Queen of Hoxton’s quirky Parisian style rooftop
Contrary Life is back again with An Alternative Guide to Valentine’s Day. We’ve dug out some great quirky events taking place in the UK 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 to try…
Attend a sausage making class
When: 14th February 2019
Where: Cookery School London, 15b Little Portland Street, London W1W 8BW
£: Costs £125
What is it?
Taste sausages from around the world, learn how to make the fillings, as well as how to fill and form different types of sausages. Then learn how to fry and bake the sausages perfectly, before tasting them at the end of the lesson, along with some delicious accompaniments and a beer. The class uses organic meat from British farms and no preservatives.
The class will include turkey sausages using a Mrs Beeton recipe for inspiration, Italian beef sausages flavoured with fennel and black pepper, rare breed pork sausages, and boerewors, a spicy traditional South African sausage that forms an important part of any barbecue.
More info: www.cookeryschool.co.uk/classes/sausages
Discover love and passion in the eighteenth century
When: 13th February 2019
Where: Dr Johnson’s House, 17 Gough Square, London EC4A 3DE
£: Tickets cost £10 and include a glass of wine
What is it?
Head to Dr Johnson’s House as author and historian Julie Peakman offers an insight into the vast amount of amatory pleasures on offer in the eighteenth century. Discover more about a time when sex and women’s sexuality was celebrated, yet women were robbed of their sexual freedom, subjugating them to a life of prostitution and making sex outside of marriage frowned upon. A time when sodomy was a hangable offence, yet flagellation was an acceptable practice; when sex was preached about from the pulpit, written about in scandal sheets and played out in brothels.
More info: www.drjohnsonshouse.org
Go speed dating with your dog
When: 13th February 2019, 6pm – 8pm
Where: The Market Place Restaurant in Chelsea Farmers Market, London
£: Free, apply online
What is it?
Pet emporium Pet Pavilion is inviting single pawrents looking for love, and their dogs, to join them for their very first speed dating event. The event promises 30 human guests and their four-legged companions an evening of ‘fun and flirting’. Pet Pavilion will provide dogs with complimentary pawsecco, doggy treats and a goody bag to take home, while human guests can enjoy a happy hour until 7pm. Single pet-lovers can apply to attend by completing a short questionnaire.
More info: www.petpavilion.co.uk
Enjoy tales of love on a Parisian style rooftop
When: 14th February 2019, 7pm – 10pm
Where: Queen of Hoxton, 1-5 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3JX
£: Free (booking required)
What is it?
Head to the Queen of Hoxton’s Parisian Moulin Rouge inspired rooftop for their Lover’s Fortune Storytelling and Tarot Valentine’s event. Grab a table in the bigtop, and listen to tales of love and loss told by award-winning storyteller Giles Abbott, who will transport you to mid-century Paris.
Find our your own story with the tarot readers and fortune tellers. Lovers and lone wolves can find out their destiny. A menu of cheese and wine, hot cocktails and absinthe fountains will also be on offer to warm cockles and hearts.
More info: queen-of-hoxton.eventcube.io
Don a toga and feast on Italian food
Don a toga at Bunga Bunga
When: 14th – 16th February 2019
Where: Bunga Bunga Covent Garden, 167 Drury Lane, London WC2B 5PG
£: From £38 per person
What is it?
Celebrate the wedding of the year at Bunga Bunga Covent Garden with their Big Phat Roman Wedding. Don Silvio invites guests on a trip to Ancient Rome, as Bunga Bunga hosts an immersive Valentine’s dinner extravaganza.
Guests are invited to toga up and congratulate the bride and groom, as they party alongside fellow wedding guests including cupid and a few gladiators. Guests will feast on Italian food and enjoy eccellente entertainment; and if you’re a single Roman raring for romance you’ll receive a drink on the house.
More info: www.bungabunga.com
Have a Pal-Entines not Valentine’s at Dabbers Bingo
When: Open daily
Where: Dabbers Bingo, 13 – 22 Houndsditch, London EC3A 7DB
£: From £15 per person
What is it?
This Valentine’s celebrate with your pals at Dabbers Social Bingo as they bring you a Pal-Entines Day special event. Dabbers Social Bingo in East London aims to reinvigorated the iconic British pastime, replacing cups of tea with cocktails, bingo callers with comedians and dreary prizes with incredible experiences; whilst celebrating the classic British game and remaining true to its cultural heritage.
Dabbers’ raucous hosts will get everyone going, and beats will keep all happy until the early hours. There’ll be a selection of prizes from the Magic Flower Company for guests to win, as well as games and entertainment, including Russian Roulette Bingo. Guests can expect a free glass of fizz for celebrating the day with their pals. So why not forget Valentines Day and celebrate with a pal instead?
More info: dabbers.bingo
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