The most loved—and hated—holiday is once again upon us. Whether you’re single or taken, it doesn’t matter, there are plenty of ways to make the most of February 14 with arts, crafts, parties, concerts, and events throughout the city.
Adult Amour
2/10: Tassels & Champagne
Gilded Lily Burlesque presents their annual Valentine’s striptease, this year to the theme of “Love by Any Other Name.” Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. 7 p.m. $22-550.
2/10: Sex at the Zoo
Discover the ins and outs of romance in the animal kingdom with this informative evening with live music and cocktails. The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, 1 Safari Pl. 6-9 p.m. $80-150.
2/10-28: Fall in Love with Fells Scavenger Hunt
Pick up a ballot from one of these local retailers around Fells Point to participate in this fun scavenger hunt inspired by V-Day. Be on the lookout for items including an Eiffel Tower inside Polina’s Prive, a picture of Oprah at Brightside Boutique, and a hidden deer at new thrift store Glitter Rat. Participants who find all of the local love items listed can turn in their completed ballots and enter to win more than $200 in gift cards from the participating stores.
2/14: Be Our Valentine: An Evening with Tayari Jones
This renowned novelist reads from her upcoming book, An American Marriage. Enoch Pratt Free Library, 400 Cathedral St. 6:30 p.m. Free.
Girl Power
2/13: Second Annual Galentine’s Day Party at Sangria Patio Bar
Join bloggers—and all-around girl bosses—Alysha January and Shae-Li Liang at this bash highlighting cocktails, light bites, live DJ entertainment, prizes, and a photo booth. Ladies who bring feminine products to donate to downtown’s Helping Up Mission will receive their first drink free. Sangria Patio Bar, 930 N. Charles St., 5:30-8 p.m., Free.
2/13: Ladies-Only Galentine’s Day Cooking Class with Chef Egg
Bring your best bud to this culinary course led by Charm City’s own Chef Egg, who will teach ladies how to whip up dishes including scalded oysters with champagne cream, arugula salad with pear and almonds, jumbo shrimp with butter, and red wine-chocolate cupcakes with chocolate ganache frosting. Blue Moon Too, 1024 Light St., 6:30 p.m., $50, 443-759-4907
2/13: Galentine’s Day Beef Butchery Demo at Parts & Labor
Grab your girls and roll up your sleeves for this carnivorous class led by head butcher George Marsh of Parts & Labor in Remington. Snack on cured meats and local cheeses during the tutorial—and enjoy a post-demo dinner of 8-oz. filet, 14-oz. ribeye, or 14-oz. strip steak cooked on the hearth oven. 2600 N. Howard St., 6 p.m., $120, 443-873-8887
2/13: Galentine’s Party with Sentimental Fools and Society for Excellent Women
Rub elbows with dozens of fierce females at this fundraiser for the Women’s Housing Coalition, which will feature signature cocktails and a pop-up market offering food, fashion, and cosmetics from 15 female-owned local businesses. Monument City Brewing Company, 1 N. Haven St., $15.
2/23: Charm City Sisters Present: Love Yo’ Self
Head to Charm City Meadworks to support local organizations Charm City Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and Hearts & Ears Inc.—which both work to promote wellness for the LGBTQIA community. The fundraiser will feature games, a photo booth from Side A Photography, music spun by DJ Patrick McMinn, a 50-50 raffle, and, of course, plenty of mead to go around. 400 E. Biddle St., $10 suggested donation, 443-961-1072.
Moonstruck Music
2/10: The Talking Heads & Assorted Love Songs
Rock out to romance-themed Talking Heads tribute band Psycho Killers and special guest Kung Fu. Rams Head Live, 20 Market Pl. 9 p.m. $16.50-19.80.
2/14: Baltimore Soul Food Concert
Spend Valentine’s grooving to soulful tunes played by The Whispers and Dennis Edwards’ Temptations Review. Modell Performing Arts Center at The Lyric, 140 W. Mt. Royal Ave. 8 p.m. $75-150.
2/16: Un-Valentine’s Day Dance Party at Metro Gallery
Get down to hits spun by DJs King Gilbert and Matt Walter at this fundraiser for Club Charles bartender Jeremy Crawford, who was diagnosed with advanced liver disease in September. 1700 N. Charles St., $10, 410-244-0899.
2/19: Love Songs of the First Ladies
The Dan Meyer Choir performs an eccentric mix of pop-styled versions of the first ladies’ favorite love songs. Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. 3 p.m. $5-8.
Love With The Little Ones
2/10: Little’s Day: Be My Valentine
Kick off V-Day with kids activities, dancing, interactive theater, and yoga for happy hearts. Port Discovery, 35 Market Pl. 12-5 p.m. Free-$15.95.
2/14: Valentine’s Day Story Time & Craft
Celebrate the special holiday with stories and crafts in Highlandtown. Enoch Pratt Free Library, 3601 Eastern Ave. 3:30 p.m. Free.
2/14: DIY Candy Jewelry
Bring the kids to craft candy necklaces and bracelets for their favorite people. Enoch Pratt Free Library, 4420 Loch Raven Blvd. 3:30 p.m. Free.
2/14: Family Valentine’s Day Dinner at Alexander’s Tavern
Finding a sitter on Valentine’s Day can be tough, but Alexander’s Tavern in Fells Point has you covered. The spot will be offering babysitting services upstairs—complete with crafts and card making—so that parents can enjoy a quiet meal in the dining room. Specials for the evening will include $6 paninis, as well as two cocktails, an order of tots, and a whole pizza for $25. 710 S. Broadway, 410-522-0000
Flirty Food
2/11-18: Romantic Flavors at Full Circle Artisan Palace
Stop by this new doughnut destination in Hampden to treat yourself with a special “Box of Chocolates,” featuring chocolate cake, chocolate mousse-filled, and chocolate-caramel doughnuts. Other Valentine’s flavors to look out for include caramelized white chocolate, bananas foster, and cherries jubilee. 3528 Chestnut Ave., 410-235-1808
2/14: The Perfect Pair: Sagamore Spirit Whiskey and Chocolate Pairing
Nothing says love like chocolate and whiskey. This holiday, embark on a tour of the Sagamore Spirit distillery campus in Port Covington to learn about the history of Rye in Maryland, and how each whiskey is made. Then, finish the evening off with a tasting of three spirits paired with locally sourced Glarus chocolates that complement the taste of each. 301 E. Cromwell St., 3-6:30 p.m., $20, 410-624-7488
2/14: Love Shucks at Lee’s Pint and Shell
This Canton seafood spot is celebrating couples and singles alike. Enjoy shucking oysters with a special someone on the first floor, or head upstairs for a singles-only party featuring free oysters, half-priced bottles of wine, and $3 Flying Dog Raging Bitch drafts. Plus, bring all of your ex’s left-behind clothes to donate to charity. 2844 Hudson St., 410-327-2883.
2/14: Couples Cocktail Class at Old Line Spirits
Shake things up with this hands-on cocktail experience at Old Line Spirits in Highlandtown. The distillery is partnering with mixologist Steve Lamb to school couples on cocktail technique and theory. Stick around for a behind-the-scenes look at the whiskey-distilling and barrel-aging processes and get a taste of Old Line’s newest spirit. 200 S. Janney St., $60 per couple, 410-961-3199.
2/14: Couples Valentine’s Day Cooking Class with Chef Egg
Throw on an apron and prepare a four-course meal with your sweetheart at this cooking class led by Chef Egg. Dishes on the evening’s special menu include Caesar salad with homemade dressing and garlic and herb pan-seared steaks with bearnaise sauce. Blue Moon Too, 1024 Light St., 6:30 p.m., $50, 443-759-4907
Anti-Valentine’s Day Soirees
2/14: Cupid Rhymes with Stupid at The Owl Bar
Lonely hearts are invited to throw back anti-love potion cocktails at this Owl Bar bash, which will feature a “Love Bites” menu, stoplight glow sticks (green for single, yellow for “it’s complicated”), and a fun photo booth. Be sure to bring a photo of your ex for a free shot. 1 E. Chase St., 5 p.m.-12 a.m., 410-347-0888.
2/15: 2nd Annual Anti-Valentine’s Day Party at Southern Provisions
Drown your sorrows the day after the holiday by sipping $6 Smirnoff and Captain Morgan cocktails and jamming to music by DJ Kenny Der and The Ruby Zippers. Like every Thursday, ladies will receive 50 percent off throughout the night. Also, come with an item to donate to the Believe in Tomorrow House—which provides overnight accommodations for families with children in hospital care—to enter to win a $100 gift card. 3000 O’Donnell St., 9 p.m.-2 a.m., 410-675-4029.
2/17: Swipe Left: Valentine’s Day For The Rest of Us
Fed up with Tinder? Head to the upstairs Cabaret at Germano’s Piattini in Little Italy to commiserate with best friends Leah Ingerand and Fatima Peterson. The duo will perform a hilarious romp about the trials and tribulations of online dating with piano accompaniment from R. Timothy McReynolds. 300 S. High St., 6 p.m., $15, 410-752-4515
“Just Friends” Fun
2/11: Open Studio Valentine’s Day Edition at Local Color Flowers
Local Color Flowers continues its fan-favorite Open Studio hours with a special holiday iteration spotlighting imported roses. Customize your own arrangement or wrapped bouquet with provided flowers, vases, and tools. Local Color Flowers, 3100 Brentwood Ave., $35-75, 410-262-1494
2/14: Love and Basketball and Poetic Justice Double Feature at The Parkway
Spend your Hallmark holiday with some of the most iconic couples in rom-com history. Get cozy inside The Parkway to watch Sanaa Lathan compete for Omar Epps’ heart in Love and Basketball, and Tupac try to win over Janet Jackson in Poetic Justice. The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Parkway Theatre, 7-11:15 p.m., $16
2/14: Valentine’s Day Triple Can Release at Black Flag Brewing
Black Flag Brewing is spreading the love by rolling out three new beers. Head to the Columbia taproom to chow down on food truck fare from Diner on the Go while sipping love-inspired releases including the Churro En Fuego Mexican hot chocolate stout, Friends With Benefits mango lactose IPA, and Double Dry Hopped Mambo Sauce with citra and Falconers Flight hops. 9315 Snowden River Parkway, Ste. C, 443-864-5139