What better way to celebrate the most romantic time of year than with a night out in the city – and no, we’re not talking about London.

Canterbury has a buzzing nightlife scene, including plenty of lounges and bars where you can sit back and relax with a hand-crafted cocktail. So, whether it’s a date with your other half or a Galentine’s night out with the girls, here are some of the city’s best spots to grab a cocktail…

CITI TERRACE: This stylish bar and fusion restaurant is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Over the past decade, visitors have praised this sunny spot for its contemporary terrace lounge, collection of shisha flavours and, of course, the cocktail menu. Each drink is ranked on a scale of comfortable to adventurous and refreshing to strong, so you know what to expect when you order. Recommended drink: Grapefruit Spritz (Citi Terrace menu).

Details: 1 Longmarket Court The Terrace in Canterbury. Open Tuesday to Thursday and Sunday, 12pm to 11pm; Friday, 12pm to 1.30am; Saturday, 11am to 1.30am; and Monday, 5pm to 11pm.

COSY CLUB: This eclectic bar and restaurant is filled with a wealth of fascinating trinkets and quirky decor for guests to peruse. Cosy Club, owned by the Loungers group which also has locations in Faversham, Broadstairs, Deal, Sittingbourne and Tenterden, has some surprising options on its cocktail menu, including the Matcha Margarita, Mango Colada and Tiramisu Martini. Recommended drink: Cherry Bakewell (TripAdvisor review).

Details: 20-21 St Margaret's Street in Canterbury. Open Sunday to Thursday, 9am to 11pm, and Friday and Saturday, 9am to 12pm.

THE FALSTAFF: Tucked away inside the historic 15th century hotel, The Falstaff, is a cosy cocktail bar that has a selection of distinctive drinks. The specialist mixology team have come up with their own list of in-house signatures based on starsigns and astrology, adding a playful and curious element to choosing your drinks. There are also seasonal menus and a 90-minute masterclass if you fancy having a go at making some of your own. Recommended drink: Valentine’s Day special The Situationship (The Falstaff social media).

Details: 8-10 St Dunstans Street in Canterbury. Open Monday to Thursday, 5pm to 10pm; Friday, 4pm to 10pm; Saturday, 12pm to 1pm; and Sunday, 12pm to 9pm.

Read our guide to planning the perfect Valentine’s Day in Kent

THE FIG: Our new column, In The Mix, sees an undercover reporter visit Kent’s wine bars and cocktail lounges, and the first place on the list was The Fig. It replaces Prohibition-themed speakeasy Bramley’s and was given the thumbs up for its traditional cocktail list, knowledgeable staff, relaxed atmosphere and affordable prices. Recommended drink: Signature cocktail The Fig (In The Mix review).

Details: 6 Orange Street in Canterbury. Open Tuesday to Thursday, 4pm to 11.30pm; Friday and Saturday, 4pm to 12.30am; and Sunday, 4pm to 10pm.

HOUDINI’S MAGIC BAR: If you’re looking for somewhere different for date night, this unique magic bar is the perfect place. There are 23 resident magicians who perform up-close-and-personal at your table, as well as cocktail masterclasses where you can create your own ‘potions’ and expert bartenders who create spell-binding drinks that you won’t find anywhere else. Recommended drink: Jammie Dodger (TripAdvisor review).

Details: 6 St Peter's Street in Canterbury. Open Wednesday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm, and Monday and Tuesday, 4pm to 11pm.

SOCIALITE: Take in fantastic views of the city from this rooftop bar, complete with blankets and outdoor heaters in the colder months. The cocktail menu is large and varied, with everything from unusual house specials such as The Socialite and Westgate Garden Martini to classics like pina coladas and mojitos on offer. There’s also a brunch menu, mixology classes and live DJs on select nights. Recommended drink: Aniseed Affair (Socialiate social media).

Details: 8 St Margaret's Street in Canterbury. Open Sunday to Thursday, 12pm to 11pm; Friday, 12pm to 12am; and Saturday, 11am to 12.30pm.

TOKYO TEA ROOMS: This Asian-inspired late-night bar combines Japanese aesthetics with live cabaret with unique cocktails, often created by guest mixologists. You can even make your own in one of the cocktail-making classes. It’s also known for its regular theme nights, with everything from throwback indie tunes to girl power pop anthems. Recommended drink: Cherry Blossom (Tokyo Tea Rooms social media).

Details: 41 St George's Place in Canterbury. Open Thursday, 10pm to 3am, and Friday, 11pm to 3am.