Love is in the air... sort of. We mean, we're kind of on the fence with this whole Valentine's Day thing.
On the one hand, we're plugged into reality enough to recognize Valentine's Day for what it is: a commercialized holiday invented by the retailers who could benefit from such a holiday.
On the other hand, if you are in a relationship, it's a really nice opportunity to have a really nice time with your significant other, eating well, getting drunk, and hooking up.
Still, we might as well get down and celebrate love, right? If you ask us, Valentine's Day should be about all sorts of love; not just the romantic kind.
So let's get together and rock out for love in New York City this weekend. Hang out with your friends, go on a date with your beau, but most of all, take some time to recognize all the love around you.
Should also take place in some of NYC's excellent Valentine's Day events. There are a lot of them. Read on to find out what they are.
1. Valentine Tours at MoMA
Are you in love with someone who's in love with art?
Well, the MoMA is hosting a dope event, and if you attend it, you'll get to check out all their world-famous paintings.
They'll host three different Valentine's Day events. One on Saturday, February 13th from 5:30 p.m.; one on February 14th from 5:30 p.m.; and one on Sunday from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
[anad]
If you ask us, it's a pretty excellent way to impress your date. There will be a candlelit reception, an exclusive after-hours group tour, wine, and, the best part: hors d'oeuvres like wild mushroom spring rolls and caviar-and-dill-topped salmon rillettes crostini.
Super romantic, we know. These tickets will sell out, so get them here while you can.
2. Ripple Effects Artists Chocolate & Wine Gala (250 Park Avenue)
Oh, you like chocolate and wine? Aren't they the two necessary ingredients for a successful Valentine's Day?
Well, if you attend this event you'll have the chance to sip wine, munch on luxurious, rich chocolate, and get serenaded by talented artists.
Also, the whole event is for a great cause. It'll benefit Ripple Effect Artists, a theater organization dedicated to promoting causes and provoking dialogue. This Season, they'll be raising awareness for Women's equality and sex-trafficking.
Which, is a bummer, but this Gala won't be. It's taking place on Friday, February 12th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the People's United Bank. Get your tickets here.
3. Couples Romantic Cocktails for Valentine's Day (225 Liberty Street)
kistomatic A little something I shot at MCC a couple years ago. #mcc #manhattancocktailclassic #cambellapartment #martini #martinis #cocktails #craftcocktails #mbibegram #liqpic #cocktailking #thirstynyc #igdrinks #photooftheday #photographer #drinks #bartender #barlife #photography #imbibe #jonathanpogash
Getting drunk on Valentine's Day is a great idea, obviously. An even better idea? Getting drunk in style, with some really fantastic gourmet ingredients.
Do you want to spend your Valentine's Day drinking cocktails made from chili peppers, chocolate, pomegranates, ginger, figs, and vanilla?
Yeah, that sounds delicious to us, too. Plus, those ingredients have been shown to increase heart rate and improve blood flow, and you know what that means, don't you? Let's just say you'll be feeling extra... amorous.
[anad2]
Jonathan Pogash, the Cocktail guru, will offer a sampling of specialty cocktails, and brand-new cocktail creations at this event at the Institute of Culinary Education on Friday, February 12th from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
You'll also have the chance to mix your own drinks. Snag tickets for this event here.
4. Bloody Valentine's Weekend
We already mentioned that increasing the thrill level of your Valentine's Day date increases your heart rate which increases ... the chances of cuddling... and more.
If you and your date love being petrified, check out Blood Manor, NYC's premier haunted attraction, for their Bloody Valentine's Weekend.
It'll go down on Friday, February 12th and Saturday February 13th from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday, the 14th from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., so you have more than a couple of chances to get really, really scared.
This is basically the perfect date for any couple that got their start from instinctual handholding during a scary movie. If you've never pulled that totally classic 1950s move, this is a weird opportunity for you to do just that. Get your tickets here.
,5. Cupid's Undie Run (605 West 48th Street)
pabilas #stage48 #Cupidsundierun #CupidsundierunNY #CupidsundierunNYC#CupidsundierunNewYorkCity#february7 #february2015 #highjump#newYorkCity #nyc #newyork #manhattan #winterinNewYork #lifeinnyc#
Okay, it hasn't been that cold out lately, but it's definitely been cold enough that the idea of running down NYC's streets in our underwear seems ... daunting.
Still, this run is organized to raise money for the Children's Tumor Foundation. So it's a great cause, a great way to get exercise, and a great way to bond with your date. It's also a great chance to maybe check out him or her in nothing but underwear for the first time.
[anad]
Last year, the Cupid's Undie Run raised more than $3.5 million to fight NF, a rare and deadly disease that affects one out of every 3,000 births.
It's a mile fun run that you can take at your own pace, plus a fun after-party.
The run will be at Stage 48 at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 13th, and there will be an open bar for runners immediately thereafter. Register here.
6. The Amazing Valentine's Day Scavenger Hunt (8 East 36th Street)
Are you and your date adventurous? Do you love running around the city getting drunk and giggling?
We thought you might. The challenge begins at Slattery's in Midtown, and will lead you around the city performing an obstacle course, and completing a series of physical and mental tasks.
All the tasks are, obviously, centered around one thing: celebrating Valentine's Day. If you're partaking, you'll need comfortable shoes and a MetroCard. One person on each team should have a smart phone to download the ScanQuest app.
You in? Great. Book here.
7. Le Scandal Valentine's Day Show (407 West 42nd Street)
You want to go to a burlesque show, huh?
If you live in NYC and you've never been to a burlesque show, you need to get on it. If you ask us, there's no better time to do that than Valentine's Day.
[anad2]
There will be a full menu and full bar at the Laurie Beechman Theatre's Le Scandal Valentine's Day Show on Sunday, February 14th at 7 p.m.
You'll also get a complimentary burlesque gift, and be treated to a very special Valentine's Day edition of this weekly burlesque performance. This is a pretty excellent way to spend Valentine's Day, and you can get tickets here.
8. Central Park Ice Festival
istillheartnewyork #TBT to a previous Ice Festival at Central Park. The mostly free event takes place again on Valentine's Day this Saturday. There will be live ice carving from 3 to 5PM and for the first time, a Silent Disco is scheduled from 5 to 7PM #icefestival #okamotostudio #centralpark #centralparkicefestival #centralparkicefest #icecarving #ice #cold #nyc #newyorkcity
Free and super romantic and fun? Sign us up. Actually, you don't have to sign up, because it's free, but you get the point.
The Central Park Ice Festival will be held on Saturday, February 13th from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Naumburg Bandshell in the middle of the Park from 66th to 72nd Streets.
You'll get to witness expert ice carvers from Okamoto Studio use electric chain saws, chisels, and picks to transform a hunk of ice into a stunning statue.
There will also be a radiant silent disco with live DJs. There will also be treats and food truck delicacies available for purchase from Domo Taco, Wafles and Dinges, and Don Café. Yes, it will be as fun as it sounds. Learn more here.
Check out 6 Romantic Things to Do Around NYC for Valentine's Day Without Breaking the Bank.
[Feature Image Courtesy Instagram]