By Lauren Wulf

If you’re over the chocolate hearts and overpriced menus, check out some of these alternative ways to spend Valentine’s Day in Chicago. From Lady Gaga impersonators, to beer and vacations with your dog (that’s right, we know who your real true love is) – this list has something different for everyone.

(Credit: kitkatchicago.com)

“Bad Romance” Valentine’s Day Party for Singles

Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club

3700 N. Halsted Street

Chicago, IL 60613

773-525-1111

kitkatchicago.com
Lady Gaga Impersonator, Lady Gaga Concert Tickets Awarded
Wednesday, February 13
5:30 p.m. – 2 a.m.

Kit Kat is calling all singles in search of romance. On the eve of Valentine’s Day, Wednesday, February 13, “Lady Gaga” (Diva Aurora Sexton) will host and perform at a “Bad Romance” party.

Singles can sip half-priced cocktails and martinis, including the “Bad Romance” cocktail menu outlined below, and dine on buy-one, get-one entrees. The Lakeview lounge and supper club will play plenty of Gaga’s music and videos on seven jumbo screens.

Table reservations are available. Please call Kit Kat at 773.525.1111.

“BAD ROMANCE” COCKTAILS
$13.50 each ($6.75 on February 13)

BAD ROMANCE
Three Olives grape and vanilla vodka and splash of cranberry, served with gummy lips

LOVE GAME
Three Olives vodka, ginger, fresh lime and mint, with a rose-shaped ring sucker

MARRY THE NIGHT
Three Olives vodka, Hpnotiq harmonie, blood orange liqueur, champagne, splash of OJ, served with a glow ring

YOU AND I
Three Olives vodka, Hpnotiq, St. Germaine, fresh lime and champagne, served with a glow stick

BOYS BOYS BOYS
Van Gogh dutch chocolate vodka, strawberry liqueur, cream, served with a chocolate covered strawberry

THE EDGE OF GLORY
Three Olives loopy vodka, peach schnapps, OJ, pineapple juice, served with a rainbow lollipop

I LIKE IT ROUGH
Three Olives cherry vodka, St. Germaine, pomegranate liqueur, lime juice, served with a rubber duck

(Credit: FranklinTap.com)

“Beer is My Valentine” at Franklin Tap

Franklin Tap

325 South Franklin

Chicago, Illinois 60606

(312) 212-3262

FranklinTap.com
Chocolate Stout, Strawberry Lambic and the “Champagne” of Beers
Thursday, February 14
11 a.m. to midnight

No Valentine this year? No problem! Spend Thursday, February 14 at Franklin Tap, where beer is everyone’s true love. In honor of all things traditionally enjoyed on Cupid’s day (champagne, chocolate and strawberries), Franklin Tap will offer four Valentine’s Day beer specials sure to get your heart pumping.

The “Beer Is My Valentine” featured drinks are: $3 Miller Highlife (the “champagne” of beers); $4 Young’s Double Chocolate Stout; and $5 Timmermans Strawberry Lambic. For something truly unique, try Franklin Tap’s “Chocolate Covered Strawberries” drink – a pint of Timmermans Strawberry Lambic floated with Young’s Double Chocolate Stout for $5.

The full dining menu will be available from 11 a.m. to midnight. Franklin Tap offers an array of appetizers, soups, sandwiches, wraps, paninis and entrees.

(Credit: Gil Leora / untitledchicago.com

Drink & Wink

Untitled

111 West Kinzie Street

Chicago, IL 60654

312-880-1501

www.untitled-chicago.com

For those that want to enjoy Valentine’s Day outside of a table for two, be sure to stop in the Lounge area at Untitled for ‘Drink & Wink’. Send that special someone from across the room a ‘Flirt-O-Gram’ – buy a hand-crafted cocktail, glass of wine or whiskey and for an additional $1, send it with a note to your crush (or your friends for fun!). All $1 proceeds will benefit the American Heart Association.

During the night, catch a bit of burlesque or dance with DJ Greg Corner from 11 p.m. to close.

5-Course Valentine’s Day Menu

Course One – 
Genisis Farm Beet Bruschetta
chocolate goat cheese, grape must reduction, olives
with pairing: Valdo ‘Prosecco’
Course Two
 – Tuna Anchiote Cracker
coco nibs, guajillo soy sauce, Japanese radish
with pairing: La Petite Perriere Sauvignon Blanc
Course Three
 – Chocolate Bourbon Duck Confit
valrhona spatzel, currants, Brussels sprout
with pairing: Venta la Ossa ‘Crianza’ Tempranillo
Course Four
 – Smoked Lamb Loin
pear caponata, braised swiss chard
with pairing: Maculan ‘Brentino’ Merlot,Cabernet Sauvignon
Course Five
 – Chocolate & Passion Fruit
with pairing: Chateau Guiraud Sauternes / Graham Vintage Port

Thursday, February 14 open from 4:30 p.m.; ‘Drink and Wink’ from 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. (Lounge)

5-Course Valentine’s Day menu is priced at $50 per person, not including tax or gratuity.

$25 additional for 5-course food and beverage paired menu; The ‘Flirt-O-Gram’ is an additional $1 per beverage and the Photo Booth is $2 per session.

Reservations available for Library or Dining Room by calling 312-880-1511. Drink & Wink in the Lounge is first come, first serve.

(Credit: monaco-chicago.com)

Puppy Love

Hotel Monaco
225 N. Wabash Avenue
Chicago, IL 60601
www.monaco-chicago.com

This Valentine’s Day, if your dream date prefers a leash to a heart shaped box of chocolates, book the “Puppy Love” package at Hotel Monaco Chicago and treat the one you love – your dog, of course – to a weekend of pampering for two.

The packages includes:

• Two-night stay in a Mediterranean Suite
• Welcome amenity and treat
• 3-course dinner prepared by Chef Roger Waysok of South Water Kitchen, delivered in-room and featuring specialties for both dog and owner
• “Couples” massage: 50-minute “Relax and Rejuvenate” massage (for both human and hound)
• Concierge guide to pet friendly activities in Chicago

This two-night package is available from now – Sunday, February 17, 2013 at the starting rate of $633.

To book, please visit http://www.monaco-chicago.com, or call 800-KIMPTON, and use rate code: PUPLUV.

Lauren Wulf, CBS Chicago

Lauren Wulf writes about living in Chicago on a budget on her website, A Poor Girl’s Guide Chicago.