Celebrate being single with an Anti-Valentine’s outing, as single’s everywhere will look to enjoy a night out despite their relational status.
As Seen in Patch Baltimore: Living It Up On Anti-Valentine’s Day, Lock and Key Events.
By Priya Ramachandran
The rebels of Valentine’s Day will be out in full force this upcoming weekend, as single’s everywhere will look to enjoy a night out despite their relational status.
Last year, the holiday was overshadowed by heavy amounts of snowfall, dampening its spirit, said Lori Crook, event coordinator of Baltimore’s Lock and Key events.
The Valentine event scheduled last year had to be postponed because of snow. This year, Crook’s husband is being deployed on Sunday, the day before Valentine’s Day, leaving her with little time to organize the event.
The key, Crook believes, is not to feel sorry for oneself. She said, “Singles can have as much fun on Valentine’s day as couples.” This view is echoed by Dr. Paul Hokemeyer, a licensed relationship therapist in New York City and former assistant attorney general in Crownville, MD. He suggested simply spending the day loving oneself. “Walk around the town center and smile at the people you pass. You’ll be pleasantly surprised and emotionally recharged by their responses,” said Hokemeyer. “Valentine’s Day is about celebrating love. It’s not about spending money or conforming to a commercial construct about what the day should be,” he said.
Financially Prudent
Letting Valentine’s Day slip by might actually be better for the wallet. Mona Hamouly, public affairs manager for American Express, offered some interesting Valentine’s Day statistics:
- Men outspend women $151 to $114.
- Half the women surveyed said they would give their partners nothing. The same percentage of men surveyed said they would buy their partners flowers.
- Couples end up spending three times as much as singles, $189 to $67.
The Ultimate Anti-Valentines Events
If the finances aren’t convincing on their own, maybe it’s time to indulge in some fun of a different kind. The Anti-Valentine’s Day event at Again in Washington D.C. in 2010 was such a success the gastro-pub is doing an entire anti-Valentine week this year, according to general manager Will Friedrichs. “We’re just not set up to be a romantic, candle-light dinner for two sort of place,” said Friedrichs. “We wanted to create an environment for people who aren’t celebrating the holiday to still enjoy themselves,” he said.
For those single and ready to mingle, Mother’s Federal Hill Grille has a tongue in cheek SAD (Singles Awareness Day) on Sat. Feb 12.
A Change of Fortunes
Who knows, Valentine’s Day might trigger a change of fortune at Rams Head Tavern in Annapolis. The popular watering hole is hosting Ms. Julie, psychic tarot card reader at its Cupid Stupid event on Valentine’s Day. The singles event is being celebrated in the bar area, said General Manager Scott Haney. “Other sections are open to couples, but we’re reserving the bar area for singles,” he said. Drinks specials will be on offer, he added. The Ram’s Head branch in Savage has a similar Cupid Stupid party.
Kaufmann’s Tavern in Gambrills does not have a separate event for singles. But one doesn’t have to part of a couple to enjoy its four-course meal priced around $25, featuring seafood entrees and a chocolate ganache.
Best Bets for a Fun-Filled Anti-Valentine’s Day Around Severn:
- Kaufmann’s, Gambrills
- Ram’s Head Tavern, Annapolis
- Ram’s Head Tavern, Savage
- Againn, Washington D.C.
- Mother’s Federal Hill Grille, Baltimore
- Lock and Key Events, Baltimore