Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday this year, which means you have NO excuses not to make this one extra special. Still coming up blank? Don’t reactivate your Hinge just yet. Lower Manhattan has a panoply of different options to celebrate love all weekend long, whether you’re into classic displays of romance or something more offbeat and adventurous. 

Dim sum, and then dim the lights 

There are many great date cuisines, but dim sum is literally the steamiest. Head to Dim Sum Palace (123 William St.) to share several orders of piping hot pork buns with your honey. The restaurant is open late, so you can keep the good times and good food going into the wee hours. 

A dimly lit lounge bathed in red light, where a guitarist performs beside a person seated with a drink. The space features tall arched windows, draped curtains, and a glowing red “COCKTAILS” sign, creating a moody, intimate atmosphere.

Get jazzy and spooky at the speakeasy

The sound of live jazz might lure you into La Noxe, an intimate speakeasy at 111 Broadway. The bar is date-night ready with a menu featuring a selection of dirty martinis and caviar service, as well as the occasional jazz night to keep the romance going. Best of all, La Noxe overlooks Trinity Church and its cemetery, making for a truly ethereal evening.  

For a historic date night

The historic Fraunces Tavern at 54 Pearl St. has live music seven nights a week, and its historic environs always make for a special date night out. While the special Valentine’s Day events are sold out, there are  plenty of other chances to catch some romantic jazz, piano or sing-along songs throughout the week. Check the full listings here. 

Snuggle up at a showing of ‘Wuthering Heights’

IPIC Fulton in the Seaport (11 Fulton St.) has the perfect seating setup for you and your boo to share a cozy date night while watching a classic Gothic romance. The theater offers premium pod-style, reclining seats in the front row so you can still snuggle up with your date, and grab their hand, if the moor’s wandering ghost gets too spooky. 

A row of classic arcade racing and shooting games, including multiple Daytona USA driving simulators, a Fire Truck game, and colorful button-based machines, inside a dimly lit arcade.

Go head-to-head

Nothing says romance like a little friendly competition. Barcade’s recently opened Lower Manhattan outpost at 10 Cortland St. is its biggest yet, and it comes with more than a few games where you can challenge your date in head-to-head combat. That includes racing games like Daytona USA, sports games such as NBA Jam, shooting games like Time Crisis and even classic arcade games like NBA Fastbreak pinball. 

Play some dating games

Recreation Bar in the Moxy NYC Downtown (26 Ann St.) is offering a Cupid’s Favorite Date party package for Valentine’s Day to help keep you entertained in ways that don’t just involve alcohol (though there’ll be plenty if you’d like some). The bar package offers a cupid shot or mini ‘tini, appetizer and dessert; the space itself comes packed with games to keep you entertained, and a DJ will be setting the vibe all night. And if you want to make a whole night of it, book a room at the Moxy and you’ll receive a $25 credit to the bar — and you can get a late check out too. Reserve a spot here. 

A stylish restaurant interior with gold velvet seating, marble tables, and a long bar lined with matching gold-upholstered barstools. Behind the bar, shelves of liquor bottles sit in front of tall windows. Through the center window, the white, wing-like structure of the Oculus at the World Trade Center is prominently visible. Large decorative mirrors with red curtain–like designs hang on either side, reflecting the modern space.Courtesy M Social

A romantic staycation

The M Social Hotel Downton (55 Church St.) is ready to host your staycation this holiday, with a package designed to pamper and impress. The package includes a discount at bathhouse Othership, with a music-driven sauna session for couples; 18 percent off premium rooms, including rooms with a view of the Brooklyn Bridge; a $100 credit to Beast & Butterflies Downtown, the hotel’s Spanish tapas restaurant and bar, and a late check out until 1 p.m. so you can stay cuddled up with bae for a little longer. Book a spot here.

Give love

From February 9 to 13, Brookfield Place is hosting a “Gifted With Love” pop-up shop, filling a custom-built kiosk with curated gifts that “make celebrating love effortless and inspired.” Options include wellness gifts from Tablet Works and floral arrangements from Venus et Fleur; plus, the pop-up will feature an Instagram-friendly photo experience where people can strike a pose, capture the moment and print a keepsake. Pro-tip: there’s romantic river-front ice skating outside, too. 

Two people sit on a pink carpeted floor, viewed from behind, inside a cave-like room completely covered in pink and white hydrangeas. They are looking toward a bright, circular opening at the end of the floral tunnel. In the center of the light stands a life-sized golden monkey statue atop a dark rock. The individuals are wearing dark blue jackets with the words "VISIONARY LABS" printed on the back. Two large pink pillows rest on the floor to the right.Courtesy Mercer Labs

Have an immersive date

The $156 Couple’s Package at Mercer Labs (21 Dey St.) includes admission for two to the exhibit “Maestros and the Machines,” which marries modern digital technology and classic art. The package also comes with two glasses of prosecco, two chocolate bars and two roses. Read more about it here. 

86 the cold at Spa 88

The frost feels particularly interminable this winter, which means it’s a good time to escape the city and go to the beach. If that’s not an option, one of the next best options is to make yourself sweat indoors at Spa 88 (88 Fulton St.). A day pass gets you access to all the amenities, including a pool, infrared sauna, stone sauna, cold plunge and jacuzzi. Spend a little extra for the scrub treatment, you’re worth it.