Making the most of Valentine's Day

Get crafty with your menus by creating bespoke special Valentine’s Day dishes which offer something different to your everyday menu and will entice customers out to try something new.  Think about sharing portions to make meals more intimate, while also allowing venues to charge a premium.  When it comes to pricing, entice guests in with irresistible set menus, tiering two and three-courses. But also offer prices per dish so consumers have the option to choose.  We offer a free menu builder tool which can help you create a bespoke Valentine’s Day menu in your outlet’s style. Your menu is your number one selling tool and the right design and layout can increase guest spend by up to 17%.

Drinks should not be forgotten, especially as Valentine’s Day is a treat occasion so consider offering pairings for set menus charged at an extra cost. Different drinks packages can also make upselling easier, such as a ‘Sparkling Hearts’ deal consisting of sparkline wine, syrup and soda water so romantic spritzes can be made all evening at the table. We provide a guide based on 10 food categories and the best drinks to accompany them, for example, oily and filling dishes such as fish and chips, pair well with the likes of sweet lemonades, classic lagers or acidic white wines and champagnes.

Build a selection of specially curated cocktails and mocktails that play on the romantic mood of the evening, such as the Persian Paradise, Bittersweet Raspberries or Black Cherry Collins recipes which are red. Offering these on arrival as part of the booking starts the experience off on a high. 

Promote your Valentine’s Day offering well in advance of the day, utilise your social channels and our top tips, put up posters and boards in and around your outlet, and ensure it is front of mind for your staff so they can mention to customers during service. This will encourage footfall and drum up bookings in the lead up to the day. 

Don’t forget however that Valentine’s Day is not just for couples and as a celebration of love can equally be a great opportunity to spend quality time with family or friends so be mindful of this when creating your menu too.