Valentine’s Day

Creative Tourist

Forget Cupid, a memorable Valentine’s Day is all down to you and we mean good-memorable, not wilted-flowers-from-the-garage-memorable.

14 February is on the horizon but don’t worry, we have a host of excellent ideas for all you doting couples (and even throuples if that’s your thing, we don’t judge).

Naturally, there are plenty of dining options, with a good number of highly recommended cooking classes for two if you fancy going the extra mile. But you’ll find a bunch of other good love-tinged activities from the world of cinema, theatre, tours and more.

Keep checking back as we’ll keep updating this list with all the best Valentine’s Day selections for all you lovestruck lot as and when they come in.

Still stuck for inspiration? Dip into our guides to the very best cinema, theatre, music, exhibitions, literature, tours & activities and food and drink in Manchester and the North.

Our top picks

Abeja Tapas

Abeja Tapas, Various locations, plus delivery, Manchester , M1 111 - Visit now

This Valentine’s Day, say ‘te quiero’ courtesy of one of these wonderful artisan gift boxes from Abeja Tapas. A beautiful selection of produce, sourced from Granada in Southern Spain. And if you want to save a few quid, you can use the code CT10 for 10% off. Offer available until the end of the month.

Ian Jones

El Gato Negro Tapas Leeds

El Gato Negro Tapas Leeds, 35 Park Row, Leeds, LS1 5JL - Visit now

Looking for something to satisfy your tastebuds this Valentine’s? Enjoy El Gato Negro ‘Tapas for Two’ menu, exclusively in Leeds and a bargain at just £40 per guest, running from 10th to the 17th February.

The set tapas menu has dishes including padrón peppers with Halen Môn sea salt, a traditional charcuterie board with jamón serrano, salchichón ibérico, aged Manchego, Monte Enebro goats cheese with orange blossom honey and quince jelly & olive torta, and finish with chocolate tart served with raspberry sorbet and raspberry coulis. Vegetarian, pescatarian and vegan options are also available.

No date? No problem! Get tipsy with your palantines with El Gato Negro’s £38pp tapas deal – including a selection of three plates of traditional Spanish tapas, as well as bottomless drinks for 90 minutes, exclusively on Valentine’s Day. Choose from sangria, Aperol Spritz, mimosa and more.

El Gato Negro Tapas Leeds
El Gato Negro Tapas Leeds

Ducie Street Warehouse

Ducie Street Warehouse, Ground Floor, Warehouse, Ducie St,, Manchester, M1 2TP - Visit now

One for the lovebirds, on Valentine’s Day, Half Dozen Other is dropping off their special Red Croissant with a passion fruit crème filling which will be available at Ducie Street Warehouse with a limited run. And for those feeling a bit more adventurous and creative, Cork & Clay will be hosting their famous Sexy Sculpting Workshop on February 14th. The workshop is priced at £30 per person which includes all materials.

Ducie Street Warehouse

The River Restaurant at The Lowry Hotel

The River Restaurant at The Lowry Hotel, 50 Dearmans Place, Salford, M3 5LH - Visit now

Manchester’s five-star hotel, The Lowry Hotel, has a five-course aphrodisiac-infused Valentine’s Day menu in store.

Ian Jones

The Ivy Spinningfields

The Ivy Spinningfields, The Pavilion, Byrom Street, Spinningfields, Manchester, M3 3HG - Visit now

From Saturday 10th February until Thursday 15th February, The Ivy celebrates the season of love with a romantic set menu and partnership with Della Vite Prosecco Rosé.

The Ivy Manchester

Six By Nico Deansgate

Six By Nico Deansgate, 2 John Dalton St, Manchester, M3 2BY - Visit now

Tumble down the rabbit hole this Valentine’s Day with Six by Nico Deansgate. Treat your loved one to an affordable six-course tasting menu experience at Six by Nico Deansgate and enjoy new menu, Mad Hatter’s Tea Party for just £39 per person. Follow the white rabbit through the tales of Wonderland with dishes including, Queen of Hearts, white chocolate mousse, red velvet cake, raspberries & pecan Brittle – shaped as a red heart, it’s the perfect Valentine’s Day treat.

Six By Nico Deansgate

RE:TREAT at The Lowry Hotel

RE:TREAT at The Lowry Hotel, 50 Dearmans Pl, Salford , M3 5LH - Visit now

RE:TREAT at The Lowry Hotel has a selection of curated Valentine’s packages, designed to transport yourself and your partner to a place of romantic bliss.

Ian Jones

The Municipal Hotel MGallery

The Municipal Hotel MGallery, Municipal Building, Dale St , Liverpool , L2 2DH - Visit now

Liverpool’s stunning Municipal Hotel has a host of Valentine options for the big day (check their site for more details) but the standout has to be the Ultimate Romantic Package. It’s an entire night of luxury, available between Monday to Thursday from the 6th to 29th February. Chocolate dipped strawberries, Municipal Champagne and rose petals on the bed, it’s got the lot.

Ian Jones

The Refuge

The Refuge, Oxford Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M60 7HA - Visit now

The Refuge restaurant’s stylish Winter Garden is the perfect dining solution for couples looking for a bite to eat in a glamorous setting. It’s now taking bookings to dine-in the very first time – just in time for Valentine’s Day. The elegant dining space will offer a tasting menu made up of small sharing plates and delicious hearty pies made using the finest local ingredients, as well as an extensive cocktail list, perfect for traditional or solo date nights.

The glass atrium inside The Refuge
Ian Jones

The Lawn Club

The Lawn Club, Hardman Square, Spinningfields, Manchester, M33HG - Visit now

Spinningfields ideal date night spot, The Lawn Club, is serving up the love this Valentine’s Day with its ‘Love on the Lawn’ deal. The special set menu features two heart shaped pizzas with options ranging from ‘The Lawn’ – topped with mozzarella, mushrooms, peppers, sweetcorn and onion, to the Picante pizza topped with tomato, mozzarella, nduja and fresh chilli – perfect for couples who love to share. Guests can additionally pick two sides/light bites and two drinks, including the Valentine’s special for £25 each.

The Lawn Club

Stray

Stray, Mackie Mayor, Eagle St, Manchester , M4 5BU - Visit now

Stray is the perfect spot for a pre or post-dinner date drink, plus it’s open until midnight so you can make a late night of it. Want an idea for a cocktail? Go for the Lychee Martini (no.3 gin, lychee wine, salted woodruff honey) – it’s even available to take home in a five-serving bottle if you’re having a special night in, or want to keep the night going until the wee small hours.

Stray
Ian Jones

Platzki

Platzki, Deansgate Mews, Great Northern, 255 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4EN - Visit now

Experience a glorious Polish feast this Valentine’s Day, with Platzki’s Valentine’s set menu, exclusively on the 14th. For £50 per person, guests can expect appetizers including pierogis filled with either confit duck or beetroot and goat’s cheese, and a choice of main courses, including Kaszotto – a pearl barley risotto, served with crispy celeriac and blue cheese, and Sarna – a dish of thinly sliced fried venison steak, served with homemade rosemary-infused dumplings. Platzki never disappoints.

 

Ian Jones

Evelyn’s Cafe Bar

Evelyn’s Cafe Bar, G18 Tib Street, Manchester, M4 1NB - Visit now

At CT, we adore Evelyn’s like we adore our dear old nan, who coincidentally is also called Evelyn. This charming neighbourhood restaurant is perfect for a laid-back evening full of exciting small plates and well-crafted drinks. For £45 per person, you’ll be treated to a glass of Champagne and a welcome bite before tucking into Evelyn’s own selection of plates. Highly recommended.

Charlie Spargo

CitySuites II Aparthotel

CitySuites II Aparthotel, 1 New Kings Head Yard, Salford, M3 7GF - Visit now

Go large or go home, they say, and that’s what CitySuites are living by this Valentine’s Day with an extra special gift for those who pop the question to their partner. Five lucky couples who get engaged at CitySuites II or Embankment Kitchen between the 12th and 18th of February will receive a free stay in a Premium Two Bed Apartment, complete with king-sized beds and a spacious living area, plus special treats like a bottle of Prosecco on arrival and truffles made by the hotel’s talented patisserie chef.

 

CitySuites II Aparthotel
Ian Jones

Suki Suki Street Food & Bar

Suki Suki Street Food & Bar, 227 Deansgate, Manchester , M3 4EN - Visit now

Take your soy-mate (their pun, not ours) to Suki Suki this Valentine’s, and enjoy the three-course set menu and a complimentary glass of prosecco on arrival for £30 per guest, running from the 13th to 15th February. Dishes include the classic salt and pepper seasoned ribs, and honey and chilli glazed crispy pork belly.

 

Ian Jones

Madre Manchester

Madre Manchester, The Churchill, 41 Chorlton Street, Kampus, Manchester , M1 3HN - Visit now

Madre is doing Valentine’s Day a little differently, with what they describe as “an endless (yes, endless) supply of tacos”. Please, someone stress-test this promise for us and report back. But yes, for £35 per person, diners on the 14 February can enjoy bottomless tacos choosing from Pollo Asada, Cochinita Pibil, Birria, Hongos Asada or Brussels. And they are great, no denying that.

Ian Jones

The Art School Restaurant

The Art School Restaurant, 1 Sugnall Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L7 7DX - Visit now

Chef Patron Paul Askew and his team have two wonderful Valentine’s services on offer.

Head to Sugnall Street on the big day for lunch or the early evening prix fixe service, but the big event has to be the Celebration Menu which gives the highly-recommended complete taster experience. Fancy a tipple? Fear not, both are available with an optional wine flight.

Ian Jones

Food Sorcery Manchester Deansgate Square

Food Sorcery Manchester Deansgate Square, Deansgate Square, Manchester, M15 4UA - Visit now

Enjoy a foodie night out with your favourite person. Cook a meal to remember at Food Sorcery, then kick back and enjoy. Go here to book, and remember one ticket is for two people – you cook your meal together.

Food Sorcery

James Martin Manchester

James Martin Manchester, 2 Watson St, Manchester, M3 4LP - Visit now

TV chef behemoth James Martin’s Great Northern Warehouse restaurant has a six-course tasting menu exclusively on 14th February. The menu is inspired by the man himself, and includes aged beef fillet with black truffle, and a raspberry and coconut parfait. A vegetarian menu is also available and includes mushroom and truffle tortellini, salt baked beets, and BBQ aubergine served with red curry sauce. It’s £75 for six courses and served with a complimentary glass of Laurent-Perrier Rosé each.

 

Ian Jones

The Beeswing Wine Bar and Kitchen

The Beeswing Wine Bar and Kitchen, 24a Minshull St, Kampus, Manchester , M1 3EF - Visit now

Never has there been a venue more suited to ‘date night’ than Beeswing. It’s a beautiful, intimate space, and that’s exactly what you want from a Love Day © destination.

Beeswing
Ian Jones

GRUB Manchester

GRUB Manchester, 50 Red Bank, Cheetham Hill, Manchester, M4 4HF - Visit now

Manchester’s awesome GRUB has a whole bunch of great stuff planned for Valentine’s season, some lovey-dovey, some not, all excellent. Expect romantic movies, UV painting, origami and more.

Dive into their website for more info, especially Filthy Friday’s risque Valentine’s Special on Friday 17th February, taking place in Cultplex. Their ‘Whores and Harlots’ evening is part of their first-ever Sex Worker Weekend, and of course, they want to celebrate during the month of love.

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