10 through 16 | 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Daily | Dean’s One Trick Pony, 111 East Cesar Chavez Street
Dean’s One Trick Pony will be celebrating love and the single life all week long in honor of Valentines Day. From February 10 through 16, guests can bring a photo of their ex to shred behind the bar in exchange for a free “Thank U Next” shot (consisting of vodka, watermelon, and fresh lime). You can also enjoy other break up inspired cocktails like “Since U Been Gone” and “Don’t Speak.” On Valentine’s Day, Dean’s will host the second edition of their Heartbreak Hotel party, which will feature sounds from South of Everywhere and DJ Eye Q, a special light installation from Giiivens, candid photography, and more. To round out the festivities on Sunday February 16, Dean’s will launch a brand new Sunday Brunch menu. RSVP for Dean’s Heartbreak Hotel here.
The Fine LINE Valentine’s Day Package
February 13 through February 18 | The Line Hotel, 111 East Cesar Chavez Street
A romantic Valentine’s Day Staycation? Yes, please! The Fine LINE Valentine package will be available from Thursday, February 13, through Tuesday, February 18 in one of the hotel’s wide array of suites, which include curated wellness amenities and floor to ceiling views overlooking Town Lake or downtown Austin. The package also includes Valentine’s Day dinner for two at the property’s restaurant Arlo Grey, led by “Top Chef” winner Kristen Kish, a complimentary bottle of bubbly, and breakfast in bed. Rates vary and can be booked using the code FLVDAY.
Beer My Valentine
Friday, February 14 | from 6 to 10 p.m. | Independence Brewing Co, 3913 Todd Lane, Suite 607
Attention all beer lovers! Independence Brewing Co., has collaborated with Garrison Brothers Distillery to host Beer My Valentine – a local celebration of love for everyone. The one night event is free and open to the public and will feature a limited-edition beer bottle release, free bourbon tastings, Texas two-step dance lessons, flowers, chocolates, a live bluegrass band, and 2 for 1 beer specials. You can pre-order your “Valentine’s Day Kit” for $25 here. It includes: two indy draft beers, one small bouquet of assorted flowers from Lovelily Flowers, and one small assortment of chocolates from Crave Artisan Chocolate.
Easy Tiger Pretzel Party
Friday, February 14 and Saturday, February 15 | from 7 to 10 p.m. | Easy Tiger, 709 East 6th Street
Bring the one who ties your heart in knots to this Pretzel Party for lovers! Learn how to make Easy Tiger’s signature soft pretzels in their 6th Street Bakery classroom! The three hour class will take you and your partner through the process of shaping and twisting pretzel dough. Their bakers will demonstrate how to dip, salt, and bake pretzels with no experience necessary. All you knead is love! The evening includes food, drinks, and one dozen of your pretzel creations to take home. Please Note: one ticket includes admission for two people.
Valentine’s Day Date on Lake Austin
Friday, February 14| 6 to 11:30 p.m.| Mozart’s Coffee Roasters, 3825 Lake Austin Boulevard
Mozart’s is turning their lakeside deck into a currated candlelit Valentine’s Day dessert and coffee experience just for you. Perfect for a romantic date with your loved one or a night out with the ladies! Purchase of a ticket will include: A 3 course dessert tasting with specially crafted Valentine’s Day special desserts. Coffee pairings with each dessert. A tableside pour over to round out the evening. And a gift that you can take home and keep forever. $75 ticket per couple. It includes two people.
Murder at the Mansion: A Valentine’s Day Dinner at Hotel Ella
Friday, February 14| 6 p.m.| Hotel Ella, 1900 Rio Grande Street
‘Til death do they part. This Valentine’s Day at Hotel Ella participate in a murder mystery soirée complete with twists and turns at every course. The clues begin at cocktail hour in the Hotel Ella courtyard. Enjoy passed canapes and welcome drinks while you get to know your fellow guests (and suspects). Then move to Goodall’s for a 3-course, interactive whodunnit, complete with wine pairings. And don’t forget to don your favorite wedding attire at this nuptial affair; the best dressed couple of the night will be sent home with a complimentary future stay and a bottle of bubbles from Hotel Ella. Reserve your tickets before they’re gone.
Valentine’s Day Eve Singles Soiree
Thursday, February 13| 7 to 11 p.m.| The Belmont, 305 West 6th Street
So you’re single. Rather than spending Valentine’s Day Eve staying in & watching a Lifetime movie of the week, why not go out on what is the biggest night of the year in Austin and line yourself up a date for Valentine’s Day? The harsh truth is that V-day is actually one of the best nights to go out in the city because you’re almost 100% guaranteed the “singles” you’re meeting are legitimately single!
Love & Lizzo: Galentines Cookie Decorating Class
Thursday, February 13| 6 to 8 p.m.| Easy Tiger, 709 East 6th Street
Taking cues from Lizzo this year and celebrating the love we have for ourselves and all our best gals and (DUH) with cookies! Grab your bestie and learn to speak the cookie love language with Mindy’s Bakeshop and Easy Tiger this year! Over the course of about 2 hours, Mindy will take you step by step through the process of decorating sugar cookies with royal icing, no experience necessary. You’ll leave with: A box of 8 beautifully decorated cookies per person. A packet with sugar cookie and royal icing recipes, complete with ingredients and instructions. and more!
There you have it! Some unique ways to have a happy Valentine’s Day here in Austin! Don’t forget to make reservations or buy tickets in advance to guarantee entry and avoid long wait times.
Featured Photo Courtesy of El Arroyo (@Elarroyo_atx)
