Whether they’re celebrating their great love story or toasting the single life, patrons love going out for Valentine’s Day, and it certainly doesn’t hurt their happiness if a special promotion is happening at their favorite bar or restaurant. Here’s how some venues around the country plan to play Cupid — or Cupid’s polar opposite — this Feb. 14.

Romance at Restaurants and Bars

Love Potions on the Menu at Melting Pot, locations nationwide
Melting Pot Restaurants around the country partnered with Warner Bros. to promote its upcoming romantic comedy “Valentine’s Day.” A virtual scratch-off game on www.meltingpot.com gives patrons the chance to win more than $20,000 in prizes, including a grand prize trip to Los Angeles for the movie’s premiere. Additionally, Melting Pot venues also will feature three new Skyy Vodka “Love Potion” cocktails to increase Club Fondue membership and enhance brand awareness. The cocktails are Exotic Mojito (X-Rated Fusion Liqueur, Skyy Infusions Citrus Vodka, Monin Mojito Mix, Monin Red Passion Fruit, fresh lime juice and mint leaves), XTC Martini (X-Rated Fusion Liqueur, simple syrup, lemon juice, Prosecco, strawberries and basil) and Passionate Kiss (Skyy Infusions Passion Fruit Vodka, simple syrup, lemon juice, Prosecco, orange chunks and basil leaves). www.meltingpot.com.

Fancy Fun at Flute Bar, Gramercy and Midtown New York
Flute Bar, a sparkling wine and Champagne bar with two locations in New York City, will host a Valentine’s Day special, offering two options to fit patrons’ desires. The Champagne Lover Option ($45) gathers guests in Flute Gramercy’s private room to enjoy four 3-ounce pours of Champagne, listen to a playlist by DJ Duane Harriot and taste passed hors d’oeuvres. The Darling Option, available at both venues, includes a guaranteed reservation for two, fresh flowers, handmade chocolates from Atelier du Chocolat and one appetizer to share. The Darling Option begins at $20 with a two-person minimum. www.flutebar.com.

Shred Your Ex at Bar Louie, locations nationwide
In a celebration of Valentine’s Day’s other moniker — Single’s Awareness Day — all Bar Louie locations nationwide will host a “Shred Your Ex” promotion on Feb. 14. Guests are encouraged to bring in photos of their exes, and guests and Bar Louie employees will shred the photo at the door. Each patron who brings in a photo will receive a complimentary drink. www.barlouie-america.com.

Dare to be Dateless Weekend at STIR Martini + Raw Bar, Bellevue, Wash.
STIR Martini + Raw Bar is inviting guests to celebrate the single life all weekend, starting with speed dating and DJ Sang Do on Friday, Feb. 12, a ladies “passion party” and DJ Supreme La Rock on Saturday, Feb. 13 and a no-love-song karaoke night on V-Day. www.stirmartinibar.com.

Rendezvous at Rams Head, locations in Maryland
Each Rams Head location will offer its love-loving (or love-loathing) patrons dinner specials alongside other promotions this Feb. 14. The bar at Rams Head Roadhouse in Annapolis will host an Anti-Valentine’s Day from 9 p.m.-close, offering $5 bombs and $2.50 draft pints. Meanwhile, at Rams Head Tavern in Annapolis, patrons with dining room reservations will enjoy a complimentary split of Freixenet and chocolate-covered strawberries. Rams Head Shore House offers diners complimentary chocolate-covered strawberries, while the Tavern Bar is holding a Cupid’s Stupid Singles Party. At the party, Joe Singer will provide music from 6-10 p.m., while drinks specials include $3 Love Potions and $5 Cherry Bombs. Finally, Rams Head Tavern in Savage offers guests $6 V-day Martinis. www.ramsheadtavern.com.

Dose of Romance at DMK Burger Bar, Chicago
DMK’s Burger Bar will serve a Valentine’s Day menu all weekend long. The menu ($24/person) includes:

• Pair of Deviled Eggs (because everyone should be feeling a little devilish)
• Love Soup (made with lobster and tears of unrequited love)
• The burger of your choice
• Valentine’s Day truffle fries
• A strawberry milkshake with 2 straws (make that spoons, our shakes are too thick for a straw)
• A pair of cupcakes (choose from chocolate, carrot and peanut butter)
• The real champagne of beers— 3 Floyd’s Gumball Head

There also will be a black truffle and tallegio burger for $14, lobster and butternut squash soup for $4 and Chocolate or Sparkling Strawberry Martinis. www.dmkburgerbar.com.

Celebrate Morning or Night at Twisted Cork, Seattle
Babysitters might already be booked for Valentine’s night, but what about Valentine’s Day? That’s why Twisted Cork is offering a romantic brunch on Feb. 14 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., featuring a special brunch menu and live jazz music. But for those who can manage an evening getaway, Twisted Cork also will offer a five-course prix fixe menu for $55/person, and the mood will be set by live jazz performances. Champagne cocktails and bottles will be specially priced all weekend. www.twistedcork.com.

Put a Sparkle in their Eyes at Hyde Park Golf and Country Club, Cincinnati
Always a classic this time of year, Champagne and sparkling wine will be on the menu at Hyde Park Golf and Country Club. The evening will kick off with an informal tasting of Mumm Cuvée Napa, IL Conte Prosecco, Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Rosé and G. H. Mumm Cordon Rouge. The tasting will be $16.99 per person, and each woman at the tasting will receive a rose. Dinner entrees also will come with a Champagne or sparkling wine recommendation. www.hydeparkcc.com.

Co Co. Sala, Washington, D.C.
To get patrons in the mood for Valentine’s Day, Co Co. Sala in Washington, D.C., offers a week of specials for guests, ranging from sales on keepsake boxes of artisanal chocolates to a Chocolate & Champagne Tasting class on Feb. 13 and Feb. 14. The restaurant also will feature a Valentine’s Day Prix Fixe Dinner ($65/person), titled “Caviar, Champagne & Chocolate.” Each course features ingredients known for their aphrodisiac qualities, from caviar to goji berries. Finally, on Feb. 10, Co Co. Sala will host the “Anti-V-Day Sweet Spa” in conjunction with Red Door Spas — a night of spa treatments, chocolate and bubbly for women. It will include “anti” spa services like anti-dehydration eye treatments and antioxidant citrus manicures, as well as chocolates high in antioxidants. Guests can win prizes and purchase gifts. www.coco-dc.com.

Love is in the Air at Lola’s, Los Angeles
For $90 per couple, visitors to Lola’s in LA can enjoy a four-course meal complete with one of Lola’s well-known Martinis. First course options are mushroom bisque or arugula salad with sautéed sea scallops and pancetta; for the second course, guests can enjoy soft shell crab or heart-shaped lobster ravioli. For entrees, guests can choose from prime rib or tilapia, and they finish off dinner with frozen chocolate crepes or winter spiced caramel apple upside-down cake. Each dinner comes with a What’s Love Got to Do With It? Martini. www.lolasla.com.

Sweet Ideas from Suppliers

Beer and Cheese Pairing from Del Papa Distributing Co.
Del Papa Distributing Co. suggests forgoing wine and chocolate this Valentine’s Day in favor of a perfect beer and cheese pairing. Del Papa’s Beer Gourmet Program makes this matchmaking easy by offering a variety of delectable beer and cheese pairings, with a range of brews from traditional American lagers to amber wheat ales. Some suggestions to offer your guests:
 
•    Bud Light with triple-cream brie
•    Budweiser with aged cheddar
•    Budweiser with aged gouda
•    Michelob Ultra Amber with smoked baby Swiss and lavash crackers
•    Michelob AmberBock with gorgonzola bruschetta
•    Michelob Lager with red and yellow tomato, fresh mozzarella and anchovies drizzled with balsamic vinegar
•    Michelob Ultra with fresh melon wrapped in prosciutto ham
•    Michelob Light with cheddar and jalapeno summer sausage and red grapes
www.delpapabud.com.

Loveable Lugez
The patented mold system from Lugez allows you to create your own drinkable ice sculpture in the freezer rather than purchasing a more expensive ice luge. Lugez offers adult, seasonal and other designs to fit any club. Special offers are available. www.lugez.com.

Making Spirits Sparkle with Sparkle Plenty Designs
Sparkle Plenty Designs produces custom crystal/rhinestone wearables and body tattoos for bars and nightclubs, as well as many other industries. The company specializes in “blinging” a company’s logo to life in Swarovski crystal or rhinestone or promoting a certain holiday like Valentine’s Day. The sparkle goes well on women’s fitted shirts as a promotional item or an impulse purchase. Promotional items can range from clothing and caps to totes and body tattoos. For more information and a complimentary quote, please call (215) 389-1877 or e-mail: info@sparkle-plenty.com. www.sparkle-plenty.com.



Want some inspired Valentine’s Day cocktails? Click here for the recipes.