9 ways to spend Valentine’s Day this year
The most love-filled day lands on a Friday this year, so it’s one to celebrate across the weekend, whether you’re coupled up or not, and here’s a handful of ways you can do just hat, from from a five-star staycation with pals to an intimate dinner for two.
SYDNEY
Turn your Valentine’s celebrations into a dreamy staycation at the beautiful heritage-listed Art Deco hotel, Kimpton Margot Sydney. Enjoy a romantic sojourn right in the heart of the city, staying in one of 172 spacious rooms or suites, and indulging in cocktails at Wilmot Bar and/or Harper Rooftop Bar, a dip in the rooftop pool, dinner at Luke’s Kitchen, and a leisurely buffet breakfast. If the love of your life is of the furry, four-legged variety, you’re in luck! Leave no furry friend in your life behind with Kimpton Margot’s pet policy welcoming pets to stay, so long as they fit in the lift.
What: A loved-up five-star city staycation
Where: Kimpton Margot Sydney, 339 Pitt Street, Sydney
When: Whenever you like!
How much: Rooms start from $484 per night
To book: www.kimptonmargotsydney.com
Spend your night wining and dining in style at smart and cosy Luke’s Kitchen, tucked within the stunning Art Deco five-star lobby of Kimpton Margot Sydney hotel in the CBD. Enjoy a delicious three-course menu by resident celebrity chef Luke Mangan for $195, kicking off with a glass of Taittinger Champagne, followed by memorable dishes like Ocean Trout Wellington and Luke’s signature Liquorice Dome dessert. Dial up the romance with matching wines for an additional $70 per person, or pre-order a half-dozen long stem roses for that extra special touch.
What: Valentine’s Day dinner
Where: Kimpton Margot Sydney, 339 Pitt Street, Sydney
When: 14 February, from 5pm
How much: $195 per person, plus $70 per person for matching wines
To book: www.lukeskitchen.com.au/whats-on/valentines-day-2025
Enjoy the seductive combination of French and Japanese cuisines at Luke Mangan’s Luc-San, tucked just off Potts Point’s buzzing Darlinghurst Road, next door to boutique Hotel Indigo Sydney Potts Point. Start the night with a glass of Taittinger Champagne and an irresistible amuse-bouche, before indulging in a three-course menu including snapper sashimi, Wollemi duck breast and Sydney rock oysters, before concluding with an indulgent chocolate tart with yuzu chantilly, all for $115. Want to dial up the romance? Add on a box of six or 12 long-stemmed roses to make the night that little bit extra special.
What: Valentine’s Day dinner
Where: Luc-San, Cnr Pennys Lane & Kings Cross Road, Potts Point
When: 14 February, from 5pm
How much: $115 per person
To book: www.luc-san.com.au/events/valentines-day-2025
Love will be in full swing for Valentine's Day at this 1950s New York-style bar known for theatrical cocktails, sultry low lighting and live music. Settle into a golden banquette and enjoy a welcome cocktail before tucking into a delicious three-course menu including stuffed zucchini flowers, spanner crab, and monkfish en paupiette, before finishing off with a nostalgic banana split dessert - all to a soundtrack of live jazz via the bar’s resident band from 7pm. For those wanting something more low-key, drinks bookings will be available at the venue’s high tables and outdoor tables.
What: Valentine’s Day dinner & jazz
Where: 32 Orwell Street, Potts Point
When: 14 February, from 6:30pm
How much: $75 per person
To book: www.theroosevelt.com.au
Fun’s the word at this tropical-themed modern tiki bar, and this Valentine’s Day will be no exception with an 80’s prom night set to bring the good vibes. Start the night with a nostalgic cocktail and throwback canapés like vol au vents and mini dagwood dogs, before the DJs hit the decks and you’re transported back to the 80s. Bring out your tulle and ruffles and book in a perm, because the Prom King and Queen will be announced before the night is over and there’s prizes up for grabs.
What: Valentine’s Prom Night
Where: 277 Goulburn Street, Surry Hills
When: 14 February, 7:30pm-9:30pm
How much: $49 per person
To book: www.tucanos.com.au
MELBOURNE
Treat your loved one to a très magnifique French three-course dining experience at Luke Mangan’s Bistrot Bisou, at the New York end of Flinders Lane. Start with a glass of bubbles and house-baked bread with La Conviette butter, before sharing oysters and pan-seared scallops in Taittinger Champagne sauce, melt-in-your-mouth beef bourguignon, and snapper with fregola and homardine sauce, before finishing with a stunning strawberry, rosella and white chocolate heart dessert, and petit four, for $95 per person.
What: Saint Valentin dinner
Where: Bistrot Bisou, 575 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
When: 14 February, from 5.30pm
How much: $95 per person
To book: www.bistrotbisou.com.au/whats-on/valentines-day
A romantic night awaits in the dimly-lit and intimate space that is La Madonna, within the sleek yet inviting luxury Next Hotel Melbourne. A glass of bubbles will be waiting for you and your Valentine, before a three-course menu featuring bold flavours and seasonal ingredients is rolled out to be enjoyed. Feast on house-made focaccia, oysters, roasted scallops, a choice of fresh John Dory or Pinnacle grass-fed porterhouse steak, and finish the evening with a spectacular chocolate dessert, for $105 per person.
What: Valentine’s Day dinner
Where: La Madonna, Floor 3, 103 Little Collins Street, Melbourne
When: 14 February, from 5.30pm
How much: $105 per person
To book: nexthotelmelbourne.com/exclusive-offers/valentines-day-2025/
Hotel Indigo Melbourne on Flinders
Keep the Valentine’s vibes going into the night and next day, with a stay at stunning boutique Hotel Indigo Melbourne on Flinders. Or round up your girlfriends for a Galentine’s city staycation in style! Check into one of 216 dramatic, design-led rooms and suites with impressive oversized photographs by local fashion photographer Helmut Newton, enjoy a drink in the vermouth lobby lounge, strike a pose in the hotel’s very own photobooth, and savour a buffet breakfast in Bistrot Bisou in the morning.
What: A Galentine’s Day city staycation
Where: Hotel Indigo Melbourne on Flinders, 575 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
When: Anytime!
How much: Rooms start from $277 per night
To book: https://www.ihg.com/hotelindigo/hotels/us/en/reservation
Don’t leave the city early - instead stay over at Next Hotel Melbourne, Curio Collection by Hilton for a date night or staycation weekend that will set hearts on fire. Stay in one of 255 designer, light-filled rooms and enjoy hotel-aged bottled cocktails from the mini bar, sensational dining at La Madonna restaurant, and 24-hour gym access. Upgrade to a Club Suite for exclusive access to the Manhattan loft-style The Club for continental breakfast, round-the-clock coffee, tea and sweet and savoury refreshments.
What: A luxury night away
Where: Next Hotel Melbourne, 103 Little Collins Street, Melbourne
When: Anytime!
How much: Rooms start from $441 per night
To book: nexthotelmelbourne.com
