Valentine's day – you either love it or loathe it, either it has you coming over all warm and fuzzy or the red hearts and loved up couples make you nauseous. But panic not, for those who have someone special this year then London has all host of things you can do, from afternoon tea at The Ampersand to comedy at the Roof Gardens – perfect for dates! For those who aren't celebrating with anyone in particular, now is time for the phrase 'if you can't beat them join them' at one of the valentine's party happening across the capital – or even better one of the anti – valentine's party! Here are some of the best:
Afternoon Teas
The South Kensington, boutique hotel has created a perfect afternoon tea menu for this Valentine’s Day. With delicious sandwich fillings including H.Forman & Son London smoked salmon and delicious pastries of caramelized white chocolate mousse and heart- shaped macaroon with chocolate gananache and strawberry juice pipette, the menu is one of the best in town. Relax in luxurious settings and spoil yourself with a glass of champagne on top of it all. 7th – 16th February www.ampersandhotel.com
Hyatt Regency, London, The Churchill
Book a table at The Churchill Hyatt Regency London where talented pastry chefs have created a Valentine’s Day tea menu to remember. Here you can enjoy a vast array of sweet treats and sandwiches as you while away a few hours in the decadent but warm surroundings of their restaurant. Only a stone’s throw away from Oxford Street this is the perfect place to cosy up away from city bustle. 14th & 15th February www.london.churchill.hyatt.co.uk
Combine five star elegance with a slightly cheekier afternoon tea than you’re used to with The Horse Guard’s specially designed ‘Naughtea’. Here talented pastry chef Joanne Todd has created a menu that will definitely be a talking point amongst the two of you. This ‘devilishly delectable’ menu is set to include lace cupcakes, corset cookies and saucy passionfruit fools as well as the standard high tea fodder of elegant finger sandwiches and scones with lashings of double cream and jam. Top all of this off with a glass of Laurent Perrier Rose Champagne. 10th – 16th February www.guoman.com
If you favour the more traditional side of things, the two of you should play Lord and Lady Lytellton for the afternoon and take tea in The Stafford’s award winning Lyttelton restaurant. Perfect for the two of you to share, the spread will include a range of sandwiches, Pacific oyster caviar and a glass of Laurent Perrier Champagne with a delectable range of sweets ranging from raspberry champagne gel to white chocolate and passion fruit parcels. Heavenly. 14th February www.kempinski.com
Parties
Over in Chelsea, Beaufort House are looking after all the singletons with their anti- Valentine’s day party hosted in the Penthouse Champagne Bar. With complimentary shots on arrival, a memorising magician and a DJ spinning tunes, you never know whilst you are forgetting about love you might actually meet someone! 14th February www.beauforthousechelsea.co.uk
For all those who can’t stand the sight of loved up couples or just don’t really get the schmaltz of valentine’s day, then head over to Bounce in Holborn for their anti – valentine’s day party. So here’s the deal: no couples, no red, no flowers, no hearts, no PDAs, no emotional outbursts, no pet names, no sharing pudding, no winking, no whispering – got it? Just good old fun, dancing to DJ Shredded Pete and a lot of ping pong! 14th February www.bouncepingpong.com
Over at Bunga Bunga it’s all about the togas – so dig out those sheets! The Battersea institution is looking back to its Roman roots with a veritable Roman feast, and a golden, limited edition, cocktail sharer- The Anthony and Cleopatra. Just think, if you do get lucky, you’ll already be in your bed sheets – cheeky!14th February www.bungabunga-london.com
If you are looking to meet someone new then stop searching why not leave it to the luck of the disco ball over in Soho? On arrival everyone will be given a limited edition Disco MP3 which they can take to Cupid’s dock station and fill up with amorous songs; then just leave your name and number on the back, throw it into the disco ball and keep your fingers crossed that at midnight someone chooses your MP3 and gives you a call the next day! Hey if not at least you come away with a great new playlist! 14th February www.disco-london.com
Maggie’s over on the Fulham Road, are all about the ‘denim and big hair’ this Valentine’s – it’s a whole lot of 80s love! They’re dedicating their decks to power ballads and lover’s rock, and the first fifty lovers in will get a ‘love is the drug’ shooter on arrival. Oh and if you so fancy it ‘smooching selfies’ are completely acceptable – the best kissagram receives a complimentary fishbowl cocktail sharer! Quick get kissing! 14th February www.maggies-club.com
Valentine’s Day all just got a bit too much for you? Want to go out, but still not quite over your ex or unrequited love? Then fear not The Happenstance’s Heartbreak High anti Valentine’s Day has got it covered, punch bowls, Prosecco, 80’s tracks and our favourite: sharing cocktails served with boxes of tissues and a tub indulgent ice cream. But if you are feeling loved up, then you can indulge in the ‘Reef, Beef and Bubbles’ and share a delicious whole lobster, steak and bottle of champagne!14th February www.thehappenstancebar.co.uk
Tonteria’s scandalous Do Not Disturb Thursday nights become even more seductive as Soft Paris take over on Thursday 13th for Valentine’s. They have 100 naughty goody bags to give away, catwalk models will parade in Soft Paris lingerie, corsets and masks. Dancers will give a special performance with exploding red glitter balloons and rose petals and Mexican maids will be tying up a male model for a mischievous pillow fight, and the word is that Soft Paris will be launching a very tantalising film….13th February www.tonteria.co.uk
Something A Little Bit Different…
Putting a chic spin on the age old date classic ‘dinner and a show’ Almeida has put on George Orwell’s futuristic novel 1984 for this Valentine’s day. A play sure to set conversation alight, you can then simply cross the road to carry on your evening at the Almeida’s restaurant. Dishes are set to include an aphrodisiac of oyster gratin with champagne sabayon, a ballotine of rabbit with sage and a lentil ragout all followed by a dessert menu of chocolate and raspberry fondant, passion fruit tart and a banana croustillant. 14th February www.almeida.co.uk
Apparently music is the food of love, so choose to play on this Valentine’s Day and tick both off at The Boisdale with some fantastic food and live music. Here you can indulge your inner romantic with some traditional soul music from acclaimed Luther Vandross tribute vocalist Fil Straughan whose voice is perfect for Valentine’s. Dinner consists of a set menu including Steamed Wild Sea Bass from Brixham Day Boats, Tempura Stuffed Courgette Vegetables all followed by a shared dessert of spiced ginger and passion fruit baked alaska. 14th February www.boisdale.co.uk
Whether you’re an aspiring mixologist or just a regular worshipper at the temple of cocktail, the Metropolitan Bar is the only place for you this Valentine’s day. In a bar famed for its cocktails a special menu of six creations has been specially designed to ‘stir up the senses and lower the inhibitions’ for lovers drawn inside. Whether you choose to drink a Piquant Passion, made of fresh passion fruit with red chilli and shaken with strawberry black pepper liquer or share a Rosebud consisting of fresh strawberries and rose liqueur your tastebuds will not forget it. Available throughout February www.comohotels.com
Paradise By Way of Kensal Green
Banish the set menu, murder the milk tray and let Paradise give you a Valentine’s Day without all the fuss. With a casual a la carte menu plus extra sharing dishes added, enjoy fantastic food before heading up to the first floor. Up there you’ll find Ms Dynamite performing her feisty tracks – forget the soppy love songs, before handing over to West End DJs, The Weaver Brothers who will carry on the party until the early hours. 14th February www.theparadise.co.uk
The 245 bedroom Kings Cross hotel has recently launched a completely new bathing experience perfect for a Valentine’s Day gift this year. Harping back to the hotel’s opening in 1873 where having a servant draw a bath was an extravagance, the hotel wants to recreate the feeling of a bath being a treat. To do this St Pancras have teamed up with exclusive French beauty brand Cinq Mondes to create a menu of five different baths all appealing to guests personal requirements. Choose ‘Journey to India’ for relaxation, or ‘Journey to Africa’ for a more rejuvenating experience before retiring to The Chambers Club where a butler prepares a room with atmospheric scents and sounds specific to your journey. Like no other experience in town this is definitely a treatment to give a go this Valentine’s day. www.stpancrasrenaissance.com
Spend a heady evening 100ft in the air laughing to some of London’s best comedians at the picturesque Roof Gardens. Take the chance to huddle in from the February cold in the location’s romantic marquee and break any first date tension giggling to some of the best lines. For those dining in Babylon you will be serenaded by a live jazz band! 14th February www.roofgardens.virgin.com
For a pre Valentine’s Day treat with a difference, enjoy a rare opportunity to have a five course dinner and masterclass at the capable hands of chef Nathan Outlaw and one of the nation’s most acclaimed seafood chefs Valentine Warner. Joining forces, the pair will demonstrate a selection of the dishes, answering guest’s questions before heading to the kitchen to personally create dinner for you all. Located on Basil Street the elegant Capital Hotel this takes all the stress out of V- day. If this sounds like you be sure to be quick as there are only a limited 34 places available. 12th February www.capitalhotel.co.uk
