Get Smitten: 8 Memphis Valentine's Day Date Ideas

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Get Smitten: 8 Memphis Valentine's Day Date Ideas

Break out the candy hearts - Valentine's day is coming up. Here are eight Memphis date ideas. All you have to do is provide the romance.

1.If your date is: low key

Yolo, Memphis, Tenn.

Your date is so laid back that she would be cool with a blockbuster night.

Instead, have happy hour drinks (and maybe play some foosball) at the Young Ave. Deli or Sweet Grass Next Door. Then, walk to Black Lodge Video and pick up a classic Memphis movie (think "Mystery Train", "The Firm" or "Hustle and Flow"). Before you head home, stop by Yolo for fro-yo or chocolate cake-covered strawberry pops from the bakery case.

2. If your date is: romantic

Make dinner reservations for dinner for two at eighty3 (they've got a prix fixe special), Rizzo's Diner, Cafe 1912 or River Oaks. Then, surprise your special someone with a hotel room at the Madison downtown. Make it extra special by prepping the room with champange and treats (like the handmade ones from Afters Boutique). Before you turn in, though, take your date up to the roof for one of the best views of the city.

3. If your date is: a kid

CMOM, Memphis, Tenn.

If your valentine is a your favorite kid, start with breakfast at Cafe Eclectic (heart shaped pancakes). Then, head to the Children's Museum of Memphis for their brand new dinosaur exhibit or to Pump It Up for an afternoon of bouncing in the city's indoor inflatable playground. If the weather is nice, spend the afternoon at Shelby Farms, walking the trails, riding horses or playing on the Woodland Discovery Playground.

4. If your date is: sporty

Take your sports fan to the FedExForum on Feb. 14th to see the Grizzlies play the Houston Rockets at 7 p.m. After the game, grab a drink on Beale St. Shoot some pool at the Absinthe Room, or head to South of Beale for a celebratory Grizz Shot.

5. If your date is: playful

Midtown Bike Co.

If your date is feeling playful, you've got a few options. Rent bikes for the day from Midtown Bike Company and explore downtown or bundle up and head out on the Missississippi River for an airboat ride. Grab dinner at Crazy Noodle, R.P Tracks or Three Angels Diner. If you're going on the date on Valentine's Day proper, finish the night by playing trivia at the Flying Saucer, P&H or the Cove.

6. If your date is: a music nerd

Take your audiophile sweetie to the Stax Museum (and have a slow dance on the Soul Train dance floor) or to get a Memphis music overview at the Rock'n'Soul Musuem. Give them a mixtape of your favorite love songs (bonus points for including Big Star's "Thirteen") before you head to the Hi-Tone to see soul man Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears (on Feb. 14).

7. If your date is: not in Memphis

J. Brooks Coffee, Memphis, Tenn.

If your valentine is out of town, you can still give them a Memphis-centric holiday. You'll just have to do a little planning head. Procure the following items: an Al Green or Otis Redding CD, some Rendezvous dry barbecue rub, a six pack of Ghost River beer, a Memphis-themed book (I like the Ask Vance books), some locally-roasted coffee (from McCarter's or J. Brooks) and chocolates from Chocistry. Box them up and ship them FedEx (like a local).

8. If your date is: a first date

You're brave - you're going on a first date on Valentine's Day. You want to be impressive (but not overbearing). Here's how you do it. First, you have dinner at the Majestic Grille - it's upscale and classic, but not insanely expensive. Then you take her to the Orpheum to see opening night of "Million Dollar Quartet", a musical set in Memphis. After the show, you take her to the VIP cast party at Sun Studio. I'm giving away two tickets to Tuesday night's performance of Million Dollar Quartet and two guest passes to the cast party to one lucky reader. To win, leave a comment telling me why your Valentine is awesome by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 7.

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Nate
She's awesome because simply she's my wife! It's our first Valentine as a married couple!
February 2, 2012 3:15pm
Andrew Bartolotta
My Valentine is awesome because it is the FIRST time I get to spend it with someone I love and be able to tell the world, this is him, this is who I love regardless of the scrutiny that comes with it.
February 2, 2012 3:18pm
Stephanie
My Valentine is awesome because he is a super-sexy crime fighter! 
February 2, 2012 3:21pm
Mandi
My Valentine is awesome because he's planning an awesome Memphis Valentine's night for our first Valentine's Day together as a married couple! I just moved back to Memphis after our wedding. We're going to the Majestic Grille, the same place we went three years ago on our first Valentine's Day together when I was a student at CBU! He's sweet for planning something so sentimental and so "Memphis." 
February 2, 2012 3:29pm
Christy T.
My valentine is awesome because we have the same name.
February 2, 2012 3:29pm
Allison C.
My Valentine is awesome because he treats me like every day is Valentine's Day!
February 2, 2012 3:33pm
Cindy
My valentine is awesome because we treat everyday like Valentine's Day!
February 2, 2012 3:35pm
Ashley
My Valentine is awesome because he just lost his job and is not letting that get him down! He's more determined than ever to achieve his goals!
February 2, 2012 3:59pm
Jillian Sweet
My date is awesome because he gave me the "Sweet"-est last name EVER last month! So it's also our first Valentine's day as a married couple :)
February 2, 2012 4:24pm
Tessa
Valentine's day will be extra special for me because it will be the first of many with my new honey and also my birthday is the next week
February 2, 2012 4:24pm
Claire
My Valentine is awesome because we have raised two fabulous, accomplished daughters together, we are about to become grandparents for the first time, I turned a few weeks ago, and despite all the wear and tear on me, she STILL thinks I hung the moon! (And the feeling is mutual!)
February 2, 2012 4:28pm
Claire
That should have said I turned SIXTY a few weeks ago...
February 2, 2012 4:29pm
Susan
My Valentine is awesome because after following him around the country in the military the past 5 years, when I told him a few months ago I wanted to move back to Memphis after he retired, he agreed without a fight, and now we're back home in Memphis and I love it!
February 2, 2012 4:44pm
Diana Moorehead
My Valentine has been my valentine since December 3rd. He is, in my opinion, the last that still believe in respect, romance and treating a woman the way a woman should be trated. He is the first man I have met in a long time that picks me up for a date, takes me out, opens doors, actually to truely cares and listens to me. He sends me little sweet & cute love quotes, pictures or songs to me on my phone or facebook. He tells me privately and publicly how much he loves me all the time. I would love to be able to do something for him for Valentines because my Valentine is awesome.
February 2, 2012 4:49pm
Katie
My Valentine is awesome because he's a Grizzlies-supportin', crawfish-eatin', festival-lovin', Roller Derby fan and transplant from across the pond. He may call it "Al-u-min-e-uhm foil"...(I prefer to call it "tin foil")... but his hybrid Yorkshire/North Mississippi accent gets me everytime. Our fondest memory of Memphis is of when we got married at the Madison Hotel in January of 2010. It was so much fun introducing our friends and family from around the world to this historic city that we now call "home". Yup, my Pseudo-Southern sweet thang is pretty much the bomb diggity.     
February 2, 2012 5:22pm
Joey
My Valentine is awesome because I haven't met her yet, but a mystic recently foretold that we would meet and fall in love at a cool VIP cast party at Sun Studio. WEIRD RIGHT? So what I'm tryin' to say is you're screwing up my life if you don't give me the tickets. Think about that. Can you live with that?
February 2, 2012 5:52pm
Judy
My Valentine has the love of God in him and treats me and the world with all his love every where he goes. I love how my Valentine loves everything he does with such passion and humble goodness from his heart toward the world. Everyone he meets is Blessed in some way from his goodness  especially my family and I. He is a perfect Valentine and I would love to take him to see The Million Dollar Quartet because he grew up with Elvis and played football with him at Graceland and loves the other entertainers as well. He would love and appreciate this so much. I would so love to be able to see his eyes light up with such a wonderful surprise and maybe even tear up. Yes he's romantic and sentimental and a Real Rock N Roller. 
February 2, 2012 5:53pm
Becky
My Valentine's been my Valentine since 1987.  Phew!  Where did the years go?  I am so grateful that Cupid worked his magic on us.  My Valentines still thinks the world of me as I do him.  He always has time for a hug and kiss.  And, he dishes out the best food rubs ever!
February 2, 2012 6:19pm
Kelly Henderson
Reason why my Valentine is awesome.  20 years ago on Valentines day we were celebrating our first together.  After a romantic dinner at "our Italian restaurant" we stopped by a liquor store.  I was shocked that he bought an expensive bottle of champagne because we were broke and in college.  Later he gave me the bottle and said, "Someday I will come to you with this bottle of champagne and I will ask you to be my wife."  ...4 years later (after med school) he did.  He's still awesome.
February 2, 2012 7:09pm
Karen
My valentine is awesome because he moved to Memphis just for me!  
February 2, 2012 7:52pm
iAmBaronVonTito
the third time we ever met in person was our wedding day, when we eloped.  still together, still happy, and still stomping all the naysayers who thought we were crazy and that it wouldn't work out.  not to mention, during a trip to philly, he drove all over those midnight streets looking for a piece of cherry pie that i was craving.  by the 3am, we ended up in jersey- he wouldn't give up. xoxo
February 2, 2012 9:04pm
Lauren Hackert
My valentine is awesome because he's my husband! We got married last year and then moved to Memphis. Moving and having a wedding put us on a strict budget and we haven't really gotten to enjoy this great city yet. A date night on the town is just what we need!
February 2, 2012 10:34pm
CMc
My Valentine is awesome because she just gave birth to our first child on January 15 and is looking more beautiful than ever!
February 3, 2012 10:01am
Scot
My valentine is deserving on the best Memphis themed date night possible. She is an answer to a prayer and literally changed my life forever. There is no material item that compares to what she has done for me. We moved to Memphis shortly after getting married and have found a home and a wonderful community here.  Her love, support, and encouragement is invaluable and allows me to realize my dreams.
February 3, 2012 11:16am
ZetaRon
  My Valentine is awesome because he is my friend, partner, lover, and everything to me!
February 3, 2012 11:50am
Madison
  My valentine is awesome because, well, frankly I don't have a "real" valentine, but I have amazingly beautiful friends and a few single ones too. My new years resolution is to make sure they know I love them since I have often chosen my "real" valentine over them in the past. As my first valentines day without a valentine in a while, I hope to surprise one of my single friends with a really fun night out together.   
February 6, 2012 9:07am
Alyssa @ Ten F…
My valentine is awesome because he's the one that taught me everything I know about Memphis. He shared his love for this city with me and I am extremely grateful for that.
February 6, 2012 12:05pm
Kalisa
My date is awesome because, let's face it, I'm just not that easy to be married to. And he's managed to do it for almost 19 years now. He's got a good heart, that one. 
February 6, 2012 12:05pm
chris
My valentine is awesome because she loves me and has fallen in love with many of things I love most... like Memphis. From the random hole in the wall places I took my Suburb-Loving Sweetie to exploring the Memphis Sounds when it did not look like a place she would go... she trusted me and this is why I would love to take my valentine downtown once again to fall in love with me (and Memphis) all over again.
February 6, 2012 12:24pm
Melissa Pope
My valentine is aweseome because he worked 2 jobs and was Mr. Mom while I was in college.Even though it was very difficult for everyone involved he never complained and supported me whole heartedly with a hug and a smile every day. He even rubs my feet everynight until I fall asleep! And because he is so AMAZINGLY AWESOME it would be great if I could surprise him with this and let him know just how much he means to me.
February 6, 2012 1:33pm
Nansa
My valentine is awesome because when I look into his eyes, it makes my heart smile.
February 6, 2012 3:21pm
Joe
My Valentine is awesome because after 40 years of marriage she still has the same girlish figure and I still have the same boyish ideas
February 6, 2012 4:01pm
Wired_jibit
My valentine is a memphis native that hasn't done many "Memphis" things. I am a transplant and have seen and done more of Memphis. How is that possible? Let's try to fix this!
February 7, 2012 1:05pm
Emily Long
My Valentine is a very driven young lady.  She is in law school, where she not only works hard in class, but she is also a member of the Memphis Law Review and the Moot Court Board.  She is currently preparing to participate in a moot court competition in New York City in late March.  My Valentine is what you would call a work-a-holic.  In fact, she spent last Valentine's Day practicing late into the night for yet another moot court competition.  Did I mention that my Valentine is me?  I am a single girl and I would like to do something special this Valentine's Day.  I have wanted to see the Million Dollar Quartet since I toured Sun Studios last Spring.  If selected, I will take my best friend, who also really wants to see the production.
February 7, 2012 2:45pm
Cynthia
My Valentine is awesome because as a new couple, we're in that exciting finding-out-new-things-about-each-other-stage and every day I find out something that makes me fall for him even more! Bonus: he plays guitar! Very well, I might add :)
February 7, 2012 2:54pm
Julia Eason
My valentines are so awesome because they are my mom & dad.  Their whole lives they have done everything for my sister & I.  Now, they focus their attention on doing all they can for their three grandchildren.  They will be having their 50th wedding anniversary in June of this year & I think they would love the valentines gift of tickets to this performance! 
February 7, 2012 3:03pm
Mary Margaret
My husband, Tyler, is my valentine. He is awesome because today he passed his competency exam for his PhD program! He is handy - he built a beautiful cabinet for our TV and a huge shed in our backyard. He also knows all the words to every Notorious BIG jam.
February 7, 2012 3:05pm
GR8FUL
My Valentines is hard to put into words. This year has been especially rough for both of us and our famalies. We have started a new year and just have new problems keep coming up. Her positive attitude has kept me positive as well and over all of her other great qualities this one is her best. We will spend Valentines together wether or not we go out but this looks like a night that she would love and appreciate forever-and hopefully get some of our good luck back! Thanks
February 7, 2012 3:19pm
Eric Meyers
My wife is great because we have managed to stay married for 13 years (anniversary is TODAY) and she tolerates my craziness. She has stayed with me and continued to work hard with me even though we both lost our jobs at the same time 18 months ago. I got a new job, but she has not yet. It has been tough, but we are surviving.
February 7, 2012 3:20pm
Jessica Grammer
My Valentine is awesome because he pushes me... not physically...but emotionally and intellectually. He is patient...which is one of my weaknesses. He is understanding... and any man (or human in that matter) that can understand me and STILL chooses to stay with me... is both brave and AWESOME!  Love,  Upatient & Lucky
February 7, 2012 3:22pm
Mallory
My Valentine is awesome because over the last year she has caused me to fall in love with Memphis--the city I've lived in my entire life and always took for granted. Seeing this city through the eyes of an outsider and huge music lover has changed so many things for me. She seriously is the best.
February 7, 2012 3:27pm
mary powell
My husband is awesome because he has opened up my eyes to an amazing world. Being a young musician, he has introduced me to many aspects of this city that I would have never known otherwise. He is always supportive of me and an amazing husband and father. We have only been married 4 months now, and this will be our very first Valentine's Day as a married couple. I am looking forward to many more.
February 7, 2012 3:58pm
Warner R.
When I scream at the TV because the Grizzlies do something great, or in some cases something terrible, my valentine just laughs. Awesome. When she sees Marc Gasol at the Apple Store, she creepily takes a picture and sends it to me. Awesome. When I try to explain to her what "Tiger Basketball" really is, she actually listens. Awesome. When I say let's go listen to someone she's never heard of at Minglewood, she says, "Great!". Awesome. When I get the idea to watch a concert, in movie form, at the Shell, outside, on a July night in Memphis, she packs the picnic. Awesome. When I tell her to surprise me with a good six-pack from Buster's, she does her homework and brings back something legit. Awesome. When I pay for romantic dinners with gift cards and coupons, she thinks it's brilliant, not cheap. Awesome. When I suggest to a group of friends that it's a Raiford's kind of night, she leads the pack there. Awesome. But mostly she's awesome becuase I know she's always going to be there when I get home, and I know that when I tell her I love her, and she says it back, she really means it.  
February 7, 2012 4:02pm
Christine
I actually don't have a Valentine currently, but maybe I could snag one with two tickets to the Million Dollar Quartet!
February 7, 2012 5:27pm
James
She is my first real Valentines because she "fits".
February 14, 2012 11:20am

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