If you’re reading this and haven’t made a Valentine’s Day reservation, there’s a good chance the window has closed. The dining room tables are likely spoken for, and the prix-fixe menus are set. However, there’s good news: romance doesn’t require a weeks-in-advance booking. Some of the best Valentine’s moments happen when you skip the scramble and pop in somewhere for a great drink, a shared dessert, or a quick bite before continuing the night. Our advice? Grab a fun drink and try something new. Alabama has plenty worth toasting with.

Adios, Birmingham

At Adios, owners José Medina Camacho and Jesús “Chuy” Mendez have created a festive and playful signature Valentine’s Day cocktail lineup. The “Roses Are Red Mule” blends Ketel One Botanical, Cocchi Rosa, grenadine, ginger beer, and lime for something floral and citrus-forward with just the right rosy hue. The “Besos” (“kisses” in Spanish) mixes DeLeón Blanco tequila with raspberry, agave, and lime, striking a balance between fresh and lightly sweet. Drop in for a sip, clink glasses, and feel like you planned ahead—even if you didn’t.

Current Charcoal Grill, Birmingham

A cocktail inspired by Lunar New Year might just be one of the most romantic drinks in the state right now. Current’s Bar Manager and Beverage Director Kendall Salgado’s “Red Thread Negroni” draws from the East Asian belief that an invisible red cord connects those destined to meet. Roku Gin and Dolin Blanc Vermouth form the base, while strawberry-infused Campari is served on the side so guests can pour it themselves, “completing the connection.” When the Campari blooms into the clear base, it creates a deliberate, ritual-like moment. With visual nods to red string bracelets symbolizing prosperity and protection, it’s a drink rooted in connection—an easy Valentine’s win, without a reservation.

Southside Cocktail Club, Huntsville

Open less than a month, Southside Cocktail Club is already carving out a unique space downtown. Housed in a historic building with tall ceilings and original wood floors, the bar mixes vintage posters and Huntsville history with 70s and 80s cartoons projected on the wall, a back dart area, and a long bar top crafted from a former bowling alley lane. Cozy booths and comfortable nooks make it ideal for a relaxed night out. The drink menu features curated cocktails made with house-made syrups, along with thoughtful mocktails and non-alcoholic options. Pair them with fresh gem salads, sandwiches, crab claws, crudo options, pimento cheese with firecracker saltines, or waffle iron hashbrowns—table favorites that make it easy to turn drinks into dinner.

Olivine, Auburn

For rooftop romance, Olivine offers an easy way to elevate the evening. With sweeping views over Auburn and golden-hour light, it sets the mood without requiring much planning. Order The Satsuma Sour–one of editor Holly Swafford’s favorite sips in the state. Made with bourbon, Amaro Nonino, fresh satsuma, lemon, and egg white, it’s bright, balanced, and perfectly indulgent for the occasion.

Little Bird, Fairhope

The Ginny Bar inside of Little Bird pays homage to Chef Bill Briand’s mother, Virginia–and the cocktails offer a sense of playful nostalgia. For Valentine’s weekend, try The Category 5, which layers Planteray OFTD rum with passion tea, orange oleo, lime, and hibiscus for something bold and citrusy with a floral finish. Looking for a mocktail? Nearby, sister restaurant The Hope Farm serves a standout non-alcoholic option of its own: the Pinky Promise, made with fresh mayhaw cordial, calamansi, raspberry shrub, demerara, and ginger foam. It’s proof that a celebratory drink doesn’t have to include spirits.

A Little Sweet?

If dinner plans fall through altogether, dessert can still save the evening. Bayonet’s Fruity Pebbles Sundae swirls mandarin sorbet with milk gelato and finishes with a crunchy layer of Fruity Pebbles—playful, nostalgic, and perfect for sharing. For a richer, decadent option, Lapeer’s Blackout Chocolate Cake layers dark chocolate frosting with a hint of sea salt, striking the perfect sweet-and-salty balance (and it’s mildly addictive). Craving the classic chocolate-strawberry combo? Stop in to Thai Esane in The Pizitz for their Valentine’s Day special: a perfectly balanced chocolate covered strawberry cake. Grab a slice to go and continue the evening at home.

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to hinge on a reservation; some of the best moments are often the unexpected and the spontaneous. This year, skip the stress, pop in somewhere new, and toast to love wherever you find it across Alabama.

Want more stories like this? Join our newsletter for more stories rooted in Alabama, delivered to your inbox every Friday.