These events offer an alternative to classic Valentine’s Day programming, whether you’re feeling jaded about love or trying to meet someone new.
Anti-Valentine’s Day Events
Shredding of Grievances and Burning of Grievances
1600 7th St., NW; 79 Potomac Ave., SE
The beer garden continues its annual tradition of destroying bitter feelings. On February 13 from 4 PM to 9:30 PM, head to the Shaw location and write your woes on the large piece of paper. Someone will read the grievances out loud, and then run them through a shredder. Prefer pyromania? At the Navy Yard location, you have a chance to scribble your outrage onto wooden chips before throwing them into the fire. The event also takes place from 4 PM to 9:30 PM on February 13.
Doomed Valentine’s Comedy Show
1811 14th St., NW
Join comedy fans at Black Cat on February 14 for a Mortified DC show about awkward romance-related encounters. Listen to poems, love letters, songs, and teenage diary entries for an evening of lighthearted fun. The show starts at 8 PM, and tickets are $29.90.
Events for Singles
Love is a Dirty Game
555 8th St., NW
Attend a speed-dating dinner from 7 PM to 10 PM on February 13 at Penn Quarter restaurant Dirty Habit. Attendees swap seats between courses, and conversation starters are provided for easy interactions. Tickets are $86.79.
Chaotic Singles Valentine’s Party
26 N St., SE
Royal Sands in Navy Yard is hosting a party on February 13 from 8 PM to 11 PM. Invite your dating app matches for a night of music, drink specials, social games, and more. If you submit proof of a dating app conversation, your match can receive a $5 discount on tickets. Entry is $21.12 per person.
Cuffing Season
901 U St., NW
Celebrate Valentine’s Day Eve at Whitlow’s on U Street from 6 PM to 9 PM, where bar influencer Bruce Allen (@drinksinthedistrict) is hosting a stoplight party. Single attendees get a green wristband, while those who are taken or not interested in meeting someone will don a red wristband. Activities help break the ice. Tickets start at $15.50.
Lock & Key Singles Party
1700 North Moore St., Arlington
Gather at Arlington food hall Upside on Moore from 2 PM to 4 PM on February 14 for a dating event. Single women will get a lock attached to a necklace, and the men will get a key. Attendees mingle while searching for the match to their accessory. Once a match is found, head back to the check-in table to receive a raffle ticket and begin another round of the game. Guests ages 24 to 65 are welcome. Entry starts at $21.50.
Left on Red Valentine’s Day Party
2447 18th St., NW
If you can’t make it to the spotlight party at Whitlow’s, a similar event is happening at Grand Central in Adams Morgan on February 14. Starting at 10 PM, choose a red, yellow, or green wristband or cup to signal your availability (yellow means “it’s complicated,” which adds another layer of intrigue) and start chatting. The event is free to attend, though you can reserve a spot in advance.
