In case you’d forgotten, it’s Valentine’s Day next week. And while it does bring too many trips to the local Italian, it does also serve up a plethora of opportunities to do something unique with your partner, with London naturally the hub for the more interesting activities.
Unfortunately it doesn’t look like Greggs will be offering their four-course ‘fine dining’ meal again this year, but there are plenty of alternative Valentine’s Day events going on in the capital nonetheless which are as un-clichéd as possible. Here’s just a few of them…
VAULTS FESTIVAL 2020
When: Until Sunday 22 March 2020
Where: The Vaults, Leake Street, SE1 7NN.
Price: Prices vary
London’s biggest, boldest and wildest arts festival returns is back for its 8th year and could be just the place for an alternative Valentine’s Day date this year. There are over 500 shows at VAULT Festival 2020 all over Waterloo, from theatre, comedy, and immersive experiences, to cabaret, live performance and late-night parties. Given the diverse line-up, you’re bound to find something appealing.
A VALENTINE’S EVENING WITH THE STARS
When: Friday 14 February 2020
Where: Royal Observatory, Blackheath Avenue, SE10 8XJ.
Price: £24.00
The Royal Observatory in Greenwich is once again giving you the chance to be all starry-eyed with your partner this V Day with its now annual ‘Evening with the Stars.’ There’ll be a romantically themed planetarium show, followed by a chance to look at the Moon through the Great Equatorial Telescope, as well as some time on the Meridian Line with an amazing view and hot beverage in hand.
SILENT SOUNDS BOAT PARTY
When: Saturday 15 February 2020
Where: The Dutch Master, Tower Millennium Pier, Next to Tower of London, EC3N 4AB.
Price: From £25
If you’re after something more akin to a party, what could be better than a silent disco on the Thames? Silent Sounds are throwing an unmissable trip for Valentine’s Day next weekend on The Dutch Master, a two-storey party boat. You and your partner will float by iconic London landmarks such as Tower Bridge and the Houses of Parliament while choosing the soundtrack to your night at a silent disco.
RIVOLI BALLROOM POP-UP CINEMA
When: Wednesday 12 – Friday 14 February 2020
Where: Ravioli Ballroom, 350 Brockley Road, SE4 2BY.
Price: From £12
But if you’re after a quiet one, settle down in the beautiful surrounding of the Rivoli Ballroom – one of the last remaining ballrooms round – for a pop-up film festival! Taking place across three nights next week, you can enjoy The Notebook, Pretty Woman, or Romeo+Juliet alongside all the popcorn you can eat, ice cream, hot dogs and wine, draft ale, beer and cider.
GAMING AT THE FOUR THIEVES PUB
When: Daily
Where: 51 Lavender Gardens, SW11 1DJ
Price: Escape Game from £19
For an alternative date venue, there’s few better places in the capital than The Four Thieves pub in South London. Not only does the pub pack a gigantic games room complete with retro arcades, table tennis, mini golf, and an RC racetrack, but the pub is also the location for one of the best escape games in London, Lady Chastity’s Reserve. The food at the pub is also top notch – perfect for a date night – and they’ll be blaring out the pop tunes on Valentine’s too.
SECRET CINEMA PRESENTS: STRANGER THINGS
When: Friday 14 February 2020
Where: secret London location…
Price: From £69.00
If you’re fans of Stranger Things and general revelry, do yourself a favour this V-Day and get tickets to Secret Cinema’s take on the Netflix show. Unlike other Secret Cinema experiences, there’s no screening as such this time round (instead you’ll get something far better…), however you will get to look around Starcourt Mall and interact with all the familiar faces from the show, as well as the likes of Scoops Ahoy! and the Palace Arcade. Like all Secret Cinema experiences, the less you know, the better, and you’ll get out of it what you put in. But for us, it’s Secret Cinema’s best show to date.
If you’re after a Winter Pop-Up in London for Valentine’s Day, there are plenty of opportunities in the capital!
