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If you're single, Valentine's Day can be a day you spend desperately trying to avoid stomach-churning PDAs and reminders of your solo status. But you can avoid spending this year's Valentine's drowning in a sea of pink balloons and gushing Instagram posts by trying one of these anti-Valentine's Day events instead:
Anti-Valentine Fright Night at the Jewish Museum, February 11
Halloween may be a good eight months away, but if your love life is a bit of a horror show, this could be for you. Build your own bloody mary cocktail with a mixologist, disguise yourself in horror make-up, take a closer look at blood through a microscope and get creative with craft activities. Raymond Burton House, 129-131 Albert Street, NW1 7NB.
Anti-Valentine's Party at Bounce Farringdon, February 13
Hosted by dating app Bumble, this party at Bounce will give proud singles a chance to mingle with unlimited ping-pong, face painting and top tunes to dance the night away. All for just a fiver, too. 121 Holborn, EC1N 2TD.
Valentine’s Day - Tinder Live Pub Crawl, February 13
Dating app Tinder is running its own pub crawl through the capital. It starts at Zoo Bar on Bear Street in Covent Garden, and attendees will enjoy five free shots in five bars, in five hours. Plus you’ll get loads of likes in a huge game of Tinder Live. And it’s all just £15 a ticket. 13-17 Bear Street, Leicester Square, WC2H 7AS.
Anti-Valentine’s SupperClub Part 1: Eat Your Heart Out at The Wall, February 13
‘Roses are red, violets are blue, this supper club beats a tacky dinner for two.’ That’s the mission statement for this evening of foodin’ and boozin’. For £30 a ticket, chow down on an anti-Valentine’s themed menu at The Wall – including 'Oysters NoRockafella', spiced pork loin and 'sour grapes with bread and sweet onions'. 228-232 Station Approach Road, SE1 8SW.
Bitter Sweet: An Anti-Valentines Screening Event, February 13
Fancy a Saturday afternoon of film? This event features film and video works that draw on the other side of love, sex and relationships. CGP London, 1 Park Approach, Southwark Park, Rotherhithe, SE16 2UA.
The Anti-Slam Anti Valentine’s Show, February 13
Forget soppy love notes and heartfelt poetry. This event turns that on its head. In this slam, the worst poet wins. London’s top poets have been challenged to write the most hilariously terrible, embarrassing and cringe-worthy verses. The event warns you not to bring a date, so head to this with a group of friends. Hackney Attic, Hackney Picturehouse, 270 Mare Street, E8 1HE.
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