Modernist Craft Cocktail Bar's Valentine's Day menu features four limited-time drinks: Sophie's Strawberry Patch, Heart-Breaker, Love Letter and Chocolate Covered Strawberries. Photo by Aline Tongkhuya

As Americans prepare to spend nearly $30 billion over Valentine’s Day weekend, locally owned bars are getting creative — drawing in crowds with specialty cocktails, zero-proof drinks, paint-and-sip events and even Galentine’s Day cake decorating parties.

The National Retail Federation forecasts that Americans will spend $29.1 billion this year, up from $27.5 billion in 2025. About 39% of that spending will go toward an evening out. As both couples and friend groups express interest in low-pressure alternatives to the romantic dinner for two, locally owned businesses have curated specialty menus and group activities to meet the demand.

Modern takes on traditional bar culture

Modernist Craft Cocktail Bar, which is locally owned and operated by Carmen Serrato and Po Tsai, offers specialty cocktails and mocktails in the Brewery District of Downtown Fresno.

The bar will host an event called The Night Shift on Saturday, Feb. 14, starting at 8 p.m. Their goal: to offer a social and inclusive option for locals regardless of whether they choose to celebrate with friends or a romantic partner.

Modernist’s rotating menu is planned and executed by Ace, its head bartender, around what’s in season. It prioritizes locally grown ingredients, including on their Valentine’s Day menu.

The limited-time holiday menu features four brand-new drinks — three containing alcohol and one non-alcoholic.

For customers looking to celebrate Valentine’s Day without alcohol, Sophie’s Strawberry Patch is a strawberry and rhubarb zero-proof cocktail. The drink is served in a short glass with a large hand-cut ice cube and topped with a ripe strawberry half.

Heart-Breaker — a raspberry pomegranate drink — is their signature margarita for the season.

Love Letter is the bar’s take on a classic cocktail, the Clover Club, though they’ve made the foam topped raspberry-flavored drink their own by adding passion fruit.

“Think about it as a very fluffy raspberry concoction,” Tsai said. “Very delicious, very easy to drink.”

Chocolate Covered Strawberries, the fourth Valentine’s Day cocktail, features a touch of espresso liqueur and a strawberry cold foam, he said.

The owners attribute their world travels — including a stint in New York, a variety of culinary influences and Serrato’s background in marketing — as some of the many inspirations for their business concept.

“There’s a huge world of cocktails, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, out there,” Tsai said. “What we try to do is present that in the context of Fresno and the Valley.”

For those looking to order from the main menu, bartender Alaine’s top pick is a fruity and spirited blend of reposado tequila and Japanese vodka called Golden Child.

Will you be my Galentine?

Locals in search of an interactive celebration of friendship visited Wine Buff in Visalia for their Galentine’s Cake Decorating Party. On Friday, Feb. 13, partygoers sipped their glass of complimentary wine and decorated cakes alongside their best gal pals.

The event was organized in collaboration with Jasmine McClung of Jazzy’s Sweet Treats bakery in Visalia.

Eryn Watley has run Wine Buff with her husband in downtown Visalia since 2022. Wine Buff is known for its broad selection of locally sourced wine, Its cozy, dimly lit aesthetic and friendly atmosphere.

The bar also holds regular karaoke nights and hosts a variety of events, including a recurring Jamaican dinner in partnership with Kerribb Flava’, a husband-and-wife run Jamaican street food truck.