A sampling of events for singles
Cypress Street Pint & Plate Valentine’s Day Solo Party
8 p.m., Feb 14. No cover.
817 West Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta.
404-815-9243
cypressbar.com
Sidebar restaurant: Half-off specials for singles
Starting 4 p.m., Feb. 14.
79 Poplar St NW, Atlanta
404-588-1850
Whiskey Blue’s Red Light, Green Light Valentine’s Day Party
9 p.m.-3 a.m., Feb. 14. $15 for one, $25 for two, $50 for group of five.
W Atlanta – Buckhead
3377 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta
678-500-3190
Buy tickets at www.atlantanightlife.com/whiskeyblue
Atlanta Metro Singles Sixth Annual Valentine’s ‘Love Potion #9’ Dance
8 p.m., Feb. 15. $10. Must join meetup group online and RSVP.
Georgia Rib Company
4930 Davidson Road, Marietta.
www.meetup.com/Atlanta-Metro-Singles-35-Plus
Downtown Historic Norcross Valentine’s Wine and Dine
6:30-8:30 p.m., Feb. 14. Free carriage rides.
S. Peachtree Street, Norcross.
678-421-2049
aplacetoimagine.com
Divas of Atlanta Network Valentines Singles Night Out
7-10 p.m., Feb. 14
Wingate by Wyndham - Atlanta Galleria Center
2762 Cobb Pkwy. SE, Atlanta
866-300-8734
divas-youthinbusiness.org
For information on other Valentine’s Day activities go to accessatlanta.com
The image at the center of Valentine’s Day is the romantic couple, staring into each other’s eyes. But what if you’re not in a relationship?
No need to lose heart.
You can observe the day in a number of ways, whether you’re single and satisfied or single and searching.
For example, Cypress Street Pint and Plate in Midtown is looking for a few good singles to come drink beer. At the Valentine's Solo Party, house beer will be $2
“It’s just something to come and do on Valentine’s Day,” says Sal Cannady, a server at this neighborhood pub. A special creation known as the “Love Bites” beer shake will be whipped up by Rob “Brewru” Merrick.
If you're in Downtown Atlanta, there's a little hole in the wall known as the Sidebar that will give you half off on some food specials. The deal starts at 4 p.m. on Friday.
Stop by on your way from work if you work or live downtown.
In Buckhead, if you'd like some glamour with your nightlife, head to Whiskey Blue, the rooftop bar at the W Hotel Buckhead. For clarity's sake, guests will be issued wristbands: red for those who have a significant other, yellow for the undecided and green for those clearly looking. To summarize: At Whiskey Blue, your choices are to stop, proceed with caution or hurl yourself toward someone. Exercise that last option with care, as you may be on the rooftop patio – which has a great view of the Atlanta skyline.
The Red Light, Green Light party starts at 9 p.m. and runs till 3 a.m. It’s best to buy tickets ahead of time although a limited number will be available at the door.
If you're 45 or older and looking to meet someone of the opposite sex, Lisa Russell has an event for you. It's the Atlanta Metro Singles Sixth Annual Valentine's Love Potion #9 Dance. Russell, an Atlanta realtor, started a singles group that became an online meetup group in 2008. From 18 members at the first meeting, it now has 4,352. The Valentine's event, which is on Saturday evening at Georgia Rib Co. in Marietta, is expected to draw nearly 250 people. It will have a DJ and plenty of dancing. To attend, you must join the meetup group online and RSVP.
Valentine’s Day also offers some quirky or unexpected gatherings.
Historic Norcross is inviting both the partnered and the single to come and take a carriage ride in its historic downtown. Enjoy champagne and browse in local shops. You can actually change your status from single to married during the evening. A judge will be on duty in front of the coffee shop for those who wish to renew vows or marry.
The Divas of Atlanta Network, a women's group that encourages entrepreneurship, is holding an expo at the Wingate by Wyndham Atlanta Galleria Center. Guests can have light buffet food and browse among vendors offering everything from jewelry and cosmetics to massages. "We're just having an evening out for single men and women," says Elizabeth Felder, CEO of Divas of Atlanta. More than 60 people are expected. As party favors, women will receive flowers and chocolates and men will receive a surprise.
For those who are sick and tired of Valentine's Day, the anti-Valentine's Day movement may be of interest. It's expressed in cards such as one showing Cupid with an arrow through his back. Events include the Anti-Valentine's Dinner and Hookah organized by meetup group Atlanta Singles & Young Professionals 21-41.
But here’s another idea when considering Valentine’s Day. Widen the scope.
In practice, the day isn’t limited to romantic love. Plenty of parents give their children valentine cards and candy. And who can forget coming home from elementary school with a box of cards from everyone in the class?
Cindy Lou Who, a single mother in East Point, plans a cozy evening with children and a movie. Her two youngsters, ages 5 and 6, will invite two friends for a sleepover. They’ll all watch a movie and munch popcorn.
So whether you take your Valentine’s Day with a lump of sugar or a grain of salt, let it be light. It’s about love, after all.
