2018 Bougie Valentine's Day Dates
Valentine's Day 2018 is coming up and I know a lot of people have been asking the question "What should we do?" You want to impress your significant other with a nice night in or out that will leave them knowing how loved and appreciated they are. No matter at what stage you are in your relationship, single, talking, with titles or married; whether you enjoy adventure or dressing up; whether you are bougie on a budget or you have no limit - this post is for you! Here are my recommendations for great date nights this romance season. Each date includes a fun-filled night and of course somewhere to eat. After all this is bougie foodie.
A wise man once said, "Every day is the 14th"! Fellas use 3Stacks logic to your advantage and have a Happy Valentine's Day!
Music Lovers
The after 10pm on FM 98 WJLB type of music would definitely set the tone for a great Valentine's Day. For those of you not from Motown, smooth sounds of R&B streamed from our radios at the stroke of 10pm. Whats better than good music? Live good music! I love concert dates because when live music moves through your soul, you have someone to transfer that movement to. There are a few concerts going on in metro Detroit around V-Day. Here are my suggestions.
THE SAVAGE TOUR STARRING TANK
Andiamo's Celebrity Showroom
7096 East 14 Mile Road, Warren, MI 48092
Saturday, 2/10 @ 7pm or 10:30pm
This concert setting is a bit different and it'll work for the ladies because its seated. Ladies, you can put on your 'freakum' dress and some heels and enjoy the soothing sounds of Tank. Y'all already know the sexy vibes Tank will leave and you'll for sure have a great night. He'll be singing songs like this. Tickets range from $49-$85. You can purchase tickets here. Andiamo is offering meet and greet packages which I wouldn't suggest for dates but ladies if you trying to shoot your shot always remember you miss 100% of the shots you don't take lol. This date is a one stop shop. You can get dinner and a concert all in one bang. You're going to spend about $30+ on dinner though and Andiamo's food is pretty basic. So here's what I suggest . Since there are two shows, get tickets to the 10:30pm show: 1) because the artist always goes harder when its the last show 2) you can get dinner before hand at a more tasty restaurant than Andiamo. I don't really venture into the Warren, MI so here's Yelp's top reviewed restaurant in the area, Alie's Lebanese Grill.
Valentine's Love Jam
Masonic Temple
500 Temple St, Detroit, MI 48201
Friday 2/9 @ 7pm
TGJ? It works for me! Tyrese, Ginuwine, Joe, Dave Hollister and Next are lining up this Valentines Love Jam show at the Masonic Temple. Love will definitely be in the air as these men sing their classic hits from the '99 and the 2000's. There are 5 performers so this concert will probably go on until about 10pm. I suggest dinner before the concert at Selden Standard. Selden standard is a quaint little restaurant with shareable dishes on their menu. After the concert the night doesn't have to end. You all should head over to Grey Ghost for a night cap with some delicious craft cocktails.
Difference Makers
I haven't always been living this bougie lifestyle. I grew up on the eastside of Detroit and I know it's so important to give back! Nothing you have should stop at you. Detroit has changed over the last 10 years but there's still a ton of work to do. The best way to invest in the city is to invest in our people, especially our youth. Here are some date nights that will be both fun and rewarding!
The Collab
Yellow Tigers Karate School
3364 Michigan Avenue Detroit, Michigan 48216
Saturday, 2/17 @ 6pm
“The Connection” is a night of art, music, and fellowship that highlights the many talents of local Detroit artists. Musicians will perform live as artists display pieces of their work throughout the evening. Proceeds from this event will help create multiple scholarships for Detroit high school seniors. General Admission tickets includes drinks upon admission. There will also be food options available for purchase at the event. You can purchase tickets here. It's your lucky day though because bougiefoodie is giving away two free tickets to this event. To enter you must share this post on your Facebook, tag BougieFoodie and like the BougieFoodie Facebook page. Donations will also be accepted for "The Connection" to go towards college scholarships. This event is brought to you by "The Collab": A conglomerate of Detroit raised creatives looking to positively impact the community from which they came. I would suggest an early dinner at El Asador. El Asador is a seafood/mexican fusion restaurant that features dishes such as lobster quesadillas and scallop tacos. The best part about this restaurant is its BYOB. Bring a nice bottle of wine to share with bae and bring a second one for the show. After the show head down Michigan Ave to Motor City Wine one last glass of wine and music.
Be the change
Forgotten Harvest
21800 Greenfield Rd, Oak Park, MI 48237
Get your hands dirty with your partner and go volunteer. Going on a date to volunteer shows you that the other person cares about other people and what could be more attractive than that! You all can go volunteer anywhere you choose but here is a suggestion. Set up a time to go into a food bank like Forgotten Harvest and pack some food together. After you've packed pounds of food then head to Small Plates for lunch. The have small plates, hence the name, that are perfect to share. They also have a full bar for some lunch time cocktails!
Group Daters
This Valentine's Day might be the perfect opportunity to introduce him/her to your friends. Some people think of group dates as competition but it doesn't have to be who can hold each other's hands the longest or who can give the most kisses. Group dates are a time to get to know each others friends and as a couple they are no longer his friends or her friends it's y'all friends. Here are some dates with a ton of interaction for the whole group.
Footpool
Gamers Gallery
3901 Christopher St. Suite D-1, Detroit, MI 48211
Gather your friends and their dates and head to the Gamers Gallery. This black-owned establishment features a karaoke, video games, dart board and the newly invented footpool. Footpool is a hybrid of soccer and pool and can be a great way to get the group moving. Six players can play and your group can compete men against women. After the game, you all should grab dinner and drinks from Batch Brewery. Batch is a nano brewery that has a shelf full of board games to pick from and great food!
Escape Room
Escape the Room Detroit
1030 Randolph Street, Detroit, MI 48226
I'm an engineer and I love escape rooms. The idea behind the escape room is you are locked in a room and have one hour to solve the puzzles to escape. It is challenging, exciting and it requires teamwork. The escape room is an entertaining experience that the whole group can enjoy. I suggest getting a group of your friends and checking out Escape the Room Detroit. They have four different themed rooms to choose from each at $28 per person. After you guys have successfully escaped, I suggest you grab dinner and drinks from Central Kitchen. They have amazing fish tacos and craft cocktails!
Galentine's Day
What's Galentine's Day you ask? Leslie Knope has the definition for you! Galentine's Day is really a time to celebrate your home girls. You all are out here doing it - I N D E P E N D E N T do you know what that means? It means that you all deserve a day for yourselves! Ladies, you can still get with your man for the holiday but you can also have a ladies night with your girls. Here are a couple of Galentine's Day celebrations!
DIY Party
You could spend this Valentine's Day with your besties enjoying some quality time at your place. Set up a wine tasting at your house. Get a few bottles of wine and/or have each person bring their own bottle and host a tasting. Grab some wine glasses from the Dollar Tree and decorate them with personalized wine tags. If you're looking for something to do during your event, Pinterest has a ton of DIY activities! Everybody loves bath bombs from Lush. They smell so good and make your baths so enjoyable. They are just so expensive! You and your home girls can make DIY bath bombs with all your favorite scents and colors. They will appreciate learning a forever skill, softer skin and most importantly saving money. For dinner you can host a taco bar!
Shop til you drop
Great Lakes Crossing
4000 Baldwin Rd, Auburn Hills, MI 48326
Spending some quality with just your home girls could be an awesome way to celebrate Galentine's Day. Block out a whole day and head all over to Great Lakes Crossing. I suggest you start the day in the food court at Starbucks and grab your favorite lattes. It will be a long day! Great Lakes Crossing Mall is Michigan's largest indoor regional outlet center and entertainment venue. There are so many stores to chose from so everybody will have somewhere to shop. Make sure you wear your comfortable shoes! After shopping, I suggest you head to MEX for lunch and an afternoon drink. I haven't been to the MEX in the mall but I have been to the one in Bloomfield Hills and their corn on the cob was amazing. They also have delicious tequila cocktails that'll top off your day together!
Dancers
These dates are for those of you who stop everything you're doing, put your drink down and dart to the dance floor when you hear the intro to the 99s and the 2000s. Dancing gets both parties involved and moving. You'll learn how each other moves and build a level of comfort. Plus you know what they say, "If you can dance., you can...". Here are some lesson based ways to shake your money maker with your partner.
Salsa Dancing
Vicente's Cuban Cuisine
1250 Library St, Detroit, MI 48226
Friday or Saturday Night
If you and your significant other love to get down on the dance floor then this date is for you. Dancing, especially a genre like salsa, is super sensual. Get some salsa lessons off of Groupon (I'm bougie but not too bougie for Groupon dates). Nearing Valentine's Day on a Friday or Saturday night, head to Vicente's. Vicente's is a Cuban restaurant that serves small plates that are shareable. When you finish up dinner, you can head to the dance floor to show off those moves you learned because Vicente's transforms in to a salsa dancing spot after 10pm.
Lap Dance
Body Shop Xperts
1401 Vermont St, Detroit, MI 48216
If you and your mate are looking to get a little closer, literally, this date night is for you. I would start the night with a meal of course. Ottava Via is an old bank turned Italian restaurant that serves brick oven pizzas with an extensive wine list. After that, I'd head to Pony ride for a one-on-one lesson on lap dancing. The Body Shop Xperts host 1hr lap dance sessions for you and your mate. You need to book your private party here. After you've learned how to dance like Beyonce in the "Dance For You" video, you all can head to Two James for some cocktails that will keep the party going when you get home.
Comedy Lovers
We all know the way to a man's heart is food. But what's the way to a woman's heart, you ask? Laughter! Make her laugh and she's yours. Going on a date to a comedy show will leave you guys with a ton of inside jokes to continue the laughter long after the show. Make sure you all don't sit in the front row though because that could potentially ruin the night lol. Here are a couple of dates that feature well known and local comedians!
Katt Williams
Fox Theater
2211 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
Friday/Saturday 2/9 - 2/10 @ 8pm
The pimp himself is back and he'll be in the D around Valentine's Day for a couple of nights! Take your significant other here for a night of comedy. We all know laughter fills the soul and Katt Williams is funny. This date night will definitely leave both of you in a good mood. I suggest you grab dinner before at Wright & Co. After the show head to The Royce for a glass of wine to end the night.
Bakers Keyboard Lounge
20510 Livernois Ave, Detroit, MI 48221
Monday's 8pm
If you're looking for a night of comedy with a lower cost and a more intimate setting then this date is for you. Bakers Keyboard Lounge hosts comedy night on Monday's for free. The seating is first come first serve so make sure you arrive around 8pm. Bakers has a full bar with strong drinks and serves soul food dishes like catfish and chicken wings so this date could be a one stop shop. Its extremely small inside though so you both will be cozy. The show is hosted by comedian Coolaide and showcases a variety of local Detroit talent!
Singles
Self-care is SUPER important. During the winter months our moods seem to drop and to scroll down your timeline and see all of these headless mystery baes, flowers, balloons and giant teddy bears reminding you of your singleness definitely doesn't help. The great thing is that being single doesn't mean that you have to feel lonely. Here are a couple of self-dates that will have you feeling better, not bitter.
Hair done, Nails Done, Everything did
Ladies, I know on Valentine's Day it seems like everybody has a bae that they post on the gram that appeared from nowhere. But ladies this is YOUR time #treatyoself. Enjoy your singleness and turn Valentine's Day into [insert your name] Day. Here are some self-dates! Id head straight to Groupon for this one too! A perfect bougie self-date would start with some self-care! I suggest getting a massage, manicure and a pedicure even though your toes wont be out. I the suggest you head to Red Dunn Kitchen for a "Sexy Sandwich" and a cocktail. Then #treatyoself to a huge slice of cheesecake from Astoria.
reading is fundamental
Detroit Institute of Arts
5200 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202
Sunday's @ 1pm
Besides food and hair, one of my favorite things to do is read. I love a great mystery page turner that allows me to get to know the characters and has a great plot twist towards the end. I would start by heading to Barnes & Noble or to amazon.com and purchasing a new novel. It's Black History Month so purchase a biography from a Black leader or historical figure.
Then I would head to the DIA on a Sunday afternoon. On Sundays, from 1-4pm, Kresge Court inside of the DIA showcases live music for free. Each week features a different performer. Kresge Court also has excellent lunch options, including sandwiches and salads. On top of that, Kresge Court also serves alcoholic beverages. I suggest you grab a glass of red wine, a delicious sandwich, and snuggle up with your new novel as you listen to the smooth sounds of music. Who knows? Maybe bae will ask you what you're reading!
