How to Celebrate Galentine’s Day in Dallas

Valentine’s Day is on a Saturday this year, which means there likely isn’t a restaurant within 20 miles of the city with an open table this weekend. But we’ll leave the four-course feasts to our food editor, because we’ve got bigger purposes here. The eve of the holiday (which has been completely commercialized by a greeting card company and the talons of capitalism) is now also celebrated as Galentine’s Day. So, while Saturday may be for lovers, Friday is for the girlies. 

We’re not anti-love, to be clear. If you want to pay for overpriced cliches in the name of romance, be our guest. In fact, if you’re planning on marching over to the 101st Civil District Court to take part in their annual waived wedding ceremony fees, we’ll be your guests. We clean up nicely, and we’d help write some great vows. 

According to fables, Valentine’s Day is named after the martyr Saint Valentine, who was said to have been imprisoned and executed for marrying soldiers against the order of Roman Emperor Claudius II around the year 200. The story says the emperor believed single soldiers were more dedicated, and women were only a distraction. Today, we have a word for people like that: incel. In truth, no one really knows the origins of Valentine’s Day. 

We do, however, know the origins of Galentine’s Day. The tradition, which dates back to the 21st century, emerged in an episode of Parks & Recreation. You don’t have to be single to be a lady celebrating your ladies. The famously married Michelle Obama is a celebrator, for example. 

Since the Galentine’s day episode of Parks & Rec first aired, the made-up holiday has exploded in popularity, with restaurants and businesses offering women-centered events and offerings on Valentine’s Eve. So, we’ve compiled a list of them for you to go paint the town pink.

Love-Themed Friday the Thirteenth Tattoos

Coincidentally, this Galentine’s Day falls on a Friday the 13th. By tradition, most tattoo shops across the country offer discounted flash or pre-drawn tattoos on every Friday the 13th. So grab the girls, head to a studio and get a matching stamp for less than $200. Most shops have released heart-themed flash sheets specifically for the event. Up the ante and visit a shop that only employs female tattoo artists, like our Best of Dallas 2025 winner for Best Tattoo Shop, Mother’s House.

Watch Wuthering Heights 

The movie of the year, Wuthering Heights, releases on Galentine’s Day. We’re not certain, but we’re pretty sure that’s not by chance. The steamy recreation of the Emily Brontë classic stars Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, arguably two of the hottest people alive. Plus, everyone’s favorite girl’s girl, Charli XCX, did the soundtrack. Bring the tissues, bring the girls and bring on the romance. Plenty of theaters across the city are showing the film. 

Galen-tini Night at Hampton House

A $10 pickle martini with the girls? You don’t have to tell us twice. Hampton House is offering a unique menu of $10 shaved ice martinis. A simple vodka martini with a twist is spruced with sauvignon blanc. The typical gin martini trades olives for house-made bread-and-butter pickle brine. A Cosmopolitan and a martini had a watermelon-flavored baby for the bar’s Red Bottom. The menu is completed with a Capri Sun-inspired drink. The only question is: is there a taster flight option? Galen-tini night is the perfect pre-game for a night of debaucherous and girly fun, and there’s even a DJ.