Valentine’s Day Date Ideas in Los Angeles That Aren’t Dinner

So you waited until today and couldn’t get a Valentine’s Day dinner reservation at one of LA’s most romantic restaurants? Don’t worry! Sometimes it’s the little misfortunes in life that can lead to our most joyous memories. Skip the expensive prix fixe menus and do something a little more spontaneous! Here are 8 unique date ideas for Valentine’s Day in Los Angeles.

Photograph Courtesy Heidi Zeller

Learn How to Tango at Union Station  – Metro Art Los Angeles presents a special evening of tango for Valentine’s Day in Union Station’s Historic Ticketing Hall! A tango lesson will be followed by a milonga (tango social dancing), accompanied by live orchestra Tangótico, led by Matias Piegari and dance performances by Carlos Barrionuevo and Mayte Valdes. Program is FREE and open to the public.

Sunset Gondola Rides in Huntington Beach – . A Gondola ride is perfect for all occasions but especially for Valentine’s Day. It has been the symbol of Venice for 1000 years and Sunset Gondolas have imported a small piece of that history to Huntington Harbour. The gondolas proudly cruise the canals and islands of Huntington Harbour and Sunset Beach.

Valentine’s Day Dinner and Dance at Grand Central Market – As part of their 100th anniversary celebration, Grand Central Market will host a Valentine’s Day Dinner & Dance that recalls the romance of yesteryear. Dance the night away to the scintillating sounds of swing band, Jonathan Stout and His Campus Five featuring Hilary Alexander and enjoy menu specials sure to put you in the mood for love. You can even pick up a corsage for your sweetie from the Glasswing Floral and couples in retro finery can vie for the award for the best dressed duo. Best of all, no reservations necessary!

DIY V DAY at Upstairs at Ace Hotel DTLA – Ace Hotel is  hosting some special lovebird festivities Upstairs with:
A special Valentine live performance from Cousin Liar
Vinyl DJ sets from Nina Tarr, Travis Waddell, Day Dripper
Make your own ice cream with Smitten Ice Cream
Make your own corsage and boutonierre with guidance by Black Leaf Flower Shop

Play Video Games at Neon Retro in Pasadena – Neon Retro will be hosting their annual 2 for 1 admission Valentine’s Day event. Neon Retro has many multiplayer games so you will be able to challenge your Valentine throughout the evening!

The Notebook Valentine’s Day Party at Los Angeles Theatre – Cinespia’s annual Valentine’s Day bash is back! The Los Angeles Theatre may be the city’s most gorgeous movie palace, with soaring ceilings, breath-taking chandeliers, gold leaf angels, and a cascading crystal fountain, perfect for a celebration of love. This year, step back into the 1940s with carnival games, dancers, live bands and DJs before the most unabashedly romantic film ever made! Before the movie, acts onstage will entertain with music and dance. Sip champagne beneath floating chandeliers, wander into the enormous ballroom, or explore the mirrored ladies powder room and the murals of the children’s nursery. Full bars, free Cinespia photo booth and lots of surprises.

The Moth at Los Globos: Love Hurts – Prepare a five-minute tale about a love that made you go OUCH. The agony of deferred love! The misery of good love, gone bad! The anguish of one-way love! Bring stories of your heart, kicked to the curb by the people or places or things you love…or used to love. Love that “Hurts So Good” also welcome. Or go, single or with your date, to listen, drink, and laugh. Tickets for this event are available one week before the show, at 12pm PT / 3pm ET. Media Sponsor: KCRW.

Birds Cafe & Bar’s 23rd Annual “Anti-Valentine’s Day” –  If you find yourself single on V Day, go to Birds in Franklin Village for their Anti-Valentine’s Day Party. Pinata Smash and Voodoo Doll ceremony to ‘exorcise’ ghosts of bad lovers past! They’ll be playing the greatest heartache music of all time, drink specials, door prizes for ‘worst getting-dumped’ stories, and chocolate for all the singles! Tables for dinner and drinks only but late night they’ll be seating tables for drinks only. Email for dinner reservations: birdmary@sbcglobal.net

Happy Valentine’s Day to all!

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