L.A.’s Best Out of the Box Gifts and Going Out for Valentine’s Day

From erotica to magic, VR to spa treatments, chocolate penises to food tattoos, candles to cosmetics, breakup bars, Galentine’s parties and so much more, Los Angeles offers more to love this weekend no matter what your relationship status may be.

Something Romantic

Annenberg PetSpace director and animal love expert, Dr. Donna Fernandes, is hosting the ultimate adults-only, quirky date night this Valentine’s Day. Spend the evening enjoying wine and light refreshments, all while learning about mating and taking part in fun games and activities at Animal Matters: The Mating Game. Trivia games will highlight curious courtships and gender facts about the animal world. Do you know the types of animals with two penises? Fri., Feb. 14, 7-9 p.m. Wallis Annenberg PetSpace, 12005 Bluff Creek Dr. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/animal-matters-the-mating-game-tickets-88560778673

Whether you’re looking for a gift for a friend, or a gift for a “friend,” Best Women’s Erotica of the Year, Volume 5 hits all the right spots for showing some V-Day love. Featuring stories by beloved erotica authors and newcomers alike, award-winning editor Rachel Kramer Bussel has put together the steamiest tales sure to suit all areas of interest. Check out the book and maybe learn a thing or two at their event. Fri., Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m. Skylight Books Los Angeles. 1818 N. Vermont Ave. Los Feliz. Free. https://www.skylightbooks.com/event/best-womens-erotica-year-vol-5

THE WEDDING SINGER (New Line Cinema)

Nostalgia lovers not to mention Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore fans will dig the totally awesome Cinespia Annual Valentine’s Party/The Wedding Singer Screening. With a full bar, plenty of treats, a glam photobooth and a DJ playing the best of the ’80s, this will be an retro date night to remember. Fri., Feb. 14 (party at 7:30 p.m., The Wedding Singer at 9 p.m. ) Cinespia at the Los Angeles Theatre, 615 S Broadway. Downtown. $35-80.  http://cinespia.org/event/the-wedding-singer/

In celebration of love and its 50th anniversary, the classic movie Love Story is returning to theaters for a limited engagement. Showing for two days only – Sunday, February 9 and Wednesday, February 12 (tomorrow!) – and including commentary from TCM Primetime host Ben Mankiewicz, audiences are invited to once again be swept away by the love story starring Ali MacGraw and Ryan O’Neal. Once nominated for seven Academy Awards®, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Actress and the winner of Best Original Score, this film’s impact has reverberated throughout the industry, influencing many popular movies today. Tickets for showings at the 600 participating theater box offices at https://www.fathomevents.com/events/tcm2020-love-story-1970-50th-anniversary.

ROOFTOP ROMANTICS (Courtesy The Montalban)

The Montalbán Theatre in Hollywood is going all out for lovers weekend offering with magic, art, film and disco in its various rooms: magician Blaise Serra presents TAME, an intimate spectacle that also features goodies (a complimentary I’m 4 Love lip gloss, a Champagne Toast and private after-party in the MEZZ Gallery, where artist Marwan Shahin’s new exhibit, Apex Mirage, opens that same night). Rooftop screenings over the weekend keep things in theme with Casablanca, The Notebook and Breakfast At Tiffany’s, all followed by a Silent Disco.  Fri. Feb. 14 & Sat. Feb. 15. 1615 Vine St. Hollywood. More info at https://www.themontalban.com/.

Though most seem to care more about her love life than her music these days, Grimes was worshiped by electronic music heads long before she started dating Elon Musk. A DJ set from her, as touted by L.A.’s favorite polysexual dance party A Club Called Rhonda this weekend, is a major event. But the Rhondavous Lovers Ball has so much more than the War Nymph (her DJ name) on the decks. This extravaganza promoted by MATTE Projects and Rhonda INTL, features five rooms of dance decadence with more top turntabalists including Erol Alkan, GODDOLLARS, Heidi Lawden, DJ Helix, Ash Lauryn, Danny Daze, DJ Holographic, Doppelgang, Jeniluv, Lloydski, Lovefingers
Masha, MoMA Ready, Paradise, Rick Trainor and Tornado Wallace. Sat., Feb. 15, 10 p.m. Catch One, 4067 Pico Blvd. https://www.facebook.com/events/598443160986043/

VOLTA (Matt Beard

Something Special

Valentines events tend to be frustratingly straight and cidgender-driven but Cirque du Soleil’s got a great alternative for a gay date with your significant other or queer crush:  Volta’s Equality Night celebration under the Big Top at Dodger Stadium. Happening the night before all the Val-Day madness hits the city, the production celebrating diversity and embracing uniqueness, is perfect way to party and show a little pride too. All proceeds for this colorful evening will benefit the Los Angeles LGBT Center.  $50 general admission and $175 for VIP tickets with code RAINBOW. Cirque promises celebrities in attendance—many of them LGBT—a rainbow carpet, and photo ops with  cast members. Thurs., Feb. 13 at 8 p.m. More info at cirquedusoleil.com/volta or 1-877-9CIRQUE (1-877-924-7783).  Read L.A. Weekly’s review of Volta here.

Who needs reality when you have The Void? If you want to step out of your life this Valentine’s Day and envelop yourself in a fantasy wilder than any reality, head to one of The VOID’s SoCal locations for an elevated immersive experience. Participants become active in their virtual-reality stories thanks to state-of-the-art technology and multi-sensory effects. If you’re looking to impress your date or just get out of your own head, this experience isn’t one soon to be forgotten. See L.A. locations and times at https://www.thevoid.com/

A heavenly date night (Courtesy OUE Sky Space)

Now through Feb. 6,  in OUE Skyspace DTLA is offering the perfect Valentine’s Day date called “Love Is in the Air” featuring two General Admission tickets for two rides on the Skyslide, a bottle of champagne, chocolate covered strawberries, and a viewfinder brochure ($75). Looking for a date-night idea on the actual day-of? Head to OUE Skyspace on the 14th for their “Be Wine Valentine” tasting event ($45). Sample varietals paired with bites all while taking in the incredible views 1,000 feet above L.A. The perfect spot for all your romantic one-liners.633 W 5th St. Downtown. More info at https://oue-skyspace.com/.

(Courtesy Enterprise)

Enterprise rentals is offering something pretty cool to enhance your date nights. Pick up your valentine in style with their Exotic Car Collection specials, featuring high-end models available to rent for the night such as Aston Martins, Jaguars, Mercedes,’ Maseratis, Audis and more (vehicle availability varies by location). Two L.A. locations for the holiday: LAX Location: 8734 Bellanca Ave. (exoticcars.enterprise.com/en/locations/los-angeles-airport-lax.html) and Beverly Hills Location: 352 S. La Cienega Blvd. (https://exoticcars.enterprise.com/en/locations/beverly-hills.html).

Recently launched, The Spa at The West Hollywood EDITION has some luxe Valentine’s Day specials for date night or just a special treat. With a range of packages priced for two, couples can enjoy a massage enhanced with CBD, essential oil blends, hot stones…whatever relaxes you best! These Valentine’s Day massages and facials come with complimentary glasses of champagne and treats. 9040 W. Sunset Blvd. More info at https://www.editionhotels.com/weho/spa-and-fitness/

(Man)i/Pedi’s are hot  (Courtesy Hammer & Nails)

Something to Give

Accurately describing themselves as a “relaxed man cave nirvana,” a pampering at Hammer & Nails is the perfect gift for any man. Treat your fella to a top-notch grooming, complete with his own TV, top-of-the-line noise cancelling headphones, a complimentary beverage, and his very own comfy throne. (Mention this LA Weekly article at their Echo Park location for 25% off any service). 2112 W. Sunset Blvd. Echo Park. https://www.hammerandnailsechopark.com

Linda Ramone get socksy (Courtesy Happy Socks)

Forget about candy. These days gals (and some guys) want cosmetics. We got the trendy teen in our life the “Valentine’s Mystery Box” from local luminary Jeffree Star, which had a huge shadow palette, a Valentine-themed hat, a lip gloss and pop socket inside. If those are sold out by the time you read this, Star’s latest purple-heavy collection, “Blood Lust” seems like it’d satisfy any makeup maven’s desires.  https://jeffreestarcosmetics.com/

Smell the Milf magic (Courtesy Fvith)

Gwennie’s Goop “vagina” candles got a lot of attention recently, but at $75 a pop we think the actress might be thinking a bit highly of herself. Such a turn-off. We’re much bigger fans of  L.A. based candle and fragrance brand FVITH and their sexy offerings at $45 each. There’s a mouth-watering chocolate love one called Velvet Moon that anyone would savor, and other scents include Black Rose, Raven and Hollywood Hills. But for the hot mom in your life, it’s all about the MILF candle (creamy coconut milk, ripe peach, and a touch of cedar and soil) which is perfect for wives and girlfriends who birthed babes in your life, and not for your mama of course. https://fvith.com/collections/large-candles/

Hearts and flowers (Courtesy Dynastyland)

BreakUp Bar, the annual Melrose popup is back again for a second year, open now through February 16. Easily our favorite new Valentine’s Day tradition, it features an eight-foot homage to broken relationships and a giant projection screen playing classic breakup flicks. The place to eat and drink your feelings, guests will enjoy a menu of champagne, wine-based cocktails, cakes, dessert fondues, and something intriguingly titled a “cookie tower.” Reservations are encouraged for all those so over the “lovey-dovey” and want to celebrate Valentine’s Day their own way. 7276 Melrose Ave. (next to Severance WineBar). Reservations at https://breakupbarla.com/.

Celebrate Galentine’s Day at Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel with their Beachside with Babes. This memorable sunset experience will make for the ultimate girls’ night out, complete with a fire pit, music and a special screening of Sex and the City. Food and drink specials round out the evening, with a special “Rosé the Day Away” bottle service experience available for groups. Our favorite part of this Galentine’s Day celebration? The complimentary flower arranging classes by local florist Magical Blooms. Everyone needs their own flower crown! Sun.,  Feb. 15, 5 – 9 p.m. 1700 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica https://www.loewshotels.com/santa-monica

Tasty Tats (Courtesy Door Dash/Mister Cartoon)

People can be hard to love but food is forever. It doesn’t argue or steal the covers in bed, and you don’t even have to stay loyal! You can sample whatever you want and it will still satisfy… most of the time.  DoorDash recently had a fun promo wherein customers submitted pics of name tattoos from failed romances. It picked the best (worst) and awarded the winner with a free cover-up tattoo from famed L.A. artist Mister Cartoon. If you regret that chest piece from you cheatin’ ex you’re outta luck as the winner was already announced, but there is a consolation:  the best 100 people who post food tattoos on Twitter during Valentine’s week (now  through 2/14) with the hashtag #FoodIsForever can win a complimentary Valentine’s Day dinner, well a cheap one ($25 value). More details here.

Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg knew the deal on how to please da ladies, not just on Valentines Day, but for every holiday: it’s a “Dick in a Box”! The company called Dick at Your Door works on the same premise, though their boxed chocolate phallus might be best for exes- each box says “Eat A Dick” inside. It’s being promoted as a gag gift for lovers and haters, but when it comes to sweets we’ll take the Godiva heart assortment, thanks. https://dickatyourdoor.com/

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