Valentine's Day 2024: Try these Memphis romantic date night ideas

Jordan Green, Memphis Commercial Appeal
Updated ·5 min read

With the start of February, we know that Valentine's Day will be right around the corner.

For those that don't want to be caught looking for last minute date ideas, we've got you covered with events on Valentine's Day and the week leading up to it. Memphis just can't get enough love during this holiday, and it shows with the number of events going on in town.

Here are some date night recommendations for Valentine's Day this year.

Memphis's outdoor romantic spots

One romantic thing that can be done year-round is a carriage tour of Downtown. Feel like royalty as you and your partner peruse the streets of Memphis guided by a horse.

Jake Schorr, the owner of Westy's in Downtown Memphis, also owns and operates The Carriage Company, a carriage tour of Downtown Memphis.
Jake Schorr, the owner of Westy's in Downtown Memphis, also owns and operates The Carriage Company, a carriage tour of Downtown Memphis.

On Feb. 9, the Memphis Botanic Gardens will host a 21 and older event for Valentine's Day. The Whiskey, Wine, & Chocolate event will have pairs of chocolates with select whiskeys, wines and craft beers. There will be live music and other items to see on the ballot.

If your partner enjoys the outdoors or fitness, Tom Lee Park is a great spot for a sunset stroll along the Mississippi River. If the weather is nice, you may spend an extra amount of time outside to have a picnic.

Get a two-for-one with dinner and a view at the Bass Pro Pyramid observation deck. Lookout at the Pyramid is a restaurant at the top of the pyramid with many options to choose from on the menu.

Romantic restaurants for Valentine's Day in Memphis

Acre is a fine dining restaurant located at 690 S. Perkins Rd. The menu features modern American cuisine. Reservations are required.

Amerigo Italian Restaurant is a local restaurant with a full bar and classic Italian dishes. It is located at 1239 Ridgeway Rd. There are vegetarian options available on the regular menu.

Ciao Bella Italian Grill is another restaurant with Italian dining options as well as Greek menu items. It is located at 5101 Sanderlin Ave.

A seafood platter at Coastal Fish Company. The East Memphis restaurant is located on the banks of Hyde Lake in Shelby Farms Park.
A seafood platter at Coastal Fish Company. The East Memphis restaurant is located on the banks of Hyde Lake in Shelby Farms Park.

Coastal Fish Company is located inside Shelby Farms Park. It has a view of Hyde Lake within the park with outdoor seating available. There will be a limited menu for Valentine's Day that features fish, steak and lobster options.

Located at 1585 Overton Park Ave., Ecco is a wonderful option for Valentine's dining because of the neighborhood and ambiance with it. It is a new American bistro with a seasonal menu.

Erling Jensen: The Restaurant is known for its fine dining options. It features French cuisine of classic seafood and other dishes. Reservations are required, and it is located at 1044 S. Yates Rd.

River Oaks is a French restaurant located at 5871 Poplar Ave. It specializes in French and American dishes. The restaurant prides itself on sourcing its ingredients from local sellers.

The ginger doughnuts with coconut sorbet are the perfect ending to a dinner at Tsunami.
The ginger doughnuts with coconut sorbet are the perfect ending to a dinner at Tsunami.

Tsunami has wowed the Cooper-Young area for over 25 years. The cuisine focuses on Pacific Rim flavors for guests. It is located at 928 S. Cooper St., and reservations are required.

Valentine's Day events in Memphis

The Dixon Gallery & Gardens will have an exhibit open just in time for the holiday of love. "To Have and To Hold: Valentines From the Victorian Era" will open on Jan. 28 and continue through March 31. The exhibit showcases paper love tokens through centuries of people celebrating the holiday.

The Tennessee Shakespeare Company is showing "A Streetcar Named Desire" from Feb. 1 to Feb. 18. Showings are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and at 3 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets cost $32 for sections two and three and $42 for section one.

If theater is your thing, the Orpheum will have performances of "Les Misérables" for a limited time from Feb. 6 to 11, the weekend before Valentine's Day. Showtimes during the week are at 7:30 p.m. and the weekend dates feature a matinee and an evening show.

Memphis River Boats offers a Valentine's Day dinner and music cruise. The boat leaves the dock at 7 p.m. and returns at 9 p.m. There will be music from the house band and a buffet for guests. Available dates are on Feb. 9, 10 and 14.

Memphis Made Brewing Co. is hosting a Valentine's Day market on Feb. 10. The "Love Will Tear Us Apart" market will have Memphis artists and craftsmen along with food trucks and Memphis Made beer. There will be a live DJ and there is no entry fee. The market will last from 2 to 7 p.m.

The outside patio area of Memphis Made Brewing Co. of their new, second location at 16 S. Lauderdale Street can be seen in Memphis, Tenn. on September 21, 2023.
The outside patio area of Memphis Made Brewing Co. of their new, second location at 16 S. Lauderdale Street can be seen in Memphis, Tenn. on September 21, 2023.

Dance classes will be happening at Blue Suede Ballroom the entire week of Valentine's Day. From Feb. 10 to Feb. 17, there will be evening dance classes featuring rumba, tango, bachata, salsa, two-step and swing dance instructions. Tickets are $40 per couple per class, and reservations are required beforehand.

Blind Bear is hosting a "Saint Valentine's Day Massacre Party" on Feb. 10. Partygoers are invited to dress in 1920s attire and take some of the pressure of the holiday off their shoulders. There will be an a la carte dinner and drink menu starting at 8 p.m., and a band at 10 p.m. Guests should contact Blind Bear for table reservations.

K3 Studio Cafe is hosting a cheese, chocolate and wine tasting event on Sunday, Feb. 11. The event is from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $45 a piece for the event.

The Memphis Botanical Garden is hosting "Notez&Flow: The Love Edition" for the second year in a row. Starting at 7 p.m., musician Keenan Shotwell with lead an ensemble of musicians and vocalists for the evening. An hour before the show starts there will be a cocktail hour with a jazz ensemble. There will be a full service sit-down dinner served by the Kouture Kitchen. Tickets are just under $90 a piece.

If you are interested in seeing some live music, you might consider a Candlelight concert. A Valentine's Day special will take place on Feb. 14 at 6:30 and 8:45 p.m.. The event will be held at the Stratford and feature songs like "Moon River," "Clair de Lune" and more.

Aldo's Pizza Pies will have a deal on Wednesday, Feb. 14. For $70, you can get an 18 inch hear shaped pizza, a bottle of red or white wine and a slice of New York style cheesecake. The deal will only be available on Valentine's Day.

Jordan Green covers trending news for the USA Today Network. She can be reached via email at jordan.Green@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter/X @_green_jordan_.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Valentine's Day in Memphis: Where to go for romantic date night ideas