15 great ideas for a romantic Valentine’s Day in Manchester

Are you looking to surprise your loved one this Valentine’s Day with something a bit more interesting than a box of chocolates?

Looks like you’ve come to the right place. Manchester is one of UK’s most romantic cities, after all.

Valentine’s Day presents the perfect opportunity to get together as a couple or a group. Of course, you can go out any time of the year at your convenience – we’re all busy bees – but a day dedicated to romance ensures you do something special.

So, unless you’d prefer to sit in alone, watch Bridget Jones and cry into an empty carton of ice cream; here’s a handy list of the best things to do in Manchester this Valentine’s Day.

You can check out all of I Love Manchester’s Valentines listings by clicking here too.

Just call us Cupid!

Paint the Kiss at Whitworth Locke

Whitworth Locke are hosting a painting event where you can recreate Gustav Klimt’s iconic painting The Kiss.

You can treat yourself to a glass of fizz with your loved ones or your gal pals, and try and recreate the Austrian’s masterpiece.

All in the beautiful ‘one of a kind’ setting of Whitworth Locke.

Free for Locke guests, £34.99 for non-residents – with no experience required.

Get your tickets here.

Cloud 23

Cloud 23 have put together a unique VIP Valentines experience they are calling EROS.

Indulge in 5 sumptuous courses at a window table overlooking the breathtaking Manchester skyline.

Situated in their secluded Eros Lounge named after the Greek God of love, this luxury dinner is for those wanting a night of candlelit romance.

£125 per person

Only available on 11th February –  Very limited availability – get your tickets by clicking here.

Atlas Bar

Atlas bar are creating a special pink gin for you to share with a loved one this Valentine’s day.

It will be £5 for a single and £7 for a double with tonic.

Atlas will also be selling Montressor Pink Prosecco reduced from £35 to £20 a bottle from Friday 10th February right through to Valentines on Tuesday 14th.

If you buy either a pink gin or bottle of prosecco over Valentine’s weekend, you’ll automatically be entered into a raffle to win a bottle of either with both up for grabs.

The winners will be announced on social media.

If you’d like to book a table, please click here.

Food Sorcery 

Become a master of the kitchen with Food Sorcery!

Food Sorcery Cooking Together evenings are the perfect blend of meal out and cookery class – sociable foodie fun.

One ticket is for 2 people and you will cook your meal together.

This Valentine’s Day special menu has been created to give you something amazing to take away and recreate at home.

Tuesday 14th February, 7pm-10.15pm. £160 for two people

Get your tickets here.

James Martin 

Join James Martin for the most romantic night of the year and enjoy an expertly crafted 5 course meal that oozes luxury.

The menu, inspired by James Martin himself and all freshly prepared by his talented chefs, includes tender BBQ duck breast, mushroom and truffle tortellini, and a raspberry and coconut parfait.

A vegetarian menu is also available and includes tempura tenderstem broccoli, salt baked beets and BBQ aubergine served with red curry sauce.

Priced at £70 for five courses

You can book your table by clicking here.

Pal-entines Day at Media City 

Box on the Docks presents ‘PAL-entines’ at the Art Hall on Thursday 16th February from 5pm.

The free event will be a celebration of friendship with a showcase of the best of Salford’s local creative talent.

Join their host for the evening BBC Radio Manchester’s David Scott (aka ARGH KiD) and hear sets from comedic poet Jenny Berry, screen-print your own tote bag with artist Sally Gilford, enjoy music from BBC Introducing’s Roesh as he introduces up-and-coming acts including Manchester’s Prido another special artist soon to be announced.

All this plus street food, Seven Bro7hers on the bar and a Four Sis4ers gin pop-up.

Grab your tickets by clicking here.

Tattu 

Valentine’s is the season of sharing at Tattu Restaurant thanks to their amazing specials this February.

Start your evening with an amazing Shanghai Rose – made with Peddler’s Gin, Rose and Champagne and made to share!

Finish a beautiful meal with Shen Garden; a Heart-shaped chocolate bomb, miso caramel & meringue that sadly needs two spoons!

Available from Friday 10th to Sunday 19th February 2023

Book a table here.

20 Stories

To celebrate this special occasion ‘Somewhere High Above’ Manchester at 20 Stories, we have created a special four-course menu throughout the evening for you to enjoy with your friends or loved ones.

Please note, the A La Carte menu is not available from 5.30pm onwards on 14th February

£70 per person, available on 14th February 2023

Book a table here.

CIBO

Cibo Manchester delivers authentic Italian food in Manchester City Centre across two locations, in Great Northern Warehouse and on Liverpool Road.

Taste authentic Italian food this Valentine’s, in as romantic a setting as you could need. The amazing menu includes dishes such as gamberoni, risotto aragosta and of course a legendary tiramisu.

You can check out their Valentine’s Day Menu here.

Available 10th to 14th February 2023 £50pp for 3 courses

Subject to availability. See website for further terms and conditions.

Menagerie

It was written in the stars…

Celebrate the one you love at our saint Valentine’s supper – 14th of February 2023

3 course Set Menu & Interactive Dining Experience – £45 per person

1 course & unlimited listed drinks
2 hours & Interactive Dining Experience – £45 per person

Book your table here.

Manchester’s Spinningfields

Billed as ‘the ultimate Valentine’s day experience on 10th, 11th, 13th and 14th February 2023 at Hardman Square, ‘With Love, Spinningfields’ Will be a fully interactive, love, art and music infused, memory creating journey is as much for the Gals and the Pals as it is for the Vals, so all you have to do is pick a partner and head along for the romantic (or not) ride.

As part of the experience, Spinningfields will be bringing together some of the amazing businesses in the area to create the simply perfect proposal package and offering couples the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enter a competition to win.

Those in attendance will be welcomed by a very special host and guided to the starting point located under a Heart Arch (AKA: Harch) where they will be given the opportunity to pick an envelope containing a surprise song from a secret selection of popular tracks, as voted for on social media by the fine folk of Manchester, which will then be played in their honour by a simply stunning string quartet.

Following the serenade, it will be time to take the envelope to a storyteller extraordinaire who will use it, alongside some skilfully extracted facts from the pair in question, to create a fitting finale in the form of a bespoke love story for the ages.

The IVY Spinningfields

The Ivy Spinningfields is celebrating the season of love with a romantic set menu and bespoke cocktails available from Friday 10th February to Sunday 19th February, making it the perfect place to spoil a loved one.

After receiving a glass of Veuve Clicquot Rose Champagne on arrival, guests can choose from a selection of dishes from The Ivy Spinningfields delicious three-course set menu full of culinary delights. Priced at £75 per person.

Book your table here.

Peru Perdu

With its flickering candles, trailing botanicals and hot pink decor, Peru Perdu is adorned with soft furnishings and cosy textures, making it the perfect romantic hideaway this February.

A quality dining experience for all, the venue provides vibrant flavours with premium ingredients and thoughtful, creative cooking.

This Valentine’s, Peru Perdu is delighted to offer an elevated set menu for £75pp. The evening will centre around four divine courses – designed by renowned hospitality consultant, David Gale.

Guests can add the ‘Cabernet Franc Explorer Wine Flight’ to their Valentine’s experience, which can be pre-ordered for £50

You can book your table by clicking here.

Re:Treat Spa at the Lowry Hotel 

Visit RE:TREAT this Valentine’s season for the ultimate romantic experience, treat yourself and a partner to our Sensational Couples Treatment.

They call it therapy because you leave feeling RE:FRESHED, RE:VITALISED and RE:NEWED.

RE:CONNECT as a couple with a Back, Neck, Shoulder massage or soothing leg and foot massage in a couple’s room followed by a refreshment in the RE:TREAT Social Area/Lounge.

Your treatment will be followed by a complimentary coffee or wellness tea.

Available from 10th to 17th February 2023, prices start at £110

You can book your treatments by clicking here.

The Lowry hotel is also offering a fantastic no-frills Valentine’s meal.

Visit them in the Grand Ballroom and enjoy an exquisite meal with the special touches of luxury you are accustomed to with every visit to us.

Their service is always five star and meals continue to be decadent so this year we are making sure the emphasis is on our true quality values than a fad menu and tacky adornments.

You can book a table here.

The Corn Exchange

It’s 2023, it doesn’t matter if your ‘date’ is romantic, platonic or even solo – love doesn’t discriminate!

At the Corn Exchange it’s super easy for you to celebrate the 14th February in whichever way you like with a great selection of restaurants to pick from.

You can choose from Cosy Club, Pizza Express, Zizzi and Tampopo, not to mention Banyan, Delhi House Cafe, Mowgli and Riva to name but a small selection of great eateries at the Corn Exchange.

See the full list here.

Corn Exchange have even put together a handy quiz you can take to find out the perfect spot to dine, to ensure your Valentines/Galentines/Palentines day doesn’t have to cause you heartbreak.

Head down on the 14th February and enjoy some love live music in our Atrium and selected restaurants, you may even get a lucky red rose on the night if we spot you while you #exchangeakiss

You can check out their events here.