Valentine’s/Galentine’s is around the corner! Here are 8 unique DC restaurant experiences and activities that you, your partner, and/or your Galentine will remember for years to come! From scrumptious sips + bites in stunning atmospheres to renewing your vows to luxury gifts to painting-the-town-red… there’s something unique for you to do in the DC area.
Ciel Social Club / Photo by John Robinson
Fall in love with the view of DC from the top of the AC Hotel at Ciel Social Club. On February 14, Ciel’s $100 per person pre-fixe menu is paired perfectly with their one-night-only specialty cocktails. If you’re getting an early start on Galentine’s celebrations, enjoy 20% off bottles of bubbles with the purchase of any small plate on February 12. Reservations are available here.
Ciel Social Club
601 K St NW
Washington, DC 20001
Cielsocialclub.com
Leila tables + RANDMADE mural by Mauricio Cord
Leila is celebrating Valentine's Day during the entire month of February with a dessert tasting special. Indulge in four specialty desserts: baklava, shahi malai kulfi, chocolate lava cake, and Osmalieh Bil - Kishta for $30. From Feb. 12-14, Leila is offering a pre-fixed menu for $75 with an amuse-bouche and spread of your choice. Reservations are available here.
Leila
7943b Tysons Corner Center
Tysons, VA 22102
Meetleila.com
Castas Rum Bar
All month, Casta’s Rum Bar is offering heart-shaped empanadas with savory flavors like chicken, picadillo, spinach & cheese, and pizza, as well as something sweet, including guava-and-cheese and Nutella-and-banana desserts. Wash the snacks down with one of Casta’s Valentine’s specialty cocktails: The Cupid’s Arrow, a strawberry daiquiri topped with cava ($12), or the El Tabaquero, a cigar-infused rum negroni ($12). If Valentine’s Day isn’t your thing, head to Casta’s on Feb.15 for the “#Singlesawarenessday” party and dance the night away to tunes provided by a DJ. Reservations are available here.
Casta’s Rum Bar
1121 New Hampshire Ave NW
Washington, DC 20037
Castasrumbar.com
Morris American Bar
For $75 per person or $150 per couple, Morris American Bar will serve up a “Hugs & Kisses” cocktail tasting menu featuring “Beautiful Stranger,” (tequila, champagne, lemon, pomegranate), “Between the Sheets” (aged rum, cognac, triple sec, lemon, sugared rim) and “Lover’s Rock (gin, fino sherry, pineapple, lime, bitters), all paired with a charcuterie board. Reservations available here.
Morris American Bar
1020 7th St NW
Washington, DC 20001
morrisbardc.com
Shilling Canning Company
Head to Navy Yard restaurant Shilling Canning Company on Saturday, February 12 for an early and intimate celebration. Whether you are choosing the 4-course ($115) or 8-course ($155) option, you and your date will fall in love with Chef Reid Shilling’s delicious menu which will feature braised pork Maialino, lobster thermidor, butternut wellington, and pear caramel layer cake. Reservations are available here and to-go orders can be placed here.
Shilling Canning Company
360 Water St SE
Washington, DC 20003
shillingcanning.com
Muse Paintbar
If your love language is quality time, premier paint-and-sip studio Muse Paintbar has you covered from February 12-14 with plenty of love-inspired paint projects you’ll want to take on as a pair. Reservations are available here. Or, channel your inner Picasso from the comfort of your home with Muse Paintbar’s at-home paint kits for two ($70). Grab your Galentine, your honey, or a friend and make a fun night out of it! Kits for two include (2) 8x10 canvas panels, two sets of premium Muse brushes, a set of acrylic paints, two mixing palettes, and an instructional video, so you can follow along with an instructor step-by-step.
Muse Paintbar
4238 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22203
musepaintbar.com
Shinola
For Valentine’s Day goodies, look no further than Detroit-born design brand Shinola, whose world-class watches, beautiful leather goods, high-integrity audio, and jewelry will make a major statement for your main squeeze. New in time for V-day: The Heart Collection is ready for you to customize with engraving (items range from $175-$450).
Shinola
1631 14th St NW
Washington, DC 20009
7983 Tysons Corner Center
Tysons, VA 22102
shinola.com
The National Cannabis Festival’s “The Ultimate Weed Wedding” Package
Forget a Zoom wedding. The National Cannabis Festival is offering Washingtonians the chance to win “The Ultimate Weed Wedding” package, which includes a wedding on the main stage at NCF on April 23 before headliner Wiz Khalifa’s performance, two VIP passes for the happy couple, 10 general admission passes for wedding guests, floral bouquets and wedding gifts from NCF sponsors. But it doesn’t stop there. The Eaton hotel is offering luxurious accommodations for a one-night mini-moon and transportation to and from the festival.
How to enter: Post an Instagram photo or video before February 14 using #UltimateWeedWedding and @natlcannabisfest highlighting why you deserve to win. Or, if you’re already married, enter for the chance to renew your vows.
National Cannabis Festival
“Ultimate Weed Wedding”
Phil and Lisa say their “I Do’s “ in a ceremony officiated by Big G and Weensie from Backyard Band at the 2021 National Cannabis Festival
A huge THANK YOU to MoKi Media for introducing us to all of these amazing places! I’ve loved experiencing all of them and can’t wait to try these Valentine’s menus!
