Whether you’re loved up or playing the field, you’ve got to do something on February 14th, and we’re not talking candlelit dinners or rose petals…. here’s how not to want to die inside on this cheesy day.
If you want to impress a hot date without coming across as clichéd and predictable you’ve got to let BarChick, the ultimate guide to London’s best bars (if not the world’s), give you a little heads up on where to go….
Garlic and Shots – London
Prove it’s really love and dose yourselves in copious amounts of garlic. Sure, people class this as much of a faux pas as rules such as “don’t eat spaghetti on a first date” but who cares, you may as well start as you mean to go on. Not for the faint hearted (… or vampires) this place is serious about its ingredient of choice, even the beer has raw garlic floating in it, nice. If your date can’t hack it then you don’t want them anyway, so get out while you’re ahead.
Dans Le Noir – London
So you / your date are not looking great, a bit pale, or perhaps you woke up with a massive spot. Not a problem, this is what Dans le Noir is all about: taste, senses, smells, touch, everything but your eyes (kinda kinky too). Dans le Noir (‘in the dark’ for those with a D in French!) immerses its customers into pitch black and you are served by blind waiters, so no fear of them clocking/stealing your hot date although they might have a little feel.
The Beefeater 24 Science of Love Molecular Masterclass – London
Top dog Tony C (the Heston of the cocktail work for those not in the know) is offering you a chance to create a love potion in his much talked about laboratory. Take an insider’s tour into the molecular mixology world and learn some tricks to making unique molecular creations from the master. Make Valentine’s recipes and twists on old classics with Beefeater 24 and afterwards sample Tony’s work in the intimate award winning 69 Colebrooke Row. This is the perfect place to go either as a couple or solo with a mate. If you want to avoid the predictable and try something different, then this is the one for you.
River Restaurant at The Savoy – London
OK so if you really crave a bit of a cliché date then at least do it in style. No one is going to do Valentine’s Day better than The Savoy really, and you’ll definitely get her in the sack. Pull out the stops then head down to the River Restaurant for their meal for 2. Eat seafood, lamb and veal, all washed down with Champagne and finished off with melting chocolate sensations and pink Champagne mousse. This isn’t the cheapest option, at £125, but you do get 4 courses and a glass of Champagne thrown in and the high quality of food won’t disappoint!
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However, If you’re single, or boycotting the other sex for whatever reason then don’t feel as though you’ve got to lock the door, draw the blinds and leave the couples to it. If anything you’re probably going to have a better night. BarChick has your back: here are some alternative nights that are anti-couples for your pleasure:
Bar Kick – A Game of Two Halves – London
Speed dating with a twist: forget repeating what you do, what your interests are or how much cash you’ve got. Instead head to Bar Kick, get a free cocktail and “find your goal mate”. Get involved in their game of two halves, get given a load of ludicrously preposterous yet informative and insightful topics, play some table football, fill out the score sheet, leave the rest to them. Table football and strange questions mean whether you are on the pitch or on the bench you’ll be chatting about ridiculous things so you won’t have any awkward silences. Nice breath of fresh air from “what music are you in to?”
The Shop NW10 – London
Embrace your hate for Valentine’s Day, make a voodoo doll of ex and hit the Anti-Valentine’s Day Massacre at The Shop. They’ll have heartbreak themed cocktails; think “it’s not you it’s me”, “the restraining order” or “the sour grape”, and punk and rock-abilly music to rock and cry to. They’ll even be giving a prize to the person with the best break up story. Classic.
MeatLiquor – London
Forget the candles, the violins and the petals. What you’re after is a slab of meat, lots of cheese and a shed load of cocktails. Grab your mates, drink your sorrows away and stuff your face.
Apotheka – Manchester
Following the success of last year’s party, Apotheka are going to have an Anti-Valentine’s day event for 2012! Take a sigh of relief if you aren’t under the thumb. Think mutilated teddies lining up the bar, banging Rock ‘n Roll music and most importantly NO romance.
About BarChick
BarChick.com is the guide to the very best bars from London to New York, and increasingly everywhere in between. With unrivalled and totally independent insight, BarChick is buzzing with up-to-the-minute news on bar openings, drinks trends and what’s hot now in bar culture. More than just a listings site, it offers a diverse range of ‘BarChick approved’ bars, recommending venues to meet drinking needs of revellers and relaxed drinkers alike. Even better, iPhone users can have all this at their fingertips thanks to the BarChick app which comes complete with maps to get you perched on your chosen bar stool pronto.
