Whether you’re loved-up, lonely-hearted or self-coupled, there’s no excuse to stay indoors this Valentine’s
LEEDS STREET KITCHEN | Leeds City Square | Thursday 13th February
Show a little love to the more vulnerable members of our community by volunteering with Leeds Homeless Support Group this Valentine’s weekend. Each week, the team serves hot food, snacks, tea, coffee and desserts to up to 80 people. A charity initiative, it relies on those willing to contribute their time, donations of goods or spare change – that Valentine’s gift budget could be well spent here.
Leeds City Square, LS1 2HT (from 6pm)
GALENTINE’S DAY: MEAN GIRLS | Left Bank Leeds | Thursday 13th February
On V day, we wear pink. Celebrate all things Mean Girls with your own squad – grab a themed cocktail, add your own message to the wall of rainbows and smiles and, of course, enjoy a screening of the classic 00s movie. Who needs boys anyway?
Left Bank Leeds, LS6 1LJ (7pm-11pm; tickets from £10 at eventbrite.co.uk)
COCKTAIL MAKING CLASS | Blind Tyger | Friday 14th February
Brew up a love potion with couples’ cocktail classes at Blind Tyger. Enjoy a welcome drink before getting behind the bar to make two cocktails of your choice each, guided by the knowledgeable staff. The treats don’t stop there either – each pair will go home with a takeaway gift of cocktail infusion recipes and other paraphernalia. Just beware of Blind Tyger's generous measures...
Blind Tyger, LS2 8JP (various sessions available from 6pm-9pm; tickets from £30 per couple at eventbrite.co.uk)
BEER & SING: VALENTINE’S BALLADS | Left Bank Leeds | Friday 14th February
Do you want to know what love is? Do you want somebody to tell you? Head to Headingley for Left Bank’s special edition of its popular Beer & Sing event. Belt out your favourite weepy hit and wash it down with a pint, before the evening gives way to a disco party to dance your heartbreak away.
Left Bank Leeds, LS6 1LJ (6.30pm-12am; tickets from £10 at eventbrite.co.uk)
OPEN TURNTABLES | Hyde Park Book Club | Friday 14th February
Show your new date your excellent taste (or smugly parade your song in front of other couples) by having a spin at Hyde Park Book Club’s open turntable session. Attendees of all skill levels are welcome to play 30 minutes of their favourite vinyl, picking up tips and tricks from other attendees. Who knows, you may even meet The One – music has always been an excellent conversation-starter after all.
Hyde Park Book Club, LS6 1BL (6pm-12am; free entry. Book a slot by tweeting @HPBCOPEN or messaging on Facebook at @openturntablesHPBC)
LIFE DRAWING & PROSECCO | Just Grand! Vintage Tearooms | Friday 14th February
Get the gang together for a light-hearted life-drawing class at Just Grand! Tearooms. There’s nowt sketchy about this deal - flex your artistic skills before relaxing with full traditional (late) afternoon tea, including a glass of Prosecco and unlimited tea and coffee. All strictly professional, of course.
Just Grand! Vintage Tearooms, LS1 6PG (6.30pm-9pm; tickets £33pp; call 07528 244012 to book with a £10pp deposit; over 18s only)
VALENTINE’S DINNER | The Garden Room | Friday 14th February
Enjoy a four-course romantic dinner at The Garden Room in The Mansion within the expanses of Roundhay Park. Make sure you work up an appetite beforehand – this hearty menu includes a spread of classic British dishes, from homemade black pudding Scotch eggs and pan-fried scallops to fillet steak. A candlelit dinner may be a bit of a Valentine’s cliché, but why mess with tradition when caramelised banana ice cream is involved?
The Mansion, LS8 2HH (from 7pm; set menu £50pp; call 0113 269 1000 to book)
ANTI SOCIAL EMO CLUB | Santiago Bar | Friday 14th February
For all the black-hearted misfits out there, Santiago’s are here to soothe your teenage door-slamming angst with a Valentine’s club night special. Spinning the best of 00s emo, you can expect to hear the likes of Fall Out Boy, Paramore and My Chemical Romance; the perfect nostalgia trip to the intoxicating days of MySpace coding, checkered Vans and heavy fringes. Love is for the cool kids anyway.
Santiago Bar, LS1 6PG (11pm-3am; tickets from £4 at antisocialemoclub.com)
SOURDOUGH BAKING CLASS | Leeds Bread Co-op | Saturday 15th February
Feeling kneady this Valentine’s? Check out some top buns at this sourdough masterclass. Resident expert Ben Mills will guide you though the recipe for classic, seeded and sourdough pizza dough, explaining how their professional process can be achieved at home. The price is something of an investment but, in the spirit of inclusivity, entry is priced on a sliding scale relating to income – read options thoroughly to ensure you’ve booked the right ticket.
Leeds Bread Co-op, LS7 2AW (10am-3.30pm; tickets from £50 at eventbrite.co.uk)
WEDDING SHOW | The Queens Hotel | Sunday 16th February
Did your Valentine’s weekend go especially well? In that case, you may want to pay a visit to The Queens Hotel’s wedding fair. Showcasing a selection of Yorkshire wedding tradespeople as well as offering information on their own facilities, it’s a solid place to start when getting your head around the planning of nuptials celebration. Time to start saving…
The Queens Hotel, LS1 1PJ (11am-2.30pm; free entry)
