Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and we want you to feel the love this year.
Whether you’re celebrating with a special someone, a group of friends or if you just want to treat yourself, our Best of the Capital Region winners can help ensure you’re commemorating the occasion in style.
By the way, the voting period for Best of 2022 begins on Feb. 21, so make sure you save some love for your favorites! Stay in the know about this year’s contest by signing up for our Best of the Capital Region newsletter.
Getting ready
Look and feel your very best this Valentine’s Day with a new outfit from one of the Capital Region’s best malls. Whether you’re in need of a quick trim or you’re ready to go bold with a new hairstyle, the best local barbers, stylists and salons have got you covered.
Best barbershop
![William Yager, center, owner of Patsy's Barber Shop, with customer Dan Atkins of Albany, at his shop Tuesday March 6, 2018 in Albany, NY. (John Carl D'Annibale/Times Union)](https://s.hdnux.com/photos/72/30/57/15305718/3/1200x0.jpg)
William Yager, owner of Patsy’s Barber Shop, with a customer at his shop in Albany, NY.
John Carl D’Annibale
Winner: Patsy’s Barber Shop
Second place: Duke’s Barber Shop
Runner up: Gregory’s Barbershop
Runner up: Bernie’s Barber Shop
Runner up: All in Cuts
Best hair salon
![Kimberly "Kimora" Fray, a cosmatelogist and wig specialist, styles a wig for Kathy Marin of Valatie on Tuesday, Nov 8, 2016, at Rumors Salon and Spa in Latham, N.Y. (Cindy Schultz / Times Union)](https://s.hdnux.com/photos/55/06/23/11822292/3/1200x0.jpg)
Kimberly “Kimora” Fray, a cosmetologist and wig specialist, styles a wig at Rumors Salon & Spa in Latham, N.Y.
Cindy Schultz
Winner: The W Salon
Second place: Rumors Salon & Spa
Runner up: The Bowery Salon and Beauty Bar
Runner up: Jenna’s Salon
Runner up: Pixie Salon
Best individual hair stylist/barber
![William Yager, center, owner of Patsy's Barber Shop, with customer Dan Atkins of Albany, at his shop Tuesday March 6, 2018 in Albany, NY. (John Carl D'Annibale/Times Union)](https://s.hdnux.com/photos/72/30/57/15305719/3/1200x0.jpg)
William “Tragedy” Yager, owner of Patsy’s Barber Shop, with a customer at his shop in Albany, NY.
John Carl D’Annibale
Winner: William “Tragedy” Yager of Patsy’s Barber Shop
Second place: Rita Foley of The Bowery
Runner up: Kate Smith of Pixie Hair Salon
Runner up: Marcus Moore of Jean Paul Spa and Studios
Runner up: Noreen Sharkey of The Image Studio Salon
Runner up: Jacqueline Paratore of ChrispyCuts
Best local mall
![Kate, who is a participant in the Colonie Community Connection work program, folds cloths at Boscov's where she is interning through the program on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, at Colonie Center in Colonie, N.Y. The work program provides students with opportunities for career exploration through partnerships with Boscov's, L.L. Bean, Christmas Tree Shops, Sports Zone and PCX Apparel.](https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/23/51/60/21928977/3/1200x0.jpg)
Kate, a participant in the Colonie Community Connection work program, folds clothes at Boscov’s where she is interning through the program on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, at Colonie Center in Colonie, N.Y.
Will Waldron/Times Union
Winner: Colonie Center
Second place: Stuyvesant Plaza
Runner up: Crossgates Mall
Runner up: Clifton Park Center
Runner up: Wilton Mall
Gift ideas
Treat your sweetie to some sweets from the region’s best bakeries, sparkles from the best jewelers or some self-care from the best spas. A bouquet of flowers is always lovely, but if your partner has a green thumb, why not take advantage of the selection at the region’s garden centers to give a gift that keeps giving?
Best bakery
![Plate of Italian cookies from Bella Napoli, a bakery known for its varied and colorful holiday cookie platters.](https://s.hdnux.com/photos/77/15/31/16569954/5/1200x0.jpg)
Plate of Italian cookies from Bella Napoli, a bakery known for its varied and colorful holiday cookie platters.
Will Waldron/Times Union
Winner: Bella Napoli
Second place: Villa Italia
Runner up: Bake For You
Runner up: The Cookie Factory
Runner up: Upstate Cookie Shack
Best garden center/florist
![Our spring Snapchat tour started with Hewitt's Garden Center in Guilderland. (Peter Bowden/Hewitt's Garden Center/Special to the Times Union)](https://s.hdnux.com/photos/45/65/00/9916431/9/1200x0.jpg)
Hewitt’s Garden Center in Guilderland. (Peter Bowden/Hewitt’s Garden Center)
Winner: Hewitt’s Garden Centers
Second place: Faddegon’s Nursery
Runner up: Gade Farms
Runner up: George’s Market & Nursery
Runner up: Becker’s Farm
Best jewelry store
![This ring from Hannoush Jewelers in Albany, Clifton Park and Pittsfield, Mass. costs more than $100K. When Albert Hannoush, who designed the ring, posted it to Facebook, he received more 500 reactions.](https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/20/45/47/21125613/7/1200x0.jpg)
This ring from Hannoush Jewelers in Albany, Clifton Park and Pittsfield, Mass., costs more than $100K. When Albert Hannoush, who designed the ring, posted it to Facebook, he received more 500 reactions.
Courtesy of Albert Hannoush
Winner: Hannoush Jewelers
Second place: Northeastern Fine Jewelry
Runner up: Glennpeter Jewelers
Runner up: Frank Adams
Runner up: Harold Finkle Your Jeweler
Best spa
![The relaxing room at Spa Mirbeau in Crossgates Mall on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, in Guilderland N.Y. The 17,000-square-foot facility is the latest edition to the Mirbeau Companies day resorts. It includes an aqua terrace with bar, fitness and yoga studios, French bistro and retail boutique.](https://s.hdnux.com/photos/67/40/40/14551070/6/1200x0.jpg)
The relaxing room at Spa Mirbeau in Crossgates Mall on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, in Guilderland N.Y. The 17,000-square-foot facility includes an aqua terrace with bar, fitness and yoga studios, French bistro and retail boutique.
Will Waldron/Times Union
Winner: Spa Mirbeau
Second place: Kimberley’s A Day Spa
Runner up: Complexions
Runner up: Artistry of Face
Runner up: Rumors Salon & Spa
Dining out
Enjoy a romantic night out at one of the Capital Region’s best restaurants. Plus there are even more restaurants offering special dine-in meals for Valentine’s Day. If you’d rather enjoy a cozy-night in, there are plenty of takeout options as well.
Best restaurants and bars
![Steaks from 677 Prime in Albany.](https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/17/17/01/20770884/3/1200x0.jpg)
Provided, photos from 677 Prime
Take a look through the top-rated restaurants from the Best of 2021 contest’s Dining Out section, which includes best Italian restaurant, best steakhouse and best restaurant to open in the past year.
Dine-in and takeout meals for Valentine’s Day
![Hoping for a several-day stretch Valentine's-related dining, many area restaurants are offering special features and holiday menus for all or part of the Feb. 10 to 14 weekend. And they will not be forced by the state to close at 10 p.m., as was the case last year during the pandemic.](https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/23/45/35/21911360/9/1200x0.jpg)
Hoping for a several-day stretch Valentine’s-related dining, many area restaurants are offering special features and holiday menus for all or part of the Feb. 10 to 14 weekend. And they will not be forced by the state to close at 10 p.m., as was the case last year during the pandemic.
elenaleonova/Getty Images
Take a look through the places to dine out on Valentine’s weekend — Friday through Monday, Feb. 11 to 14 — as well as restaurants, caterers, retail markets, etc., offering Valentine’s meals to go.
Learn more
Date ideas
Experience the arts and culture the Capital Region has to offer with a trip to the theater or one of the region’s art galleries. Going for more of a laid-back vibe? Attending a comedy show or open mic night might be the way to your loved one’s heart. You could even take a ‘staycation’ by booking a night at one of the best hotels.
Best art gallery
![Wedding gown display at Albany Institute of History & Art's new exhibit on "Well-Dressed Victorian Albany," Wednesday Oct. 4, 2017 in Albany, NY. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)](https://s.hdnux.com/photos/66/40/37/14288893/3/1200x0.jpg)
The Albany Institute of History and Art won the best art gallery category in the Times Union’s Best of 2021 readers’ survey.
John Carl D’Annibale
Winner: Albany Institute of History and Art
Second place: The Clark Art Institute
Runner up: MASS MoCA
Runner up: The Hyde Collection
Runner up: Albany Center Gallery
Best local comedian or comedy troupe
![Comedian Steve Van Zandt](https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/17/50/14/20874040/3/1200x0.jpg)
Winner: Steve Van Zandt
Second place: Erin Harkes
Runner up: Greg Aidala
Runner up: Mopco Improv Theatre
Runner up: Sean Reid
Best hotel
![Exterior of the Sagamore Hotel on Lake George on Tuesday, April 11, 2017, in Bolton Landing, N.Y.](https://s.hdnux.com/photos/61/23/20/12923947/5/1200x0.jpg)
Exterior of the Sagamore Hotel on Lake George on Tuesday, April 11, 2017, in Bolton Landing, N.Y.
Lori Van Buren/Times Union
Winner: The Sagamore
Second place: The Desmond Hotel
Runner up: Longfellows Hotel & Restaurant
Runner up: The Adelphi Hotel
Runner up: Gideon Putnam
Runner up: The Inn at Erlowest
Best movie theater
![The movie "Tenet" had a small audience for the first matinee viewing of the day at Regal Cinemas at Colonie Center on Friday, Oct. 23, 2020 in Colonie, N.Y. Movie fans are returning to the theaters for the first time since the pandemic started. (Lori Van Buren/Times Union)](https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/14/70/21/20153433/4/1200x0.jpg)
Regal Cinemas at Colonie Center in Colonie, N.Y.
Lori Van Buren/Times Union
Winner: Regal Colonie Center & RPX, Colonie
Second place: Landmark’s Spectrum 8 Theatres, Albany
Runner up: The Madison Theatre, Albany
Runner up: Scotia Cinema, Scotia
Runner up: Bowtie Criterion Cinemas 11 & BTX, Saratoga Springs
Best open mic
![Robinson & Rohe perform on reopening night — April 2, 2021 — at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs. For the foreseeable future at the venerable coffeehouse, audiences will be limited to 34 or less for concerts, which will last about 75 minutes, no intermission. No food or drink is available, allowing all patrons to stay masked throughout. (Katie Dobies Photography.)](https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/17/35/54/20831020/5/1200x0.jpg)
Robinson & Rohe perform on April 2, 2021, at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs.
Katie Dobies Photography
Winner: Caffe Lena
Second place: Rustic Barn Pub
Runner up: Upstate Concert Hall
Runner up: Oh Bar
Runner up: Wicked Eatery and Pub
Best theater company
![A view of Proctor's on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019, in Schenectady, N.Y. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)](https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/17/61/30/20911662/4/1200x0.jpg)
Proctors Theatre won the best theater company category in Times Union’s Best of 2021 readers’ survey.
Paul Buckowski/Times Union
Winner: Proctors Theatre
Second place: Capital Repertory Theater
Runner up: Young Actors Guild of the Capital Region
Runner up: Playhouse Stage Company
Runner up: Mopco Improv Theater