Plus, what's opening in the C. Grace building
6AM City In-house

Heart eyes for days ❤️

Last-minute local ideas for Valentine’s Day
A couple cheersing two champagne flutes on a rooftop.
Our city is teeming with romantic possibilities. | Photo by Anna Routh Barzin, provided by The Willard
There’s no dodging Cupid’s arrow — Valentine’s Day is here. Whether you’re celebrating your friendships or sugaring up your sweetheart, we’ve got last-minute Valentine’s Day ideas that will have you loving love.

Get fantastical with botanicals

If you’re quick, you might have your pick of bouquets using Floom, an online marketplace that partners with florists that deliver locally.

Or, get creative and nab a potted plant from these plant spots. Nothing says forever like a hardy succulent.
For more options, check out these local spots to buy house plants.

Keep spirits up

If you didn’t score reservations, don’t overthink… grab a drink + a bite from the bar. The following spots have weekday specials:
  • St. Roch Fine Oysters + Bar | 223 S. Wilmington St. | Daily from 5-6 p.m. + Tuesdays from 4-9 p.m., $1.50 oysters
  • Oak Steakhouse | 417 W. Hargett St. | Monday through Thursday from 5 to 6 p.m., $15 burger + beer combo at the bar

Pick up a thoughtful gift

Go stargazing

It doesn’t get much more idyllic than bundling up and looking at the stars. Grab some blankets (and maybe a hot drink) and head to one of these spots away from man-made light to take in the sky.
Psst... don’t forget to check these six events to celebrate Valentine’s Day, date night ideas + local spots to buy flowers.
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Monday, Feb. 13
  • Game On! | Monday, Feb. 13 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Moore Square, 201 S. Blount St., Raleigh | Free | Enjoy a fun variety of giant lawn games, board games, and more.
  • Valentine’s at The Willard | Monday, Feb. 13-Sunday, Feb. 19 | Times vary | $40 | The Willard Rooftop Lounge, 9 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh | Enjoy a special dessert and champagne pairing for two.
Tuesday, Feb. 14
  • First Day: Brewery Madness Tournament | Tuesday, Feb. 14 | Times vary | Vault Craft Beer, 518 W. South St., Raleigh | Free | An “Elite 8” of NC breweries will face off weekly and you’ll vote for your favorite; a winner will be crowned on March 31.
  • State of Love | Tuesday, Feb. 14 | 6 p.m. | State of Beer, 401 Hillsborough St., Raleigh | Free | Celebrate all states of love with tarot and astrology readings from Laurel Kassor, drink specials, and more.
Wednesday, Feb. 15
  • Dix Park Project Summit | Wednesday, Feb. 15 | 5-6:30 p.m. | The Chapel at Dix Park, 1030 Richardson Dr., Raleigh | Free | Learn about projects and ongoing studies supporting the transformation of the park.
  • 50 First Jokes | Wednesday, Feb. 15 | 7:30 p.m. | Goodnights Comedy Club, 401 Woodburn Rd., Raleigh | $20-$28 | This show features 50 NC comedians telling their first new joke they’ve written since the year started.
We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
100+ MORE EVENTS
Trinity Academy

Weather
  • 65º | Mostly sunny | 5% chance of rain 🌤️
Civic
  • City Council made significant budget amendments last week. More than $4 million was allocated to affordable housing, prevention of homelessness, and legal assistance for residences. Check in on the city’s affordable housing goals. 🏠 (INDY Week)
Development
  • Work is underway at Raleigh’s first African American Cultural Center — a project funded by $12 million of the city’s newest parks bond. The museum, located inside the John P. “Top” Greene Community Center, aims to tell the story of Black neighborhoods and people in Raleigh. It is expected to open by the end of the year. (ABC 11)
Festival
  • The LuminoCity Festival — an immersive lights show — is coming to Pullen Park from Feb. 18 to April 9. The festival features creative and colorful illuminated art and this year’s theme is “The Joy Blossom.” Tickets are $18-$25. 🌙
Community
  • Raleigh Little Theatre is announcing its upcoming season at Raleigh Brewing Company on Tuesday, Feb. 21 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Grab a beer and find out what shows will grace RLT’s stages from July 2023 to June 2024. The event is free and open to the public. 🎭
Seasonal
  • Spring is in sight. Daffodils are blooming in Flowers Field at Dix Park. Originally planted in 2018, these flowers typically bloom between February and March.
Beauty
  • Planning on jetting off to warmer climates, Raleigh? (We’re ready to live vicariously through you.) First destination on the itinerary: The inside of a spray tan tent. Book an appointment with Oak City Sunless to get a glowy, natural-looking spray tan before your next vacation. 🌴 *
  • Looking to refresh your skincare routine? 🙋 Enter: Synergy Face + Body’s at-home skincare products. From face masks to serums and more — Synergy has the TLC your skin needs. Not sure where to start? Book a virtual consultation.*
Shop
  • Lowes Foods To Go has dropped its annual subscription cost to $49, and its new app is designed to offer shoppers a simplified and enhanced experience. Bonus: Try it for free with promo code FREESHOP at checkout.*
Finance
Correction
  • Last week we shared that Midwood Smokehouse was opening in Smoky Hollow with the wrong address — pig mistake. The Tex-Mex barbecue spot is now open at 409 W. Johnson St.
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Isn’t that the old C. Grace building?

What’s opening in the old C. Grace building?
Outside the old C. Grace building on Glenwood Avenue.
A tequila lounge is opening in the old C. Grace building. | Photo by RALtoday
When popular jazz bars C. Grace and Empress Room abruptly closed last August, it left us wondering, “what’s next?” A new concept is coming sooner than you think.

Split, a tequila lounge and live music burrow, is coming together in the Glenwood Avenue building. The upstairs lounge will feature craft cocktails, while the ground level will boast more of a party atmosphere. Expect live music, DJs, shot skis, and water guns (probably filled with tequila) downstairs. There will be a total of four indoor bars, plus a fifth on the wraparound outdoor lawn.

The concept, from the team behind Halcyon, is named after its split-level building and infamous celebrity breakups (think: Kim Kardashian and Kanye West). The layout of the space looks similar to C. Grace’s, except now, neon signs with quotes like “Thank you, next” and “It’s not me, it’s you” adorn the walls. The wall of roses in the bathroom is new, too.

Split is expected to open in phases, beginning in the next two weeks. The upper level could open as early as this weekend.
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Anne.

Editor’s pick: Cat and I are in our pizza era. We’re on a two-week streak of trying new places to get slices around Raleigh. So far, we’ve dined at Giorgio Pizza Bar in North Hills and Colletta in Fenton. See how it went. 🍕

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Pig out at these three new barbecue joints.
Connect with us.

Editorial: Cat George, Anne Tate, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Charis Painter | Advertise with us.

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