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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Winner: Hannoush Jewelers
Second place: Northeastern Fine Jewelry
Runner up: Glennpeter Jewelers
Runner up: Frank Adams
Runner up: Harold Finkle Your Jeweler
Best spa
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
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
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
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
Winner: Steve Van Zandt
Second place: Erin Harkes
Runner up: Greg Aidala
Runner up: Mopco Improv Theatre
Runner up: Sean Reid
Best hotel
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
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
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
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