It might be freezing this February, but we’ve been struck by Cupid’s arrow – rekindle your fiery passion on February 14 with one of these hot date ideas. Whether you’ve been together a lifetime, or it’s still puppy love, there are dozens of ways to add some romance to your relationship. Take date night to the next level or try something new together with the best things to do on Valentine’s Day in Birmingham. Just don’t forget to bring some flowers!
1. Splash the cash on a swanky meal for your date
Birmingham is home to some of the best restaurants in the UK. There are four Michelin-starred restaurants in the area if you feel like splashing the cash – with plenty more romantic options available too. But even if you and your loved one would prefer to grab some street food and a craft beer, the perfect Valentine’s Day restaurant exists for everyone in Birmingham.
2. Enjoy a romantic Candlelight concert together
Picture this: A gorgeous venue, thousands of candles and a four-string quartet Sounds romantic, right? Candlelight is a unique experience that’s bound to impress your date. But turn the heat up on this romance even higher on February 14 with a Valentine’s Day Special at St Paul’s Church. From Elton John’s Your Song to The Beatles’ All You Need Is Love, fall in love with these timeless classics all over again. Check out all the Candlelight concerts available in Birmingham this Valentine’s here.
3. Light up your love life
Take the light of your life on a walking trail like no other this Valentine’s Day. Experience the multisensory magic of Light Cycles together as you wander by idyllic lakes and spellbinding woodlands near Birmingham. Pulsing pearl-like orbs, fiery amber rays, and rolling vibrant mists will leave you breathless, as you fall in love with its life-size art installations, hypnotic visual effects and serene soundscapes. To learn more about Light Cycles head here.
4. Take your date to a (simulated) shooting ground
Birmingham’s brand-new activity bar, Clays transports guests to a simulated British shooting ground, offering “friendly competition” in a unique environment. And the Clays Arcade, a fast-paced gaming concept designed for smaller groups, is perfect for date night. Plus, for its first Valentine’s Day at Piccadilly Arcade, Clays will be celebrating with £6 cocktails and late-night DJs (February 13 – 16).
There’s no better way for sparks to fly than a bit of healthy competition! Luckily, there are countless activity bars in Birmingham – something for everyone. Take a nostalgic trip to a throwback arcade at NQ64; try out over 500 different board games at Chance & Counters; or go for a kickabout at TOCA Social, the ‘world’s first interactive football and dining experience’.
5. Take a romantic stroll together
Why not head to the great outdoors for a romantic stroll? It’s one of the few free things to do in Birmingham for Valentine’s Day, after all! With a plethora of pretty parks and city walks, not only is it great for mental health purposes, but it’s also a good way to catch up away from your phones, laptops and the TV. Check out these romantic spots on your walk.
6. Visit these breathtaking Elizabethan gardens
Once one of the country’s most formidable medieval fortresses, Robert Dudley famously transformed Kenilworth Castle into a spectacular palace to impress Queen Elizabeth I. Visit the mighty medieval keep near Birmingham this Valentine’s Day to uncover the true story of this royal romance. From interactive exhibits and dress-up experiences to jaw-dropping panoramic vistas, and exquisite Elizabethan gardens, you’ll fall in love instantly. Get your tickets now to Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden here!
7. Tuck into fondue at Birmingham’s self-pour wine bar
Vagabond, the self-pour wine bar boasting over 100 wines to explore, is inviting guests to join them this Valentine’s Day for the perfect date night. Whilst exploring the wide selection of eclectic wines, indulge in a sharing Swiss-cheese fondue for two – which includes a blend of cheeses, served with toasted baguette, potatoes, and pickles (£18pp). Plus, there are a variety of small plates and sharing boards to enjoy too!
8. Bake off against other couples and rise to the challenge
Is your ideal romantic evening spent watching The Great British Bake Off with your partner? Get off the sofa this Valentine’s and get busy baking yourself. The Big Birmingham Bake will see you and your date compete with other pairs for the ultimate baking crown. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or you need improvement, this is a great experience for all. Instructions and ingredients are provided during the 90-minute baking session. All you need to bring is a bit of creativity. Learn more here.
9. Feel the wind in your hair down Birmingham’s canals
Unfortunately, you won’t find any romantic Venetian gondola rides on the Birmingham canals. But there is more than one way to travel these waterways. With more miles of canal than the Italian city of Venice, you and your date can get active by renting kayaks. Or how about relaxing with a gentle canal cruise? You can even double-date with a self-driving boat! There’s nothing more romantic than being out on the water and plenty of Valentine’s ideas to explore it. Learn how to get out on Birmingham’s canals with a lovely boat trip here.
10. Go shopping at Selfridges
Treat your loved one this Valentine’s Day with a special gift from Selfridges Birmingham. From complimentary mini makeovers to floral bouquets from a pop-up flower stall, love is in the air up until February 14. Head to the Beauty Rooms on Level 3 for a reading from the Psychic Sisters, a dinner date for two at Fumo by San Carlo on Level 4, and head to the Wineshop to try the latest gin brand, Gain & Coombs, for free. Check out everything happening for Valentine’s at Selfridges here.
11. Get artsy with a painting class
Art and romance have an almost cyclical relationship; they have inspired one another for centuries. So is there a better way to get in touch with your loving side than a spot of painting this Valentine’s Day in Birmingham? PopUp Painting guides attendees through an artistic masterpiece and lets you reproduce your unique version – with a wine glass in one hand and a paintbrush in the other.
They’ll be at various sip ‘n’ paint sessions in Birmingham throughout February. But for the most romantic evenings? Head to The High Field in Edgbaston on February 14 to recreate one of the most sensual paintings of all time, Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss. Other Valentine’s Paint and Sip sessions include Jack Vettriano’s The Singing Butler and Jenny Leonard‘s Banksy-inspired Balloon Girl at The Rose Villa Tavern (both February 15). To see all events head here.
12. Enjoy a relaxing spa day together
It’s been a tough year (yes, we know it’s only February, but still). You and your loved one deserve to treat yourselves nevertheless. What better way to feel refreshed than a day pampering together at a Birmingham spa? Unwinding, taking it easy. If that doesn’t scream romance, then what does? Check out our list of the best spas in Birmingham.
13. Taste a world of sensations in the dark
One of the most romantic restaurants in Birmingham invites you to the top floor of 103 Colmore Row for a special Blackout Dinner on February 16. The exclusive one-off event will welcome guests to dine in darkness with only candles and city lights to see. The four-course menu (£100pp for a standard table/£120pp for a window table) is a Valentine’s Day treat you won’t forget. For more details head here.
14. Qavali
Matthew Bourne’s rulebreaking reinvention of Tchaikovsky’s enduring love story is one of the most successful dance theatre productions of all time – and it’s back in Birmingham for Valentine’s Day. Swan Lake takes flight at Birmingham Hippodrome (Thursday, February 6 to Saturday, February 15) in a major revival to introduce a classic to new audiences. You can learn more here.
15. Escape the house with an overnight staycation
Going out on Valentine’s Day is not always what it’s cracked up to be. But you don’t want to stay at home either, do you? Why not venture elsewhere for a little escape? The Grand Hotel is one of the most romantic hotels in Birmingham, first built in 1879 to rival London’s finest hotels. Some of its highlights include its seductive architecture and close location to Birmingham’s best bars and restaurants. The perfect stay-at-home escape for lovers.
16. Tuck into a one-off cronut
It’s La Bellezza’s first Valentine’s in the city and to celebrate its teaming up with Birmingham’s Medicine Bakery for a twist on its lemon pie. This fluffy cronut (as if a croissant and doughnut fell in love) is filled with tangy lemon curd under a cloud of pillowy pink Italian meringue. It’s available for £5 at Medicine Bakery across Birmingham (February 7 to 16), while a special dessert version is available at La Bellezza for one day only on Friday, February 14 – make sure to book your table here.
17. Have a Love Affair and dance all night
Supplying the love tunes this Valentine’s Day, party promoters Love Affair invite Kirollus to the Hare and Hounds on Saturday, February 15, where the London-based selector will be playing the finest house and disco music! Keeping the spirit of DJs like Larry Levan and Ron Hardy alive for a new generation, get your tickets here.
18. Follow your heart all the way to Las Vegas
Plenty of high rollers will be spending Valentine’s Night in Las Vegas, but you can experience the next best thing with this 1950s Vegas-style ball. So wear your best black tie or cocktail dress for Birmingham Hospice’s Valentine’s Ball at Villa Park on Friday, February 14. And enjoy an evening of casino games, magical acts, entertainment and a mouth-watering three-course meal. Tickets start from £80 and can be purchased here.
19. Sit at the back of the cinema for a smooch
Okay, so we’re not 15 anymore, but why should cinema dates be just for teenagers? You don’t have to sit in the back row missing the whole film (but we won’t judge if you do). Seeing a movie together can be a great way to experience something together, bonding you closer, and giving you something to chat about long after. There are some great cinemas in Birmingham too – from its last true indie cinema, The Mockingbird, to The Mailbox’s luxurious Everyman. But grab a deal at StarCity’s Vue with tickets as low as £4.60 by heading here.