Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and brings with it an abundance of new menus, drinks, activities and events; here’s our pick of the best last minute date nights to book now
Private Dining Experience at The Kensington Portico
For anyone looking to seriously impress, The Kensington are offering an exclusive package for one just one luck couple this Valentine’s Day. Guests will check into the luxurious Knightsbridge Suite which will be adorned with 50 red roses, before snuggling up under cashmere blankets to indulge in a private dining experience on the heated outdoor terrace of the new Portico restaurant. A romantic three-course sharing menu has been designed especially for the evening and will be served, along with a bottle of Krug Champagne, by the couple’s very own private butler for the evening, on hand to cater to your every whim. This special Valentine’s Day package is subject to availability at time of booking and available for one couple on 14th February.For booking enquiries please contact: Tel: +44 20 7589 6300/ doylecollection.com/kensington
Bob Bob Ricard
Known as one of Soho’s most iconic watering holes, Bob Bob Ricard has an interactive feature enticing couples from all corners of the UK. Each booth is equipped with a “Press For Champagne” button – could anywhere be more ideal to sample French fizz? Booking requires efficiency, however, with reservations taken 3-months in advance. Perhaps next Valentine’s then…
Small Car Big City Romantic Tour
For something that is as far removed from a Valentine’s cliche as they come, why not treat your better half with a mini tour of the town to discover the more intimate parts of London? Your private chauffeur will pick you up in a fully restored classic Mini Cooper – bubbly and chocolates ready and waiting, as you zoom around the little back streets of London. Cosy up in the back of your Mini with the tartan blankets provided and enjoy some of the most beautiful views the capital has to offer on this romantic tour of London.
smallcarbigcity.com
Oscar Wilde Bar at Cafe Royal
Nestled between Mayfair and Soho, the Oscar Wilde Champagne Bar is opulent in looks and just as rich in history. Once the go-to for some of entertainment’s most famous faces – Elizabeth Taylor and David Bowie to name a few – this glamorous space dutifully remains a bar you’ll want to see and be seen in. These days however, will see copious amounts of champagne being poured rather than any such superstar scandal.
hotelcaferoyal.com/oscarwildebar
Valentine’s Temporary Tattoo Parlour
An alternative option, admittedly, but great for couples that love to get stuck into a bit of arts and crafts. Time to get designing and drawing as you pretend to get your lovers’ name blazenly tattooed across your chest. Cocktails add to the evening’s fun as you get creative. All of the badassery, none of the pain. They’ve also got Valentine’s Card Making on Monday 13th, which is fun and free to take part in and Radio 1 DJ, Gemma Cairney will be in the house on the 14th to provide your date-night soundtrack.
drinkshopdo.com
The Dirty Little Secret at Dirty Bones
In honour of Valentine’s Day, Dirty Bones have whipped up The Dirty Little Secret cocktail; a little sweet, sour, bitter and boozy concoction that is basically Valentine’s Day summed up in a glass. The Dirty Little Secret is a heady blend of Tanqueray gin, Belsazar Rosé Vermouth, agave honey and lemon juice, shaken with egg white and finished with rose water and chocolate bitters.
100 Wardour Street
Soho’s exciting dining, dancing and all round destination serves up its best ‘Love in Soho’ cocktail and an accompanying three course menu for a night of romance to remember. Available are a range of dishes including cured fillet of beef, followed by roasted monkfish tail, and, saving the best for last; a dessert of passionfruit, mango and praline Vacherin. Live music will provide a soundtrack to your evening and includes a performance by Refael Miria Duo followed by the amazing Jeremy Quartet who will performing a selection of jazz, blues and soul hits.
£75 per person; wardourst.com
A Shared Secret Adventure
For an unusual and off grid adventure -date look no further than Secret Adventures. These excursions are intended to generate a sense of exploration and wonder. From fire, to water; activities in the past have included a night kayak under Tower Bridge and Paddle Boarding in Central London. What could be more romantic than taking an outdoor swim under the full-moon before warming up with campfire marshmallow toasting.
secretadventures.org
The Vaults at Voltaire
If you’re searching for an underground spot boasting the largest selection of Pommery champagne in London, Voltaire is ideal to impress your other half. Don’t be deterred by its choice of site, The Vaults at Voltaire are less like the imagined locked metal chambers and instead resemble romantic love-nests. Complete with table service, personal iPod docks and a champagne, cocktail and gourmet burger menu to keep you thoroughly entertained, this is the type of den you’ll want to shape your night in.
Clos Maggiore
Romantic settings don’t get more splendidly over the top than Clos Maggiore, which comes bedecked with a forest of white blossoms, fairy lights and candles. If you can peel your eyes away from the décor, sample their Provençal-inspired menu, with dishes like pollock fillet and gazpacho.
Hot Juice Pop-Up at The Hoxton
No longer confined to Christmas time, a hot-toddy is just thing to warm up with this Valentine’s Day. Hot Juice are popping up at The Hoxton, Shoreditch this February where they’ll be taking over the heated indoor garden to serve up some their bespoke warming concoctions. There’s an indulgent Chartreuse and Mast Brothers hot chocolate on the menu, as well as a spicy Mulled Hobo East Coast Cyder with Merlet cherry brandy.
14-16 February, 3-9pm; hoxtown.com
Love Me. Paint Me. at Mondrian London
This Valentine’s, Mondrian London is breaking the mould by offering couples the chance to create their own abstract piece of art, through a collaboration with experiential brand, Love and Paint. Love and Paint was born from the idea of capturing the beauty and passion of the physical act of love through art; using the body and paints to create tasteful pieces of artwork that couples can cherish as well as remember as a truly unique experience. Now, with Mondrian London, couples can enjoy the hotel experience in one of the Mondrian’s sumptuous suites, kitted out with their very own Love and Paint kit. Couples are encouraged to unleash their inner artist along with their inhibitions… what happens on the canvas stays on the canvas.
The Love Me. Paint Me. package is available from 10-19 February starting from £854 per suite per night and can be booked here.
Slackers Lounge: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Specially for Valentine’s, The Hoxton are showing a cosy screening of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. In this surreal but romantic film Joel (Jim Carrey), depressed and heart-broken meets Clementine (Kate Winslet) in a seaside cafe and has a serious case of déja vu. But have they actually been here before? The Hoxton will provide the deck chairs and popcorn if you bring the romance. 14 February, 6pm; hoxtown.com
Madison
At rooftop hideaway, Madison, the three course Valentine’s menu is perfect for loved-up couples looking for an evening of romance and gastronomic delight. The menu features an enticing selection including sautéed scallops with bacon, seared venison loin with black fig and a sharing plate of Lobster-Briand. Valentine’s Day cocktail options include the ‘Valentine’s Sunrise’ and a sharing cocktail the ‘Love Potion,’ for those looking for their Lady and Tramp moment.
£80 per person; madisonlondon.net
Tantra, Cocktails and Conscious Breathing at Farmacy
This Valentine’s Day,Farmacy will be extending their holistic lifestyle offering beyond the realm of delicious drinks and dishes as they partner with Katia Boustani, Master Breathwork Trainer, to host a one-off evening of Tantra, cocktails and conscious breathing. Get yourself settled in Farmacy’s private dining room for an intimate two hour workshop in which you and your partner will learn to connect using breath energy, explore simple tantric exercises and learn to love and appreciate your own and your partner’s body completely.
The event runs from 7-9pm on 14th February. Tickets are £110 per couple and include an “Aphrodite’s Rose” Farmacy’s Valentine’s cocktail on arrival.
farmacylondon.com
Dandelyan at Mondrian
With gilded accents, candy-coloured banquettes and lashings of green and marble, The Mondrian’s Dandelyan blends the glamour of Thameside drinking with a British charm. Its award-winning cocktail list draws on human influence in the wild – be it Hunter, Gatherer or intrepid Explorer, the signature menu is shaped for taste buds (and personalities) of all kind. Why not opt for our favourite Fairchild’s Mule, a herbaceous blend of gin and Perrier-Jouët Champagne.
