As February unfolds, it’s not just Valentine’s Day that steals the spotlight; it’s a month filled with opportunities for memorable moments with loved ones. Whether you’re planning a romantic evening with your significant other, a fun night out with friends, a peaceful solo retreat, or a cozy Family Day weekend at home, we’ve curated a list to ensure your February is packed with love and joy.
A dinner and a show kind of date night
For those who appreciate a classic Valentine’s Day of romance, we recommend starting your night ice skating in Waterloo Public Square. Show off your skills or do your best to stay upright – it won’t matter as long you’re holding hands with that special someone!
Afterwards you can wander down King Street either window shopping, or looking for a place to eat. There’s no shortage of excellent restaurants available with Famoso Italian Pizzeria, Empress of India, Up Lounge, Daldongnae Korean Barbecue, and Beertown all being within 500 meters. Be careful though – you might need a reservation to get in!
And finally, we hope you’ve saved room for popcorn! After your meal you can walk a few more steps down King Street to reach the Princess Twin Cinemas, where they’re airing one of the mostly highly-reviewed romances of the past several years, Past Lives. There isn’t much to say about this one without spoiling, but we recommend you bring a few tissues!
Family night out
For those looking for a more active evening with the kids, we recommend grabbing a lane at AMF Frederick Lanes. Don’t worry if you’re not any good, it’s more fun to see your partner groan every time their ball hits the gutter!
Afterwards, you can head to 271 West for a completely from-scratch dinner, hand-crafted by their chefs with local ingredients. The beer-infused pizza dough is unmissable!
Finally, you can burn off your dinner at Adventure Rooms Canada, where you can attempt to escape one of their rooms with a partner.
Family night in at home
Dust off those board games and card decks for a night filled with friendly competition. From classic board games like Monopoly and Scrabble to card games like Uno, let the laughter and excitement fill your home. Afterwards, transform your living room into a mini cinema for a movie marathon that suits everyone’s taste. From classic family favorites to the latest animated releases, create a comfy movie-watching nest with blankets and pillows. Plus, don’t forget the popcorn!
A Galentine’s Day kind of date night
February 13th is quickly becoming a holiday of it’s own as more and more women make a girls’ night out of the day preceding Valentines’. For anyone looking for something to do with their girlfriends – we have a few ideas!
If this warm weather holds, you could join Love in Motion at Den 1880 for a run and yoga group session! Share the love with local runners and wind down with a half hour yoga session.
For something a bit more creative, there’s Paint Nite at E.V.O. Kitchen. Drinks are served while guests are guided along a painting class. No experience necessary – just loosen up with some drinks and let your inner artist out into the daylight.
You can also meet up at the Princess Theatre on the 13th to see the 2000’s classic, 10 Things I Hate About You. With several drink options being offered in the theatre, there’s not many better combinations than a cocktail and Heath Ledger singing Can’t Take My Eyes Off You!
A going out with the boys kind of date night
If the girls can enjoy a night out, then why not the boys too? IDarts Waterloo is a pool hall with loads of activities to keep the guys busy. Dartboards, golf simulators, ping pong, even foosball are all available in addition to the pool tables.
However if digital games are more your style, there’s also the Pin Up Arcade Bar in uptown Waterloo. The bar is loaded with pinball machines and arcade cabinets from the 80s and 90’s, while also serving drinks.
A self-love kind of date night
While Valentine’s Day is a special event for couples – it can often leave some people feeling a bit left out. But there’s no better love than self-love and no better date than a self-date!
For a great date night with yourself, we recommend a relaxing experience at the Waters Spa in Waterloo! With several half day and evening packages, the Waters Spa is the perfect place to spend time relaxing and focusing on yourself after a long day. The Date Night Body Beautiful solo package is under three hours and a fantastic way to get pampered from head to toe.
However if this holiday has you feeling a bit more angry then Zen, then there’s also the Wreck It Room in Cambridge! A rage room is a space where you can let off some steam by smashing plates, destroying furniture, smashing walls, and just generally getting all your bad feelings out in a pretty visceral way. They also offer a breakup special where you can destroy an ex’s stuff – now that’s one way to get some catharsis!