Get away from smaltzy romance and all that with a selection of ideas for cool dates.
Spoonfed's 2009 guide to Valentine's in London is focused this year on things to do. Restaurants, flowers and chocolates are all very well, but you are grown up enough to handle those for yourself. We're looking to put the fun back in Valentine's with some romantic events, Valentine's parties and other goings on that are just plain silly. After all, in the words of poet/philosopher Paul Valery 'Love is being stupid together'.
Valentine's Day, in fact, is pretty silly itself. If you're single it feels like a festival of smug, and if you're coupled up, it can lead to some pretty unusual romantic contortions. We're not talking about sex. Well, we could be, but we're not. We're talking about expensive meals for two in very crowded restaurants and over-priced dating experiences.
Get away from all that with a selection of ideas for cool dates. More will follow as the big day draws near:
Loss
Tabernacle Church, Notting Hill
13th February, 8pm-late
Perfect for adventurous couples or fun-loving singletons, this misery-themed night of burlesque, silly games and dancing is in fact not gloomy at all. You'll leave with a smile a mile wide.
Spring Awakening
Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith
Nightly, from 7.30pm
Ideal for a first date, this play will impress and excite your companion with its brains, raunch and effortless cool – it's an unusual, sexually charged treat.
Champagne Flight
London Eye
Daily, until 10pm
Hardly original and highly expensive, but this is one of the best rides in the world, and guaranteed to move even the most unromantic of hearts.
Valentine's at Volupte
Volupte Lounge, Valentine's night only
From 6.30pm
Lavish dining and all manner of kinky treats for Valentine couple who know each other's boundaries.
Secret Garden Bacchanalia Ball
Secret Locaation, Valentine's night only
From 10.30pm
Dress up and get down with a wild crowd at this hedonistic night of sexy encounters, saucy costumes and random spoony conversations. And great music.
More events will be flagged on the site for you as the big day approaches. And remember, it's the effort that counts, not the cash spent! Seriously. Don't you agree? Come on girls, have mercy...
Click here to see every event on Valentine's Day
Or, read Lowri's very different take on this day, Valentine's Day Sucks.
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