11 Best Valentine's Weekend Parties in Phoenix

Feeling jilted, scorned, or even a bit cynical about love? You probably hate the fact that another Valentine’s Day is upon us. Conversely, those who happen to be attached and loving it are likely on Cloud Nine right now at the prospect of getting to ply their beloved with candy, flowers, and other hallmarks of the holiday.

The good news is that there are plenty of parties and nightlife events happening over the next few nights in Phoenix that are aimed at both crowds. Whether you’re single, in a relationship, or somewhere between the two (i.e. “it’s complicated”), we’re willing to wager that any of the following events during Valentine’s Day weekend and beyond will suit you.
 
Cupcake! Bittersweet! at The Rogue Bar
The sinfully inclined fetishistic fiends of monthly dance night Cupcake! will welcome guest DJs Sean Watson and Benni Beatnik into their midst for this anti-Valentine’s theme party on Friday, February 12. All the hedonistic hallmarks of a typical Cupcake! event will be offered, including include a “best dressed” contest, go-go dancers, sweet treats, drink specials, and a mix of industrial and electro from resident DJs Self.Destrukt and Defense.Mekanizm. Costumes are encouraged. 9 p.m., $6.

Valentine's Day Weekend Stoplight Party at Casablanca Lounge
Urbanites both attached and single will mix and mingle at this "grown and sexy" affair on Friday, February 12, at the Scottsdale lounge, which will involve patrons dressing in color-coded ensembles to indicate their relationship status. To wit: those who happen to be unattached will wear green, while anyone falling under the “dating casually” or “it’s complicated” heading sport yellow, and folks in serious relationships go with red. DJ Dark Vader and DJ Sir Plus will provide a soundtrack of hip-hop, R&B, and old school as the social rites unfold. 9 p.m., free before 11 p.m. for those who hit up the online guest list. 

Cupid Valentino - The Aquarius Affair at Club Paris
Love will be in the air, as well as plenty of R&B and Top 40 jams, inside the West Valley nightspot Club Paris during this event on Saturday, February 13, that celebrates both Valentine’s Day and anyone with a birthday this weekend. The duo of DJ Rocflash and DJ Pest will tag-team the mixers all evening. 9 p.m., $10.

Butthurt Valentine's Dance Party at Palo Verde Lounge
This event on Saturday, February 13, will at the lovelorn and lonely among us offer a place to nurse their bruised egos and broken hearts along with a drink or four. The trio of Schux Famicom, A Claire Slattery, and Space Prole will spin all-vinyl DJ sets at the local band fuzz-rockers Man-Cat and New Times contributor Serene Dominic will also perform. 8:30 p.m., free.

Galentine’s Day at The Grid
Female-fronted garage rock band The Love Me Nots are scheduled to perform at this girl-centric Galentine’s Day party at Mesa game bar The Grid on Saturday, February 13. Both sexes can attend the event, which will also include drink specials for the ladies, team trivia beginning at 8:30 p.m., door prizes, and a Valentine-making station. 8:30 p.m., free.


Obscura's Viva Hate Anti-Valentine's Day Party at Rips Ales & Cocktails
Parting, as The Bard once wrote, is such sweet sorrow — especially if it involves something that’s adored. That certainly applies to dance night Obscura, which is holding its last monthly edition on Saturday, February 13, as its earned a special spot in the hearts of scenesters, artists, dance fiends, and urbane types over the past eight years. As such, the anti-Valentine’s Day party guaranteed to be a melancholy night, which why its fitting that it will pay homage to Morrisey and The Smiths with tunes from both being spun by DJ Court and DJ Matty. As per usual for an Obscura event, recently released CDs and tickets for upcoming concerts will be given away throughout the night. 8 p.m., $5 after 9 p.m.

Morrissey & Smiths Valentine’s Night Dance at Spinelli's Pizzeria
The Mutiny Antarsya DJs (a.k.a. Ron Diep, JS, Laine B., and Santa Cecilia) will also pay tribute to the mopey British rocker and his most famous band when they spin songs inspired by both during an evening of “dance, drink, [and] danger” on Sunday, February 14, at the Tempe pizza joint. 9 p.m., free.

Anti-Valentine's Day at Hula's Modern Tiki
Want to underscore that fact its truly over between you and the ex? Toss a photo of your former flame (ripped up or otherwise) into outdoor fire pits at either the Scottsdale or Central Avenue location of Hula’s during both spot’s daytime Anti-Valentine’s Day festivities on Sunday, February 14. Specialty cocktails and drink deals will be available if you need something stiff afterwards. 11 a.m., free.

Café Jaleo: Buena Vista Social Club and More at Valley Bar
The musicians of local ensemble Café Jaleo will offer up love letters to such esteemed Afro-Cuban and Latin acts as Buena Vista Social Club, The Fania All-Stars, La Sonora Matancera, and others during a special Valentine’s performance on Sunday, February 14, that will be filled with tribute performances. 8 p.m.; $7 per person, $48 for a four-person table.

Valentine's Day Massacre Cruiser Ride at TT Roadhouse
The latest edition of the annual V-Day bar crawl, which involves dozens of cruiser-riding day drinkers “boozing [their] way into oblivion,” will take place on Sunday, February 14, and include stops at such Scottsdale spots as Papago Brewing, FATE Brewing South, and The Well Bar. The ride, which gets rolling at 1 p.m., will begin and end with a round of drinks at the legendary TT Roadhouse. Noon, free.

Mix 96.9’s Broken Hearts Ball at Livewire
While we can’t guarantee that the rock and pop tunes of Andy Grammer, Blue October’s Justin Furstenfeld, Haley Reinhart, and Zella Day will mend the broken hearts of anyone in attendance at this post-Valentine’s concert on Friday, February 19, it will at least get the crowd moving or singing along. 6:30 p.m., $20.