This post was updated on February 6, 2019.
Okay, ladies, it’s time to round up the gal pals and celebrate the best fake holiday day of the year: Galentine’s Day! If you’re not sure exactly what Galentine’s Day is (despite the name being totally catchy), not to worry, because we’re giving you the complete rundown on the who, the what, the when, the where and the how. Think of us as your Galentine’s Day fairy godmother, guiding you to the best female-fueled fiesta you never knew you were missing.
What is Galentine’s Day?
Galentine’s Day is a fictional holiday created by Pawnee’s own Leslie Knope. If you’ve never seen Parks and Recreation, don’t fret. To celebrate Galentine’s Day, you don’t have to be a fan (though you should really watch the show #netflix). It’s pure gold. Now, back to G-Day.
As Leslie Knope explains it: “Every February 13th, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and boyfriends at home, and we just come kick it breakfast-style. Ladies celebrating ladies. It’s kind of like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus frittatas.”
Basically, whether you’re dating, hitched, or still going on bad Tinder dates, there’s no reason you shouldn’t get together with your girlfriends and celebrate one another. After all, you can have more than one love in your life!
When is Galentine’s Day?
Galentine’s Day is officially February 13, the day before Valentine’s Day, but if your girl group is flying solo lately, there’s no hard rule against celebrating G-Day on V-Day. Also, since this is a totally made up “holiday”, you and your GFFs can celebrate it any day or night you’d like, although in theory at least in early February.
Make it a girls’ night out
First thing’s first: Browse our list of the best GNO options this month. If you’re looking for something that falls on the official holiday (February 13, for those not familiar with the Parks and Rec reference), here are some more ideas:
Free Wednesday Evening Admission at Mint Museum Randolph
5 – 9 p.m.
Head to the Mint Museum Randolph for free admission from 5 – 9 p.m., which includes Mint on the Dot, a 10-minute art chat at 6 and 6:30 p.m. as well as a special presentation from McColl Center alumni ceramic artists at 6 p.m.
Valentine’s Sip & Shop
7th Street Public Market | 4:30 – 9 p.m.
Mix, mingle, cheers and shop local vendors at this Friday night sip and shop. The night also includes complimentary sparkling wine poured by Assorted Table Wine Shoppe (while supplies last) and an optional Pour Class with Sweet Union Candles.
Wine & Chocolate Pairing
Carolina Beer Temple Charlotte | 5 p.m.
Grab the gals and head to Carolina Beer Temple in Ayrsley, where you’ll taste various chocolates and discover how they pair with different wine varieties.
Galentine’s Day
Sycamore Brewing | 6 – 10 p.m.
Sycamore’s ultimate girls’ night out includes complimentary sushi from O-Ku, a boutique pop-up, live music and half price cider all night.
Galentine’s Day at Pour Taproom
Pour Taproom | 6 – 11 p.m.
Cheers to your BFFs at one of Charlotte’s self-serve bars. They’ll have discounted wine and open mic night, and will donate a portion of proceeds to Christy’s Champs fighting domestic violence.
Tour of Australia & New Zealand
Corkbuzz Restaurant – Charlotte | 6 p.m.
Grab a glass and learn about the wines of Australia and New Zealand, from the major wine regions to history and suggested pairings, from the experts at Corkbuzz Charlotte.
Patti LaBelle
Belk Theater | 7:30 p.m.
Celebrate the legendary Patti LaBelle as she performs at Uptown’s Belk Theater. Her classic tunes, blues renditions, and pop standards will have you and your girlfriends humming right along. Tickets start at just $24.50.
Crowned Sparrow Co. – craftXcraft | Galentine’s Day Stitches!
Wooden Robot Brewery | 6:30 p.m.
Put your creative skills to the test at this choose-your-own embroidery class. You’ll learn how to prepare fabric in an embroidery hoop, several basic ostriches and when to use them and how to finish your creation at home. $32 per person.
IMBIBE WITH HALF PRICE WINE
The following Charlotte restaurants offers half price wine or wine specials on Wednesdays, making any one of them a perfect fit for you and your Galentines. We’ve pulled our favorites from this complete list.
Bonterra Dining & Wine Room
(704) 333-9463
The scoop: Half off glasses of wine every Wednesday at the bar.
Dilworth Tasting Room
(704) 595-3337
The scoop: Select bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon are half price.
The Summit Room
(980) 237-2227
The scoop: Half off select wines.
Reid’s Fine Foods – Both locations
(704) 377-7686 – SouthPark, (704) 377-1312 – Myers Park
The scoop: Half price wine by the glass.
Upstream
(704) 556-7730
The scoop: Half price bottles of wine.
The Broken Spoke
(704) 469-9540
The scoop: Half off wine.
Amélie’s French Bakery & Café
(803) 403-9409 (Rock Hill), (704)-376-1782 (Carmel Commons), (704)-899-0088 (Uptown), (704) 405-0570 (Park Road)
The scoop: On Wednesdays, guests can enjoy the featured wine of the month at half price.
The Packhouse
(980) 938-5709
The scoop: Order half-price select bottles at The Packhouse.
RuRu’s Taco & Tequila
(704) 332-7933
The scoop: Don’t let the name fool you, RuRu’s is all about their $6 glasses of wine on Wednesday. If sangria is more your style, enjoy glasses for $5 each.
Pisces Sushi
(704) 334-0009
The scoop: Half price bottles of wine with your sushi rolls.
Burtons Grill & Bar
(980) 299-0999
The scoop: This PRSC newcomer offers 1/2 price bottles each Wednesday.
8.2.0.
(980) 256-4646
The scoop: $15 charcuterie boards with two glasses of wine.
Omaggio Pizzeria
(704) 370-0777
The scoop: Half price bottles of wine.
Mama Ricotta’s
(704) 343-0148
The scoop: Half off wine bottles to get you through hump day.
Village Tavern South Park
(704) 552-9983
The scoop: Half price glasses of wine.
The Vin Master
(704) 307-5565
The scoop: Enjoy this cozy wine store meets wine bar with half price glasses.
Fern, Flavors From The Garden
(704) 377-1825
The scoop: Enjoy half off bottles of wine with a view of East Boulevard.
MAKE RESERVATIONS
Treat yourselves to a nice dinner out that will give any Valentine’s Day dates some serious competition. Make reservations now at any one of our top picks:
Merchant and Trade
303 S Church St.
Looking to toast with girlfriends with Uptown’s skyline in the background? Look no further than Merchant and Trade, where the views, cocktails and small plates are all unmatched.
La Belle Helene
300 S Tryon St.
Feel as if you’ve taken a girls trip to France by grabbing a table at La Belle Helene. Arguably one of Charlotte’s most beautiful restaurants, your Galentines will love the French cuisine, wine options, impeccable service and overall ambiance.
O-Ku
2000 South Blvd.
Craving sushi? Everyone can order their favorite specialty roll at South End’s O-Ku. The Japanese-inspired dishes on Chef Michael Chanthavong’s menu highlight the freshest fish and unique ingredients.
Zeppelin
235 W Tremont Ave.
Enjoy inspired fare and handcrafted cocktails at Zeppelin, South End’s destination for sharable plates and toast-worthy libations.
Dilworth Tasting Room
300 East Tremont St.
via Facebook
Enjoy wine specials and a chef-driven menu of small plates, charcuterie and entrees at Dilworth Tasting Room, and don’t miss the heated patio.
The Crunkleton
1957 E 7th St.
Take your Galentines to experience one of Charlotte’s hottest culinary newcomers. Sharable plates and cocktails can take your celebration well into the evening: The Crunkleton is open until 2 a.m. daily.
Hello, Sailor
20210 Henderson Rd.
Craving water views for your V-day outing? Take in the lake and the stunning interior decor at Hello Sailor, where you and the girls can dine on southern-inspired seafood dishes and tropical cocktails.
How to host your own G-Day
There are plenty of party ideas for Galentine’s Day, depending on your crowd and everyone’s interests. Below are some of our favorite food and drink ideas and you can find a kajillion ideas on Pinterest, of course.
Brunch. Brunch is a way of life for most of us, so, like Leslie Knope herself, you can choose the breakfast-foods route. Host a brunch at your house complete with a mimosa bar (or bloody mary bar) and some food you’ve made ahead of time like these delicious overnight cinnamon rolls or bacon-wrapped asparagus. Boom.
Potluck. Do a potluck dinner or dessert so you’re not stuck whipping up a house full of culinary masterpieces.
Cheesy night in. Nothing says girl-time quite like some cheesy rom-coms and some tasty snacks. Does either Nutella Puppy Chow or Hot Pizza Dip Bites sound like a good staying-in snack to you? Yeah, thought so.
But What About Gifts and Decor?!
Yes, you should totally get your lady friends some tokens of love, no matter how big or small. Especially if some gal pals are single on V-Day, they will really appreciate receiving something during one of the most obnoxious holidays for single people. So what to get your gals?
Etsy has tons of Valentine’s (or anti-Valentine’s) decor and gifts depending on the vibe of your tribe.
What says, “I Love You” more than wine or champagne? These fun labels from iCustomWine and your gift will double as decor.
One can’t have a proper Galentine’s Gathering without the perfect decor. Valentine’s is full of over the top, indulgent details, your party should be too. Go out with a bang this Galentine’s.
Foil balloons like these are all the rage right now. Set off your party with a banner that serves as a hashtag, because honestly who doesn’t want to Instagram this? #everyonedoes. We love this set from Girly Gift 07.
Sipping cocktails? Then you and your Gals are going to need cute straws, like these adorable glitter lip and heart straws from Pop Fizz Cheers.
So, who’s ready to celebrate Galentine’s Day? Next Tuesday can’t come soon enough.
