Anti-Valentine's Day? Join these parties

Mexican taqueria Lucha Loco in Duxton Hill is holding its third edition of Hearts Go Loco tomorrow (Feb 13). PHOTO: LUCHA LOCO

Dateless this Valentine's Day and still want to go out? Do not fear because no fewer than six restaurants and bars are hosting special events this weekend to cater to customers who want anything but a lovey dovey candlelit dinner.

Singles, especially, will get to embrace several options. The first is Mexican taqueria Lucha Loco in Duxton Hill, which is holding its third edition of Hearts Go Loco tomorrow evening, a party targeting singles, although couples are welcome to attend too.

To break the ice, tongue-in-cheek games will be played. One example is Love Me Tinder, where participants will use the popular dating app to find a match with someone at the party and immediately be able to meet him or her.

Co-owner Christian Tan says: "There are a lot of singles in Singapore and meeting potential partners is not always easy, and this event is focused on helping singles meet and socialise."

Attendance for its previous two parties has grown steadily from 300 to 350 last year.

Meanwhile, The Bar & Billiard Room at Raffles Hotel Singapore is organising a mingling event called Singled Out tomorrow evening. To get some liquid courage, order a Forget Love or Single Mingle cocktail and, hopefully, chat up another person at the bar.

Join the No Strings Attached beach party at Tanjong Beach Club on Sentosa on Sunday. PHOTO: TANJONG BEACH CLUB

If you find this too stuffy, head to the No Strings Attached beach party at Tanjong Beach Club on Sentosa on Sunday, where the dress code is bikini tops and board shorts. Save your best moves and pick-up lines for the dance floor as resident DJs spin sexy, tropical house tunes.

Meanwhile, KPO Cafe Bar at Killiney Road is hosting an #UnbreakMyHeart party tomorrow aimed at "everyone who just wants to have fun and be with others, whether you're single, available or taken," says Ms Audrey Liu, business development manager at F&B operator Imaginings, which owns KPO.

There will be free-flow custom cocktails for women at various times during the party, food deals, games and a lucky draw to win a staycation at Hotel Jen.

For those whose idea of love is carving into a juicy 50kg pig on a spit roast, there is the Valentine Rebellion happening on Sunday at nose-to-tail restaurant Dehesa in North Canal Road.

Extending the party beyond the restaurant to the pavement outdoors, French chef-owner Jean-Philippe Patruno will slow-roast a whole pig for a good five hours before serving the animal in its full glory for diners to pick apart.

Starting from 2pm, diners can feast and make merry at $130++ a person. The price includes free flow of alcohol.

Meat-centric restaurant 5th Quarter in Syed Alwi Road is also breaking Cupid's bow on its knee by hosting Shots & Giggles Anti Valentine's Day Dinner.

A special 10-course menu of duck hearts, pork belly and foie gras will come with cocktail shots on the hour from 6pm till late. Instead of syrupy ballads, hip-hop and pop numbers will be on the playlist.

The dinner is priced at $98++ a person and for those who are still thirsty, they can top up $85++ for a bottle of Cava.

One person feasting this Sunday at 5th Quarter is senior account executive Letitia Tandean, 24, along with her boyfriend and a group of friends.

The couple typically shun special Valentine's Day dinners because of "jacked-up prices".

She says: "We don't buy into the commercialised aspect of it, so something like this is a good alternative. It's a chance to catch up with friends over good food in a fun, open setting."

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 12, 2016, with the headline Anti-Valentine's Day? Join these parties. Subscribe