Aphrodesia After Hours

Chocolate, flowers, love potions -- it's a recipe for romance and you can experience it all at the Conservatory of Flowers this February 8 during a special, sense-ational Valentine's Day after hours event for the 21+ crowd. Sip an intoxicating elixir by Cocktail Lab or enjoy a hand crafted brew by the Richmond District's own Comrades Brewing, enjoy live music by Le Quartet de Jazz, stroll through our lush jungle of dazzling orchids and other tropical beauties, and snuggle up in a vintage Playland-by-the-Beach era photo booth. Then learn about the dark art of chocolate making with TCHO's chief chocolate wizard Brad Kintzer, who will take you on a journey from the cacao tree to the candy bar, exploring the key variables that influence chocolate quality. Kintzer's talk will include a guided tasting of chocolate flavors and diverse origins.

CACAO | TCHO’s Chief Chocolate Maker Brad Kintzer will discuss the fusion of art and science behind making fine chocolate. We’ll beginning the journey with the cocoa tree (Theobroma cacao) through the finished wrapped chocolate bar.  We will look into all of the key variables that influence chocolate quality; specifically cacao plant varietals, fermentation and drying, roasting and chocolate making.  A special focus will be on the complexity and importance of creating innovative, sustainable relationships with our cocoa farmers.   The talk will include a guided tasting of diverse origins and chocolate flavors.

TCHO Lectures in the Orchid Gallery, 7 pm and 8:30 pm (included in the price of admission)

Old Time Crooners | For Le Quartet de Jazz’ second appearance at the Conservatory, they’ll fill the Conservatory galleries with their swingin’ jazz stylings, and melodies that set the tone for romance.  

Local Comrades | TCHO selects their ingredients from around the world, and crafts world-class chocolate on the Embarcadero Pier. That’s pretty local, but it doesn’t get more local than Comrades Brewing, who brews in our own Richmond District neighborhood. Comrade’s creative flavor pairings unearth new preferences and stir new cravings, exalting the strong brew, and the urge to try new things.

Love Potion #9 | After concocting the signature poison for Wicked Plants, the Cocktail Lab was the first one we called to stir up a less-sinister love potion. We bet you’ll fall madly in love with these cocktail scientists.

Blooming Love | Don’t forget to stop and smell the Orchids.

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED!

Tickets will be available at the door, beginning at 5:30 pm.

Hope to see you tonight! Thank you!

Wednesday, Feb. 8 | 6 PM – 10 PM 

$10 General Public | $7 Conservatory Members | $5 drink tickets

 Tickets are available online, and at the door.

TCHO lectures available at 7 pm and 8:30 pm in the Orchid Gallery, on a first come first serve basis.

Please note: 21+ only. Valid IDs will be checked at the door.

For more info visit: conservatoryofflowers.org