A lot of my single crackheads kept asking for it so here it is, a list of Valentine’s Day to-dos. While all the couples are out having their overpriced intimate dinners, I’m all for just going out drinking with your friends this night. While, really, any bar, your favorite bar, will be a good place for this, the following are V-Day dedicated. Here, have a few laughs and a few flirtations, and no expectations and you’ll get through it just fine.
Air Conditioned Lounge (both its Santa Monica and Venice locations) is calling all singles to join its Lonely Hearts Club where the $15 “membership” fee will get you a glass of champagne, a Valentine’s Day Love Shot and the Air Conditioned cocktail. If you like crowds, clubs and cocktails, spend V-Day in the Venice venue which is large and louder than SaMo’s lounge. For something more lounge-y and intimate, you’ll want to check into the smaller Santa Monica location on Pico which serves only wine, beer and sake.
625 Lincoln Boulevard
Venice, California 90291
(310) 230-5343
2819 Pico Boulevard
Santa Monica, California 90405
(310) 829-3700
Bigfoot Lodge is throwing a special Valentine’s Day London Calling for the Lonely Hearts Club where you can enjoy $3 Guinness, New Castle and London Dry Gin while rocking out to British punk, pop, ’80s and glam. I spent V-Day here last year, and although Bigfoot was great for quenching our girls’ night thirst with girl drinks, there surprisingly weren’t enough men around. Hopefully that’s just because last year, V-Day fell on the Girls Night for the Lodge.
3172 Los Feliz Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90039
(323) 662-9227
Lucky for you Valentine’s falls on the same day as Hamburger Mary’s bingo night which is sooo much fun and always packed with pretty people, gay and straight. The drinks are potent and the game fast and furious. Just don’t forget to look up from your bingo card every now and then just in case someone is checking you out. Jerri Manthey (Survivor and Playboy) will be calling the balls with fab hostess Belle Aire. Get there at least an hour early for the 7 or 9pm show.
8288 Santa Monica Boulevard
West Hollywood, California 90064
(323) 654-3800
To help you forget the day, check out The Dive (formerly Highland Grounds) for its Valentine-free Zone where you can enjoy specialty cocktails with names like Shot in the Dark, Love is Nuts and Casual Sex in this intimate and laidback bar/restaurant/coffeehouse.
742 N. Highland Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90038
(323) 466-1507
Hot newish downtown bar, The Edison, just had its official grand opening party last Friday and its site says it’ll have a Valentine’s Day celebration at 8pm but doesn’t elaborate with any more details. Why do I include this on the list anyway? Because of its buzzworthy lounges and awesomely old school cocktail list. Feeling dark tonight? Try the Lady Macbeth (port and champagne). Feeling sexy? Hold aloft the Mistress, a French martini with a pomegranate twist, while kicking back.
Second Street and Main Street
Los Angeles, California 90012
(213) 613-0044
SOMETHING EXTRA: This isn’t a bar but it sounds like a cool to-do before the barhopping.
Caffe Primo is throwing an “I Love Primo” Valentine’s Day Block Party (from 1-6pm) where you’ll feel loved as you’re showered with freebies — free cupcakes, designer hats and t-shirts and Euphoria Apothecary gift bags — all in celebration of its grand opening. For a little perk-me-up you can get a complimentary nail polish change and/or a freebie 10-minute massage.
8590 Sunset Boulevard
West Hollywood, California 90069
(310) 289-8895