Valentine’s Day: Beyond the Candlelight Dinner

When you think of Valentine’s Day, you probably think of couples and a candlelight dinner. However, the holiday has grown to so much more and so should your menu and marketing! There truly can be something for everyone. Below are some ideas for creative and fun ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day in non-traditional ways.

 Get Down With Galentine’s Day– Originating from the TV series “Parks and Recreation”, this holiday is celebrated on February 13th as a day for gal pals to celebrate friendship. This holiday screams brunch! Offer fun and festive brunch deals to bring in groups looking to spend some time having a great meal and hopefully a few drinks!

Embrace The Take-Out– People aren’t just looking for candle lit dinners on Valentine’s Day. In the age of Netflix, sometimes pizza and wings is exactly what they’re looking for. If you can fill this need, why not adapt for Valentine’s Day? The options for heart shaped items are endless! Heart shaped pizza, breadsticks, fried ravioli and pretzels are all tasty and comforting bites.

Something For the Whole Family– Not everyone can get a babysitter! If your restaurant typically caters to families, it might be a good idea to base your concept around appealing to loving couples with children. Offer a romantic dinner with activities for the kids like coloring Valentine’s Day cards. Consider discounted meals for the kids or free ice cream.

Anti-Valentine’s Day –There’s also a growing number of people who love to hate Valentine’s Day! Consider an “anti-Valentine’s Day” menu with some heart breaker cocktails like these. You can even get some angsty karaoke going for anyone who wants to sing their heart out!

 Get Interactive – Whether it’s a cooking class or a chance to mix your own signature drink, a lot of couples are looking for ways to make their dates more interactive than dinner and a movie. Look for ways that you can bring your own take on a social experience to the table.