How To Have A Romantic Valentine’s Day in Denver On The Cheap

As Valentine’s Day approaches, love is in the air. But just because you ♥ someone the most, that doesn’t mean one has to break the bank. There are plenty of cheap, free and fun ways to celebrate the day of romance, from photo opportunities to inexpensive tasting menus to something sweet. Read on for tips and tricks, and some good deals worth making googly eyes over.

Wine and Dine

Going out for a romantic meal is one of the top activities on Valentine’s Day, and it can be pretty pricey. Many restaurants offer multi-course meals on this holiday.

Some are a good deal, but others may be way more than you want to eat or spend on a date.

Skip the expensive tasting menus and look for places you either know you enjoy a lot, or want to try. Then find out if there’s a special deal for Valentine’s Day.

Make sure to book a reservation too, many restaurants fill up.

Denver Valentine’s Restaurant Deals for 2024

Join other love hungry diners during Kachina Cantina‘s Love at First Bite Valentine’s Dinner. Starting February 9 to 18, enjoy bacon wrapped scallops ($15), mussels and fideos ($15) and a 32-ounce cowboy steak to share ($48). Finish with an order of stuffed sopapillas ($10). 1890 Wazee St,, Denver.

Skip fancy and go for a heart-shaped box of gluten-free chicken tenders at The Post Chicken & Beer locations. The February 14 deal runs $29 for said tendies, as well as a glass of champagne and red velvet gooey butter cake for dessert. Reservations recommended via HERE.

For a friend date, or Galentine’s Day adventure, Nurture has curated a daytime extravaganza including a free market (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) featuring local, women-owned business such as flash tattoos, poetry and even a twerking class on Sunday, February 11.

There’s also a three-course brunch priced at $48 per person and includes a sparkling drink toast. More details and ticket access HERE. 2949 Federal Blvd., Denver.

Get fancy for not much money at Infinite Monkey Theorem. On February 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. the winery will host a pop-up featuring Tammen’s Fish Market. Guests can get a dozen oysters for $30, $5 cans of sparkling Riesling and a dozen oysters plus a bottle of Bubble Universe for $60. 3200 Larimer St., Denver.

Denver Milk Market is offering sweethearts dinner specials from February 9 to 17. For $42 enjoy a prime rib for two, served with asparagus and mashed potatoes.

For $105 get two dishes of pasta (your choice) and a bottle of wine. Or, $26 will get a whole pizza and a pitcher of beer. 1800 Wazee St., Denver.

Find some of the best sandwiches in Denver at Leven Deli Co., the perfect spot to share a pastrami on rye with those you love. Save money by hitting up happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and all day on weekends.

This includes wine (the house red is just $6) and cocktail specials and an epic charcuterie board for $18. 123 W. 12th Ave., Denver.

Head to Hearth Bakery in RiNo for a special Valentine’s Day coffee date. For $20 salivate over a pastry each and coffee drink.  2500 Lawrence St., Denver.

Break tradition with a romantic breakfast at Snooze A.M. Eatery, which has multiple locations around town. While the normal pancakes prove epic, from February 8 to 14 there will be a double chocolate brownie pancake available for any who desire.

Grab a his and/or her’s stein and get it filled with one of WestFax Brewing‘s tasty beers. Pair that with a lobster roll from Cousin’s Maine Lobster, and you have a simple, cheap(ish) and wonderful Valentine’s Day date. 6733 W. Colfax Ave., Lakewood.

At Home Romance

Who says you need to go out to have a romantic date? Valentine’s Day is on a Wednesday this year, so keep things low key by staying in.

Make it special by cooking your loved one’s favorite meal. Find high-end ingredients to make the dinner more special.

For example, get inexpensive caviar from Asian grocery stores. Oyster, an aphrodisiac, usually cost less when you shuck your own.

Whole Foods has partnered with Amazon, which means members of Prime members get discounts. So why not go all out when cooking for your honey while saving up to 25-percent on short rib, shrimp, whole chickens, flowers and even wine.

On Fridays you can also stock up on oysters when the grocery store sells them pre-shucked, 12 for $12. There’s even a video by Whole Foods to show you how to shuck them. 

And for dessert, make your own chocolate-covered strawberries or create a chocolate fondue fountain. Or, go a more whimsical path with a festive cookie decorating kit. Maggie and Molly’s has them for $30 per set, which includes all the icing and sprinkles, plus 12 sugar or gingerbread cookies. 

For families, a Valentine’s celebration at home might mean heart-shaped pizza either whipped up in the kitchen or ordered from one of the many pizza chains that do a special pie on February 14 (think Papa John’s, Papa Murphy’s and Pizza Hut). 

Or, up the notch with Vero’s heart-shaped pizzas for $13. It also offers to-go pizza kits for $11. From February 9 to 19, both can be purchased at the restaurant, right inside Denver Central Market or ordered online.

Add on a DIY ice cream sundae party and make it a day everyone will love.

But hey, instead of creating a meal at home, get a special feast to go. You might be dining en la casa, but skipping the cooking and dish washing is sure to make everyone involved feel special.

Denver Valentine’s Take Out Deals for 2024

For couples wanting to enjoy dinner at home, Chook Chicken has the ‘Chook for Two’ meal deal. For $31.95 you get half a rotisserie chicken, two shareable sides like mac n’ cheese, mashed potatoes or browned butter squash and a small salad (or $55.95 for a whole chicken, large salad and three sides).

Add on a bottle of Attimo wine or desserts. Order for pickup or delivery through the website, chookchicken.com.

Pre-order Valentine’s goodies from Black Box Bakery inside Edgewater Public Market. The $30 box comes with a strawberry croissant with whipped chocolate ganache and local strawberry jam, chocolate donut, lavender honey croissant, peaches and cream pastry and a rose mini cube. Order HERE. 5505 W. 20th Ave., Edgewater.

Pick up something extra special from Rebel Bread. For Valentine’s Day it will serve red velvet chocolate croissants ($6), sourdough with figs and pink peppercorn ($10) and ciabatta is for lovers loaves ($6.50), which has a lovely swirl of strawberry jam, almonds and ruby chocolate. Pro tip, join the Bread Club to save more. 675 S. Broadway, Denver.

Order dessert from Insomnia Cookies, for Valentine’s Day the menu features red velvet cookies and cookie cakes.

You can pick them up at one of the seven Colorado locations, or, if you’re in the delivery range (or your sweetie is) have them dropped off at door. Bonus, if you get the app and use the code APPY2024, it’s free delivery. 

Have a Romantic Adventure

Take a walk on the wild side and go do something fun this Valentine’s Day. No, it doesn’t have be as spectacular (or expensive) as a hot air balloon ride or horse and carriage romp through the city.

Instead, find a place for a really cute photo shoot. The RiNo neighborhood is a good spot for this, and there are plenty of walls covered in stylish street art for the perfect background.

Other swank spots with plenty of photo opportunities include The Maven Hotel, the public areas around the Denver Art Museum, and the natural beauty of City Park.

Another idea, take FREE art tour. Check out this list for spots to go on Valentine’s Day, or any other time. 

If looking to get thrown into your sweetie’s arms, why not take them ice skating. There are many options, but if you have your own skates the ice rink in Skyline Park in Downtown Denver is FREE. 

Climb to great heights for your love at FlyteCo Tower, which towers at 164 feet. The $12 tours only happen on Wednesday and Thursday at 2:30 and 4:30 p.m., so it’s the perfect outing for those looking for a unique and inexpensive Valentine’s Day adventure.

Meet new people and get discounted axe throwing sessions at the same time during FlyteCo Tower’s Axes + Exes event on Valentine’s Day. Usually it costs $65 per hour, but during the event groups of singles will be paired together to throw for just $20.

Stay afterword for a pint of local craft beer and bar snack. 3120 Uinta St, Denver.

What could be more romantic than decorating a cookie for your honey. At Little Man Ice Cream Factory there will be two nights of sweet fun for only $8 per person. The event starts at 7 p.m. on February 8 and 15. Purchase tickets HERE. 

Get enthralled by a pre Valentine’s Day burlesque show at the Lodge at Woods Boss on February 10 at 8 p.m. for  just $15. Pair the show with a pint and enjoy it with your lover or a good friend. Get tickets HERE. 675 22nd St., Denver. 4411 W. Colfax Ave., Denver.

Of course taking a small trip can be fun too. Just make sure to look for deals and, if possible, plan that romantic getaway the week before President’s Day weekend, which is one of the most expensive times to travel outside the major holidays.

Fur the Love Of Animals

Love isn’t just for humans, plenty of people would rather spend Valentine’s Day with their beloved pet, with or without other people. That’s okay, you’re not alone.

And, lucky for all those cat and dog lovers there are fun ways to celebrate, even if it’s just going to a pet-friendly bar and hanging out. 

Cupid goat yoga anyone? On February 3, Orchard Town Center is bringing these barnyard beauties to the yoga mat in three separate classes at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. Tickets run $35, or get two-for-one tickets for those 12 and under for $15. Purchase HERE.

Since yoga seems to be the theme for 2024, check out Puppy Love Yoga at The Source Hotel on February 10 at 11 a.m. During the event puppies will roam free, and you can adopt them too! Second best part, it’s a FREE event, but you must register HERE.

Toast to Love

It’s Valentine’s Day, why not have a drink with your honey or you group of beloved friends. On this special day many places turn on the tap of love and offer an array of drink specials and pairings.

Denver Valentine’s Day Drink Specials in 2024

Head to Dairy Block’s Blanchard Family Wines with for the Hearts on Fire deal from February 11 to 17. It includes two glasses of rosé paired with a s’mores platter featuring heart shaped marshmallows, all for $34. 1855 Blake St., Denver.

On Monday, February 12 head to Midtown’s Bruz Beers for a beer and cheese pairing starting at 6 p.m. Each $35 ticket gets you a 4-ounce Bruz beer to go with four cheeses, and a side of cured meat and accoutrements to boost. Buy tickets HERE. 1675 W. 67th Ave., Denver.

Discover the joys of pairing sake with chocolate at Colorado Sake Co. On February 13 the tasting room will host a tasting featuring four sakes and four bonbons starting at 5 p.m. Make a reservation HERE. 3559 Larimer St., Denver.

In Golden the New Terrain Brewing Co. will offer a $30, five “course” beer and truffle pairing. Visit between February 12 and 14 and purchase tickets HERE. 16401 Table Mountain Parkway,
Golden.

The Perfect Gift

Okay, perfect and gift don’t always go hand-in-hand, but if looking for the classic flowers, chocolates and perhaps a sensual lotion or token of affection, well that’s certainly doable.

Don’t spend too much on these things, chances are no one will care and/or notice. After all, it’s the thought that counts (most of the time).

Sweets

Before shelling out for a box of overly-pricey candy, make something better for cheaper. At Sprouts grocery store locations you can find bins of bulk candies, which is a great and economical way to give high-quality treats that are exactly what your honey craves.

Once the gummy bears, chocolate-covered almonds or malt balls are procured, you’re ready to package. To do this, clean out discarded pasta or salsa jars, or go to a thrift store for a pretty glass container, and fill it with the goodies. All you need is a festive ribbon and a note card. 

Or go fancy featuring the “break my heart” sweet from Olive & Finch. It’s worth the $39 price tag. The large chocolate heart is filled with chocolate dipped strawberries, hand-crafted macarons, red lip candies and a peppermint brownie.

Plus, a mallet to break it apart with. Pre-order by calling the eatery at 720-257-4763, pick up only. 1552 E. 17th Ave., Denver.

Another sweet way to get some sugar this Valentine’s Day, go take a FREE tour of Hammond’s Candies. This confectioner has been churning out candy since 1920, and runs daily, public tours from 9:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., Monday through Saturday. 5735 Washington St., Denver.

Flowers

Book a FREE library pass to the Denver Botanic Gardens and frolic in the Boettcher Memorial Tropical Conservatory for some tropical plant time. Usually orchids and other flowers are popping up here, and it’s a good way to get a dose of greenery without filling up the house.

Better yet, give the gift of a membership so your honey can have flowers all year long. 1007 York St., Denver.

When shopping for flowers it’s easy to get overwhelmed with choices, and the cost of a bouquet. While independent flower shops are worth visiting, to save money it’s best to hit up your local grocery store.

Nowadays, King Soopers, Trader Joe’s and Sprouts have quite a selection of plants to pick over, from large and frilly bouquets to potted house plants to modest flower displays themed around the holiday.

More Valentine’s Day Deals & Events