5 O‘ahu Valentine’s Day Dates for Every Couple: The Art of Love

O Lover, Where Art Thou?

Photo: Courtesy of Pow! Wow! Hawai'i

Start on Cooke Street and Ala Moana Boulevard and watch the process as artists Logan Hicks, Kris Goto and Ekundayo turn last year’s masterpieces into this year’s conversation starters. Turn on Auahi Street and watch local favorite Matthew Tapia (the artist behind the The Surfjack’s highly Instagrammed pool art) and French artist Superdeux do what they do best on the walls of Kaka‘ako.

Photo: Courtesy of Amuse Wine Bar

Dave & Buster’s meets wine bar and furniture store meets art exhibition at Amuse Wine Bar located in the Inspiration Furniture Store. Make your way up to the second floor of Inspiration to Amuse and grab a seat, load up a wine card (a $50 card is $30 from 5 to 6 p.m. from Tuesday through Saturday) and try various wines on tap. From yukari spiced calamari to an assorted truffles dessert, there are plenty of pūpū to share and pair with. When you’re finished eating, move into the makeshift art gallery of modern art pieces in the Cupola Gallery on the same floor of Amuse.

Monday Blues

Photo: Courtesy of WorkPlay

For after-dinner drinks and a change of scene, head to WorkPlay for some coffee or craft cocktails at a hidden gem in the industrial part of Kaka‘ako. Try creative cocktails, namely the pineapple-y Unexpected Day Off libation topped with coffee foam, or its herby rendition of a gin and sour, with the Monday Blues cocktail garnished with a butterfly-shaped orange peel. If you’re lucky enough to score one of its private rooms, each with a different theme and ambiance, you’ll have a chance to discuss the artistic intricacies of each room in private.

• Amuse Wine Bar, 1250 Kapi‘olani Blvd., (808) 237-5428, stagerestauranthawaii.com.

• WorkPlay, 84 Ilaniwai St., (808) 457-1322, workplayhi.com.

Too artsy? Try one of these other perfect O‘ahu date ideas