In London for Valentine’s Day? Not sure where to go? Ronny Lavie reveals five of the most romantic, or not, venues in the capital on 14th February.
Valentine’s Day is almost upon us and, single or attached, London is full of exciting, romantic and quirky ways to fly the flag for true love. These are some of the options, whether you are an advocate of old-school courtship or a more modern approach to sweeping that special someone off their feet (and, for one option in particular, I mean that in the literal sense)…
For the traditionalist:
Simple and classy, dinner and a movie is the ultimate date night. For the most romantic atmosphere, head to Gordon’s Wine Bar on Villiers Street – an intimate underground bar with soft lighting and an impressive wine selection, or Julie’s Restaurant in Holland Park – a hidden gem with several rooms, all with different decor and atmosphere; head to the Garden Room or ‘Pink’ Room for pure romance, or the ‘Snug’ for a cosy drink. After dinner, there are many cinematic specials to choose from around town. Cineworld is bringing Moulin Rouge back to the big screen for one night only, while the Prince Charles Cinema, the BFI, Hackney’s Roof Gardens, Riverside Studios and even Kensington Palace are all showing some of the most iconic examples of devotion ever seen on screen.
For the hopeless romantic:
Nothing says romance like a champagne river cruise, and the Thames is being put to excellent use this Valentine’s Day. Multiple companies, including City Cruises and Bateaux London, offer couples the chance to spend the evening taking in some of London’s most famous sights from the unusual angle of the River Thames. Most packages also include champagne, fancy food and a suitably romantic soundtrack.
For the thrill seeker:
For adrenaline junkies, The Ghost Bus Tour provides the perfect excuse to cling to each other as you are driven through the streets of the city, while a creepy conductor tells you about its gruesome history. Actors and technology will provide the scares onboard, making this a bus ride you will never forget. And if that’s not enough to get your blood pumping, the Lover’s Leap Tandem Bungee Jump package deal surely will be. While the jump itself cannot take place on V day, it will make a great setting for you and your other half to really, ahem, fall head over heels for each other (sorry, I couldn’t resist!).
For the non-conformist:
If you and your partner want to experience the way love was celebrated in yesteryear, you should take yourself down to the Museum of London for its Valentine’s @ Late. The theme is the roaring 20s and attendees are invited to dress in the spirit of the era. Swing Dance UK will be giving Charleston lessons, and there will also be art lessons to help you create funky accessories and Valentines cards, plus a Literary Saloon and a talk by Beatrice Behlen about fashion and sexuality in London at the time.
For the anti-valentines:
Those of you who’ve recently had your heart broken must see Valentine’s Day as some kind of torture. For a scientific approach to matters of the heart, head to St Bartholomew’s Pathology Museum for its Mending Broken Hearts Seminar on February 13th. There will be a discussion about heart surgery and a talk about the benefits of wine and chocolate. They will also be giving out free samples of both and, at the end of the day, single or not and whatever time of the year it is, what more does one need?
