You have your classic Valentine’s Day standards of flowers and candy.
But let’s face it, those are more like fallback items in lieu of a creative date. Don’t get mad at the truth, we’re just doling out the tough love you need to show your special someone a truly special day.
Instead of going for the pre-subscribed and frankly, cheesy, here are a number of ideas, from activities to activism, music to comedy that will put an extra big, red-lipped kiss on an otherwise Hallmark card of a holiday.
Galentine’s Day
Grab your gal pals and allies, and head on over to Young Advocates of Philly’s third annual Galentine’s Day. Enjoy happy hour-priced snacks and drinks and learn about ways to help your city. In the spirit of love, ticket sales and $1 from every drink purchased will be donated to Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania (PPSP). Can you think of any better way to kick off Valentine’s Day festivities? | Feb. 13. 5-7pm. $5. Smokin’ Betty’s, 116 S. 11th St. ppsp.ticketleap.com/galentines-day2019/
Sweetheart Skate
Skate hand-in-hand across the Blue Cross RiverRink to music provided by DJ Lady FX. A romantic night to remember, your ticket will include all the works with ice skate admission, skate rental, flowers, chocolate, and a keepsake photo. Once the skates are off, walk around to on-site vendors for food and drink. | Feb. 14. 7-8:30pm and 9-10:30pm. $25. Blue Cross RiverRink, 101 S. Columbus Blvd. delawareriverwaterfront.com/places/blue-cross-riverrink-winterfest
Valentine’s Day Happy Meower!
Open your heart up this Valentine’s Day to a cat that needs a forever home. A partnership between The Cat Doctor and Morris Animal Refuge, come out for light bites, drinks, and adoptable felines. As the event explains, you may just find your “purrfect match!” | Feb. 14. 5:30-7:30pm. $15. The Cat Doctor, 535 N 22nd St. facebook.com/events/2242910462634223/
Cupid’s Funeral
Back for its second year, Matter Movement Group (MMG) presents a night of visual delights. Couples and singles can watch aerial dancing, burlesque, drag and more, all while supporting MMG productions through your ticket purchase. | Feb. 14. 9pm-12:30am. $15-$40. Franky Bradley’s, 1320 Chancellor St. eventbrite.com/e/cupids-funeral-tickets-55381304974
Valentine’s Day Yoga with Puppies
In the mood for some puppy love? Break out your inner yogini with the help of some very adorable puppies. Featuring two puppy yoga seshes, all the proceeds from the events will benefit Providence Animal Center and their life-saving mission. | Feb. 14. 4:30pm & 5:30pm. $30. SWEAT Fitness, 4151 Main St. eventbrite.com/e/valentines-day-yoga-with-puppies-at-sweat-fitness-session-1-tickets-55717283896?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
Valentine’s Day Wine & Chocolate Pairing
Something sweet for your sweetie. Take this romantic class about the timeless duo — wine and chocolate. Taste and savor different pairings and learn the palate of contrasting and complementary flavors. | Feb. 14. 7:30-9:30pm. $81-$119. Wine School of Philadelphia, 109 S. 22nd St. vinology.com/class/chocolate-and-wine-pairing/?fbclid=IwAR02bar9TTdASXYMwG-bEUUNmfULYRqu7UR-wlLZT0n32SqcJ5F-OeHxRWU
Awkward Sex… and the City
Let’s be real, dating life can cause more awkward moments than we care to admit. Luckily, for your Valentine’s Day pleasure, these comedians will turn those cringe-worthy stories, dating taboos, and sexual secrets into a 90-minute goldmine of laughter. Perfect for the regular comedy seeker and that Valentine’s date — always good to know your other half has a good sense of humor — ”Awkward Sex… and the City” will be a | 9:30pm. $27-$37. Punch Line Philly, 33 E Laurel St. punchlinephilly.com/EventDetail?tmeventid=0200558AED6E8CB8&offerid=0
‘Casablanca’
“Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.” I mean come on, can anything be more romantic than watching the 1942 classic Casablanca with your someone special? With legendary leads Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman and iconic lines, like “Here’s looking at you kid,” “We’ll always have Paris,” and “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship,” you’ll be sure to swoon and most likely shed a tear. Before heading to your seats, grab an old-timey cocktail at Philadelphia Film Center’s Rick’s Cafe and listen to live music. | Feb. 14. 7pm. $5-$9. Philadelphia Film Center, 1412 Chestnut St. filmadelphia.org/events/casablanca-film-center/
A Sultry, Sexy and Succulent Valentine’s at Chris’ Jazz Cafe
Can anything set the Valentine’s Day mood better than some good jazz? Take your someone special to hear the sensual sounds of Joanna Pascale as you indulge in aphrodisiacs from oysters to CBD-enhanced cocktails. | Feb. 14. 6pm, 8pm, 10pm. $20. Chris’ Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom St. chrisjazzcafe.com
Doctor ZhivaGoGo Valentine’s Ball & Dance Party
It may be Russian-levels of cold outside, but things are heating up inside The Trestle Inn with their Doctor ZhivaGoGo Valentine’s Ball & Dance Party. Inspired by the beautifully tragic love story, Doctor Zhivago, step into your winter whites and into a groovy Winter Palace. The culminating event of Trestle Inn’s lineup of Valentine’s Day themed events, the disco dance will feature a VDKA 6100 Ice Bar, ice sculptures by Ice Sculpture Philly, Go-Go dancers and DJ Skeme Richards. | Feb. 16. 9pm-2am. $15-$20. $60 VIP Couple’s package. The Trestle Inn, 339 N 11th St. eventbrite.com/e/doctor-zhivagogo-valentines-ball-dance-party-tickets-54955564573
Love Letter Train Tour
Okay, it’s not The O’Jays’ “Love Train,” but step on SEPTA’s Market-Frankford EL line and get ready to fall in love with Philadelphia all over again. Painting the story of Philly, experience street artist Steve Powers’s collaboration with West Philly to create 50 murals that showcase an open-ended love letter. So all aboard, and tour the murals on the Market-Frankford elevated train line, while hearing the stories behind the art from your on-train guide. Feb. 16. 10:30-12pm. $23. Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 128 N. Broad St. muralarts.org
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