Valentine's Day For A Single Lady And Her Pals

by Rachel Azark

If you're finding yourself single on Valentine's Day, there's no need to worry because there are plenty of events going on around the city. Get out of your pajamas, put the snack bowl aside, turn off the chick flick you were watching and grab some gal pals and go out and have some fun. From ripping apart your exes (not literally), to cooking classes, to cocktails – there is a little something for everyone. And don't forget to doll yourself up a bit, you never know who you're going to meet at one of these places.

Maybe 2011 was a year of not-so-great relationships and now it's time to start afresh. But before you do, have one last night of bemoaning men with your girls at the Luv Sux Party at Howl at the Moon on Sat. Feb. 11. They will be serving X-Boyfriend cocktails and 86oz. Bad Romance Buckets featuring Skyy vodka. If you bring in a mutilated picture of your ex, you even get in for free. See, exes are good for something. So hash it out with the girls and sing at the top of your lungs along with the dueling pianos.

There's nothing like sharing chocolate with a friend to soothe a soul. If you're looking for a bit calmer atmosphere to chat with your friends without all the hoopla, then come here and indulge yourselves. It's a nice place to come to have a meal of cassoulet or a duck breast salad. But if you rather just have a hot chocolate they have seven different kinds. But don't forget to order what they're really famous for – dessert.

If you're really against Valentine's Day, but still like all the sweets then this might be for you. Give Me Some Sugar is hosting their Anti-Valentine's Day Cake Decorating class. The price of the class is $65, but they also ask you to bring your worst date story to share with the class. You'll learn how to level, cut, fill and assemble a pre-made cake and color buttercream with gel color. From there, you'll learn different techniques on how to decorate. Each person receives a Red Velvet Cake to decorate and black frosting (how apropos) will be provided. It's up to you what you want to do with your cake once you bring it home. Eat it in one sitting or throw it towards that worst date.

Are you and your friends more into beer? At Franklin Tap they say no problem if you don't have a Valentine, because beer is everyone's true love. Celebrate with them during Beer is My Valentine event on Feb. 14 from 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. They have four beer specials honoring things normally enjoyed on Valentine's Day. Specials include $3 Miller High Life (the champagne of beers) $4 Young's Double Chocolate Stout, $5 Timmermans Strawberry Lambic and $5 Chocolate Covered Strawberries (Timmermans Strawberry Lambic floated with Young's Double Chocolate Stout).

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Sometimes all you need is a good laugh on a day where you might be feeling a little down. Grab some friends and get tickets for Chicago's Original Anti-Valentine's Cabaret. The show was created entirely from real letters, text messages, Facebook posts, emails, and phone messages submitted by the public. The show offers a "hilarious view of relationships and all the ways we love to screw them up." It is running until March 10 but they have a special performance on Valentine's Day.