Planning on going out for Valentine's Day? You probably should've made reservations to a fancy dinner weeks ago, but there's no need to fret if you didn't. Having a nice night out on the town is still possible thanks to these Valentine's-themed drinks available at a handful of Austin bars and restaurants.
Here’s where you can go if you need last-minute plans.
Drink.Well, 207 E. 53rd St.
The North Loop bar — which also boasts a full kitchen, so you can get Valentine’s dinner and drinks here — has created three cocktails that will get us in the mood for Cupid. Each one is a drink special available at the bar through the end of February, in case you want to extend your romantic evening into an all-month-long celebration of your favorite person.
- Absinthe Frappe: Absinthe, Lemon, Fresh Mint, Soda
- Pink Lady: Gin, Applejack, Grenadine, Lime, Egg White
- Flame of Love: Vodka, Fino Sherry, Orange Bitters
Irene's, 506 West Ave.
Drink pink for Valentine's Day. At least that's what this West Sixth-area bar is proposing with its "Pretty in Pink" Valentine's Day party featuring the 1980s cult classic. The Molly Ringwald movie will play on the back patio starting at 7 p.m. while you enjoy glasses of Frosé or rosé and indulge in strawberry cake or one of Irene's special Valentine's Day sweets.
The Four Seasons Austin, 98 San Jacinto Blvd.
The downtown hotel is offering not one, but two Valentine's Day celebrations. In the Lobby Bar is La Vie en Rose, a one-day-only selection of French-inspired food and drink. Tickets, at $25 each, include an aperitif and are only available at the door the day of the event.
The hotel's Trio restaurant is also hosting a music-inspired Valentine's Day dinner, if you'd prefer something a little fancier. While there, order the Two Hearts cocktail with Beefeater Gin, Aperol and Averna — and adorned with two scarlet-hued hearts made from freeze-dried raspberry powder "and a little love from our bartenders," according to the hotel.
Vinaigrette, 2201 College Ave.
How about a bouquet of rose petals in the form of booze? This health-focused restaurant off South Congress Avenue has created the Rose Citrus Spritz just in time for Valentine’s dining. The elegant drink, served in a wine glass, is made with Italicus Rosolio Di Bergamotto, lemon juice, Prosecco and lemon-thyme ice cubes.
That first ingredient sounds rather complicated, but it's actually an Italian liqueur made with rose petals. Recently revived, it's a recipe that dates back to the 1800s and will excite your senses with an aroma of bergamot fruit and other lovely things.
Punch Bowl Social, 11310 Domain Dr.
Want to treat your date to a night of ping pong and bowling? Austin's playground for the adult crowd, in the Domain, will have a themed punch couples can enjoy together. The punch, Shot Through the Heart, features Old Forester Bourbon, strawberry cinnamon shrub and Teakoe pear tea.
AFS Cinema, 6406 N. Interstate 35 Frontage Rd.
Doris Day and Rock Hudson had some of the best on-screen chemistry two actors could ever hope for. Watch their first film together, "Pillow Talk," at the Austin Film Society theater this Valentine's Day. The screening, which will return Feb. 16, doubles as a pajama party, and a karaoke night featuring love songs takes place afterward in the lobby.
Plus, the bartenders at AFS Cinema have crafted two cocktails you’re sure to fall in love with: A Heart in Bloom, with J. Wray Silver Rum, hibiscus berry syrup, lime and Sieur d'Arques Aimery Brut; and the Chocolate Negroni, with Old Highborn Texas Dry Gin, Punt e Mes, Campari, Dolfi Creme de Cacao and Aztec Chocolate Bitters
“A take on the classic symbols of love, flowers and chocolate, they are a jubilation of the sweet and bittersweet intricacies of romance,” according to the theater.
Prohibition Creamery, 1407 E. Seventh St.
This East Austin ice cream shop and bar often has dessert and drink specials devoted to our favorite holidays, and Valentine's Day is no different. Stop by after dinner to grab a nightcap at Prohibition, where you can order ice cream with a red velvet waffle cone, a boozy sorbet or a sparkling wine cocktail.
Called Your Classic Femme Fatale, the sangria sorbet will come topped with Prosecco in a couple glass. The pretty-in-pink Valentine’s-themed cocktail, Kiss From a Rose, has gin, rose petals, rosemary, grapefruit and sparkling rosé.
Adelbert's, 2314 Rutland Dr. #100
Not really in the mood for a romantic evening? Adelbert's is hosting a very different sort of Valentine's affair, albeit with a special bomber of beer that literally has little Cupids on the label. The North Austin brewery will be the site of the Screw Cupid Singles Mingle, where you can buy bottles of Adelbert's 2015 Barrel of Love, a whiskey barrel-aged Belgian-style quad, for $14.
RELATED STORIES:
About the Author
