Heart eyes for days ❤️

Last-minute local ideas for Valentine’s Day

Lexington is teeming with romantic potential. | Photo by @thedroneranger

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 a few 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.

Wilson Nurseries, 2700 Palumbo Dr., Lexington
King’s Gardens Garden Center, 4560 Nicholasville Rd., Lexington
Springhouse Gardens, 185 W. Catnip Hill Rd., Nicholasville
Pemberton’s Greenhouses, 555 Keller Ct., Lexington

🥂 Keep spirits up

If you didn’t score reservations, don’t overthink… grab a drink. The following spots have weekday happy hours:

Bear & the Butcher | Daily, 4-6 p.m. | This happy hour has a special for everyone — $1 off all beer, $2 off bar snacks, $3 well drinks + $4 house wine.
The Station | Daily | Head to this neighborhood favorite for the daily $3 shot.

For more options, check out our happy hour guide.

🌟 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.

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Monday, Feb. 13

Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre — Maxine Luv and the Disastrous Date | Monday, Feb. 13 | 7-9 p.m. | Goodwood, 200 Lexington Green Cir., Lexington | $48 | A fun evening out featuring a three-course dinner plus a big helping of murder-mystery theater.

Tuesday, Feb. 14

Valentines at The Barrel Market | Tuesday, Feb. 14 | 7-9:30 p.m. | The Barrel Market, 120 Summit at Fritz Farm, Lexington-Fayette | $188 | Enjoy a delicious multi-course meal complete with caviar and bruschetta followed by a bourbon and chocolate pairing.
Journey: Freedom Tour 2023 | Tuesday, Feb. 14 | 7:30 p.m. | Central Bank Center, 430 W. Vine St., Lexington | $35-$199 | Don’t stop believin’ — Celebrate the 50th Anniversary Freedom Tour with classic rock bands Journey + TOTO.

Wednesday, Feb. 15

Gardening with Chickens | Wednesday, Feb. 15 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Good Foods Co-op, 455 Southland Dr., Lexington | $7-$10 | Learn what kinds of plants are good for chickens, how chickens can help your garden, and techniques for protecting your plants from scratching and pecking.

Thursday, Feb. 16

Third Thursday Tunes + Bourbon | Thursday, Feb. 16 | 7-9 p.m. | girlsgirlsgirls Burritos, 395 S. Limestone St., Lexington | Free | Enjoy tunes by Warren & Co. while sipping two-for-one bourbon on all pours, plus happy hour specials.

Friday, Feb. 17

A Celebration of Goose Creek Symphony | Friday, Feb. 17 | 8 p.m. | Manchester Music Hall, 899 Manchester St., Lexington | $20 | Hear musicians like The Oso Special Band + Laid Back and Honey jam out to fan favorites in this tribute concert to Goose Creek Symphony.

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

This LEX beauty collective will make you look + feel your best

A group of stylists pose for a group picture

Pelo provides their guests with an exceptional experience, from start to finish. | Photo provided by Pelo Beauty Collective

Need a fresh haircut? Or, how about a relaxing facial after a stressful work week? Enter: Pelo Beauty Collective, an upscale full-service salon and med spa owned by sought-after hairstylist, Tomboy Hair Care founder, and Louisville native Kaitlyn Hubert. The Lexington location offers a wide range of services including:

Hair
Permanent makeup
Facials
Waxing
Lash extensions
And more

Follow their Instagram for the latest hair and beauty trends — and get inspired before your appointment.*

EXPLORE SERVICES + BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

Weather

58º | Partly cloudy | 2% chance of rain

Sports

Racing fans, set your alarms. Tickets for the 2023 Keeneland Spring Meet go on sale tomorrow, Feb. 14, at 9 a.m. The meet will take place Friday, April 7-Friday, April 28 — no racing on Monday, Tuesday, or Easter Sunday. Browse the available seating options. 🏇
The UK men’s tennis team is currently ranked No. 2 — the program’s highest-ever ITA ranking. The Wildcats also remain undefeated after beating Duke yesterday. UK has a break until it hits the courts at the ITA Indoor National Championships beginning this Friday, Feb. 17 in Chicago. 🎾 (UK Athletics)

Pets

Coldstream Dog Park (1850 Pisacano Dr.) has reopened with some new ADA improvements, thanks to grant funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. The park now has increased accessibility through ADA-compliant parking spots and sidewalks.

Number

33. That’s how many days until the fifth annual Reforest 5K at Hisle Farm Park. The race — hosted by John’s Run/Walk Shop and Lexington’s Division of Environmental Services — will help kick off Lexington’s Water Week and raise money to buy trees for the Reforest the Bluegrass initiative. 👟

Edu

Castle & Key and the Kentucky Black Bourbon Guild have teamed up to create the Diversity in Distilling Scholarship. Available through the Blue Grass Community Foundation, the $5,000 scholarship is open to undergrad students of color interested in pursuing a career in distilling.

Seasonal

Valentine’s Day may be tomorrow, but it’s not too late to order that special someone a bouquet of fresh flowers. Don’t have time to cross reference all of the florists in town? Enter: Floom, an online marketplace that partners with talented florists that deliver locally. Shop Valentine’s Day arrangements. 💐 *

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Something neat is coming to Midway 🥃

Sneak Peek: New $8 million distillery coming to Midway

A rendering of distillery with lots of trees and a welcoming house

A rendering of the Bluegrass Distillers future home. | Photo provided by Bluegrass Distillers

Bluegrass Distillers, a craft bourbon distillery currently located at 501 W. Sixth St., has broken ground on a new $8 million operation that will be housed on the historic Elkwood Farm in Midway.

By the numbers

1835 — The year when the historic mansion on the property was built. This space will serve as the visitor’s center, starting point for distillery tours, the gift shop, and house the tasting rooms.
62 — How many acres the property is.
40 — About how many acres will be used to grow the blue and yellow corn used in the bourbon.
18,000 — The number of barrels the new warehouse will be able to house.

The new Bluegrass Distillers property located at 158 Leestown Rd., Midway is expected to open fall of 2023. Follow along on its social media channels to see the progress.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Molly.

Editor’s pick: I’m so excited to tell you all that my new co-editor, Aayat, will be starting this week. Yay! I can’t wait for you all to meet her through her words and stories here at LEXtoday.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Read about how to level up your experience on our Events page, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Molly Thompson, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Marin Fiske | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

ADVERTISE | SHOP | CAREERS | ETHICS

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