Girl Up. How to Throw a Great Galentine’s Day Dinner

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.