GO’s Ultimate Guide To Valentine’s Day For Singles
Who says V-Day is just for the couples?
It’s that time of year again. Drug stores are stocked with teddy bears and heart-shaped candies. Flower shops advertise their deals on roses. Love is in the air. For the single folks, however, Valentine’s Day might be more bitter than sweet.
But do not fret, there are still many things to do as a single sapphic on this holiday of love.
Solo Dining at a Lesbian-Owned Restaurant
On Valentine’s Day, couples flood chic Italian restaurants after winning an elusive holiday reservation, but why should they be the only ones feeding their hearts with good food? Take yourself on a dinner date at one of these lesbian-owned spots.
Blue Park Kitchen
Owned and founded by queer chef Kelly Fitzpatrick, with locations in FiDi and Midtown, this restaurant offers healthy customizable bowls. This spot offers comfort food that can soothe a lonely heart.
Superfine
This DUMBO farm-to-table American restaurant is owned by a queer friend group and features art and live music from around town and around the world.
Tagmo
Owned by queer Michelin star chef Surbhi Sahni, this downtown Manhattan shop serves traditional Indian mithai sweets perfect for those of us not likely to receive a candy box this year.
Related: 7 NYC Spots To Wine And Dine This Valentine’s Day
Staying In With A Good Book
Escape into the world of sapphic romance by checking out some of these queer-owned bookstores.
The Ripped Bodice
Located in Park Slope, this queer-owned independent bookstore is dedicated to romance novels and is a perfect place to find some escapism.
Bluestockings Cooperative
This Lower East Side worker-owned community space and bookstore features a large selection of queer fiction, nonfiction, and theory. Find a world to delve into or some theory to frame your identity.
Bella Books
Operating online, this publisher is home to lesbian fiction of every imaginable genre. Tuck in and crack open one of these swoon-worthy reads.
Treat Yourself To A Date
At the end of the day, your relationship with yourself is the longest relationship any of us have. Go get to know yourself on one of these solo dates.
Solo Pottery At “Sip & Spin”
If there’s one thing queer women love, it’s crafts. At Barro, a pottery studio in Brooklyn, a Valentine’s Day “Sip & Spin” class will allow you to experiment with pottery and indulge in complimentary drinks.
Brooklyn Renaissance Art Lounge (Fridays 6 – 10 pm)
Every Friday this Brooklyn studio offers guests the freedom to create their own projects with the materials the venue provides. You can do anything in the space from mosaic to moss art.
Custom Candle Making (Classes Or Independent) At Wick & Pour
Who needs a candlelit dinner when you can create a tailor-made candle at this lab? You have control over everything, from the scent to the color and even the vessel it will get poured into.
Build Your Own Bouquet At Uniqlo 5th Ave’s Flower Shop
Roses are red, violets are blue, take a hint from Miley Cyrus, and buy flowers for you.
Luna Luna At The Shed
In the heart of Hudson Yards, this fantastical immersive art show is a perfect distraction from the holiday blues. Originally shown in 1987, the show is the first-ever art amusement park with rides and games made by legendary artists including the queer visionaries David Hockney, Keith Haring, and Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Filthy Gorgeous Burlesque Valentine’s Day Spectacular
Escape into Greenwich Village’s dimly lit (Le) Poisson Rouge for a night of debaucherous fun. With highly revered burlesque artists, this show guarantees a good time.
Take Yourself To A Niche Museum – Leslie Lohman
While it may be easy to get lost in the melancholy of being single on Valentine’s Day, it is important to remember that some of the best art has been made in moments of loneliness. Take yourself to the Leslie Lohman Museum and get inspired by the queer artists who have fearlessly channeled their emotions into creation.
Soft Butch Origami Class
This trans-owned Bed-Stuy cafe is offering an origami Valentine-making class for couples and singles alike. Soak in the comfort of the cozy cafe and spend the day learning how to create an origami masterpiece.
Related: Lesbians Reveal The Most “Absurd” Reasons They’ve Ended A Relationship
Dive Into Self-Care
On a day dedicated to romantic love, it is just as important to love yourself. Give yourself the gift of self-care and treat yourself to relaxation.
Pretend It Isn’t Valentine’s Day
While the pinks and reds of Valentine’s Day might be unavoidable, you can always choose to convince yourself that this February 14th is nothing more than an average Friday. A little delusion never hurt anybody. Grant yourself some peace of mind by simply ignoring the day.
Take A Bath And Light A Queer Candle Co. candle
There will no doubt be a chill in the NYC air this V-Day, but don’t let it freeze your fragile heart. Run yourself a bath and relax with a Queer Candle Co. candle.
Let The Feelings Out At OutBox Boxing Gym
For some singles, sweating it out might be the best form of self-care. Take a trip to Brooklyn’s OutBox, a trans-owned, queer-centered boxing gym, and punch those feelings away.
Tell Your Friends You Love Them
While romantic love may be at the center of the day, it is important to remember all the forms in which love presents itself. Use the day of love to show your chosen family and friends what their love means to you.
If All Else Fails…Wallow
While we certainly all wish to be the self-care type of single this Valentine’s Day, it is just as valid to use the day to wallow in your loneliness. Don’t let the motivational Instagram infographics influence you; crying is healthy too.
Sad Sapphic Films
There is certainly no shortage of wallow-worthy sapphic films to indulge in. If you need something to cry to, we recommend throwing on Portrait of a Lady on Fire, Pariah, or Carol.
Queer Horror Films To Drown Out Sorrow
Maybe crying isn’t your thing. If you’d rather drown out your sorrows with screams try turning on The Haunting, Bodies, Bodies, Bodies, or Jennifer’s Body.
If You Need A Laugh
Maybe you need a hearty laugh to break the tension of the holiday. Queue up Bottoms, The L Word (truly any episode will do), Feel Good, Hacks, a Wanda Sykes comedy special, or a compilation of the best fights on RuPaul’s Drag Race Untucked.
Indulge In Some Gay Ice Cream
A sweet treat is a necessity for any good wallowing. Head to the Big Gay Ice Cream shop and pick up a scoop to soothe the soul.
Listen to sad sapphic music
Every good wallowing session needs a devastating soundtrack. These artists have perfected the melancholic sound of sapphic yearning. Siri, play Indigo Girls, Julien Baker, Mitski, Tracy Chapman, Katie Gavin, Arlo Parks, and of course, Phoebe Bridgers.
Whether you despise Valentine’s Day or are simply filled with a passing sense of woe on February 14, there are plenty of ways to keep yourself busy. So buy yourself some chocolate, grab some flowers, and be your own Valentine this year.
