9 anti-Valentine’s Day events in Phoenix

For some, the mere thought of Valentine’s Day and all the hubbub that comes with it sparks feelings that are more prickly and nauseating than warm and fuzzy, despite greeting card, flower and candy companies’ best efforts. 

But before you resolve to hunker down at home and turn off all the lights like someone who didn’t buy candy on Halloween, consider the alternatives at several Valley restaurants, bars and venues. 

If you’d rather embrace singlehood — either solo or with your BFFs — these spots offer a safe space away from Cupid’s arrow on or around Valentine’s Day. 

Arizona Science Center

Friday, Feb. 13
600 E. Washington St.
Love & Lab Coats is the Arizona Science Center’s own twist on the day by embracing the science, surprises and sparks that make love ever so fascinating, albeit often frustrating. 

This 21 and older event will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. and feature hearts, hormones and hypotheses with fun activities and demonstrations, including an aphrodisiac scent guessing game, love compatibility test, various trivia games and more. 

Upon entry, attendees will be given optional relationship status slap bracelets to signal if they are single, taken or in a complicated situationship. If love isn’t high on your list, participate in the Great Balls of Fire Scorned Lover fiery demonstration by writing the name of an ex or someone who has scorned you and watch as it goes up in flames. 

Admission is $20 for members, $30 for advanced general admission, and $35 at the door. Splurge for the $55 VIP upgrade that comes with a Tequila Komos and Seahorse Chocolate tasting experience, or if you bring a friend, the $350 per couple Premium upgrade gets you a three-course dinner composed of a salad, choice of chicken, steak or vegetarian dinner, and a chocolate dessert. Themed cocktails will be available for purchase for all guests. 

Carcara

Friday, Feb. 13
320 N. Third St.
Get your palettes and your palates ready for Galentine’s Day fun on the Carcara patio for Paint & Sip from 5 to 7 p.m at the Sheraton Downtown Phoenix. Tequila ambassador Chris Seithel will lead you and your pals on a guided tour of Fletcha Azul Tequila’s blanco, reposado and añejo styles. All pair perfectly with the Girl Dinner of chicken Caesar salad and fries. The cost is $35 per person. 

Lakeside Bar & Grill

Friday, Feb. 13
9980 W. Happy Valley Parkway, Peoria
Grab your Galentine’s Day companions and quench your thirst with $2 mimosas with the purchase of any lunch special at Lakeside Bar & Grill. A chicken Caesar wrap with fries, ham, turkey and provolone with fries or house salad, and the Southwest Bowl featuring steak or grilled chicken with black beans, rice and tortilla strips are among the mid-day offerings. 

The Pemberton

Friday, Feb. 13
1121 N. Second St.
Celebrate Galentine’s Day at The Pemberton from 5 to 9 p.m. with a bevy of activities at the Skål area, where a Girl Market features local vendors outside the house while girly movies play inside. Find permanent jewelry, a charm bar, tooth gems, custom trucker hats and more. The Cupid’s Arrow cocktail made with vodka, aperol, strawberry, vanilla, lime and pineapple with pink luster dust will be available throughout the property, and food specials will include charcuterie fries and macarons. Look for Friday the 13th flash tattoos, a girl-music takeover in the Baby Girl area, live music and DJs.

The Phoenician Tavern

Feb. 13-14
6000 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale
There’s no date or romance required to sip on themed cocktails and nosh on shared plates with live entertainment above the golf course at The Phoenician Tavern at The Phoenician resort. The eatery will host an Anti-Valentine’s Celebration from 5 to 10 p.m. on both days.

Specialty cocktails include The Love Potion’s Folktale Sparkling Rose topped with Massenez Creme de Cassis and served in a champagne flute. The Heartbreaker is an adventurous combination of local Commerce Gin, Amaro Nonino, Aperol, Folktale sparkling rose, grenadine and frothy egg white foam. If dessert-in-a-glass is your thing, go for the seasonal adult chocolate strawberry shake spiked with Van Gogh Vanilla Vodka and Baileys Chocolate Irish Cream. Shareable bites include warm Dungeness crab with garlic toast, pull-apart pretzels with spicy mustard and cheddar ale dip, and fall bruschetta. 

Sing and dance along to songs about scorned love, broken hearts and the freedom of being single with dueling pianos from 8 to 10 p.m. 

Sunny’s Lounge

Feb. 13-14
2701 E. Indian School Road
Whether your plan is to hang with the gang or roll solo, there’s something for every mood at Sunny’s Lounge’s My Bloody Valentine multi-day pop-up event. On Feb. 13, get whisked away with Jazz Night presented by Kenji Wagner from 7 to 10 p.m., and let loose and live it up on Feb. 14 at the Goths Need Love Too party with DJ Vil from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Drink specials include $10 “Heart” (Ford’s Gin, passionfruit and cinnamon) and “Break” (Lalo Tequila, spiced grenadine and lemon) shots, as well as cleverly monikered $16 cocktails like the Maker’s Mark-based Trojan Horse, the I Should Call Them made with sesame-infused Tito’s Vodka, and the My Bloody Valentine composed of Ford’s Gin, sparkling wine and hibiscus accompanied by a housemade raspberry chocolate heart. Soak it up with a kimchi slaw dawg topped with kimchi pickle slaw, Kewpie secret sauce and toasted sesame seeds for $9.

Pedal Haus Brewery

Saturday, Feb. 14
214 E. Roosevelt St., #4
Raise a pint or several at Pedal Haus Brewery’s lively “Anti-Valentine’s Day Edition” of its popular Second Saturdays event on the rooftop from 8 to 11 p.m. Singles who wish to rebel against the holiday, dance the night away with friends or meet “the one” or “the one for now,” are invited to party with elevated pub eats, specialty cocktails and Haus shot specials. 

Swizzle Inn

Saturday, Feb. 14
5835 N. 16th St., Suite A
Compete for one of the top three prizes at the Stupid Cupid karaoke party starting at 7 p.m. amid the Swizzle Inn’s Christmas-at-the-beach scene. Wet your whistle with the special $2 “Love Bites” shot, a pink concoction made with watermelon schnapps and vodka, all night long. 

The Hot Chick

Saturday, Feb. 14
4363 N. 75th St., Scottsdale
Singles can celebrate their freedom at The Hot Chick’s Single AF Party, starting at 8 p.m. Declare your relationship status with color-coded solo cups indicating Taken, DTF, Single AF and It’s Complicated. Sip on $5 well drinks with the purchase of the $1 cup bearing your mood-of-the-moment.