By Kay Christopherson, Pie Bar Woodstock
It's that time of year again! Valentine's Day is coming up on February 14th. Maybe the holiday snuck up on you, and you're still scrambling to plan the perfect date night for your partner. Luckily, Downtown Woodstock has a ton of great options! Whether you're looking for a chill night out with BBQ and IPAs, a romantic Italian dinner, or a fun night at the arcade, you'll find that downtown has something for every type of date night. As someone who calls Downtown Woodstock their home, I can say with certainty that you and your partner will be charmed by everything that it has to offer!
Overwhelmed by all of the great options? Not to worry! I've put together a few ideas on how you and your valentine can spend the most romantic day of the year in Downtown Woodstock:
Laid-Back and Lovely
Looking for something a bit more casual? I recommend heading over to Reformation Brewery and grabbing one of their craft beers; try out their Alani Rosé Ale, a floral and fruity drink that has a Valentine's Day vibe to it. Want to snack on some delicious food while you sip? Head upstairs to Queenie's BBQ, which is located inside the brewery! Reformation also has an expansive yard with a beautiful Elm tree (one of the biggest in Georgia!), where you can cozy up by a firepit. And if you're looking for dessert, you can always grab a slice over at Pie Bar. (it's not like I'm biased or anything, but barbeque, beer, and a slice of pie sounds like a perfect meal to me...)
If you want a girls' night out, Reformation Brewery also hosts a Galentine's Day celebration every year! This year, it's on Friday, February 11th.
Nerdy Night Out
Is your partner a fan of geeky memorabilia, vinyl records, or vintage comic books? One of my favorite shops downtown for all of my nerdy needs is The Wright Stuff Collectibles. They're a Mom and Pop shop with an extensive collection of vinyl records, Funko Pops, comics, antiques, and so much more. If your valentine is a fan of all things pop culture, then I highly recommend that you check this place out! (Some of my favorite finds from there have been Joni Mitchell's Blue record and a stack of "Supernatural" trading cards.)
Once you've surprised your date with a gloriously geeky gift, check out the Blue Ghost Arcade. One of the newest spots downtown, it's an arcade and bar with more than forty retro arcade games, as well as consoles and pinball machines. (Just don't be like me and get a little too competitive while playing Mortal Kombat...) They also have an extensive bar with craft beer, cocktails, and spirits.
Classy and Charming
Do you wanna have a classic Valentine's date full of flowers, wining, and dining? First, be sure to stop by the Woodstock Flower Company and pick up a custom bouquet for your valentine.
For a romantic dinner, I highly suggest Ipp's Pastaria and Bar! They're a delightful, cozy Italian restaurant with a great menu. After you've snacked on some heavenly garlic rolls and ordered your drinks, you can choose an entrée from a delicious selection of pasta, pizza, sandwiches, and salads. You can't go wrong with anything on their menu, but my personal go-to is Linguine Broccoli, which is a dish of linguine pasta tossed in olive oil, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and broccoli. Yum! Just writing this is making me hungry.
After your delicious dinner, go for a romantic walk in the park just across the street. The Park at City Center has a beautiful gazebo and a fountain, which are great places to bundle up with your partner and take some wonderfully cheesy Instagram pics.
As you can see from the options above, there are a ton of great places to shop, eat, and relax with your date in Downtown Woodstock this holiday. No matter what vibe you're going for, downtown has a little bit of everything.
You can also make Pie Bar a part of your Valentine's Day festivities! Treat your date to a box of assorted mini pies; the flavors included are chocolate chess, caramel apple crumble, and strawberry with white chocolate. Sounds delicious, right? It's a limited release, so be sure to place your pre-order soon!