Saro Celebrates the Spice Behind Valentine’s Day

For its third annual Behind the Velvet Curtain event, Saro is leaning into the spicier side of the Day of Love. This year brings a full week of playful naughtiness leading up to Valentine’s Day with an invitation to sip sultry cocktails, indulge in decadent desserts, and enjoy a few surprises designed to raise an eyebrow or two.

The celebration kicks off Wednesday, February 11 with Valentine’s Themed Trivia Night, complete with prizes for the top two teams. On Thursday, it’s Books on Tap, where guests will swap favorite romance novels and trade must-read recommendations.

Friday night, start your Valentine’s weekend at Saro and do dessert first. Enjoy sweet treats alongside live music from local musician and cover artist Tom Ficke, playing from 5:30–7:30 pm. On Saturday, the taproom stays open late (perfect for a pre-dinner cocktail or a post-dinner indulgence) featuring live music from Samuel Butterfield beginning at 6:30 pm.

Throughout the week, Saro’s special menu is delightfully risqué. Expect naughty sweets, a cider flight paired with chocolate from Lincoln’s The Chocolate Season, and X-rated macarons from Whisk + Lavender Bakery.

The inspiration for Behind the Velvet Curtain came from a girls’ trip to Florida, where Saro co-founder Tracy Sanford visited a dessert-only restaurant in Key West called Better Than Sex. “It was completely dark—waiters had to guide you with flashlights, and you could barely see the person you were dining with,” Tracy said. “It was a full sensory experience, and it was just really fun.”

With nothing quite like it in Lincoln, Valentine’s week felt like the perfect time. “Our goal is to bring a little spice to a long winter,” Tracy said, “and maybe make you blush in the process.”