22 Valentine’s Day Events That Are Way Better Than a Boring Dinner

St. Louis Aquarium’s Love Bites

Looking for some harmless revenge? Now until Valentine’s Day at noon the St. Louis Aquarium (201 South 18th Street) is allowing guests to symbolically name a mealworm, cricket or veggie after your not-so-special someone and have it fed to one of the animals at the aquarium. Along with your $5, $10 or $25 donation, guests will receive a digital Valentine’s Day card showing their support for the Love Bites Fundraiser. (You must be 18 years or older to take revenge.)

Valentine’s Day Puff n’ Paint

Celebrate love, creativity and community at the Conflux Co-Learning Space (8221 Minnesota Avenue) with a Valentine’s Day Puff n’ Paint. On Wednesday, February 14, from 7 to 9 p.m. enjoy a smoke, paint with your partner or friends and get in the mood with a little sip and charcuterie board date. Tickets are $75 and include a specially selected Valentine's painting (choose to paint one image by yourself on a horizontal 20x16 canvas or team up for a partner painting across two 16x20 vertical canvases), one complimentary alcoholic (or non-alcoholic) beverage, your choice of edible or a pre-roll from our sponsor LBS Farms, a charcuterie and dessert spread, goodies from our sponsors Paradox and Ole Town Smoke Shop and a love-themed playlist. Smoking is allowed outside, while vaping and dabbing are allowed inside. BYOB and BYOC allowed. Tickets can be purchased on Introspectrum Event’s website.

Sweethearts & Snuggles

Spend Valentine’s Day at the Animal Protective Association of Missouri (1705 South Hanley Road, Brentwood) for a one-of-a-kind date night that includes cuddles and playtime with adoptable pets, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. From 5 to 7 p.m., this 21-and-older event will allow you and your loved one to create heartwarming memories with some furry friends. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased on Eventbrite’s website.

The Darkness Haunted House’s My Bloody Valentine

Nothing says I love you like the Darkness (1525 South 8th Street), right? On Saturday, February 17, the Darkness Haunted House’s My Bloody Valentine event will make your date scream, with all-new renovated scenes, animations and more. From 6 to 9 p.m., the horror-filled evening will provide guests with the scariest date night of the year, complete with festive Valentine’s Day candies and free photo opportunities (got to keep some of the romance alive). This limited-ticket night is open to the first 1,250 guests with tickets costing $34.95. For an extra $5, try the new five-minute serial killer escape feature and see if you and your sweetie will survive the holiday. To purchase tickets, visit the Darkness’ website.

Broken Hearts

Go check out some Broken Hearts, a free, juried art exhibit for the week of Valentine’s Day, where local artists explore the complexity of emotion within a broken heart at the Soulard Art Gallery (2028 South 12th Street). The gallery hours are Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Broken Hearts exhibit will run till February 16.

To You, I Go

Although St. Louis is rarely romanticized, you can still spend the most romantic day of the year with Jessica Page’s visual love letter to St. Louis To You, I Go exhibit in the Dark Room at the Grandel (3610 Grandel Square). Walk-in gallery visits to the Dark Room are open to the public every Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m. during the Wednesday Night Jazz Jam, but private gallery visits can be made by [email protected]. Page’s free exhibit will run till March 31.

Anti-Valentine's Day Anti-Party with St. Louis County Library

Haters to the front! Sick of love, romance and all things pink and mushy? Join the St. Louis County Library, Mid-County Branch for some fictional character breakup trivia, a DIY anti-romance novel cover magnet and Mad Libs breakup letters. Snacks and drinks will be provided. Register on the library’s website.

Cupid’s Combo Valentine’s Special at Amp Up

Make your loved one’s heart race with the Cupid's Combo package at Amp Up Action Park (13901 Manchester Road). For $85 for a couple, the package includes two go-kart races, two helmet rentals with head socks, two one-hour axe throwing sessions and two drink tickets. (If you’re a throuple, no worries, they’ll honor the deal.) The Valentine’s Day special is only available online (full price at the door) and good for use on Monday, February 12, from 4 to 9 p.m. or Wednesday, February 14 between 4 and 10 p.m. Tickets are available at Amp Up’s website.

Speed Dating & Karaoke

Single for Valentine’s Day? Try speed dating and karaoke on Tuesday, February 13, at the Jade Event Center (3411 North Lindbergh Boulevard, St. Ann) to ignite a festive mood. Starting at 7 p.m. the area's most eligible singles will be participating in an evening of conversation, painting, mimosas and karaoke. Must be single and 25 or older to participate. Register on the Jade Event Center’s Facebook page for $40.

Love Struck

From February 9 to 17, 18Rails at the City Foundry (3730 Foundry Way) is hosting Love Struck, a Valentine’s Day pop-up with cocktails, appetizers and festive fortune telling. This 21-and-older event is for sweethearts, friends and secret admirers, but first you have to choose a date and time (5:30 to 7:30 p.m. or 8 to 10 p.m.) and then your preferred style of minglin’, sittin’ or loungin’. With love-themed décor surprising you at every turn, the two-hour experience promises to be about connections, attractions and charm. Minglin’ costs $15 which allows you to mix and mingle around the bar and cocktail tables. Sittin’ costs $80 and includes exclusive seating and table service for 4 guests or $200 for 10 guests. Loungin’ is $200 and allows you to sink into plush, luxurious seating and includes table service. Purchase tickets on 18Rail’s website.

PrideSTL Galentine's Day Drag Dinner

Join PrideSTL for an unforgettable Galentine's Day Dinner Drag Show at Hotel Saint Louis (705 Olive Street) on February 13 from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Tickets ($45) include a full dinner buffet with salad, dinner rolls, pan-seared breast of chicken (lemon chardonnay sauce-boursin cheese), sliced London broil (mushroom red wine sauce), oven-roasted rosemary potatoes and winter vegetable medley; an open bar featuring 4 Hands and 1220 spirits; and a drag show featuring members of the current and past royalty members. Purchase tickets on the Eventeny website.

Mardi Gras Galentine’s Day 2024 with the Hill Antique Market

The Hill Antique Market (4923 Daggett Avenue) is hosting a Mardi Gras Galentine’s Day on Tuesday, February 13, from 4 to 8 p.m. Guests can shop antique and vintage goods, pop a balloon for special deals, enjoy desserts by Catering St. Louis Events and drink festive Galentine’s cocktails from the cash bar.

Galentine’s Lunch: Mardi Gras Inspired

Rooted Buds and Snoop Hollins have joined together to create the ultimate Galentine’s-Mardi Gras lunch at a secret location (lunch provided with purchase of an $85 ticket). From 2 to 5 p.m., you and your besties can enjoy an afternoon filled with New Orleans-inspired food, colorful mocktails, bottomless mimosas, several photo opportunities, music and karaoke. To top it off, you can create your own heart-shaped stash box. Make sure to wear your best purple, green and gold attire and get ready to have a ball — no pink and red for this party. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite’s website.

Galentine’s Day at 21c and Idol Wolf

The 21c Museum Hotel (1528 Locust Street) is hosting an unforgettable Galentine’s Day celebration complete with a fabulous photobooth, a complimentary cocktail, an exclusive three-drink special menu, passed tapas (one veggie/one meat option) and delightful surprises in the charming Billiards Room. Plus an exciting raffle to win a one-night stay and dinner for four at Idol Wolf.

Valentine’s Girl Dinner

Experience Girl’s Night Out (Larimore’s Version) at the historic Larimore Wedding Venue (11475 Lilac Avenue) from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, February 13. There will be beauty services, drinks, hors d’ouevres, fun and venue tours. Contact Larimore at (314) 868-8009 to let them know you’re coming.

Tin Roof’s Anti-Valentine’s Day Dance Party

Follow Tin Roof’s motto “Valentine’s Day stinks, let’s drink.” Tin Roof (1000 Clark Avenue) will be hosting a paint and sip from 7 to 10 p.m. followed by a night of anti-Valentine’s Day karaoke and dance party from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. The names of the drink specials should give a good clue toward the mood here; they include Thank U, Next Martini, Ex’s and Ohs and ABCDE… FU.

Hidden Gem’s Anti-Valentine’s Day Party

Whether you’re boo’d up or in a situationship, hang with Hidden Gem (3118 Locust Street) this February 14 from 8 p.m. to midnight for their Anti-Valentine’s Day Party. There will be specialty-themed cocktails such as Call Me Never, Not Here for You, Take Up Space and Serving Cunt” (yes, really!). DJ Mark Lewis will be providing the vibes and food trucks for those late-night cravings. Also, on Saturday, February 17, Hidden Gems is hosting Drag Bingo from 9:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3:30 p.m. There will be a cash bar, free DIY glitter bar, free photobooth, palm readings, hair tinsel, nail art and more. Feel free to BYO-brunch as well. Tickets ($50) are available on the Golden Gems’ website.

Crime and Cocktails 

Maybe crime is more your love language? Join the Fortune Teller Bar (2635 Cherokee Street) at 6:30 p.m. on Valentine’s Day for an STL dark history storytelling event about the darker side of romance. Come early to grab some Fourth City BBQ.

Up-Down is for Lovers

Bring your Valentine to Up-Down (405 N Euclid Avenue) now through February 15 to enjoy six domestic tallboys, 80 tokens, a limited edition Up-Down fanny pack and a heart-shaped pizza for just $45. No reservations are needed, but if you order in advance by visiting their website you can receive a greeting card and envelope for your sweetie. Must be 21 and older with ID to enter.

Valentine’s Wine & Chocolate Tasting at Wild Crush

Pour a little love into your life (or some wine) with Wild Crush (13360 Clayton Road, Town and Country) on Wednesday, February 14. Enjoy complimentary Champagne upon arrival, a wine and chocolate tasting starting at 6:30 p.m. and specials including signature Valentine's cocktails and mocktails, discounted wines, pre-order charcuterie and their new food menu. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased on Wild Crush’s website.