Prep your party

• Pizza: Let The Pizza Times provide you with a fun pizza party package or pre-order a massive 28-inch pie from Benny Capitale’s.
• Wings: Order wings and platters from Flying Saucer or cater your party with Carolina Ale House.
• Barbecue: Let Sam Jones BBQ or The BBQ Lab take the pressure off of cooking with their catering and to-go options.
• Drinks: Dos Taquitos offers margarita cocktail mixes to-go; just add liquor.
• Baked goods: La Farm Bakery will cater your big game gathering with football-shaped loaves, a three-ft turkey BLT sandwich, and football cookies. Place an order.

Photo by @flyingsaucerraleigh

Watch parties

• Bigfoot Taphouse, 222 Glenwood Ave., Ste. 109, Raleigh | Pour your own beer from the 50-tap wall, snack on free food, and win prizes.
• Bowstring Pizza Brewyard, 1930 Wake Forest Rd., Raleigh | Enjoy live music from 2-5 p.m., watch the game on a big screen projector, and order a $50 dine-in special featuring a two-topping pizza, 12 wings, and six garlic knots.
• Pourworks, 900 E. Six Forks Rd., Ste. 120, Raleigh | Bring your best chili to compete in the cookoff and enjoy drink specials and free food (with a drink purchase).
• Tap Yard, 1610 Automotive Way, Raleigh | This new spot will have the game on its large projector screen, a free hot dog and nacho bar, and an expanded draft list.
• The Glass Jug Beer Lab, 5410 North Carolina 55, Ste. V, Durham | This spot is staying open late and featuring $5 Glass Jug Lagers.

• Give Back for Galentine’s | Wednesday, Feb. 8 | 6-7:30 p.m. | East Bower Cider Company, 2020 Progress Ct., Ste. 160, Raleigh | $30 | Grab your bestie to enjoy live music, tacos, and networking — all proceeds benefit Dress for Success.

• Taylor Swift Night - A Taylor Swift Inspired Dance Party | Thursday, Feb. 9 | 10 p.m. | Tin Roof, 300 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh | Free | Celebrate Taylor’s recent Grammy win at this dance party.
• Nick Swardson: Make Joke From Face | Thursday, Feb. 9 | 7:30 p.m. | The Carolina Theatre, 309 W. Morgan St., Durham | $37-$169 | Laugh along with this “Reno 911!” comedian.

• KX Kids Consignment Sale | Friday, Feb. 10-Sunday, Feb. 12 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Jim Graham Building, 1025 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh | Free | Shop the largest kids consignment sale in NC with 600+ tables of toys, books, games, and baby supplies.
• Valentine’s Art Market | Friday, Feb. 10 | 12-4 p.m. | Videri Chocolate Factory, 327 W. Davie St., Raleigh | Free | Shop chocolate, artisan-made pottery, candles, and more for your Valentine.
• Bourbon & Charcuterie | Friday, Feb. 10 | 7 p.m. | Lonerider at Five Points, 1626 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh | $110 | Learn how to create a beautiful charcuterie board paired with Lonerider beers and Bourbon.

• Geek and Grub Market (Literary Edition) | Saturday, Feb. 11 | 12-4 p.m. | Fred Fletcher Park, 820 Clay St., Raleigh | Free | Dress up like your favorite literary character and shop from 30+ vendors, enjoy food, play games, and participate in book-themed competitions.

• Open Vise Night | Wednesday, March 8 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Trophy Maywood, 656 Maywood Ave., Raleigh | $5 | Join Great Outdoor Provisions for this night centered around fly fishing to network, swap materials, and make new fishing buddies; bring your own tools and tying materials.

• 71º | Partly cloudy | 10% chance of rain ⛅

• Kane Realty Corp. announced that construction of the 140-acre entertainment district in its Downtown South development will begin this spring. A mixed-use residential project will go up first, followed by the AEG-leased music venue. 🏗️ (Triangle Business Journal)

• The NC Restaurant and Lodging Association named Raleigh-based chef Scott Crawford, of Crawford and Son and Jolie, Restaurateur of the Year. The winners will be recognized at the NCRLA Stars of the Industry Awards Ceremony on Monday, Feb. 27 at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel in Durham. (WRAL)

• Prepare to get loud. On Monday, a refrigerated trailer arrived at Carter-Finley Stadium to help turn the football field into an outdoor ice hockey rink. According to Ticketmaster, Stadium Series tickets start at $285 for the outdoor game on Saturday, Feb. 18. 🧊 (The News & Observer)
• We want to make sure that you’re catching all the sports coverage you need to join the conversation. Tell us what kind of sports content you want to see in RALtoday. The ball is in your court.

• Grab your pal or partner for a Valentine’s Sip & Stroll at Heights House on Sunday, Feb. 12. From 1-5 p.m., grab a cocktail from The Parlor and browse local small businesses for last-minute gifts. 💘

• Join Crank Arm Brewing Company for Hardli Gras Fat Bike Sunday on Feb. 19. Show up to the brewery at 11 a.m. to kick off the celebration, grab to-go drinks, and Sip n’ Stroll through downtown with the Boom Unit Brass Band. Bonus: Smoked Out BBQ will be serving gumbo and shrimp po’ boys at Crank Arm.
• Located in downtown’s growing Bloc[83] development is YogaSix, Raleigh’s new yoga studio offering more than six class types. Read: You can match your workout to whatever mood you’re in. See how it went when we tried out a Sculpt & Flow class and learn how to snag a free class.*

• $7 million. That’s the economic impact that the NC Chinese Lantern Festival had on the local economy this year, surpassing last year’s numbers by ~$2 million. More than 216,000 people visited the attraction in its 2022-2023 season. (ABC11)

• Happy birthday, RALtoday member Kristen W. We hope your special day is filled with all of your favorite things in Raleigh! Did you know when you become a RALtoday member, you’ll get a birthday shoutout, too? Join today. 🎉

• Did you know local commercial real estate firm Trinity Partners can not only help you find the right space to lease or buy, they can help build it for you, too? Learn how their Project Management + Construction Services teams can help your business build value from start to finish.*

• Grab the Ross to your Rachel and head down to The Blood Connection. Throughout February, donate blood and receive a $20 eGift card, plus a bonus $30 eGift card, and a Friends-themed sticker. A simple donation can save up to three lives in our community.🩸 *

• Fellas, want to step up your skincare game, but don’t know where to start? Check out this list of men’s facial treatments that will have you looking good in no time.*
• Not feeling like yourself lately? Talkspace makes getting help easy and convenient. With live chat, video, and audio sessions, starting at $69/week, it’s affordable for everyone to fit therapy into their lifestyle, with or without insurance. Start feeling better today with Talkspace.*

• Amelia’s Flowers, 1101 E. Whitaker Mill Rd., Ste. 114, Raleigh | $45-$600 | Stop in to build your own perfect bouquet or order a premade one for you special someone.
• Bloom Works, 2323 Laurelbrook St., Raleigh | $55-$325 | Feeling creative? Craft a custom arrangement.
• Fallon’s Flowers, 700 St. Marys St., Raleigh + 2731 Capital Blvd., Raleigh | $75-$500 | This spot has been serving fresh flowers to the Raleigh community since 1920.
• Infinite Petals, 4325 Glenwood Ave., Ste. 2008, Raleigh | $36-$700 | Up your flower game with an Infinite Rose Bear.
• Southern Picnics + Fleur La La | $68-98 | Bonus: You can choose to add on a charcuterie box ($70).
• TG Floristry, 130 E. Morgan St., Raleigh | $35-$315 | Pro tip: You can also look for TG Floristry arrangements at Weaver Street Market.
• Watkins Flowers of Distinction, 1612 North Market Dr., Raleigh | $75-$460 | Leave it to the florist to design a unique arrangement for $100.