Forget Dinner: Try These Unique Valentine’s Day Dates
Ditch the prix-fixe circuit for active dates, crafty dates, and straight-up unhinged evenings as unconventional as your love.
The Pink Elephant Valentine’s Day pop-up bar / Photograph by Society Hill Films
Valentine’s Day is coming up, and while there are plenty of restaurants with romantic meals sure to bring you and your beloved closer together, that may not be what you’re all about this year. Or maybe you’re too busy going to the Eagles Super Bowl Parade on Valentine’s Day to go to dinner.
And, quite frankly, we love that for you. Celebrating your love means celebrating you, not some couple you’re supposed to be that gets dressed up and makes googly eyes at each other across a candlelit table while inches away from other couples who paid to do the same thing. If you’re looking for something outside-the-box for this year, we’ve got ideas.
Pink Elephant Pop-Up
Espresso-martini-focused bar The Elephant is now the Pink Elephant for Valentine’s Day. It’s not that deep — just a whole lot of pink, hearts, and cute photo ops. (Plus, specialty cocktails, obvs.) But the visuals are very well done for a pop-up like this.
Pay-as-you-go, through February 18th, 1500 Locust Street.
Taqueria Amor’s Pop-Star Makeover
Manayunk’s Taqueria Amor is embracing the Pop Girl Summer that was with a (short n’) sweet makeover dedicated to the girlies. There’s decor and drinks dedicated to Sabrina, Chappell, Billie, Taylor … There’s even a Brat room!
Pay-as-you-go, through February, Taqueria Amor, 4410 Main Street.
An Improvised Rom-Com
Not Yet Rated holds their annual rom-com shows at Plays & Players. Using audience suggestion and improv, they’ll craft an original, hilarious love story on stage. “No script. No props. No idea what’s gonna happen.”
$20, February 13th-15th, Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey Place.
Tipsy History: A Love Story
Apparently, our very own Betsy Ross had quite a dramatic (for her day) romance: She eloped with her husband, John, and was condemned for marrying outside of her Quaker community. Hear about her love story, sip a cocktail, and go on a love-themed tour of the Betsy Ross House. Tours are 75 minutes, and advanced tickets are required.
$27, February 14th and 15th, 6 p.m., 7 p.m., and 8 p.m., Betsy Ross House, 239 Arch Street.
Laurel Hill Cemetery’s “Til Death Do Us Part” Tour
Laurel Hill Cemetery’s love-story tour was inspired by one of its … residents: Mary Peterson’s heart — just her heart — is buried with her first husband there. Till death do us part, indeed.
$10-$20, February 15th, 1-3 p.m., Laurel Hill East, 3822 Ridge Avenue.
Shine a Little Love at the Trestle Inn
The Trestle Inn will be celebrating Valentine’s Day in style with a happy-hour dance party, “Shine a Little Love.” DJ Hardbargain and The Slinky Vagabond will spin “’70s smoochers and dance floor classics” on vinyl. There’s no cover, and there are Valentine-themed drink specials.
No cover, pay-as-you-go; February 14th, 6-9 p.m. the Trestle Inn, 339 North 11th Street.
The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Valentine’s Day Concert
The orchestra will play romantic classics — including favorites by Bernstein, Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Mendelssohn, John Williams, and the Beatles — as actress Kelley Curran (The Gilded Age), reads love notes from Shakespeare.
$35-$150, February 14th, 7:30 p.m., Kimmel Center, 300 South Broad Street.
BYOB Happy Hour With Philly Goat Project
For something completely different (and cute), Philly Goat Project is hosting a BYOB happy hour at Awbury Arboretum where you can cuddle with goats, make s’mores around the fire, and even win hoof-made art in a raffle that supports PGP. Attendees must be at least 14 years old.
$35, February 15th, 3:30-5:30 p.m., Awbury Arboretum, 6336 Ardleigh Street.
Viktor’s Valentine at Lincoln Mill Haunted House
If the very prospect of Valentine’s Day just sounds terrifying to you, this is your event. Lean into the horror with a Valentine’s weekend pop-up event at Manayunk’s Lincoln Mill Haunted House. “Viktor’s Valentine: A Dark Love Story” is a candlelight tour that leads guests into a blackout experience deep within the hidden chamber and rooms of the mill featuring over 30 scare actors that will jump out at you and generally be creepy. All tickets include access before and after to the deck overlooking the Schuylkill River. Reserve your timeslot online.
$35 (or $65 per couple), February 14th & 15th, 7-9:15 p.m., Lincoln Mill Haunted House, 4100 Main Street.
Making Time VALENTIME
Both floors of Warehouse on Watts will be filled with “purveyors of dreamy dance music” for one special, transcendental night of music and dancing.
$40, February 14th, 9 p.m.-3 a.m., Warehouse on Watts, 923 North Watts Street.
Now + Then Marketplace’s Make Love Market
It’s a day of love at — where else? — LOVE Park! Over a dozen local vendors will be selling gifts (last-minute shoppers rejoice!), from art to candles to jewelry to romance books, and much more. At 5 p.m., enjoy a free performance from R&B After Dark. Finally, singles can sign up for a speed-dating event at 6 p.m.
Pay-as-you-go, February 15th, 1-6 p.m., LOVE Park, 15th and JFK.
Love Potions
Book a love-potion-brewing experience at The Cauldron, where you’ll grab a magic wand, mix up some Valentine’s-themed cocktails, and generally just be magical. If you want to bring the kids, there’s a non-alcoholic kids’ ticket you can buy as well.
$40-$57, through February 16th, The Cauldron, 1305 Locust Street.
Fun and Games
Mini Golf with Love at Franklin Square for Valentine’s Day / Photograph by Cari Feiler Bender
Mini Golf With Love at Franklin Square
Through February 23rd, Franklin Square’s mini golf switches over to a Valentine’s Day theme called “Chilly Philly Mini Golf With Love,” adding special decorations and music to the course’s Philly landmarks. Of course, you can still catch the Electrical Spectacle light show every 30 minutes beginning at 5 p.m. daily and running through 9 p.m. Then grab warm drinks and cocktails and cuddle around the fire pits.
$12-$15, Thursdays through Sundays through February 23rd, Franklin Square, 6th and Race streets.
Cupid’s Arrow Archery
If golf isn’t challenging enough, John Heinz Wildlife Refuge has free Cupid’s Arrow Archery for Valentine’s Day. (Note: This moved up a day because of the parade.) USA Archery-certified instructors will help you with the basics of archery. No registration or equipment is required, and families are welcome with kids ages eight and up. (For something more grown-up and private, plan ahead for a “Date Knight” date night at Callowhill Archery.)
Free, February 13th, 4-6 p.m., John Heinz Wildlife Refuge, 8601 Lindbergh Boulevard.
Clay Dates
Both the Clay Studio ($150 per couple; 1425 North American Street) and YayClay ($230-$300 per couple; 3237 Amber Street) have Valentine date nights with champagne, chocolate, and couple’s wheel-throwing throughout the week, even after Valentine’s Day itself, if that specific day doesn’t work for you. Check their calendars for availability.
Sweetheart Skate
Spend Valentine’s Day on the ice. Enjoy slow jams on the rink, sip a hot cocktail by the fire, and stroll along the thousands of sparkling lights with river views. Tickets include skating at Blue Cross RiverRink, a rose, a make-and-take craft and a keepsake photo. The Dream Poet Marshall James Kavanaugh will also be on hand to help create custom love poems. Your first hot chocolate is free; food, beer, and specialty cocktails can be purchased on site.
$27, February 14th, 7-11 p.m., Blue Cross RiverRink, 101 South Columbus Boulevard.
Photograph courtesy of Delaware River Waterfront Corporation / Blue Cross RiverRink.
Valentine’s Day Wine Tasting and Mini Golf
Mural City Cellars is teaming up with Libertee Grounds for a four-course prix-fixe menu with wine pairings, followed by mini golf on their indoor course. Reserve your timeslot online. Due to the Super Bowl Parade, this event has moved from Valentine’s Day itself to Sunday, February 16th.
$90, February 16th, 4-10 p.m., Libertee Grounds, 1600 West Girard Avenue.
Fall in Love with Circus
Coaches from the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts will guide you through aerial sling, trapeze, juggling, and balance. Then wind down with snacks and refreshments.
$48, February 15th, 4:15 p.m.–6:15 p.m., Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, 6452 Greene Street.
Murder Mystery Dinner at Stratus Rooftop Lounge
Head to the Hotel Monaco’s rooftop lounge for an interactive murder mystery dinner! In the “Dead Men Don’t Speakeasy,” Without a Cue will provide the entertainment while Stratus serves up the views and a four-course meal including deviled eggs, a dessert display, and a complimentary glass of champagne. Buy your tickets based on your entrée choice — steak, sole, or crispy tofu — and get ready to figure out whodunnit.
$80, February 14th, 7-10 p.m., Stratus Rooftop Lounge, 433 Chestnut Street.
Hearts and Crafts Kids Ball
This one’s for the littles. Cherry Street Pier hosts a family-fun Valentine’s Day extravaganza with PopUpPlay including crafts, collaborative arts, a dance party, and pretend play. The bar and select concessions will also be available during the event.
$20 (or $70 for a family of four), February 15th, 2-4 p.m., Cherry Street Pier, 121 North Columbus Boulevard.
Galentine’s (and Palentine’s) Day Events
Galentine’s Wine Tasting / Photograph courtesy of Wine Garden
Galentine’s Wine Tasting Celebration
Wine Garden and Kabila Events are hosting an evening of wine, music, and friendship at P.J. Clark’s. Enjoy wine tastings and live entertainment by John Sax and DJ Lady FX. Plus, create custom love poems on a vintage pink typewriter, make memories at photo stations, and enjoy a menu of Galentine’s cocktails and happy hour bites. Buy tickets online to reserve your timeslot.
$45-$55, February 13th, 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., P.J. Clark’s, 601 Walnut Street.
Pink Pony Club Galentine’s Party at Kin Boutique
Kin is hosting a Galentine’s event with a bestie charm bar by JFOX Jewelry, temporary tattoos, drinks, treats, giveaways and more.
Pay-as-you-go, February 13th, 5-8 p.m., Kin Boutique, 1010 Pine Street.
Galentine’s Night at Assembly Rooftop Lounge
Enjoy themed cocktails, a build-your-own Hendrick’s gin-and-tonic bar, dessert specials to share (dark chocolate fondue and champagne berry entremets), and music from DJ A1R. And if you’re looking to enjoy these themed specials and spectacular views with your S.O. on Valentine’s Day itself, they’re open then, too. And if you’re looking for love (and also spectacular views) they’re also doing a singles’ night on February 15th.
Pay-as-you-go, February 13th, 1840 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
ExFiles StorySlam
First Person Arts hosts their annual slam to take away the Valentine’s Day blues. Take the stage to share your true, personal story about love lost and found — and everything in between — in five minutes or less. Comic Lamarr Todd and other judges will score the stories, and the winner takes home $100.
$35, February 14th, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., Adrienne Theater, 2030 Sansom Street.
Galentine’s Boozy Tea at Aqimero
Grab your friends to sip on teapot-sized tea cocktails, a shareable four-course tasting menu, and DJ music in the lobby of the Ritz-Carlton.
$125, February 15th & 16th, noon-2 p.m., 10 Avenue of the Arts.
Galentine’s Paint & Sip
This event has everything. A step-by-step painting session. Galentine’s bingo and trivia. Mocktails and treats to order. Floral arrangements available to purchase by Fistful of Flowers. What’s not to love?
$35, February 15th, 6-8:30 p.m., The Flower Kitchen, 3245 Amber Street.
Pawlentine’s … or, For the Pups
Valentine’s Day is for doggies, too. / Photograph by Nataliya Vaitkevich
If we can have something called Palentine’s Day, I’m taking it a step further and declaring Pawlentine’s Day. Because love is fur-ever and life without your canine companion would be ruff. Here’s how to celebrate your furry friends.
Paint Your Pet at Pet Friendly Dog Bakery
Send Char and Whiskers a pic of your pet — they’ll prep it into a canvas for painting. Then show up with your pup and make some art while enjoying some refreshments.
$50, February 15th & 16th, 2-5 p.m., Pet Friendly, 4324 Main Street.
Paws & Kisses Photo Sessions at The Boozy Mutt
Get portraits of your pup at Fairmount’s dog-friendly bar. Nayana Photography is setting up mini-sessions with a cute Valentine’s photo booth. Walk-ins are welcome.
$25-$40, February 14th, The Boozy Mutt, 2639 Poplar Street.
