Valentine’s Day, According to Me, Nycci Nellis!
I know, I know, some people think Valentine’s Day is a silly, Hallmark-made holiday. And maybe it is. But honestly? Shouldn’t we all be looking for more reasons to bring a little extra love into our lives? I’ve never believed Valentine’s Day is just for couples in candlelit corners. To me, it’s a moment or a nudge to celebrate connection in all its forms: with friends, family, kids, chosen family, your better half, your ride-or-die, or even just yourself (highly underrated, by the way).
This is your permission slip to do Valentine’s Day your way. Sip champagne. Go to a show. Make a candle. Eat something sweet. Learn something new. Below are some of the experiences around D.C. that caught my eye this year, from romantic to playful, and yes, I’ll be sharing nearby restaurant ideas along the way, because, it me.
Let’s make February 14 less about pressure and more about pleasure:
Sipping Pretty
Folger Shakespeare Library – Afternoon Tea at the Folger: A romantic, literary tea service inside one of DC’s most beautiful historic spaces. Classic tea + Shakespearean surroundings. Nycci Note: You had me tea
Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown – Valentine’s Afternoon Tea: Executive Chef Jaime Montes de Oca + Pastry Chef Lyndsey Barton collaborated on savory and sweet bites in the Loggia overlooking the
Courtyard. Includes a flute of Domaine Chandon Rosé + a long-stemmed red or pink rose. Nycci Note: Always a classic
Pop-Ups Worth Dressing Up For
Iron Gate – Tunnel of Love Pop-Up (Feb 2–15): The iconic carriageway becomes a Valentine’s wonderland with festive cocktails and romance-for-all vibes. Nycci Note: Sit for a cocktail in the Tunnel of Love, then snag that fireside table in the back room for Chef Anthony Chittum’s Mediterranean cuisine.
BARCA Pier & Wine Bar – Pier of Hearts: Waterfront Valentine’s pop-up with themed cocktails and dreamy décor. Nycci Note: Sunset sips → stroll the Wharf → dinner at Fishscale.
The Watergate Hotel – Vintage Champagne Igloo Experience: Private, heated igloos with tastings of 21 champagnes (classic bruts, rare vintages, and rosés). Nycci Note: Up to six guests per igloo, get a group together and pop some bubbles.
Love & Learn
DCANTER – Sip Happens: Valentine’s Wine Classes
-Better Off Alone: Grapes That Don’t Get Blended – Fri, Feb 13
-That’s Amore: Italian Sparkling & Dessert Wines To Love – Sat, Feb 14
Nycci Note: What could be sexier than learning about wine together? Brunch at I Egg You before class, then Duck & The Peach for dinner.
District Candle Lab – Burning Love Candle-Making Workshops: Candle-making with champagne + chocolate truffles, plus charm-building at Fawne for a keepsake moment. Nycci Note: Start with cocktails/snacks at Bar Betsie, then dinner at Yellow down the street.
Dinner + A Show Is Always a Good Idea to Me
Barrel House Cafe & Bar has an entire Valentine’s Weekend Lineup that includes theTransformer’s 10th Annual Heartbreakers Ball: Sissy That Brunch, Put a Little Hoot in Your Heart with Tara Hoot, and Under the
Influence (Songs That Shaped Me). Nycci Note: Dinner at Mallard with Chef Hamilton Johnson, it’s right next
door.
Arena Stage –Why not see Chez Joey, the reimagined musical based on John O'Hara's “Pal Joey” stories, featuring music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Lorenz Hart, and a new book by Richard LaGravenese. The show is about Joey Evans, a nightclub performer navigating ambition and romance in 1940s Chicago. Nycci Note: Dinner and drinks up on the roof of The Pendry Hotel in their Moonraker Bar
National Theatre - Stereophonic the critically acclaimed, Tony Award-winning Broadway play by David Adjmi that offers an intimate, fly-on-the-wall look at a 1970s rock band recording a new album. It’s loosely based on the story of rock legends Fleetwood Mac and the making of their album, Rumours. Nycci Note: Pre-theatre dinner at the recently renewed Occidental and post-theatre dessert at The Old Ebbitt.
Something Completely Different
Mary Cassatt Exhibition at the National Gallery of Art - Roam around the gorgeous architecture and take in the intimate exhibition that brings together rarely-seen treasures and iconic works by Mary Cassatt, marking 100 years since her death. Nycci Note: Walk up to The Riggs Hotel for cocktails in Silver Lyan and
then across the street for dinner at Moon Rabbit
Winter Skate Spectacular at the National Building Museum - Did you know, you can ice skate in the soaring Great Hall? Nycci Note: Skating indoors, how fun (Bring Your Own or Rent). Follow with either a bowl of pasta at L’Ardente or Japanese BBQ at Love, Makoto. Both are just a few short blocks away.
Snow Daze Social at Hi-Lawn & The Dome - Skip the stiff prix-fixe and go play instead. This is a cozy snow-day-for-grown-ups hangout. Think games, karaoke, throwback snacks, and DJ nights in a heated rooftop + dome above Union Market. Nycci Notes: Head to Union Market District early, walk around the shops (Jungle Room, Shelter, Salt & Sundry, Vintage Vintage Vintage) pop into the new Elegancia for a cocktail or into Last Call Bar for their Heated Rivalry cocktail menu.
Take a Hike in Black Hill Regional Park + Song Dog Distillery - Swap candlelight for fresh air, then warm up with cocktails. Start with a scenic lakeside hike at Black Hill Regional Park, then head to Song Dog Distillery for tours, tastings, cocktails, and a cozy fire-pit. Nycci Note: A little work out for the body before a work out for your tastebuds.
A Little Luxe Overnight - Start by checking into The Willard and slipping into staycation mode. Then unwind together at The Willard Spa with the “Roses, Rosé & Relaxation” experience. Once you’re fully relaxed, head
downstairs for Café du Parc Après Dark for a candlelit, five-course prix-fixe from Chef Gyo Santa with live violin and red-carpet vibes. Nycci Note: One stop shop.
And let’s not forget that so many of our favorite restaurants across the DMV are rolling out Valentine’s Day happenings all weekend long. If you’d rather let someone else do the cooking, the best Valentine’s Day dining celebrations have been rounded up right here.
