11 Unique ways to spend Valentine’s Day

Growing up is hard; you have to pay bills; you have to dust things; you also have to start thinking about your pension plan for the inevitability that it growing old. Have the best of both worlds at Rascals in London, where you and bae can share an aphrodisiac-filled three-course meal. There's dishes like wood-flamed beef chuck and mini strawberry meringues with fresh strawberries, as well as a gin-or-tequila laced cocktail to wash it down. While that keeps up the thin veneer of adulthood, it descends into childish behaviour with a hilarious comedy accordion player up first; then the super famous Ballie Ballerson ball pit will open for you to go deep diving into some neon balls. Just how Valentine's Day should be.

Ladies' Delight, Mother's Ruin, 'Oh my god I can't believe I threw my phone at my Uber driver': gin has had a lot of names over the years, but in 2018 it'll be known as the most romantic drink around. Head to the Jekyll and Hyde in Birmingham for an evening in their Victorian Gin Parlour where you and boo will enjoy a light-hearted gin masterclass, learning about its history and sampling some along the way. Then it's onto a locally supplied cheese and charcuterie experience, all while their very own Gin Gurus will help you choose even more romantic libations through the night. Take the Victorians' word for it, everything's better with gin.

14th February is a bit too special for Netflix and chill, unfortunately, so why don't you upgrade that tried-and-tested formula with 'hugely romantic movie and dinner in a really fun bar' (it doesn't quite have the same ring to it, but hear us out). Adult youth club The Exhibit are inviting you round for a delicious three-course meal before sitting you down for a viewing of Romeo and Juliet in their cool cinema. Don't worry, it's not the old one, and three words will convince you to go: young Leonardo DiCaprio.

When you first start a relationship it's all salads without the tuna and skipping starters. But eventually your real self emerges and before you know it you've eaten a 50 chicken wing sharer board by yourself. In that vein, we present to you: an evening of melted cheese. So much melted cheese. Fondue is the most amazing meal in existence already, but host it at the world-renowned Borough Market with Bedales and you'll find that the melted gruyere and emmental cheese fondue will send you straight to your happy place. Add in a wine pairing from their 700+ wine wall and that, my friend, is what you call a date.

Let's set the scene: the person you love at the top of one of the most iconic buildings in London, glass of Champagne in hand, and watching the sun set over the city skyscape. Can you think of anything more beautiful? Searcys at the Gherkin's interiors will be as pretty as the outside, creating the perfect backdrop as you both sip Perrier-Jouet Champagne and nibble on a plate of chocolates. Plus, imagine how good it'll look on your Instagram.

It's okay, Leona Lewis will still be on Spotify when you get back, but Valentine's weekend shouldn't be a time for moping and hoping it rains so you can stare dramatically out the window. The Bleeding Heart Ball invites all the lonely and broken hearts, the unrequited lovers and those whose Tinder has stopped working for a night of dancing, debauchery and hedonism - not crying. Beneath the streets of London you'll discover a cornucopia of rooms filled with sex and secrets, from gender-bending cabaret, to sex magic tarot card readings and a massage parlour, to nude life-drawing. All weirdos are welcome to dance away the pain.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's upcoming nuptials have as feeling all warm and gooey inside. It's also given us some very worrying delusions of grandeur, so Quaglino's cocktails worthy of Royalty sound right up our street. Bringing some romance to Mayfair, Quaglino's will be raising a glass in celebration of the recent royal engagement with three luxurious cocktails: The Royal Treasure - a cocktail made for sharing showcasing a mix of blueberry infused Stolichnaya, St Germain and Parfait d'amour served in a terrarium filled with white and red rose petals and gold glitter. Love Struck - giving a nod to the royal family's love of Scotch whiskey, the cocktail is made up of Glenfiddich 12, Pedro X Sherry. The Look of Love - dedicated to 'the look of love' between Harry and Meghan on the announcement of their engagement.

Ultimately, Valentine's Day should be a time for giving, whether that's presents, wonderful experiences or the other thing. But it can also be about giving to charity, like at Junkyard Golf's Valentine's Day bash. You, your girlfriend or boyfriend or best friend can head down to their three crazy, mashed-up courses, enjoy an ultimate ballad playlist,and be happy in the knowledge that the money will go to Love Support Unite. The charity hopes to fight poverty in Malawi, so when you score a hole in one and scream 'in your face' to your sore loser boyfriend, you know you'll be doing it for a good cause.

'I'm not doing Valentine's Day,' you've said, smugly, to everyone who will listen. 'Don't you know it's all just a corporate con, mum?' Well, good, because PopHorror agrees with you and they're putting everything about the day directly into the bin with their Anti-Valentine's party. This den of debauchery will be led by some dark cabaret, a killer disco and lots of things to really stick it to Clinton Cards. We're talking Killer Cupids, the dreaded Cliché Corner, tales of Dating Disasters and Speed Hating, which is exactly like speed dating but a bit more honest. Whether you're in a relationship or not, at this party, all you have to do is leave the schmaltz at the door.

While sexy men, art and bottomless cocktails sounds exactly like your time at uni, it's also a very steamy way to spend your Valentine's Day. Get your friends together for this sociable life drawing class, where you can unleash your artistic side, learn a bit more about painting and ogle naked men without going on some sort of register. You'll be good for drinks, with a welcome Valentine's tipple, bottomless cocktails for an hour and the best artists will win free booze. Once you've completed your masterpieces and you've taken photos with the models – truly putting the D into Valentine's Day - prepare for a night of old school bangers and party games.

It's a hard time of year for the recently single, but there's a solution to the potential heartache: just burn your ex. Waaait, before you become the subject of a sassy True Crime podcast, we mean burn your ex's photo at this part-ritual and part-party. It's #NoMan2018 after all, so stick it to relationships by setting aflame all the bad memories (the first 50 people get a free OVER IT shot) and dancing to the early hours to history's most empowering tunes. Shout Out To My Ex, you said you weren't ready for a long-term relationship and now you're engaged, Steve. Dick move, Steve.