Here's to a host of romantic
bars and lounges, plus Monday night's best happy hours and after hours
parties.
BY LEAH HOCHBAUM & LAUREN FONDA
Two-for-one
Happy Hour at XL Lounge
Romantic Bars
Aubette 119 E. 27th St., between Lexington and Park Aves.; 212-686-5500;
aubette.com
With leather walls and leather couches, this downtown lounge offers
winter-weary lovebirds the perfect fireside spot to snuggle. For
just $35, you and your sweetheart of the moment get a prix fixe
dinner that includes two glasses of champagne, a choice of, among
other things, a merquez lamb sandwich, sizzling garlic shrimp, chicken
sate, or seared tuna, and for dessert, chocolate fondue for two.
And you.
Casa
La Femme North 1076 First Ave., between 58th and 59th Sts.; 212-505-0005
The lights will be dimmer, there will be more rose petals on the floor,
and belly dancers galore will be on hand to entertain young couples
in love at this spicy Upper East Side locale. Private tents are available
for the lusty and the crowd-averse, who lap up the place’s signature
drinks— like the $15 Guava Royale, a heady mix of champagne
and sweet guava nectar—quick and easy on V-day.
Delia's
Lounge 9224 Third Ave., between 92nd and 93rd Sts., Bay Ridge, Brooklyn;
718-745-7999; deliaslounge.com
For a true Valentine’s Day bargain, shell out just $50
at this Bay Ridge lounge and get a bottle of Moet White Star, chocolate-covered
strawberries, and a great seat for some of history’s most romantic
movies, including the classic Casablanca and the not-so classic
The Wedding Planner.
Eight
Mile Creek 240 Mulberry St., between Prince and Spring Sts., 212-431-4635;
eightmilecreek.com
With a $65 prix fixe dinner that includes champagne, roses and chocolates
handed out to every couple that enters the joint, this two-room
SoHo bar can’t promise you romance, but it’ll help you
out any way it can.
Flute Midtown, 205 W. 54th St. between Broadway and Seventh Ave.;
212-265-5169; flutebar.com
Gramercy, 40 E. 20th St., between Broadway and Park Ave S.; 212-529-7870;
flutebar.com
This sexy wine bar offers two special champagne packages at both
of its Manhattan locations on Feb. 13 and 14. One bottle of the
sweet Piper-Heidsieck Cuvee Sublime served with four chocolates
from La Maison du Chocolate is $75. One bottle of pink Piper-Heidsieck
Sauvage Rose served with French Baerii caviar goes for $115. Whatever
you decide, you’re in for a lip-smacking good time.
The Hanger 217 E. 3rd St., between Aves. B and C; 212-228-1030 Break out your junior high dance moves for this East Village
bar’s old-school Valentine’s slow dance. A DJ will
play all the songs you got your heart broken to as a wee little
one and there’ll be Valentines you can fill in and pass
to anyone who strikes your fancy. But with $1 off every drink
from 5-8 p.m., free fruity pink shots given out from 10-11 p.m.
and free Red Stripe beer from 11-11:30 p.m., at least you’ll
have more than just homework to drown your sorrows in these days
if you find yourself alone at the end of the night.
Orchid
Lounge 500 E. 11th St., between Aves A and B; 212-254-4090
Lovers and their lonesome counterparts get two champagne cocktails
and a choice of either dumplings or shumai for just $18 at this
Asian-themed downtown lounge. With red satin pillows, dimly lit
Japanese lanterns and a DJ spinning low-key love songs, even the
oldest of couples will feel like they’re falling in love anew.
Late-Night Parties
Rock & Roll Karaoke at Arlene's
Grocery 95 Stanton St., between Ludlow and Orchard Sts.; 212-358-1633;
arlene-grocery.com;
10 p.m.; free.
Willing to make a complete fool of yourself for your date? At
Arlene's Grocery, the original Monday-night karaoke band has been
replaced, as has the play list—instead of fronting a hardcore
band you get to croon classic rock tunes from Zep, the Beatles,
and AC/DC, not to mention cheesy Journey ballads.
Deep Space at Cielo 18 Little W. 12th St., between Washington St. and Ninth Ave.;
212-645-5700; deepspacenyc.com;
9:30 p.m.-3:30a.m.; $5 before 10p.m.; $10 after 10p.m.
Take a ride on the great space coaster courtesy of Body & Soul
alum François K (or a guest DJ stand-in), who will steer
you to the dubby nether regions of dance via spaced-out beats at
this all-are-welcome soiree. Live poets and musicians add to the
musical mix, Cielo's sunken dance floor and plush interior make
for posh lounging, and the Monday-night time slot keeps the crowd
real. It's also one of the rare nights when Cielo loosens up its
iron-clad door policy.
Seventeen
Home 17 Stanton St., between Chrystie St. and Bowery; 212-598-2145 Let the R&B and hip-hop sounds serenade you at this modern
manor. This sleek lounge offers ample space so you and your Valentine
can whisper those special somethings without others overhearing.Wine
will cost $4 a glass and the bar will offer $5 flavored martinis
all night long. Why stay at your place when this home seems so welcoming?
Twisted Cabaret atXL 357 W. 16th St., between Eighth and Ninth Aves.; 646-336-5574;
xlnewyork.com;
free.
Waited too long to get theater tickets for Valentine's Day? Don't
fret. On Monday nights, a slew of Broadway starlettes grace the
stage and perform ditties from their hit productions—including
Rent, Hairspray, and Mamma Mia!—as well
as everyone's pop faves. Plus, you'll be hard-pressed to find a
theater with two-for-one drink specials like at this Chelsea lounge.
Happy Hours
Sugar 311 Church St., between Walker and Lispenard Sts.; 212-431-8642;
sugarnyc.com
The popular after-work spot will brighten up your Valentine’s
Day with its 50’s flair. Settle into the Eames chairs and
imagine yourself on a deserted aisle at this Polynesian-themed paradise.
From 5-7 p.m., well drinks, beer, wine, and the bar’s signature
white cosmo will be priced at a mere $3 so you can save up for that
exotic vacation with your Valentine.
Sweet &
Vicious 5 Spring St., between Bowery and Elizabeth Sts.; 212-334-7915;
sweetandvicious.com
Let your heart flutter at this Butterfly adorned bar. Start
your night early at the 4-7 p.m. happy hour that will offer $1 off
all drinks. While the outdoor garden may be frightfully cold this
time of year, take comfort on one of the wooden benches that line
the room under the warm glow of a chandelier.
Tainted Lady
Lounge 318 Grand St., between Havemeyer St. and Marcy Ave., Williamsburg,
Brooklyn; 718-302-5514 If you are looking for raucous over romance this Valentine’s
Day, head to this Williamsburg bar. Bartenders will pour festive
cocktails such as “Red Kiss” and “Red Lips”.
The happy hour from 5-9 p.m. includes $1 off all drinks as well
as $3 margaritas. The burlesque-themed bar will also serve crimson
colored food. Expect kissing and spanking booths to further the
fun.
Verlaine 110 Rivington St., between Aves Ludlow and Essex Sts.; 212-614-2494
Recite your Valentine’s Day sentiments at this Lower East
Side bar named for the French poet Paul Verlaine. The Vietnamese
Bloody Mary’s and Lychee martinis will be $4, well drinks
will be half off, while beer and wine will be 2 for 1 from 5-10
p.m. If that isn’t enough to relax you, perhaps the banquette
seating and mood lighting will.
Casa
La Femme North
Eight
Mile Creek
Orchid
Lounge