10 ways to ditch the pricey dinner for Valentine's Day

Happy Tuesday, everyone! Today, we’re coming to you with our 2nd annual roundup of the best things to do for Valentine’s Day in the Capital Region—without slapping down an Amex Black Card for dinner. Save your hard-earned clams for something more memorable.

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

💘 10 alternatives to a pricey Valentine’s Day dinner

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to mean dropping a couple of bands on an overpriced prix fixe dinner. Whether you’re boo’d up, single and thriving, or somewhere in between, the Capital Region has plenty of unique ways to celebrate with your sweetheart. Here’s your guide to skipping the clichés and making real memories instead.

🎭 Couples that laugh together, stay together

Couples Improv Workshop at MopCo — $50/couple
Nothing says romance like laughing until you cry while pretending to be pirates fighting over laundry. MopCo’s improv-for-couples workshop lets you bond through silliness—and maybe uncover each other's hidden comedic genius.

🍷🍫 The sexiest combo since Serge & Jane

Wine & Chocolate Festival — $45/person
This adult playground at the Desmond Hotel in Albany features tastings galore and unlimited sips from dozens of top beverage makers, including Cooper’s Daughter, Albany Distilling Co., and Keuka Spring Vineyard.

💄 Drag your valentine to brunch

Valentine’s Slay Drag Brunch – $23/person
Get to Common Roots Albany Outpost for fierce queens, craft beer, and eggs with a side of sass. Lucky Starzzz headlines along with three other fabulous performers.

🧑‍🍳 Cook up a storm with your sweetheart

Bittersweet Valentine’s Day Cooking Class — $89/person
Capital Cooks teaches you to whip up romantic bites while keeping things light and fun—plus, you eat what you make. Yes, it’s a bit pricey but think of it as a dinner and a show... except you're the chef. On the menu: pistachio-crusted tuna, bitter greens and prosciutto risotto, and dark chocolate truffles.

🏺Roll up your sleeves and get dirty

Couples Pottery Workshop – $204/couple
Cue the Ghost soundtrack—this mug-making workshop at Troy’s Context Collective is your chance to recreate the most iconic date scene ever. Or maybe not in a room of strangers. Either way, you’ll be sipping bubbly and walking away with two custom “hold my hand” mugs.

💃 Feel sexy & sensual sans partner

Feel Good Sensual Dance —$20/person
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a dose of self-love and confidence at this sensual dance class set to Doja Cat’s "Candy." It’s all about feeling sexy, empowered, and totally in tune with your body—no partner needed. Dress to move and kick off your heels (you’ll be dancing barefoot) for this no-judgment class.

🍸 Shake things up a little 

Couple’s Cocktail Class — $60/couple
Ditch the overpriced bar and learn how to stir, shake, and sip your way through mixology magic at Saratoga’s Bourbon Room. Perfect for couples who bond over the perfect adult beverage or just want to impress each other with their best Tom Cruise in “Cocktails” impression.

💔 Go emo for the big night

Troy is for Lovers: Anti-Valentine’s Day Party – $13/person
Red was never your color anyway, darling. Badheart x No Fun present an emo-themed burlesque routine from the fabulous Badheart Babes.

🎨 Go on an amazing date with... yourself

A Valentine’s Day Wellness Through Art Workshop – $40/person
Because the most important relationship is the one you have with you. This guided art and mindfulness session is all about self-love, self-expression, and feeling beautiful, inside and out.

🦇 Find love in the dark at Howe Caverns

Valentine’s Day Candlelight Tour – $50/person

Get a little weird for Valentine’s Day with this torchlit tour of the famous Howe Caverns, which is usually only available starting in May. Think of it as a gothic fairytale date, minus the bats (maybe). Fun fact: Supposedly it stays 52 degrees year-round in these caves.

🍕The wood-fired pies at Pizzeria Michelina on Delaware Avenue in Albany used to be our go-to for artisan pizza in the Capital Region—until it abruptly closed last fall. Now comes word that longtime chef and new owner Karlo Busanic will reopen the restaurant sometime in mid-February. We can’t wait! Related: Read our profile of Pizzeria Mari, which is our new pick for best artisan pizza. [Albany Business Review]

👨‍🍳 Speaking of amazing pizza, the cult Detroit-style pizza known as Pizza by Plu (we profiled Brian back in February 2025) now has a brick-and-mortar location at 1810 Western Ave in Guilderland. But you still can’t walk in and grab a pie like at a traditional shop. You need to follow Brian’s very particular ordering instructions. Even more daunting, the order window opens at noon on Sundays—and sells out within minutes. Good luck! [Pizza by Plu Facebook]

🧑‍🎓 SUNY plans to spend $14.5 million annually to fund paid internships for students at its four‑year campuses, aiming to give at least 3,500 undergraduates real‑world work experience tied to their majors. The 518 is actually working with two interns from UAlbany as part of this program. Btw, if you’re interested in interning for the Capital Region’s favorite newsletter, get in touch with us! [Times Union]

This storybook brick Tudor in Delmar is a charming starter home. The rooms aren’t ginormous, but the house feels warm and welcoming, with hardwood floors throughout and a cozy wood-burning fireplace. The kitchen and bath have been updated in a clean, classic style, and the whole house has a fresh coat of Millennial Grey (yeah, we know).

Recent upgrades include new second-floor windows, a new driveway that leads to a one-car garage, a newer water heater, and updated lighting. Outside, the level yard, mature landscaping, deck, and patio make it easy to relax or have people over. It’s located in a fantastic school district, and it’s right up the road from the new Trader Joe’s. Small but mighty, this home is truly move-in ready. Someone please buy it and raise a family here before a private-equity landlord scoops it up for a quick flip.

The deets: 3 bd, 1 ba, 1185 sf. Asking: $320,000. Days on market: 4. See the full listing here.

Note: Our Top 5 Weekend roundup now publishes on Thursdays. Watch your inboxes!

TUESDAY

⏳ They don’t make movies like this anymore. Catch a free double header of VCR Vortex featuring The Princess Bride (1987) & Time Bandits (1981) at No Fun.

WEDNESDAY

🎬️ “The Librarians,” a provocative documentary examining the unprecedented book bans that have swept across the United States, screens for one night only at Scene One Spectrum 8 Theatre in Albany (6 pm). The Delaware Restaurant is also offering drink and appetizer specials for movie goers, pre and post screening.

🐠 This school-time showing of the The Pout-Pout Fish at Palace Theatre is just $10 for students and free for teachers and chaperones.

THURSDAY

🍷 There’s a plethora of tasting events planned around the annual extravaganza known as the Albany Chef’s Food & Wine Festival. Through Saturday.

🥃 Come for the Spirits Tasting at The Pickle, and stay late for A Neptune Night, featuring sonic selections from maestros Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo.

🎨 Get your crit fix at Artist Session Series at the Art Center for the Capital Region with our friend, Taliesin Thomas, roving art critic for Hyperallergic and others.

🪼 Settle in for sumptuous strangeness at ICFS presents David Lynch’s Blue Velvet (1986) at Proctors.

🧚🏻 Catch some fairy dust at A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Classic Theatre Guild in Niskayuna. Through Sunday.

🦦 Union College Theater & Dance Department presents Myth and Memory a Winter Studio Residency with PaperHand Puppet Project. Through Sunday.

⚪️ Get to Troy’s Illium Brewing for their fun Bingo Night. 

🍷 Toni’s Wine Bar in downtown Schenectady celebrates its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

FRIDAY

🎬 2026 Saratoga Film Showcase at Putnum Place presents home-grown drama, horror, experimental, comedy, and more.

🔥 Torch the remains of the holiday season at Wolf Hollow’s Xmas Tree Bonfire or check out the popular Grown-up Book Fair on Saturday.

🎻 Celebrate the opening of Barbara Todd: Undoings with music by Michael Century on piano and accordion, and Chris Fisher-Lockhead on viola at Opalka Gallery.

SATURDAY

🍺 Some 50 breweries from across our great state will be represented at the 11th Annual New York State Craft Brewers Festival in Albany.

🐈 The cat’s meow is back! Check out one of our favorite events of the year, the New York Cat Film Festival 2026, at Proctors.

SUNDAY

🌶️ Lost & Found Bar & Kitchen hosts its 5th annual Chili Cookoff!

👩🏼‍🎤 Fall down the rabbit hole at Albany Record Riot featuring some 60 tables of music on vinyl.

🕰️ The 49th Annual Antique & Artisan Show sets up shop at Shenendehowa High School East in Clifton Park.

ART ON VIEW

• Barbara Todd: Undoings | Opalka Gallery | Through Feb. 28

• Don’t miss the delightful Nina Katchadourian: Fake Plants and Other Curiosities at the Hyde Museum.

• Family Forms at the Tang Teaching Museum presents art and archival photographs from the Tang collection that highlight themes of kinship and care and offer an expansive vision of family.

• Noel W Anderson: Black Excellence and Romare Bearden & Ralph Ellison: From the Archive | UAlbany Art Museum | worth the visit to campus!

Our music listings are now published separately on The 518 website. Click here.

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