COLUMBIA, S.C. — Valentine's Day is February 14.
Although it started as a feast day to celebrate martyrs and saints named Valentine, in the 14th and 15th centuries, St. Valentine's Day became associated with romance. Over time, Valentine's Day has evolved to include gifting flowers, candies, cards, and other demonstrations of love.
Today, folks still send cards, flowers and candy, but also plan date nights or find other activities with their special someone.
If you haven't already made a reservation at one of the local restaurants in the area, do so now. Make an evening of it with drinks on a patio or rooftop bar (Hendrix, Market on Main, Bierkeller Columbia), then dinner at your favorite restaurant, and finish with dessert or coffee (Sweet Cream Co., Kaminsky's Dessert Cafe, Curiosity Coffee, Drip).
Looking for something other than dinner? There are quite a few Valentine-themed events in the Columbia area. Here is just a sampling of things to do, either solo or as a couple:
Feb. 12-14: Fall in Love with Beer, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 945 Sabal St, BullStreet. Enjoy a special Valentine's Day menu with select appetizers, main courses and dessert paired with different beers (pricing varies with selection). Or take the Love is Sweet, Love is Bitter beer flight for $9
Feb. 13: Valentine's Partner Yoga, FIT Columbia, 2121 College St., Columbia. Although it says it's a partner class, no partner or yoga experience is needed. Think of this as playtime. Time: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets: $15 per individual, $20 per couple, pay at the door.
Feb. 13: Watch Freely: Love Jones, Richland Library Main Theater, 1431 Assembly St., Columbia. Take the afternoon off work and take in a modern love story, Love Jones, starring Larenz Tate and Nia Long. Time: 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. This is a free event.
Feb. 14: Amore Under the Stars, South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais St., Columbia. This unique Valentine's Day experience takes you after hours at the museum for champagne, catering by Loosh Culinaire, live music, 'Love Under the Laser Lights' exclusive planetarium laser light show, and – weather permitting – night sky observing. Time: 6–10 p.m. Tickets: $80 per person for the general public, $60 per person for museum members; ticket prices include two drink tickets per guest. An additional cash bar is available for beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages.
Feb. 14: Valentine's Day Dinner with Craft and Draft and Parabellum, 2706 Devine St., Columbia. Four-course dinner with beer pairing. No substitutions will be made on food or beer; other beers and wines will be available for purchase. Time: 6:15 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets: $100 per person
Feb. 14: Valentine's Day Chefs' Tasting, My House Restaurant & Bar, 7205 Two Notch Rd., Columbia. Experience an 8-course tapas-style tasting menu with a complimentary glass of champagne. Dishes include braised oxtail, crawfish bisque, filet mignon with poached lobster, seared scallops, and two types of desserts. Live music, a rose for the ladies, prizes for best-dressed couples. Time: Doors open at 5 p.m., and dinner is served at 6 p.m. Tickets: $125 per individual, $200 per couple
Feb. 14: Valentine's Dinner & Jazz, Mimsy's Jazz Lounge, 200 Graces Way, Columbia. Enjoy dinner and live music from international recording artist Buff Dillard. Time: 7 p.m. Tickets: $159.99 per couple, dress code is in effect.
Feb. 14: Infamous Lovers, 701 Whaley, Columbia. A costumed fundraising event. Come dressed as your favorite infamous lover and dance the night away to Big Love, a Fleetwood Mac cover band. There will be prizes for best dressed solo, couple or group. Heavy hors d'oeuvres by War Mouth Chef Joe Turklay. Time: 7 p.m. Tickets: $30 for general admission, $50 for VIP (reserved seating, early entry, photos with performers, champagne toast and other goodies), $500 for VIP table of 8 (private table, bottle of champagne and all perks of VIP ticket)
NOTE: This list is just a sampling of events in the Columbia area.
