Hello downtown Boulder!
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and you can feel all the love downtown! Whether you are the kind of person who loves everything Valentine's-related or you prefer a more chill approach to celebrating the holiday, downtown Boulder has so many amazing spots to hop-to- and-from to curate your perfect night.
Whether you want to go full date-night mode, celebrate Galentine’s with your friends, or take yourself out for some self-love, downtown has many options that are incredibly easy to tailor to your liking. Here’s your guide to celebrating February 14th based on your Valentine’s Day personality.
The All Out Romantic Date: If Valentine’s Day is your excuse to go all out with your sweetheart, downtown Boulder is packed full of cozy, romantic spots that make the night feel special from the beginning. Be sure to make reservations ahead of time to secure a table: Valentine’s Day gets crowded fast!
To kick off the night, stop by Stella’s Cucina for a pre-dinner drink. It’s the perfect place to set the tone, with warm, dim lighting and comfy booths that let you get close to your loved one and instantly give off the perfect date night vibes. Stella’s blends an elevated ambiance with a relaxed, welcoming energy, making it a great spot whether you’re stopping in for a casual drink or a special night out.
Before dinner, take a short stroll through downtown and take advantage of the most picture-perfect Valentine’s photo-op: the heart-shaped decoration located between Bartaco and Centro. It’s a festive, adorable, heartwarming little photo moment.
Now it’s time for the best part: dinner! If you’re looking for a cozy and intimate Valentine’s Day meal, downtown has no shortage of options. Gemini is such a dreamy option for couples. Since it’s a tapas-style restaurant, everything is meant to be shared, which makes the whole experience feel extra romantic and fun. You and your person can order a few different plates, try bites of everything, and basically turn dinner into a mini “taste test” together (which is honestly the cutest kind of date). It’s the perfect spot if you want something a little more intimate, cozy, and special than just your average dinner reservation.
For a full list of dining options …
The DIY Galentine’s Celebration: If you’re not so much into the coupley stuff, I have the perfect Galentine’s day itinerary for a fun, cute DIY night with your girls.
Start by shopping around Pearl Street to create the ultimate charcuterie spread. Pop into Peppercorn first to pick out a beautiful serving board. Their massive selection of kitchen and home goodies guarantees you will find something adorable to add to your night. Then, head over to either Savannah Bee Company or Bjorn’s Colorado Honey to add something unique and local to your board, which pairs amazingly with some good cheese. Next, make sure to head over to Lindsay’s Boulder Deli @ Häagen-Dazs to pick out one of their adorable heart-shaped ice cream or cookie cakes. These are practically mandatory for any February 14th gathering! Lastly, before you go home to put all this together, make a pit stop at Fiori Flowers to pick out a beautiful bouquet to spruce up the gathering.
The “Treat Yourself” Solo Date: Finally, if you feel like treating yourself, one of the best places to go is Pasta Press. There is no higher form of self-love than a massive plate of carbs you don’t have to share, and Pasta Press is the perfect spot for it.
It is one of downtown’s absolute gems that I don’t always feel like people know about! It's run by owners who make fresh, authentic pasta from scratch every day. Since it has more of a casual, “order at the counter” vibe than the big sit-down Italian spots, it is completely stress-free for a solo date, yet the food is some of the most authentic you’ll find in the city. My favorite dish is the Cacio e Pepe; it takes me immediately back to the one I had in Rome (which was the best pasta I’ve ever had in my life). All of their dishes truly feel like a warm hug, and are the perfect comfort food options for when you really want to show yourself some love. After dinner, pop into the Boulder Bookstore where you can pick out a good book to wind down with at home, plus some special chocolate to satisfy that sweet tooth. There’s something incredibly therapeutic about browsing the bookshelves with no rush, picking out a new story to fall in love with. The classic energy the Boulder Bookstore gives off enhances this feeling even more.
From treating your partner to surprising a friend or even planning a little self-care moment, our Valentine’s Day Gift Guide has plenty of inspiration.
Whether you’re sharing tapas, splitting a heart-shaped cookie cake, or enjoying a quiet night with a good book after eating a delicious meal, downtown Boulder has a way of making Valentine’s Day feel exactly how it should: full of love.
XOXO, until next week!
Ava
Tagged: Holidays