Here’s How To Celebrate Galentine’s Day
The Galentine’s trend shows no signs of stopping – if it continues on its current trajectory, it might overtake Valentine’s Day altogether. If you’ve already rounded up your friends and are looking for some inspiration for what to do, read on for our pick of events and pop-ups that are perfect for anyone focusing on friends instead.
Watch Dirty Dancing at a rooftop cinema
Back by popular demand, JOIA will be screening an array of iconic romcoms at its rooftop cinema this Valentine’s weekend. From 12th February to 14th February, the Battersea venue will be showing three of the classics: Bridget Jones’s Diary, Dirty Dancing and The Notebook.
Begin your evening with a three-course meal at JOIA, before sitting back and enjoying your chosen screening. Whether it’s date night or you’re celebrating Galentine’s with the girls, JOIA’s rooftop movies are perfect for all Valentine’s Day celebrations.
Where: 15th Floor, 1 Electric Blvd, Nine Elms, London SW11 8BJ
Website: www.joia.com
Treat yourself to a Michelin-starred meal
The team at Quilon is marking Valentine’s Day with a special tasting menu, which makes for the perfect bougie lunch spot to celebrate the occasion with your friends. Among the items on the menu is the Jerusalem Artichoke Roast and Scallops in a Butter Pepper Sauce.
Enjoy thoughtful, delicious dishes with refined, coastal Indian flavours.
Where: 41 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6AF
Website: www.quilon.com
Unlock your inner Gatsby
Gatsby up your Galentine’s by going on a night out to remember — with all the glamour of the legendary Jazz Age at The Royal Exchange’s Engel. Here you’ll find all the hedonism of the 1920s: in the bar’s famous cocktails, gorgeous decor and, best of all, live jazz from an array of musicians, including Aly Berry every Wednesday from 5.30pm to 9.30pm.
If you are looking for a daytime Galentine’s activity, live music is also played every Saturday from 11.30am to 4.30pm.
where: Royal Exchange, City of London, London EC3V 3LL
website: www.engelbar.co.uk
Go ceramics-making
There are few activities more therapeutic and fulfilling than ceramic making, and Florence Mytum’s intimate class is perfect for small groups.
This Valentine’s Day, grab your gal pals and get creative at a London workshop with Florence’s Clay Away pottery parties. With a variety of events on offer, you can choose a beginner’s class, attend a ticketed event, or even have the clay brought to you with their pottery party service.
It is also well worth keeping an eye out for their Pottery in the Pub ticketed events, which take place in venues across London twice a month.
This Valentine’s Day grab your gal pals and get creative at this pottery party.
website: www.florencemytum.co.uk
Catch Wuthering Heights in cinemas
It is likely no coincidence that one of the year’s most anticipated romantic blockbusters is set to be released the day before Valentine’s. So what better way to celebrate the occasion than by grabbing your popcorn and your besties and heading to see Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi reenact Brontë’s masterpiece on the big screen.
Wuthering Heights will be in cinemas across London from February 13th onwards.
Delight in an afternoon tea
This Galentine’s Day, switch it up and opt for elegance. Enjoy some quality time with your girlfriends and treat yourself to quintessential London afternoon tea. At the Athenaeum, delight in sandwiches, cakes, pastries, and traditional scones with Tiptree strawberry jam and clotted cream. There is also the opportunity to upgrade and enjoy 90 minutes of free-flowing prosecco alongside your afternoon tea delights.
At The Stafford London, gather your friends for an experience that includes dainty finger sandwiches and delicious homemade sweet and savoury scones, accompanied by a selection of seasonal cakes and pastries. Pair it with your choice of tea—or make it extra special with a glass of champagne.
Website: www.theatheanaeumhotel.com & www.thestaffordlondon.com
Enjoy an Indian tasting menu
Situated in the heart of Kensington, this Bombay Brasserie is inviting guests to celebrate Valentine’s Day with its special tasting menu. From Tawa Fish to Tandoori Prawns, this menu is brimming with flavour, and available to book for February 14th. This London Indian restaurant is also inviting guests to enjoy its Valentine’s brunch all weekend long.
This is the perfect spot for those looking to celebrate the weekend over small plates, spice, colour and classic Indian hospitality.
Where: Courtfield Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 4QH
Website: www.bombaybrasserie.com
Have a movie night at The Brush East London Grand Cafe
Another cinema billing, The Brush East London Grand Cafe is screening a selection of classic romcoms to be enjoyed while tucking into a two-course dinner, and a Valentine’s Day exclusive cocktail.
Over the course of the weekend, it will be screening Dirty Dancing, When Harry Met Sally, 10 Things I Hate About You and The Notebook.
Where: 84-86 Great Eastern St, London EC2A 3JL
Website: www.thebrush.com
Try your hand at shuffleboard
If you are looking to ditch the sit-down meal this Valentine’s Day, Electric Shuffle is providing the perfect alternative. Its activity bar is hosting a Galentine’s brunch between the 13th and 15th of February. You can expect a two-hour bottomless brunch, complete with live DJ sets, pizza, and of course, lots of shuffleboard.
Website: www.electricshuffle.com
