Hate to break it to you, San Francisco, but Valentine’s Day is coming up. And while lovey-dovey date ideas and chocolate shops are all well and good, we promise these anti-Valentine’s Day plans for singles are positively unromantic. Read on for SF’s best single-friendly activities this weekend, and hold on tight till March.
1. Check out a lively party in the city
If you don’t want to waste a Friday night, there are still plenty of lively parties happening at bars and clubs throughout SF. Check out some bars throwing Valentine’s events this weekend:
- Chappell Roan Valentine’s Day Dance Party at Rickshaw Shop
- Valentine’s Day Celebration for Single Professionals at Toy Soldier
- Valentine’s Day Fling with SOLARDO: Audio
- Valentine’s Day Dance Party: Red Room at Clift Royal Sonesta Hotel
- All-Star Weekend/Valentine’s Day Bash with SAWEETIE: Eve Nightclub
- Valentine’s Celebration at Barbarossa
- Flowdan at 1015 Folsom
2. Attend Goth Prom and shred A picture of your ex
Pasta Supply Co. is hosting the ultimate anti-Valentine’s Day party at both locations this Friday from 5 to 9 pm. Goth Prom includes all black pasta, a “Gates of Hell” photo stage, and makeup by Valentin Van Zandt. Finally, you can bring a photo of your ex and shred it at an altar.
3. Take yourself on a solo date around the Bay Area
In the spirit of self-care, here are some pleasant solo date ideas if you just want a little me time. Take this as your friendly reminder to get out of the house and try something new; you may just find an awesome new hobby or escape!
- Catch a temporary museum exhibition
- Find your next plant children at a local nursery
- Pick up a great read at a local bookstore
- And more
4. Let it all out at the ephemeral Valentine’s Day Pillow Fight
Arguably one of San Francisco’s more mysterious events, the Valentine’s Day Pillow Fight is a tradition that usually happens around 6 pm on Feb. 14th at Embarcadero Plaza. To be clear, this is a tentative, unofficial and unpermitted event… but as the event organizer once told Funcheap, “if 1,000 people head down to Embarcadero Plaza with pillows and THINK there’s going to be a pillow fight… then there’s probably going to be a motherf*cking pillow fight.”
Some feather-related rules of thumb: wear a mask to avoid inhaling feathers, bring a synthetic pillow to reduce the amount of feathers, and bring a trash bag to help clean up the feathers. Also, don’t hit anyone who isn’t holding a pillow.
5. Laugh through the pain at these Valentine’s Day comedy shows
Sit back and join some fellow cynics with stories about breakups, worst dates, and teen angst from SF’s best comedians. Here are some great standup shows and open mics to put on your radar.
- Feb 14: Chris Distefano at Cobb’s Comedy Club
- Feb 14: Valentine’s Day Comedy show and Pink Cocktail party at The Function
- Feb 15: Valentine’s Day Special at Eclectic Box SF
- Feb 15: Cheaper Than Therapy at Shelton Theater
- Feb 15: Sheng Wang at Palace of Fine Arts
- Feb 15: F*ck Valentine’s Day Comedy Show at the Function
6. Check out one of the many NBA All-Star events
If you want to distract yourself from all the Valentine’s Day madness, NBA All-Star weekend is in SF this year, and it brings plenty of exciting events. Aside from the All-Star game on Sunday, you can check out multiple other games, fan events, and more.