The Top 5 Anti-Valentine's Day Events

Living in Hollywood can be hard enough, but living in Hollywood and being single on Valentine’s Day can be, well, torture.

The sparkly advertisements for engagement rings, the restaurants that cater only to couples on Valentine’s Day, the guy in line in front of you at Gelson’s buying that huge bouquet of flowers, the aisles and aisles of heart-shaped candy. It’s enough to make a single person want to crawl into bed with some takeout Thai food and stream some sad, romantic movies on Netflix Instant.

But before you put on your comfy pajamas, Hollywood actually offers plenty of fun events for singletons, too. 

1.  Kress, 6608 Hollywood Blvd., 323-785-5000 (http://www.thekress.net/)

Hot Hollywood nightclub Kress is hosting their 3rd annual Pre-Valentine's Singles Party on Saturday, Feb. 12, with a twist. Because it's also Grammy's weekend in Hollywood, there will be a surprise featured guest. With three full floors to party (including a stunning rooftop space), some of the most beautiful people in town and an open bar from 10 to 11 p.m., you might not end up single for long.
The party starts at 10 p.m. and runs until closing on Saturday, Feb. 12. Tickets are $15. Kress also offers several different "package" deals, which run from $450 to $1200, depending on the number of people in your party and what part of the club you want to be seated.
http://www.wantickets.com/affiliates/EventDetail.aspx?id=1005&e_id=149219

2. Lucky Strike Hollywood, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., 323-467-7776

Forget the “little black dress” and those painful high heels. Instead, slip into some bowling shoes for an evening at the lanes. Lucky Strike Hollywood is offering a 2 for 1 "Mingle with Singles” event on Valentine’s Day. Singles get two games for the price of one, plus complimentary champagne and access to a VIP singles lounge. The two games will cost $6.95 and shoe rental is an additional $4.25. The event runs on Monday from 8 p.m. to close.

Don't feel like bowling? Lucky Strike also has a speed-dating Valentine's event the same night! Pre-register and you might just find your very own Valentine's Day date. The speed-dating event is $42 per person and requires pre-registration. For the speed-dating event you must arrive at 7:45 p.m. to register.

3. Mortified at King King, 6555 Hollywood Blvd., 323-960-5765

Remember that unrequited junior high school crush? Remember how you spend hours and hours gushing about that special person in your diary? Well, that is what Mortified’s Doomed Valentine’s Show is all about—brave adults reading from their very own adolescent diaries, journals, love letters and poems. Hailed as a “cultural phenomenon,” Mortified performs several live events throughout the year, but the Valentine’s Day show at King King will focus on the humor and tragedy that is young love. The show begins at 8 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 14, and tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.

4, Upright Citizens Brigade, 5919 Franklin Ave., 323-908-8702

Don’t let being single on Valentine’s Day get you down—laugh about it instead. Some of the very talented members of UCB will perform “Valentine’s Day Singles Mixer,” an improv show all about being single based on stories from audience members. The show begins at 11 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 14, and tickets are $5 (reservations are encouraged).

5. Birds, 5925 Franklin Ave., 323-465-0175

Really fed up with everyone else’s corny romantic behavior? Then head over to Birds in Franklin Village for their annual "Anti-Valentine’s Party". Commiserate with fellow singles, drown your sorrows in a “blackheart” martini, try a little voodoo doll “therapy” and you’ll be feeling better in no time.

The party kicks off at 8 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 14 and runs until closing time.