Tagged: Valentine’s Day

Bring on the champagne, flowers and chocolates, and prepare to dine out in style, because in just a few weeks Australia’s romantics are set to celebrate the international day of love.

Considered the big day of the year for couples and romance, Valentine’s Day is all about showing just how much you care.

So, as we light the candles, ready the share plates and pop that champagne on ice, we’re taking a look at how Australian romantics express their love, and offering an insight into the night of nights that is Valentine’s Day at George’s, Darling Harbour.

So much to give

In 2018, a survey by the Commonwealth Bank revealed Australians were primed to spent more than $23 million collectively when it came to celebrating Valentine’s Day.

Over half that figure ($13.6 million) was spent on dining out, $7 million on drinks, and $3.2 million on flowers, with the Commonwealth noting in 2017 that was a 60 per cent total increase in spending across these three categories compared with an average Tuesday in February.

It was also an increase of 15 per cent on the year prior, with Australians expecting to splash out around an average of $136 on the big day.

Young love blossoms

When it comes to who chooses to mark the day in spectacular style, the survey also revealed young lovers were more likely to embrace the tradition.

“The most romantic group appears to be those aged 26-35, who accounted for 38 per cent of all florist spend and 36 per cent of all restaurant tramadol cheap online order spend,” the survey found.

“And the 18-25 age group isn’t far behind, taking the next-biggest share of spending in restaurants, which is 20 per cent.”

After age 36, expenditure tends to tail off but when older couples celebrate, they do it in style.

“The average person over 66 will spend $206 on flowers, drinks and dinner on Valentine’s Day, while younger couples aged 18 to 25 spend a more conservative $101 on average,” the survey noted.

Chivalry is far from dead

Meanwhile, it appears chivalry is far from dead, with men more likely to splurge on gifts and experiences for their partner.

The survey found: “Overall, men spend more than women, buying up 83 per cent of all flowers purchased on Valentine’s Day, and footing 70 per cent of all restaurant bills”.

Valentine’s Day at George’s

At George’s Mediterranean Bar and Grill in Darling Harbour, Valentine’s Day is one of our favourite events of the year.

We mark the occasion with a three-course menu that incorporates stunning cuisine, enjoyed in picturesque surrounds with views over Sydney’s Darling Harbour.

For further details please call 02 9295 5066 or email functions@georgesrestaurant.com.au

About George’s

Located on the King Street Wharf amidst the beauty and excitement of Darling Harbour, George’s Mediterranean Bar and Grill is renowned as one of Sydney’s premier eateries. Come share the Greek hospitality for which we are renowned as we serve up harbourside dining in simply stunning surrounds.

You can learn more about our function facilities here, or contact us directly for further advice

A Sydney sunset, the sparkling lights of the city over the harbour…what could be more romantic than celebrating Valentine’s Day in such ambient surrounds?

As lovers around the world gear up to celebrate this day of romance, George’s Mediterranean Bar and Grill at Darling Harbour is preparing our Valentine’s Menu and pondering the international day of love.

To mark the occasion, we’ve compiled five fun facts about Valentine’s Day and a little Greek history relating to its adoption.

A while to catch on

Truth be told, it took a while for Valentine’s Day as we understand it today to really catch on in Greece, and it wasn’t until the 1980s that the event became widely adopted.

At the time there was a little hesitation and opposition about celebrating a Catholic Saint in a country with orthodox roots. But as ever, love prevails, seeing Valentine’s Day celebrated enthusiastically each year on February 14 in Greece.

Greek origins?

Although the modern concept of Valentine’s Day arrived relatively late in the game, some believe its ethos may have origins in Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece.

Here, a festival honouring Pan was held on February 15 each year. Known as the The Festival of the Arcadian Lykaia, this later became the Roman festival Lupercalian, and later still was outlawed by Pope Gelasius in 496AD and renamed the Feast of Saint Valentine, held on February 14.

Big love spenders

Of course, in Australia Valentine’s Day is widely celebrated, with some interesting statistics indicating how we mark the day.

A study by finder.com.au found Aussies who married in the last five years spent $253 million on Valentine’ Day 2017.

This equals approximately $315 per person on gifts.

A dining day

Meanwhile, Valentine’s Day is the second biggest dining day of the calendar, second only to Mother’s Day, according to research conducted by Dimmi.

At George’s we celebrate at our waterside venue, with romantic tables for two overlooking the harbour.

Roses are red

Valentine’s Day sees flower retailers busier than at any time of year, with up to 19 million stems of roses sold in Australia alone.

But it’s not just about roses. According to the Sydney Morning Herald people are embracing a variety of flower types and colours simply to indicate they care.

A table for two

Each year, George’s Mediterranean Bar and Grill celebrates the romance and wonder of love. Our restaurant features a special menu to mark the occasion, along with our memorable ambiance and the option of indoor or outdoor dining.

To join us this Valentine’s Day, you can make a booking here.

About George’s

Located on the King Street Wharf amidst the beauty and excitement of Darling Harbour, George’s Mediterranean Bar and Grill is renowned as one of Sydney’s premier eateries.

Come share the hospitality for which we are renowned as we serve up a romantic and ambient Valentine’s Day in simply stunning surrounds. You can learn more about our menu here, or contact us directly for further advice.