An Unconventional Valentine's Day
It's official. Red roses and chocolate are over. What you need is a Valentine's Day experience that is as unique as your relationship. While this might require a little thought and planning (which is why this is not coming out on the day itself), it's well worth it, plus there are experts out there in the world to help you in your quest. So, put your thinking caps on and let's get to work on some romantic fun.
Go out for drinks to find yourself kissing in a photo booth. Rumor has it that you can find one at Soho House or The Abbey in West Hollywood, The Spare Room inside LA’s renowned Roosevelt Hotel, in the lobby of Downtown's Ace Hotel or The Golden Gopher, Mohawk Bend in Echo Park, or Playland Arcade on the Santa Monica Pier.
Speaking of arcades, Barcade in Hollywood, EightyTwo and Two Bit Circus in the Downtown Arts District, XLanes in Little Tokyo, and Button Mash in Echo Park are great places for game fun.
Skip the crowded night out and stay in to take an online mixology class. Cozymeal.com, ClassBento, MasterClass, and Uncommon Goods are all great places to start your search for the perfect drink-making experience. Plus, this will set you up for our upcoming article on classic cocktails.
Not into mixology? There are also eleventy gazillion new things to learn together, so browse MasterClass together or plan an in-person lesson in something new like dancing (Well, hello Arthur Murray!), rock-climbing (try Rockreation), cooking, horseback riding (we wrote an article on this; READ IT HERE) or for just about anything else under the sun, check out giftory.com.
Take the day off and go on a Mystery Picnic Date! A Mystery Picnic is a self-guided food and adventure experience with a difference. Each destination has been thoughtfully selected to showcase the unique food, places, and attractions of the region, whether you're here or out of town. AmazingCo (amazingco.me) has this and other equally great experiences for couples (and families and friends). Their concierge will help you design something perfect.
Play tourist in our fair city. We admit to not taking advantage of Los Angeles, although we are here most of the time. Seek out the spots you've never gone. For this, we usually start with TripAdvisor to find the sights that we haven't visited. While you're at it, spend some time making a bucket list together. Planning romantic excursions is, in itself, romantic.
If you're doing the traditional romantic dinner and you want to get the definitive list of the best restaurants, we recommend heading over to Gayot (.com). No matter what city you're in, you'll find a special meal for your special someone. Reserve your table now before they’re all booked!