How to fly solo during this holiday of love
Forget those showoffs who gush when their bouquets arrive at their cubicles on Valentine's Day.
Tune out that friend who brags about the romantic weekend he's planned for his lady.
You don't have a special someone.
And so what?
There are plenty of singles in the suburbs, which is why several local spots have cooked up Valentine's events that celebrate the holiday without requiring the hassle of actually snagging a date.
If your main passion these days is Valentine bashing, then head to Alumni Club in Schaumburg Feb. 14. The club will host its first "Love is Evil" event at 9 p.m., which shuns all those flowers and, instead, celebrates cheating, sexy looks and strong spirits.
"People who go out on dates, they go out to dinner or stay home," says Alumni Club general manager Kevin Hoy. "They don't go out to meet other people."
Club goers can win cash by testing their cheating skills against a lie detector or by entering the "Be Sexy in Red" contest. There's no cover and $1.50 drink specials.
For a night that beckons Valentine's romance -- but still proves hot for singles -- line the runway at Accent Cafe for its "Heaven vs. Hell X-rated Fashion Show" on Feb. 16. Ladies can find inspiration in the show's mystical costumes, and men can admire from afar as the models strut in erotic corsets.
Nightclubs aren't everyone's scene, though, and Valentine's bliss -- just like good chocolates -- can be found in other packages, too.
Particularly, a spa package.
Area salons and spas, like Velarde in Schaumburg, have created menus of massages, scrubs, masks and more especially for Valentine's Day.
Vanessa Perez, Velarde general manager, says plenty of customers show up to treat themselves to a Valentine's gift, like the salon's signature raspberry pedicure.
"People want to feel pampered and feel special that day," Perez says. "They want to feel like they're important also, even though they might not have that, quote, special someone."
While some metro guys might be into the salon thing, chances are many will instead want to check out the launch of the Digital Den at Muvico in Rosemont Feb. 15.
All gamers (guys or ladies) can forget champagne, fancy dinners and chick flicks altogether and, instead, chug energy drinks, munch on pizza and play their favorite Playstation games on giant flat screens.
The Digital Den in Rosemont is the first to launch at any Muvico in the country and officials say their decision to open it on Valentine's weekend was strategic.
"Not everyone is focused on dates that weekend," says spokesman Tony Fields. "This is just a cool place to meet up with people and hang out."
Exactly.
"Love is Evil"
Where: Alumni Club 871 E. Algonquin Road Schaumburg
When: 9 p.m. Feb. 14
Cost: Free cover
Web site: www.alumniclubchicago.com
Phone: (847) 397-3100
"Heaven vs. Hell X-rated Fashion Show"
Where: Accent Cafe, 700 N. River Road, Mount Prospect
When: 11:30 p.m. Feb. 16
Cost: $10
Web site: www.accentcafe.com.
Phone: (847) 298-2233
Valentine's spa packages
Where: Velarde Salon, 21 W. Wise Road, Schaumburg
When: Feb. 14 or beyond with gift certificate
Cost: Packages run from $63 to $205
Web site: www.velardesalon.com
Phone: (847) 534-8778
Digital Den
Where: Muvico, 9701 Bryn Mawr Ave., Rosemont
When: 6 p.m. Feb. 15
Cost: Free
Web site: www.muvico.com/digitalden.asp
Phone: (847) 447-1030