Valentine’s Day 2019: Where to celebrate your loved one or singledom
No Valentine’s Day ideas or partner? No problem. NewsLocal has you covered with a list of quirky ways to celebrate the romantic occasion — regardless of whether you are unlucky in love or not.
Let’s face it — Valentine’s Day is a particularly stressful time for everybody.
Whether you plan to ramp up the romance and swoon your partner off their feet with lavish gifts or a bouquet of roses, or wallow in your singledom this year (much like I am), preparing for the year’s most romantic day will have you digging deep and sweating bullets.
Even if you want to penny pinch while spoiling your loved one, the price for typical meals, movies and even a single rose becomes exorbitant.
However, if you are want to splash some cash and not have your partner sit on the sofa by themselves eating ice cream while watching Sex and the City all night (again, much like I plan to do), take a leaf out of NewsLocal’s love book.
Axe Throwing Date Night — Penrith
Relationships should always be built around trust, so why not show how much confidence you have in your partner by having them around sharp objects this Thursday evening.
For $110 per person, you can take your special someone along to the Axe Throwing Date Night event in Penrith from 6pm, where the pair of you can go head-to-head with other couples to prove your love.
Ladies will be entitled to a complimentary gift upon arrival, on top of the free drink for every contender.
For more information, click here or email info@throwaxehq.com.au.
La Fleur, la Source et l’Amour — Surry Hills
If you have not already shown off your sensitive side and creative abilities to your partner, book in to attend La Fleur, la Source et l’Amour at the TAP Gallery in Surry Hills.
For $25 per person, you and your significant other will have the chance to write short stories while listening to soundtracks from artists including Trenet, Brel, Gainsbourg, Legrand, Ferre and Aznavour.
All you have to do is bring yourselves, along with a pen and paper — and stories will be read out after a film, which follows the writing session at 9.30pm.
For more information, click here or email nadiapiave@bigpond.com.
Pre-booking tickets is a must.
Valentine’s Day under the stars — North Sydney Oval
Instead of sitting across the table from one another nervously — especially if it is only the second or third date — snuggle up under the stars while watching A Star Is Born at the Sunset Cinema.
The only thing you have to bring is yourselves because drinks and snacks are readily provided on site too, along with comfy chairs and room for a picnic blanket.
While Star Class and Bean Bag Buddies have already sold out, there are still plenty of spots to choose from.
Gates will open from 7pm, with the movie starting at last light.
For more information, click here.
Bumble’s 24-hour Valentines Day event — Ivy Pool Club, Sydney
Single and wanting to mingle? Download Bumble’s app and head along to its first 24-hour free Valentine’s Day party at the Ivy Pool Club at 320 George St, Sydney.
The matchmaking service is bringing to life its female-first proposition with experience, interactions and exercises — designed to leave guests feeling inspired to make the first move.
There will be synchronised swimmers, a Bumble throne, interactive food stations and Bondi lifeguards on standby.
The event, titled The Domino Effect, will run from 6pm on Thursday and be one of many taking place worldwide — kicking off in New Zealand and travelling through Australia, India, Europe and onto America.
In addition to The Domino Effect, Bumble will also present a Valentine’s Day pop up at Wynyard Park from 7.30am on the day, which will feature a flower cart with free yellow roses and a yellow phone booth which speaks positive affirmations though to the receiver when the user dials.
Sit back and relax outdoors — Blacktown Skyline Drive In
Buckle up your “baby” for a night of surprises by grabbing two tickets to see Crazy Stupid Love at the Blacktown Skyline Drive In.
The session will start at 8.15pm, along with What Men Want at 8.15pm and 11.15pm, and Alita: Battle Angel at 11.15pm.
The diner will be open with a range of snacks on hand too, including popcorn, slushies, hot dogs and candy.
Do not forget to bring pillows and blankets in case it gets nippy.
For more information, click here.
Show your sweet side — The Grounds of Alexandria
Forget about love being in the air. How about discovering it over and over again in a lane way — The Grounds of Alexandria’s more specifically.
Until March 10, the outdoor venue will be home to a range of events celebrating romance, partnership and togetherness.
There will be cake and an abundance of natural elements — wildflowers, eclectic rugs and fairy lights — on display, along with the Be My Valentine cocktail, specifically created in celebration of the month.
If you want to go the extra mile to show him or her how much you truly care about them, book in to the five course interactive food installation session.
For more information on what else to expect, such as live music and a photo booth on the night, click here.
Anti-Valentine’s Day celebration — Camden
Hate the most romantic day of the year? You are not alone.
Back Galley Cafe in Camden is hosting an anti-Valentine’s Day celebration for singles, friends with benefits, couples who hate the day and even the recently dumped.
Instead of offering a three-course meal, there will be non-romantic food, cocktails, live entertainment and great breakup songs.
There will also be singles tables for people wanting to mingle and make new friends.
It will cost $75 per person and bookings are a must.
For more information, click here.
Galentine’s Day — Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel
However, if you are single and ready to mingle (with your gal pals, of course), check out the Galentine’s Day event at the Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel.
What better way to mix it up rather than sipping on a glass of shandy by yourself.
Rose, food and sun kissed city skyline sunsets will be on tap, along with live entertainment.
There are also a range of packages available for groups of up to 30, and everyone who books will go in the draw to win a 15 litre bottle of rose.
While the winner will be drawn at 7.45pm, table reservations are available from 6.30pm.
For more information on the day or menus, click here.
Ferris Wheel Dining — Milsons Point
Ramp up the romance this Valentine’s Day by booking in to have dinner with your special someone while sky high on the Luna Park ferris wheel.
Bookings for two are still open, with the first option, titled Carriage for Two, for $299 and the second, Cinderella Carriage for Two, for $499.
The Cinderella Carriage will dazzle with fairy lights on the night, creating a romantic ambience for the occasion.
Carriages for couples will open from 6pm, and prices include a three course meal and matched wines for two.
For more information on the perfect night, click here.
The Preatures — Coogee Bay Hotel
If scented candles, a romantic dinner or red roses are not your thing, rock out with indie band The Preatures at the Coogee Bay Hotel this Valentine’s Day.
After touring to 40 places across the nation last year, the band is back on its home soil to show and share its love for Sydney fans.
Tickets are only $18.41 and attendees are encouraged to head along to the beer garden before the party starts, which will be hosted by Queen Schisandra from 6pm.
There will also be fortune telling on the night, along with music, games and prizes.
For more information, click here.
A Snakey Valentine’s Day — Wild Life Sydney Zoo
Still upset by your last romantic endeavour? Skip Valentine’s Day as a whole and name a snake after your slithering ex.
Wildlife Sydney Zoo is currently holding a competition — running until 11.59pm tomorrow — where singletons are invited to name a brown snake after their past lover.
All you have to do is follow the link on the Wild Life Sydney Zoo Instagram page and make a $1 donation to the Wild Life Conservation Fund.
Not only will you know your ex has a snake named after them, but you will also receive a certificate and the opportunity to visit it for free every day for the next 12 months.
Wild Life Sydney Zoo general manager Mark Connolly said: “We hope that by providing someone unlucky in love the opportunity to name Wild Life Sydney Zoo’s very own brown snake after their ex, we can give them something else to celebrate on Valentine’s Day this year.
“We’re also throwing in an annual pass to Wild Life Sydney Zoo, so that you can also visit the snake in Darling Harbour as many times as you want during the next year.”
Unearth new love — Camperdown Commons
Weed out the duds in your romantic life and let new relationships flourish at a Valentine’s Day garden group date.
Lonely gardeners are invited to attend Camperdown Commons on Valentine’s Day to meet other plant-loving heart-throbs.
The occasion is open to all LGBTQIA and straight daters, aged between 18 and 40 years old.
Gates open at 6pm and the cost to attend is $10.
For more information, click here.
LGB My Valentine QT — Newtown
Newtown’s Bank Hotel will be home to a non-gendered speed dating event this Valentine’s Day, which Felicity Frockaccino will host.
There will be three fast and flirty sessions to choose from, including Boy Kissy Boy, Girl Kissy Girl and Whoever Kissy Whoever.
The occasion will run from 6pm until 10pm.
For more information, click here.
BYO-Ex Valentine’s Day event — QT Sydney
So what about all the unlucky in-love punters might you ask? Grab an ex and head along to a special Valentine’s Day singles mixer — involving your past lover.
QT bars nationwide are putting a special twist on Valentine’s Day this year, with all encouraging romantic recycling on Thursday.
Not only will you have the chance to meet someone new, you will also be given peace of mind knowing your ex won’t be chasing after you anymore.
All you have to do is ensure you are on good speaking terms with your former lover; but, if not, you are welcome to bring along a close friend.
There will be DJs and Valentine’s Day inspired cocktails on the night, and guests will be handed two compliment cards or opening lines to share with the first person which takes their fancy.
For more information on the 6pm event, click here.
Penrith RL: Young guns with all the moves
Some have already made statements in junior rep footy, while others are quickly making their own names on the local scene. Stars and standouts from U19s, round 14.
Park footy icons: Meet 60+ top cult heroes of local league in NSW
They’ve got nicknames, war stories and pub folklore stitched into local footy history. These are NSW rugby league’s 60+ ultimate cult figures. Hear their incredible stories.