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12 Great Anti-Valentine's Day Events in Chicago

Looking for something unromantic to do this February 14?

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Valentine's Day is only a few days away and if you're anti-candlelight dinners like many people, whether single or taken, there are plenty of other things to do in the city. From beer fests and social mixers to bar crawls and trivia night, there are many other options besides feigning romance. So make plans and bring some friends along because you don't have to be a hermit this year on February 14.

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Joe Fish

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Joe Fish invites singles to mix and mingle at an “It’s Just Brunch” social event beginning at 11 a.m. on Feb. 14. Start with a glass of bubbly and freshly shucked oysters alongside other passed bites such as Bang Bang biscuits, pecan sea salt caramel French toast and bacon & egg sandwiches. The cost is $20 per person.

Filini Restaurant and Bar

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Filini will feature a Seven Deadly Sins menu perfect for a group of friends. Guests will discover their sultry, sensual side as they savor the flavors of the seven deadly sins with courses including Oysters, Tuna and Yellowfin Crudo (lust); Cucumber Mint Goat Cheese Panna Cotta (envy); Grilled Shark (wrath); Pork-Stuffed Pork Belly (gluttony); Tower of Babylon Layered Pasta (greed); Carrot Ginger Shooter (pride); and Macaroons (sloth). The cost is $95 per person or $125 with cocktail pairings.

Piggyback Tavern

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Pig out on some barbecue this year at Piggyback Tavern. Anti-Valentine’s Day Plates include choice of baby back ribs, pulled pork, pulled chicken or beef brisket and sides such as jalapeno-cheddar cornbread and mac ‘n’ cheese. The restaurant will also offer special “his and hers” cocktails. The price of each plate ranges from $14.95 to $26.95.

Chop Shop

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Who needs cupid when you have beer? Chop Shop will be hosting Brew of Hearts, a craft beer festival for beer lovers to come together to eat and sample several different brewers alongside live music by Jordan Years and some DJ sets. The event starts at 2 p.m. and tickets are $35 and can be purchased online.

I|O Urban Roofscape

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I|O Urban Roofscape and Chicago Scene are hosting a Valentine’s Day Party fit for singles to mingle under the stars. Enjoy a seated meal beginning at 7 p.m. featuring dishes like lamb lollipops, charred hamachi and vanilla bean cheesecake. Afterwards, a lively celebration kicks off at 9 p.m. and tickets can be purchased online or at the door for $25.

Mercat a la Planxa

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The modern tapas restaurant will offer a “Walk of Shame” brunch for hard-partying singles on Sunday, Feb. 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The brunch tasting menu starts with a Bloody Mary served with a churro on the side. Guests can also look forward to charcuterie and Manchego cheese, a bikini sandwich, poutine eggs benedict and lobster revuelto. Anyone who shows up in last night’s outfit (with proof) will receive a 20 percent discount.

Alliance Bakery

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Indulge the sweet tooth and pick up some anti-Valentine’s Day cookies for yourself from Alliance. Past years have included cynical messages such as “I love you more when I’m drunk” and “Really … stop calling.” Order just one or a dozen; it’s okay, nobody’s judging.

The River Valley Farmer's Table

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Gather some friends and family members and celebrate Valentine’s Day with Cupid, Dinner and Trivia at River Valley Farmer’s Table. Chicago Market will host an interactive food trivia dinner, complete with prizes and a menu of bites including Grass Run Farms pulled pork sliders and mini vegan mushroom and kale tamales. The cost is $30 per person and tickets can be purchased online.

McGee's Tavern & Grille

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The 16th Annual Screw Cupid Pub Crawl returns for another year on Feb. 14. Singles can come together from 8-11 p.m. at Redmond’s, Durkin’s, Duffy’s or McGee’s and enjoy a food buffet, domestic drafts, cupid punch and trolley transportation between all four bars. You can purchase your ticket for $25 online.

Woodhaven Bar and Kitchen

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Join Woodhaven for an anti-Valentine’s Day party starting at 8 p.m. on Feb. 14. Drink specials will include $4 domestics, $5 Skyy cocktails and $6 Jameson and cinnamon whisky shots.

Twisted Spoke

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Celebrate man’s best friend this Valentine’s Day with the annual Wicker Dog Park Fundrasier. Twisted Spoke is partnering with Three Floyds and all proceeds will benefit the Wicker Dog Park Fund. Guests can purchase pints from a specially donated keg by brewery and also participate in a silent auction bidding war where they can test their luck with a 50/50 pot raffle split. The event will take place from 7-10:30 p.m. on Feb. 14 and there is no entry fee.

Western Exhibitions

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Marz Community Brewing is teaming with painter Paul Nudd for the Power of Sour at Western Exhibitions. Nudd’s work will be on display while attendees enjoy samplings of South Side Sours such as Bubbly Creek Berliner Weiss andThe Duchess de Bridgeport sour brown ale. Tickets can be purchased for $15, which includes admission and one reserved print.

Joe Fish

Joe Fish invites singles to mix and mingle at an “It’s Just Brunch” social event beginning at 11 a.m. on Feb. 14. Start with a glass of bubbly and freshly shucked oysters alongside other passed bites such as Bang Bang biscuits, pecan sea salt caramel French toast and bacon & egg sandwiches. The cost is $20 per person.

Filini Restaurant and Bar

Filini will feature a Seven Deadly Sins menu perfect for a group of friends. Guests will discover their sultry, sensual side as they savor the flavors of the seven deadly sins with courses including Oysters, Tuna and Yellowfin Crudo (lust); Cucumber Mint Goat Cheese Panna Cotta (envy); Grilled Shark (wrath); Pork-Stuffed Pork Belly (gluttony); Tower of Babylon Layered Pasta (greed); Carrot Ginger Shooter (pride); and Macaroons (sloth). The cost is $95 per person or $125 with cocktail pairings.

Piggyback Tavern

Pig out on some barbecue this year at Piggyback Tavern. Anti-Valentine’s Day Plates include choice of baby back ribs, pulled pork, pulled chicken or beef brisket and sides such as jalapeno-cheddar cornbread and mac ‘n’ cheese. The restaurant will also offer special “his and hers” cocktails. The price of each plate ranges from $14.95 to $26.95.

Chop Shop

Who needs cupid when you have beer? Chop Shop will be hosting Brew of Hearts, a craft beer festival for beer lovers to come together to eat and sample several different brewers alongside live music by Jordan Years and some DJ sets. The event starts at 2 p.m. and tickets are $35 and can be purchased online.

I|O Urban Roofscape

I|O Urban Roofscape and Chicago Scene are hosting a Valentine’s Day Party fit for singles to mingle under the stars. Enjoy a seated meal beginning at 7 p.m. featuring dishes like lamb lollipops, charred hamachi and vanilla bean cheesecake. Afterwards, a lively celebration kicks off at 9 p.m. and tickets can be purchased online or at the door for $25.

Mercat a la Planxa

The modern tapas restaurant will offer a “Walk of Shame” brunch for hard-partying singles on Sunday, Feb. 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The brunch tasting menu starts with a Bloody Mary served with a churro on the side. Guests can also look forward to charcuterie and Manchego cheese, a bikini sandwich, poutine eggs benedict and lobster revuelto. Anyone who shows up in last night’s outfit (with proof) will receive a 20 percent discount.

Alliance Bakery

Indulge the sweet tooth and pick up some anti-Valentine’s Day cookies for yourself from Alliance. Past years have included cynical messages such as “I love you more when I’m drunk” and “Really … stop calling.” Order just one or a dozen; it’s okay, nobody’s judging.

The River Valley Farmer's Table

Gather some friends and family members and celebrate Valentine’s Day with Cupid, Dinner and Trivia at River Valley Farmer’s Table. Chicago Market will host an interactive food trivia dinner, complete with prizes and a menu of bites including Grass Run Farms pulled pork sliders and mini vegan mushroom and kale tamales. The cost is $30 per person and tickets can be purchased online.

McGee's Tavern & Grille

The 16th Annual Screw Cupid Pub Crawl returns for another year on Feb. 14. Singles can come together from 8-11 p.m. at Redmond’s, Durkin’s, Duffy’s or McGee’s and enjoy a food buffet, domestic drafts, cupid punch and trolley transportation between all four bars. You can purchase your ticket for $25 online.

Woodhaven Bar and Kitchen

Join Woodhaven for an anti-Valentine’s Day party starting at 8 p.m. on Feb. 14. Drink specials will include $4 domestics, $5 Skyy cocktails and $6 Jameson and cinnamon whisky shots.

Twisted Spoke

Celebrate man’s best friend this Valentine’s Day with the annual Wicker Dog Park Fundrasier. Twisted Spoke is partnering with Three Floyds and all proceeds will benefit the Wicker Dog Park Fund. Guests can purchase pints from a specially donated keg by brewery and also participate in a silent auction bidding war where they can test their luck with a 50/50 pot raffle split. The event will take place from 7-10:30 p.m. on Feb. 14 and there is no entry fee.

Western Exhibitions

Marz Community Brewing is teaming with painter Paul Nudd for the Power of Sour at Western Exhibitions. Nudd’s work will be on display while attendees enjoy samplings of South Side Sours such as Bubbly Creek Berliner Weiss andThe Duchess de Bridgeport sour brown ale. Tickets can be purchased for $15, which includes admission and one reserved print.

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