Love is in the Air
Seven Local Ways to Spend Valentine’s Day
By Sidney Ulakovic
Hey TBay, will you go out with us?
▢ Yes
▢ Of course!
▢ What took you so long to ask?
With Valentine's Day just around the corner, we’re highlighting a handful of local date ideas. Whether you’re looking to spend time with that special someone, planning to spend the day with friends, or hitting the town solo, here are seven things to do around the city to celebrate.
Misfits Matchmaking | February 14, 7:30 pm | Goods & Co Market
No date, no problem. We’ve got all you TBay bachelors and bachelorettes covered. Leave with the love of your life—or your love for the night—at Misfits Matchmaking. Hosted by the fabulous Mz. Molly Poppinz, Misfits Matchmaking will work like the OG reality television dating show The Dating Game. Before your time? Here are the basics: one lucky “dater” will ask a series of questions to three mysterious singles, who will remain unseen by the “dater.” At the end of the round, the dater will pick their match, and sparks will fly when the curtain rises for the big reveal. Tickets are $10 and available online or at the door.
Tuna Nicoise Salad from a previous Chef’s Table Experience
Valentine’s Day Chef’s Table Experience | February 14 & 15, 7 pm | Red Lion Smokehouse
We have a feeling the secret ingredient just might be love at Red Lion Smokehouse’s special iteration of their Chef’s Table experience for Valentine’s Day. The evening will take place in the Cardinal Wine & Chocolate Bar inside Red Lion Smokehouse, where Chef John Murray will be serving up a five course, prix fixe menu (which will be announced closer to the date) to fill your hearts and your stomachs. Tickets are $85 per person available on Eventbrite.
Heartless Anti-Valentines Drag Show | February 15, 9 pm | Black Pirates Pub
Whoever said that only time can heal a broken heart has obviously never been to a TBay drag show. If you’re getting over that not-so-special-someone, grab your pals and head over to Black Pirates Pub for the third annual Heartless Anti-Valentine’s Drag Show. Co-hosted by Mz. Molly Poppins and Amber Ail, you can catch your local drag queens and kings performing iconic heartbreak hits that are sure to have you dancing up a storm and loving single life. Cover is $20 and can be paid ahead of time online or at the door the day of the show. Ages 19+.
Macarons from Kangas Sauna
A Steamy Sauna | Open from 8 am to 8 pm | Kangas Sauna
Looking to heat things up this Valentine’s Day? We can guarantee that things will get steamy at Kangas Sauna, and if you’re looking for something sweet to gift your sweetheart, check out their Grab N Go bakery for some Valentine’s-inspired treats like raspberry chocolate cheesecake or mini strawberry shortcake—because nothing says ‘I love you’ like dessert. Kangas Sauna is open from 8 am to 8 pm, so make sure to call ahead and book your date.
Traffic Light Party | February 14, 8 pm | Pocketchange Bar
Are you ready to go? Mix and mingle at Pocketchange’s traffic light party, where guests will be wearing different colours to indicate their relationship status. Wear red if you’re taken, yellow if it’s complicated, and green if you’re single and ready to mingle. No cover. 19+.
Seacuterie Boards | Available starting February 4 | East Coast Lobster
There’s no reason a date night from home can’t be just as fancy as a night on the town. If you’re looking to do something special from the comfort of your home, check out East Coast Lobster’s “seacuterie” boards. Each board comes with all the necessary seafood for an unreal “seacuterie” for two, including snow crab, smoked salmon, lobster claws, cooked shrimp, mussels on the half shell, housemade crab dip, and garlic butter.
Seacuterie board from East Coast Lobster
Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra Presents: Will You Be My Valentine? | February 14, 6:30 pm | Urban Abbey
Was a romantic night out by candlelight on your radar for Valentine’s Day? Take things up a notch at a gorgeous, candlelit concert. The TBSO will be taking lovebirds on a perfect date night with a pre-concert cocktail hour before going on a musical trip through the greatest love songs of all time. Tickets are $75 and available online.