Cupid's Corner: Valentine's Day Festivities in Sarasota County

Lovers on the lookout for 2018 Valentine's Day happenings in Sarasota County have come to the right place. Our "Cupid's Corner" roundup features this year's options for an amorous evening on the town: dining experiences, artistic flair and unique date ideas for those in the mood for all kinds of romance, and a very Sarasota celebration of love on Siesta Key Beach.

Romantic Dinners, Desserts and Brews for Two

Valentine's Day comes with a breathtaking Sarasota Bay vista at Marina Jack. In addition to Valentine's Day dining specials and music in the dining room and Deep Six Lounge and Piano Bar, Marina Jack offers a romantic sightseeing lunchtime cruise, as well as two evening cruises featuring live music and a special Valentine's menu buffet. Learn more about Marina Jack Valentine's Day.

Named Sarasota's "Most Romantic Restaurant" in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune Readers Choice Awards, Euphemia Haye is a foolproof choice for an evening of date-wooing fine dining. The Chef's special for this year's Valentine's Day at Euphemia Haye is Veal Forestiere, followed by a trip upstairs to the Haye Loft for luscious homemade desserts. A $125.00 minimum per person reservation fee includes food, beverages, tax and gratuity. Call (941) 383-3633 to make reservations.

The chef's special prix fixe dinner menu for Valentine's Day Dinner at Hotel Indigo's H2O Bistro includes sumptuous options of vodka lobster ravioli or steak Oscar, New York style cheesecake, and a complimentary bottle white or red wine. 

Casually indulge in a special Valentine's Day Cheese & Chocolate and Beer Pairing at JDub's Brewing Company. The $30 per person or $50 per couple pairing includes three types of cheese, two chocolates, and five beers. Although the final beer list is TBA, the Brewery promises its Salted Caramel Imperial Stout and Cherry Milk Chocolate Porter on tap for Valentine's Day.

Love is touring around St. Armand’s Circle Feb. 13-17 with Key Culinary Tours. A special tour takes a romantic twist as guests learn interesting tidbits about St. Valentine’s Day.

Performing Arts Date Night: Valentine's Day on the Sarasota Stage

What could be more romantic than a night at the elegant Sarasota Opera House? Showing on Valentine's Day is Puccini's Manon Lescaut. The classic drama opines the adventures and struggles of two young, runaway lovers, Chevalier De Grieux and Manon Lescaut, who make fateful sacrifices to be together—set between Paris, France and the wilderness settlement of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the early 18th century. Comme c'est romantique!

Looking to catch a show on the lighter side this Valentine's Day? Invite a friend or sweetheart, or treat yourself to a solo Valentine's Day date with a side of laughs at Shakespeare in Love on the Asolo Repertory Theatre stage. Tom Stoppard's and Marc Norman's seven-time Academy Award winning romantic comedy film opened on the Asolo stage in January and runs through the end of March. Purchase tickets online or by calling the box office at (941) 351-8000.

Sarasota's premier burlesque revue, the Black Diamond Burlesque, has a reputation for putting on the steamiest Valentine's Day performance in town at McCurdy's Comedy Theatre. The Black Diamond Burlesque Valentine's Day Show promises a "red-hot Valentine's night" of cabaret-style theatre centered on the art of classic striptease with a splash of vaudeville. Acquire tickets online or by calling the McCurdy's box office at (941) 925-3869.

Looking for all the "Good Vibrations" you can get on Valentine's Day? "Don't Worry, Baby" because The Beach Boys will be at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, crooning surf odes to "California Girls" and imploring "Why Do Fools Fall in Love?" Follow the link to scoop up your tickets to The Beach Boys at the Van Wezel at 7:30 p.m. on February 14th, 2018.

Valentine's Day on the Beach

Celebrate love everlasting with vow renewals on Siesta Key Beach and Venice Beach—a local Valentine's Day tradition dating back nearly 30 years. Every year since 1989, on February 14, married couples of all ages and duration of matrimony have gathered at Siesta Key Beach for a non-denominational renewal service presided over by a 12th Judicial Circuit Court Judge. The event grew so popular over the years that a second location was recently added at Venice Beach.

The event is open to all at both locations, but couples must pre-register by February 11 by calling (941) 861-5000. The $10 per couple fee for the beach vow renewals includes a certificate, commemorative gift, flower, music on the beach, and light refreshments.

Just off the beach, the Siesta Key Village Association hosts its annual Siesta Village Valentine Stroll with "kisses for everyone" (of the chocolate variety) and holiday fun for the whole family. Visit the Siesta Village businesses during the 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Valentine Stroll for sweet treats.