Contrary Life is back again with an alternative guide to Valentine’s Day. First up, we’ve dug out some great quirky events taking place in London this year. Whether you are in a couple, going out with a group of friends, or looking for an escape from kissing couples, we have some sneaky suggestions for you…
Valentine’s Gin Safari at Mr Fogg’s Tavern
An unusual Valentine’s Day at Mr Fogg’s Tavern in London.
When: 14th February 2016
Where: Mr Fogg’s Tavern, 58 St Martin’s Lane, London WC2N 4EA
£: Costs £40 per person (booking is essential)
What is it?
Fanny McGee invites lovers and friends to Aunt Gertrude’s Gin Parlour and Salon at Mr Fogg’s Tavern, for a special Valentine’s Day Gin Safari. Suitors can surprise their sweethearts by reserving a space for an intriguing and unique gin tasting experience, or with an exclusive gift voucher to Mr Fogg’s Tavern, to enjoy marvels from the Dickensian era.
Mr Fogg’s immaculately turned out staff will greet visitors and lead them upstairs to the eclectic Gin Parlour, filled wall-to-wall with London’s largest gin selection. The salon features 269 of the rarest and most unique gins from around the globe. The Gin Parlour offers a theatrical Victorian interior, featuring wonderful collections of rare antiques and ornaments on every surface, inspired by the decorative art of Dickensian Britain.
Mr Fogg’s world-class barmen will provide one and a half hours of tiptop tuition, whisking couples away on a Gin Safari to learn more about the origins of some of the rare gins, as well as an array of botanicals and tonics. Guests, will of course, sample six of the finest gins and enjoy two superb gin and tonics, made with their favourite varieties.
Couples can enjoy post-Gin Safari respite in Aunt Gertrude’s Salon. Guests will be met with velvet chaise lounges for a cosy knees-up and a bespoke Valentine’s Day cocktail menu. Tipples include Aunt Gertrude’s Gentleman Caller and Shakespeare in Love. Guests can order nibbles, including seasonal small dishes and Victorian delights for two, served in the wonderfully theatrical environment of the Salon.
Mr Fogg’s Tavern is located in Covent Garden and is based on the adventures of Jules Verne’s fictional explorer, Phileas Fogg. Mr Fogg’s Tavern has an upstairs downstairs theatrical theme, with a Victorian pub on the ground floor and a refined Gin Parlour and Salon upstairs.
More info: mr-foggs.com/tavern/valentines-day-gin-safari
Palentine’s Day Party at The Book Club
Enjoy a Palentine’s Day Party at The Book Club.
When: Sunday 14th February 2016, 4.30pm – 10pm
Where: The Book Club, 100-106 Leonard St, London EC2A 4RH
£: £6.50 (includes a friendship bracelet workshop, film screening and sugary snacks)
What is it?
This year, The Book Club will be helping their guests to celebrate the people we love most in the world – our pals – with a Palentine’s Day party like no other. It will be kicking off at 5pm with a friendship bracelet making workshop, courtesy of Crafternoon Cabaret Club, followed by a screening of the classic 1990s BFF film Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion.
You’ll also have the chance to pen a moving love letter to your pal, relive your slumber party days with a game of truth or dare, and sample a special sidekick cocktail. The Book Club will provide the popcorn and sweets, you just bring your chums and your romantic self along.
More info: thebookclub.eventcube.io/events/2967/palentines-day
Erotic Cake Decorating at The Book Club
When: 13th February 2016, 2pm – 4pm and 4.30pm – 6pm
Where: The Book Club, 100-106 Leonard St, London EC2A 4RH
£: Tickets cost £7 in advance (including cake to take home)
What is it?
The second suggestion from The Book Club is perfect for those who are not only looking for something different to do, but for those with artistic flair and a love of cake! The Book Club are hosting Erotic Cake Decorating classes in honour of Valentine’s Day. Join their beginner’s class for some fun, informative and practical tuition. Join up with a friend and learn to decorate some unusual cupcakes and some truly breath-taking cake art. Prizes will be awarded for realism and invention, and drinks will be available at the bar.
It’ll be like Great British Bake Off. Kind of.
More info: thebookclub.eventcube.io/events/3111/erotic-cake-decoration-a-valentines-class-for-beginners
A Very Squiffy Valentine’s Day Picnic at Cahoots
The 1940s-styled Cahoots in Soho.
When: 14th February 2016, 3pm – 6pm
Where: Cahoots, 13 Kingly Court, London W1B 5PW
£: Costs from £42 (booking recommended)
What is it?
Whisk your sweetheart away from the hustle and bustle of Central London, to Soho’s Cahoots for a whimsical garden party. Enjoy a vintage Valentine’s Day Squiffy Picnic, complete with wicker picnic hampers filled with delightfully British cuisine and cocktails circa 1946.
The stationmaster will greet guests with a refreshing Sipsmith Summer Cup cocktail, before heading down the apples and pears to a tube station decorated with heart baubles, love letters, pink and red bunting, and streamers. Couples can sift through the vintage dress box for sunhats, before sitting at their picnic tables laden with a cosy tartan blanket, roses, candles and a dedicated hamper menu that pays homage to food and cocktail favourites from post-war Britain. Couples have the option of three different hampers, including Spivs & Scoundrels, Starlets & Sirens and Aristocrats & Fat Cats; all of which are packed with scrumptious fare and delectable tipples.
The Spivs & Scoundrels basket will arrive filled with a choice of Brilliant Ale, Shepherd Naeme IPA, Double Stout or Spitfire, as well as a cheeky hipflask of Sipsmith Gin and tonic. The Starlets & Sirens basket is ideal for those who prefer a glass of wine and includes a bottle of red, white or rose, as well as a hipflask of Sipsmith Sloe Gin and tonic. For those who wish to celebrate the occasion with bubbly, the Aristocrats & Fat Cats hamper includes a bottle of English sparkling wine and a hipflask of Cognac or Sipsmith Damson Vodka.
All three hampers are filled with a selection of ration-inspired sandwiches, including cucumber, smoked salmon and cream cheese, salt beef and horseradish and jam. For sustenance, the hampers will also come with a homemade pork pie, boiled eggs, and a selection of British cheese with Quince jelly. For dessert, the hampers will be filled with indulgent homemade tiffin, sweet lavender shortbread and Victoria sponge cake, along with a traditional British sweet selection. Each hamper will also come with a very special Valentine’s Day surprise, so be on the look out!
Couples and friends alike can look forward to a most relaxing and romantic knees up whilst listening to the sultry tunes of live jazz, swing and lindy hop all afternoon.
More info: www.cahoots-london.com
Valentine’s Late at the National Gallery
The National Gallery ‘s Valentine’s Late.
When: 12th February 2016, from 6pm
Where: The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN
£: Free admission
What is it?
The National Gallery will be having an evening of special events inspired by themes of love and romance in their collection on Friday 12th February. Visitors will be able to enjoy live music, a pop-up bar, free activities, and the late opening of the Visions of Paradise exhibition.
During the evening guests can taste historical aphrodisiacs with food historian Natasha Marks from AVM Curiosities, or create beautiful fascinators inspired by the collection with Glam Hatters. Discover the language of fans with the curators of the Fan Museum and learn some historical courtly steps with dancers and musicians from Renaissance Footnotes.
For those who wish to bring out their artistic side there’s a chance to improve your drawing skills with artist-led drop-in sessions and a Painted Lovers tour, where you can discover the stories of love and lust within the collection from one of the National Gallery’s experts.
More info: www.nationalgallery.org.uk/whats-on/calendar/valentines-late
A meal out with man’s best friend
The Dogs Trust MicroChippy pop up in London
When: 13th & 14th February 2016
Where: Printworks Kitchen, 20-26 Rosebery Avenue, London EC1R 4SX
£: Tickets cost £12 per person (including a hotdog, side and a glass of champagne or soft drink). Dogs go free. 100% of profits from ticket sales will be donated to the Dogs Trust.
What is it?
Show your pooch some puppy love this Valentine’s weekend at the Dogs Trust MicroChippy, the first restaurant designed especially for dogs and their owners to share a meal.
Created by the Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, MicroChippy aims to raise awareness of the upcoming change in microchipping legislation by encouraging dogs and their owners to celebrate being ‘together forever’. By 6th April, dog owners in England, Wales and Scotland must have their pets microchipped and ensure registered addresses are kept up to date or risk a fine of up to £500.
The canine café will open its doors exclusively on the 13th and 14th February with a bespoke menu fit for people and pooches, designed by the team at Bubbledogs, the renowned gourmet hotdog and champagne bar in London. Bubbledogs chef and co-owner Sandia Chang has worked alongside the Dogs Trust’s team of veterinary experts to develop a menu featuring a delicious dog friendly hotdog, alongside highlights from their well-known existing menu.
The 1950s-style diner, built specifically for doggy dates, is packed with creature comforts for both two and four legged guests to enjoy. Dining together is made easy with cosy and comfortable booths, dog bean bags and non-slip bowls so furry friends can chow down on their hot-doggy delights.
All owners who visit the Dogs Trust MicroChippy will have the opportunity to show their pooch-pals some extra TLC this Valentines’ day, by checking if they have been microchipped. They can also find out how they can ensure that their contact details are up to date and hear about how they can schedule a free microchipping appointment.
More info: www.eventbrite.co.uk and www.dogstrust.org.uk
Magical Lantern Festival at Chiswick House Gardens
Magical Lantern Festival at Chiswick House Gardens.
When: 3rd February – 6th March 2016
Where: Chiswick House Gardens, London W4 2QN
£: Advance online tickets cost £16 for adults, £10 for children, £14 for concessions and £48 for a family. Tickets on the door cost £18 for adults, £12 for children, £16 for concessions and £56 for a family.
What is it?
London has been selected as the first city outside the Far East to host the Magical Lantern Festival, a dazzling extravaganza of lights, theatre, culture and art, celebrating the iconic and world-famous Chinese Lantern Festival.
This is China’s equivalent of Valentine’s day, so the groundbreaking event at Chiswick House Gardens will feature an enormous Love Zone, filled with giant, handmade lanterns depicting hearts, swans, cherubs and more. Couples will even be able to control the lighting by embracing on the Lover’s Platform, causing an electrical extravaganza of hearts to explode around them.
The Magical Lantern Festival channels its rich, 2000-year heritage into an immersive world, celebrating Chinese New Year with more than 50 giant hand-sculpted lanterns, discovered by guests exploring the picturesque garden trail, through Corridors of Light into vividly themed zones.
There will be a breathtaking centrepiece featuring a 66-metre-long dragon stretching out across the lake, an Animal Kingdom with life-sized flamingos, zebras, kangaroos and elephants, and The Enchanted Forest with an ethereal Tree of Life, oversized mushrooms, plants and flowers.
More info: www.magicallantern.uk and www.facebook.com/MagicalLantern