Whether you love or hate Valentine’s Day, are single or loved up, there’s something for everyone in London over the Valentine’s Day period. From slushfest romantic dates to fun and cheese-free events.

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching so Londoners everywhere are being bombarded with images of hearts and roses. Of course, it’s a commercial day which encourages you to spend money on your beloved. If you’re in a couple and looking for something a bit different from the standard overpriced set menu in a restaurant, check out this guide to what’s on in London. Many of the events, such as balls and comedy nights, are open to singles and couples, so you can still have fun and embrace the day regardless of your single status.

• 9 February : Lost Hearts – A Valentine’s Ball

A masked ball spanning four floors at the Century Club, featuring eerie, exotic and eccentric performers, drinking and dancing. 9pm-3am. Tickets from £20. The Century Club, 61-63 Shaftesbury Avenue, Soho, W1D 6LQ. Nearest station: Piccadilly Circus or Leicester Square. For more information, visit A Curious Invitation website.

• 9 February : The Candlelight Club’s Valentine’s Ball

Pop-up vintage nightclub The Candlelight Club host a Valentine’s ball. Hosted by Champagne Charlie, there will live music from the Bubbly Boys, tunes from vintage DJs Bee’s Knees and dancing from the Gatsby Girls. Meanwhile, in the Cabaret Lounge, Hot Swing Bohème will be playing gypsy jazz, while Marcel Lucont will host two cabaret shows featuring acrobatics duo Deux Ailes, burlesque bombshell Bonnie Fox and comic singing by La Poule Plombée. Despite Valentine’s styling, the event welcomes groups and singles, rather than just couples. 7pm-12am. Tickets from £30pp. Tables start from £65pp. At a secret east London location. For tickets, visit the Candlelight Club website. For Metro Girl’s review of TCC, click here.

• 10 and 14 February : Valentine’s @ Keat’s House

A series of Valentine’s events at the stunning house where poet John Keats fell in love with Fanny Brawne, who inspired his most romantic verses. Afternoon Poems: Love Poetry on Sunday 10 February (2pm-3pm) and Valentine’s Late Night Keats on Thursday 14 February (6.30pm-9pm). Afternoon Poems is free, while Late Night Keats is £15 (includes drink). Keats’ House, 10 Keats Grove, Hampstead, NW3 2RR. Nearest station: Hampstead Heath or Hampstead. For more information, visit the City of London website.

Enjoy a chocolate cocktail at the Old Bengal Bar

• 11 – 17 February : Chocolate Cocktails @ Old Bengal Bar

The Old Bengal Bar are creating a special chocolate cocktail menu for Valentine’s Day. Drinks include Dark Chocolate and Chilli Martini, White Chocolate Delight and a Baileys and Mint Chocolate Martini. Drinks: £9.75 (include complimentary mint chocolate shot). Old Bengal Bar, 16 New Street, City of London, EC2M 4TR. Nearest station: Liverpool Street. For more information, visit the Old Bengal Bar website.

• 12 – 15 February : Barry White: Love God of Soul: Starring Shenton Dixon @ Boisdale

The Canary Wharf branch of Boisdale is hosting four days of music and food, inspired by the late Barry White. Tribute act Shenton Dixon will perform the Walrus of Soul’s classic hits while you enjoy a meal. Gig starts at 9.15pm. Tickets: £15-£99 (depending on date, package or drinks only). Boisdale, Cabot Place, Canary Wharf, E14 4QT. Nearest station: Canary Wharf. For more information, visit the Boisdale website.

• 13 – 14 February : Valentine’s @ Dirty Bones

Dirty Bones in Kensington are celebrating Valentine’s with special events and menus. On 13 February, enjoy a screening of When Harry Met Sally with popcorn, 2 cocktails and 25% food discounts if you eat before, after or during the movie. On actual Valentine’s Day, you can take part in the ‘Uh Huh Honey Cocktail Masterclass’ and learn how to make Dirty Bones’ Valentine’s cocktail, the Rose-Tinted Club (available 11-17 Feb). Film screening on Wed 13 Feb @ 7.30pm, tickets £10pp. Masterclass on Thu 14 Feb @ 6.30pm, tickets £45pp. Dirty Bones, Kensington Church Street, Kensington, W8. Nearest station: High Street Kensington. For more information, visit Dirty Bones website. To book masterclass, email Kensington@dirty-bones.com or for movie tickets, check out DesignMyNight.

• 13 – 15 February : Pop-Up Cinema @ Rivoli Ballroom

Watch classic movies Pretty Woman, Romeo + Juliet or Ghost in the striking 1950s surrounds of the Rivoli Ballroom. 8pm. Tickets: £12. Rivoli Ballroom, 350 Brockley Road, Crofton Park, SE4 2BY. Nearest station: Crofton Park. For more information, visit the Rivoli Ballroom website. 

Spend Valentine’s Day at the top of the Gherkin

• 14 February : Valentine’s Day @ The Gherkin

Head up to the Gherkin for stunning views and the options of drinks and/or dining at Helix and Iris. Various food and drink packages available included champagnes and chocolate, lunch or dinner. Tickets: £35-£109. The Gherkin, 30 St Mary Axe, City of London, EC3A 8EP. Nearest station: Liverpool Street or Bank. For booking, visit DesignMyNight.

• 14 February : Sex, Love and Poetry: Nora Gomringer @ British Library

An evening of poetry and performance with German and Swiss poet Nora Gomringer at the British Library. In conversation with her translator Annie Rutherford and fellow poet and performer Paula Varjack. 7.15pm-8.30pm. Tickets: £10. British Library, 96 Euston Road, NW1 2DB. Nearest station: King’s Cross St Pancras or Euston. For more information, visit the British Library website.

• 14 February : Shaggers: Valentine’s Special

For those with a naughty sense of humour, head for some stand-up comedy on the subject of sex. 7pm-9pm. Tickets: £16.25. Leicester Square Theatre, 6 Leicester Place, Chinatown, WC2H 7BX. Nearest station: Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus. For booking, visit the Leicester Square Theatre website.

• 14 February : The Soul of Nine Simone @ Jazz Cafe

The Black Voices Quintet perform Nina Simone’s greatest hits. 7pm-11pm. Tickets: £15 (standing), £25 (restaurant). Jazz Café, 5 Parkway, Camden Town, NW1 7PG. Nearest station: Camden Town. For more information, visit the Jazz Café website.

• 14 February : Anton & Erin – Dance Those Magical Musicals

Strictly Come Dancing fans can spend Valentine’s Day watching two of the show’s past and present pros Erin Boag and Anton Du Beke. The duo will dance to theatrical favourites including The Phantom of the Opera, Mary Poppins, 42nd Street, Wicked and Top Hat, with music by the London Concert Orchestra. 7.30pm. Tickets: £21.50-£49.50. Barbican Hall, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, City of London, EC2Y 8DS. Nearest station: Barbican or Moorgate. For booking, visit the Barbican website.

• 14 February : Sing-a-long Moulin Rouge!

Watch and sing-a-long at a screening of Baz Luhrmann’s musical movie Moulin Rouge! 8.30pm. Tickets: £16. Prince Charles Cinema, 7 Leicester Place, Chinatown, WC2H 7BY. Nearest station: Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus. For more information and booking, visit the Prince Charles Cinema website.

• 14 February : Valentines Happening @ Fashion & Textile Museum

Late night opening of the Fashion & Texile Museum so you can check out their new Swinging Sixties exhibition. Also on offer are fizz and workshops. Tickets: £10-£12.50. Fashion & Textile Museum, 83 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3XF. Nearest station: London Bridge or Tower Hill. For more information, visit the museum website.

• 14 February : London Dungeon Lates

Late-night opening of the London Dungeon for adults-only. Explore the capital’s gruesome history with interactive exhibits, two cocktails and a visit to the Dungeon Tavern for a Victorian experience. Tickets: £29. London Dungeon, Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth, SE1 7PB. Nearest station: Waterloo. For more information, visit the London Dungeon website. For Metro Girl’s review of London Dungeon, click here.

• 14 – 16 February : Movie Nights @ The Museum

Watch a screening of classic films The Notebook, Pretty Woman, Kill Bill: Vol 1, Thelma & Louise, A Star Is Born and Love Actually underneath Hope the Whale. Two screenings from 7pm and 9.45pm. Tickets: £27.75 (members £25). Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, SW7 5BD. Nearest station: South Kensington. For more information, visit the National History Museum website.

Take a Thames Rocket trip down the Thames

• 14 – 17 February : Rocket Rush with Thames Rockets

Enjoy a thrilling speedboat trip down the Thames with your loved one. Enjoy the sights of the capital, before the driver cranks up the speed to 35mph for an adrenalin-fuelled adventure. Thames Rockets are offering two for the price of one during the Valentine’s Day weekend for a 50 minute ride. Tickets: £44.95 (for two). For more information and booking, visit the Thames Rockets website. Read Metro Girl’s review of Thames Rockets.

• 15 February : Mortified London – Valentine’s Day special

Relive your teenage angst and share your embarrassing writing from your formative years. Following the hit podcast and Netflix serial, experience Mortified live at Vault Festival. Cringe hard as people read out their teenage diaries, poetry, novels and other writings that somehow didn’t get burned. From 10.45pm. Tickets: £12. Crescent @ The Vaults, Leake Street tunnel, Waterloo, SE1 7NN. Nearest station: Lambeth North or Waterloo. For tickets, click here.

• 16 February : Eat Your Heart Out

Shotgun Festival presents an anti-Valentine’s riot party during the Vault Festival. Featuring live music from riot gurrl band DREAM NAILS and DJ sets from ANNA PRIOR (Metronomy). Dress code: Kitsch and extra (ideally ’80s). 10.30pm-3am. Tickets: £15. The Vaults, Leake Street, Waterloo, SE1 7NN. Nearest station: Waterloo or Lambeth North. For more information, visit The Vault Festival website.

• 16 February : The King Vs The Saint

Step back in time at a funky vintage party with a 60s Vs 70 Bromance Face Off. Music from Groovy Loungecore and the legendary Count Indigo and Steve Furst with Sir Roger’s Bachelor Suite, and DJs Martin Green, Thomas Dynamic and Patrick Whittaker. Dress code: Your favourite gentleman adventurer – Jason King or Simon Templar (prizes for the best dressed). 9pm-3am. Tickets: £9-£12. The Institute of Light, Arch 376, 10 Helmsley Place, South Hackney, E8 3SB. Nearest station: London Fields. For tickets, visit DesignMyNight.

• 16 February : Bourne & Hollingsworth Valentine’s Party

Bourne & Hollingsworth host a bohemian Valentine’s party. Step into a seductive bordello for an evening of seduction, fantasy, and booze. Expect burlesque performers, live bands, masquerade dances, and more. 8pm-2am. Tickets from £30. At a secret east London location. For more information, visit the Bourne & Hollingsworth website.

For a guide to what else is on in London in Febuary, click here.

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