A Divine 9 Ways to Woo, Wine, and Wander Your Way Through Valentine’s Day
(From courtly crushes to cocktails with a cosmic twist)
Washingtonians do Valentine’s Day with a little more polish and a lot more personality! Whether you’re planning a swoony soirée, a Galentine’s gathering, or a singles-friendly situation, here’s a curated, K Street–style roundup of what to do around DC this February 13–15, organized by vibe and laced with local flair.
1. Medieval Mood Music
For the history-loving romantics:
Trade Top 40 love songs for something far more timeless at Folger Consort’s Love Songs of the 15th Century. Performed inside the Folger Shakespeare Library, this Valentine’s weekend concert dives into courtly romance via the Chansonnier Cordiforme — a literal heart-shaped manuscript filled with French love songs from the 1400s. Bonus points for featuring music sung from a woman’s perspective, including a rare setting of a poem by proto-feminist icon Christine de Pisan.
February 13–15 | folger.edu/lovesongs
2. Gal Pal Plates & Tarot Pulls
For Galentine’s girls who love a little mysticism with their martinis:
Capitol Hill favorite Lobby Bar is hosting a Galentine’s Day bash complete with its viral Girl Dinner (nuggets, truffle fries, Caesar salad, and two dirty martinis) at a special $65 price, for one night only. Add in on-site tarot readings by local reader Skye Marinda, and you’ve got cosmic clarity served with a side of fries.
February 12 | @lobbybardc
3. Fire, Flavor & Five Courses
For the power-couple foodies:
At dLeña, Chef Richard Sandoval brings the heat with a luxe five-course Valentine’s menu ($159 pp) featuring wagyu tartare, firewood-grilled scallops, Chilean sea bass, and short rib a la brasa. Keep the sparks flying downstairs at ROJA, the mezcal lounge hosting live Carnaval music and dancing.
dlenadc.com
4. Franco-Chinese Fancy
For couples who like their romance with range:
Bar Chinois (DC and Arlington) is serving a $55 three-course Valentine’s menu that zigzags deliciously between French finesse and Chinese comfort. Think red chili wontons, walnut shrimp, misozuke salmon, and matcha crème brûlée, because love languages include flavor fusion.
5. Rooftop Romance in Shaw
For skyline seekers:
Toast to love at REALM, where a three-course rooftop dinner pairs panoramic views with island-inspired plates like coconut crab cakes, tamarind-glazed lamb lollipops, and oysters on ice. End things on a sweet note with strawberries and Nutella or an ice cream trio.
6. Polished Plates at The Pembroke
For classic romance with Capitol polish:
Inside the Dupont Circle Hotel, The Pembroke offers an indulgent, shareable Valentine’s menu ($145 pp) that starts with a raw bar and ends with honey tart and crème brûlée meringue. It’s refined, romantic, and designed for lingering.
7. Darts, Drinks & Digital Meet-Cutes
For singles (or couples) who prefer playful competition:
Flight Club’s Open Play Happy Hour is a low-pressure way to mingle over darts, discounted bites, and the flirty Lover’s Club cocktail. Order two and score a complimentary small plate, because nothing says chemistry like shared snacks.
8. Wharfside Flirting Under the Stars
For singles ready to mingle:
Whiskey Charlie at The Wharf is throwing a Valentine’s Day rooftop party complete with passed apps, desserts, and a live DJ. It’s high-energy, high-altitude, and perfect for anyone skipping the candlelit clichés.
February 14, 8 PM–12 AM
9. Willard-Level Wooing
For over-the-top romantics:
Go full old-school glamour at The Willard’s “An Evening to Fall For,” a candlelit, red-carpeted, five-course prix-fixe dinner with live violin music inside Café du Parc Après Dark. Add wine pairings, complimentary valet, and maybe a spa day at the newly reimagined Willard Spa for the ultimate Valentine’s flex.
Whether you’re courting a crush, celebrating your circle, or flying solo with style, DC’s Valentine’s lineup proves one thing: love lives here.