TCD’s Valentine’s Day Guide

Whether you’re planning a special night with your sweetheart or you’re single and ready to mingle, TCD has your Valentine’s Day needs covered. We’ve curated a list of local happenings to help you feel the love, but don’t forget that there’s always more events to uncover in our Milwaukee This Week column, Kat Murrell’s weekly Art Date, and our extensive events calendar.

Restaurants

Photo: Bianchini

Love Bites at the Iron Horse Hotel
“Love Bites” is a moniker that goes both ways; the Iron Horse Hotel has love-lovers and love-haters alike covered from Thursday, Feb. 14th until Saturday, Feb. 16th. Adjoining bar Branded will feature a “down with love” small plates menu, while Smyth will offer a multi-course dining experience.

Valentine’s Day 3 Course
The Mason Street Grill is having a special Valentine’s Day Three Course Meal with sides to share. Cost is $89.95 per couple, or $119 per couple including a bottle of sparkling wine. Reservations recommended.

Capone’s Valentine’s Feast
Hotel Metro has assembled a special V-Day menu called Capone’s Valentine’s Feast for the 14th, 15th and 16th. Diners can order a la carte or design their own 4-course feast with wine pairings for $175 per couple. Reservations recommended.

Indulge
Indulge is a sleek and very stylish urban wine room with more than 300 different wines, 60 available by the glass. Add in artisan cheeses, decadent chocolates, hand-made truffles and charcuterie such as prosciutto and pates, and you could have the perfect Valentine’s evening out.

Enjoy a sumptuous four course tasting menu for $65 or, for $95, add in wine pairings. Chocolate lovers will swoon over the $20 chocolate bar. And slake your thirst with drink specials for only $7.

Valentine’s Day at VIA Downer 

VIA Downer is here to help you and your sweetie relax and unwind on February 14th. Chill out with complimentary Prosecco, two delicious menu specials–Scallop Risotto for and Beef Shank Ossobuco, both for $19–and live music by Trio du Monde.

Love All Weekend at Cafe Benelux

On February 14th the first 50 couples to belly up to the bar at Cafe Benelux will receive a rose and a free Stella Artois bier. There will also be a special Valentine’s Day menu throughout the weekend.

Theater

Poster courtesy Off The Wall Theater

Closer
There’s a lot of great theater options for Valentine’s Day weekend, but if you’re looking for a non-saccharine view on romance, try Off the Wall’s Closer. The play presents a sarcastic and raw look at communications (or the lack there-of) in today’s world of internet connections, where relationships are created and fall apart in an instant. The Thursday night performance is at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $23 or $26 reserved; more showtimes are available on Off the Wall’s website.

Lumberjacks in Love
From the creators of Guys On Ice comes a fresh and frisky musical with loads of heart and good clean fun. The romantic comedy centers on Haywood Lumber Camp, a northwoods Wisconsin haven for five bachelors (OK, one’s a girl, but they don’t know that) which is thrown into chaos when the men accidentally summon a mail-order bride. This is the last weekend for the Sunset Playhouse production, and remaining shows are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday with an extra 4 p.m. show Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $23/$25.

The Quasimondo’s Robot Cabaret
The Quasimondo Milwaukee Physical Theatre knows that your valentine will thank you if you treat them to their latest performance, Robot Cabaret, at the Milwaukee Fortress on 1st and Pleasant Sts. Better yet, the 14th is opening night, so you’ll be among the first to see this brand-new work. Tickets are $15, $12 for students.

Nightlife

Photo courtesy Bryant’s Lounge

UnderGround at the Intercontinental
Spend the evening at CLEAR Bar and Lounge on Friday, February 15th. Chicago’s Alt/Rock singer Esh takes the stage at 10 p.m. She’ll get your body grooving as you dance cheek-to-cheek with your long-time sweetie or new beau.

A Valentine’s Day Ten Buck Show
Here’s a concert to hold hands at: Milwaukee’s own Field Report, along with special guest Old Earth, will rock out at Turner Hall’s Ten Buck Valentine’s Day Show. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Blu at the Pfister Hotel
Fondue and cocktail specials for Valentine’s Day with Anita Stemperi performing from 7-11pm with stunning views of Milwaukee from the 23rd floor of this historic hotel.

Bryant’s Cocktail Lounge
A classic cocktail lounge with atmosphere you just can’t get anywhere but at Bryant’s. Be forewarned, there is no actual drink menu. Mixologists know hundreds of recipes so let them know what you do/don’t like and they will create something you’ll surely love.

Nineteen Thirteen at the Jazz Estate 
The Jazz Estate welcomes Nineteen Thirteen (Janet Schiff – cello, Scott Johnson – drums, and Victor DeLorenzo – percussion) for an intimate performance. Note the cover charge.

Red Stiletto Night
ZenDen in the Intercontinental Hotel celebrates Valentine’s Day for the ladies. Wear your sky high heels and get $1 off for each inch of your heel. Drink specials include the Chocolate Lovers Margarita and the Amore Vietato (Forbidden Love) Martini and there will be a Chocolate Bar from 8pm-12am.

Hotel Packages

Pfister Hotel lobby. Photo courtesy Pfister Hotel.

Love in the Pfister
Spend a romantic weekend downtown Milwaukee at the glamorous Pfister Hotel. On Saturday, Feb. 16th from 1:30 to 3 p.m. the Pfister artist-in-residence Timothy Westbrook will lead you on a tour of the hotel’s Victorian era art collection. Then, settle into your deluxe guest room for the night. Sunday brunch and parking are included. Packages start at $239.

Spa-ahhhmazing Valentine’s Day
Pamper yourself and your paramour with a couples spa experience at the Pfister. Packages start at $399 and include one night’s stay, a couples massage in a private suite, a Hammam shower experience for two, one spa amenity, and overnight parking.

Hyatt Regency Milwaukee Romance Package
Reconnect with your sweetheart at the Hyatt Regency. The Romance Package includes a full breakfast, champagne and truffles, as well as a 2 p.m. checkout.

The Ambassador Hotel’s “I Love You” Package

A dozen roses. Champagne on ice. Chocolate covered strawberries. A three course prix fixe dinner for two in Envoy. For $349, all of this awaits you and your lover when you book the “I Love You” package at the Ambassador Hotel.

Special Events

“Trunks” by Natalie LeRoy. Acrylic on Canvas.

Valentine Making Workshop
RedLine hosts a Valentine making workshop for all ages on Saturday, Feb. 9th from 10 am – 2 p.m. A $10 fee (if you bring the kids, those 12 and under get in for $5) materials are included to create your Valentines after the demonstrations. No registration required, pay at the door.

Glorioso’s Winter Wine and Food Event
On Wednesday, Feb. 13th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. treat yourself and your sweetie to a sumptuous feast at Glorioso’s on Brady. You’ll taste 40 Italian wines, black truffles, cheeses, and yummy appetizers. Get into the Valentine’s Day spirit with chocolate covered strawberries and party favors as well. Registration is only $35.

Trunks Painting Session
Splash Studios features the debut of Natalie LeRoy’s new partner painting, Trunks. Guests will sip on a free welcome cocktail (Raspberries & Champagne) while learning about “elephacts” and “chocophacts.” Chocolate truffles will also be given out, along with little red elephants to paint. $40 per person and your artwork comes home with you!

Photo by Milwaukee Art Museum

Milwaukee Art Museum’s Rendezvous: Valentine’s Dinner
MAM’s Cafe Calatrava will be filled with romance on Thursday, February 14th and Saturday, February 16th. You and your paramour can enjoy a three-course prix fixe dining experience with the option to pair each course with delicious wines. There’s also a complimentary champagne toast and a red rose for each couple. $140 per couple/$125 per member couple.

Cupid’s Constellations
In honor of Valentine’s Day, UWM’s Manfred Olson Planetarium will be hosting a fun show highlighting tales of love in the stars. Whether married or single, dating or with family, all are welcome for a night of romantic stargazing in the beautiful warmth of the planetarium dome. Complimentary hot chocolate and hot apple cider will be served, and there will also be an optional, free observing session following the indoor planetarium show. Weather permitting, staff will take audience members to the rooftop observatory and assist them in finding a selection of objects in the night sky. $3 Planetarium admission.

Music Under Glass
The Mitchell Park Domes Music Under Glass Series hosts a special Valentine Sweetheart Night on Valentine’s Day from 6:30-9 p.m. featuring the music of Streetlife with Warren Wiegratz. Food and drink will be available for purchase and guests can enjoy a free photo booth. $6.50 admission to the Domes.

Valentine’s Day Offerings at Milwaukee Cupcake Company

Stock up on sweets for your sweetie. Milwaukee Cupcake Company has unveiled special Valentine’s Day flavors like Strawberries n’ Champagne and Death by Chocolate that are sure to win your beau’s heart. Add in a bouquet of flowers from Mari’s on Brady for the perfect gift.

Know of something we missed? Sound off in the comments section below. Happy Valentine’s Day!