Valentine’s Day in downtown LA

Valentine’s Day – in all its red and pink heart glory– is right around the corner. 

 

For those still looking for ideas on just what to do for V-Day, the Downtown Center Business Improvement District has compiled the top five ways to have a great time on February 14th – couples and singles alike.  For the full list of ideas, visit DowntownLA.com/valentines.  

 

Dining for all tastes

With the abundance of top new restaurants in Downtown Los Angeles, and the fact that Valentine’s Day is on the 14th
of February EVERY YEAR, the excuse “I couldn’t get a table!” is really
not going to fly.  Downtown is increasingly becoming L.A.’s culinary
capital.  Elegant dining is sure to please at the Millennium Biltmore. 
And with places like Border Grill, First & Hope, LA Prime Steakhouse and Chaya Downtown offering a tantalizing range of prix-fixe menu options, no love bird can go wrong.

 

Gifts, both thoughtful and hasty

It’s approaching lunch time on February 14th,
and suddenly you realize that nagging feeling that you’ve had is
because you forgot it was Valentine’s Day.  Never fear.  Downtown L.A.
has plenty of places to find unique gifts that look like you spent
months trying to find them. One-of-a-kind items can be found at the Museum Shop at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, the gift store at the Los Angeles Central Library, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Store.

 

For traditionalists, Downtown L.A. also has you covered. The Flower District has six blocks of beautiful flowers to choose from, with 200 wholesale flower dealers.  The Jewelry District
is the largest in the U.S. – whether it’s earrings, cufflinks or the
coveted diamond ring- there is something shiny for every taste.  For
sweethearts who love sweets, Bottega Louie, Big Man Bakes or Casa de Dulce at Grand Central Market can satisfy your mutual confectionary interest.  

 

Working for the weekend

With
Valentine’s Day on a Monday this year, why not skip the after-work rush
and have a relaxing extended weekend celebration?  Enjoy a “Sweet
Rendezvous” at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel –
a decadent affair for two over sparkling wine, truffles and breakfast
with morning cocktails.  For a more unconventional romantic retreat,
“From Russia with Love” at the Los Angeles Athletic Club includes a 3-cours Russian dinner and morning Russian aerobics.  Or shack up at The Standard Downtown LA for “The Love Inn,” with champagne, chocolate-dipped strawberries and a long breakfast in bed.

 

Single and ready to mingle

If
cupid’s arrow seems to have missed the mark, you can still have a good
time this Valentine’s Day weekend – or even snag a date before the 14th.
Ladies, begin with a spa day with the girls at either Neihule or Hilton Checkers spa.  Gentlemen, start with male bonding time at the hunting-lodge themed whiskey bar, Seven Grand or the tequila bar at the newly opened Mas Malo.  Then, with mere hours to get caught in a bad romance before V-Day, singles will find parties full of potential at The Edison or J Lounge.  Be sure to scowl at the happy couples.

 

Singles looking to move a bit quicker can partake in the Downtown Speed Date at Magnolia on February 12th. More info here.

 

A decent proposal

You’ve
never been so sure of anything in your life – you’re ready to take the
plunge and pop the question.  For a special place to propose, Downtown
L.A. is the spot: 

        “Out
of all the gin joints…in all the world…” Reenact one of the most
romantic love stories of all time–Casablanca–at Rick’s Place at the
Moroccan-themed Hotel Figueroa.  Only this time, make it a happy ending.

        Your beloved is truly out-of-this world.  So maybe The Standard Downtown Rooftop Bar, with its space pod-shaped water beds, is perfect for a proposal under the stars.

        Your
head spins when your love walks into a room, so it’s only fitting that
you propose at L.A. Prime or BonaVista Lounge, both located on the
360-degree, revolving 34th floor of the Westin Bonaventure Hotel.

        The classic luxury of the Millennium Biltmore Hotel
with its cool marble walls, elegant tapestries, quiet fountains and
intricately painted ceilings, is the perfect representation of your
fairytale romance.  Propose in style.

        There’s something romantic about riding the rails – especially with your angel in tow.  Angels Flight,
a funicular railway in Bunker Hill built in 1901, offers the
opportunity to propose as you ride toward the heavens up the shortest
railway in the world. Movie buffs might also consider the famous bench
from the Downtown L.A.-based “500 Days of Summer” located at the nearby
Angels Knoll. 

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