Nottingham has a range of activities on offer for groups of friends or singletons who don’t choose to spend Valentine’s with a significant other, but still want to enjoy a less romantic, and a more casual ‘Pal-entines’ day instead.
Brunch
Going out for brunch is a classic way to spend quality time with some friends this February 14.
Nottingham offers an extensive range of locations for bottomless brunch, at a range of different prices.
The popular Turtle Bay bottomless brunch is £29.50 per person for a meal and bottomless cocktails or Red Stripe lager. Then there is Revolucion de Cuba, which offers a brunch dish and an unlimited drink for just £20 per person for a less-romantic and affordable way to have a date with your mates.
Escape rooms
For the more adventurous type out there, Nottingham has a range of escape rooms providing an opportunity for team building and to practise your logical thinking.
There are many different themes available at venues across the city such as Cave Escape, which is a Dracula themed escape room available for groups of 2-5 people. Logiclock Escape provides a pirate themed room for parties of 3-5 along with many others, so if this sounds like it’s your thing, why not give an escape room a go?
Cocktail-making
Revolution offers group bookings for cocktail making at both their Nottingham Cornerhouse and Hockley bar venues.
The 90-minute-long session is perfect for cocktail-lovers who fancy a boozy February 14.
Smaller groups of 4-6 can attend, and also larger masterclass’ for 8 or more guests are all welcome from £25 per person.
Bowling
A fun activity for all types of friend groups is a classic game of bowling on Valentine’s evening.
Both Tenpin bowling and Nottingham Bowl offer group lane bookings from as cheap as £8 per person.
Nottingham Bowl also has an arcade for those who want to continue the fun afterwards with the good-old fashioned 2p coin machine or air hockey.
Cinema night
Another family favourite is cinema night, which is always a popular way to spend a cold valentines evening, but this is by no means a couples-exclusive activity.
Nottingham is home to many popular cinemas, an evening at the impressively sized Cineworld is perfect for those who love a larger cinema with the wow-factor.
Adult tickets are prices at a reasonable £10-£14.
However, The Savoy Cinema in Lenton is another option with a much more traditional feel.
The cinema first opened in 1935 and has kept many of its quirky, original features.
There are a range of deals at the Savoy with students offered a discount to view any film for just £5.
This is certainly a contender for those interested in a cosier and all-round cheaper screening.
Spa day with a friend
The Beauty Temple spas in both the city centre and West Bridgford offer a range of services and treatments to book with friends for your ‘Pal-entines’ or ‘Gal-antines’ weekend.
Their ‘Pamper and catch up’ deal provides you and a friend with a treatment each of your choice, as well as a sharing platter for two at the Alchemist, a way to wind down this February after the January blues.
The day will set you back £79 for two, but when split with a buddy, your lunch and the spa day will be £39.50 per person.
Crazy Golf
The Cornerhouse in the city centre is home to a cinema, arcades, various restaurants and of course, The Lost City Adventure Golf.
The 18-hole indoor crazy golf is full of quirky obstacles with a jungle theme throughout.
A group package is £9 per person and players are offered a 10 per cent discount when booking for 10 players or more.
You can also visit the Tiki bar after your game for one of their house cocktails which follow the tropical theme with fun names such as ‘Neon Catcus’ and ‘Sunken Monkey’.
Cocktails are even 2 for £10 between and 5pm and 7pm, if you want to make an evening of it.
Theatre Royal
The Theatre Royal is a Nottingham city centre landmark and first opened its doors in 1965.
What better way to spend an evening with friends, than enjoying a show or even some stand-up comedy in an authentic and traditional Victorian theatre.
The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe will be showing early February from Tuesday the 1st to Saturday 5th.
Over the course of Valentines week the Royal continues with to show an array of performances to suit all, from Fatal Attraction for the drama lovers to a classical piano series by Ke Ma.
Image credit: Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall
The Craft Studio
The Craft Studio, Derby Road Nottingham is perfect for you and your friends if you are the artsy type or even if you just want to learn a new craft or skill.
Workshops in just about any craft you can think of are available, from classic quilt-making to lampshade making and calligraphy.
The workshops vary in price with most basic 1 on 1 sewing workshops sitting at an average of £40 for a private lesson.
This is a Valentine’s idea that would be perfect to do as a group of friends or even alone, particularly if crafting is your hobby.
A Night Out
If you’re looking to go out-out with friends for Valentines, the popular Rock City offers club nights on Thursday, Friday and Saturday along with many live shows and performances most weeks.
Indie band, Pale Waves are performing at Rock City on February 13 and Echo & The Bunnymen and KSI are due to perform a couple of days later, on the 17 and 19 of February.
Club nights at Rock City have offers of 2-4-1 drinks on a Thursday and a £6 ticket to ‘Get Lucky’ Fridays bags you and your pals a free drink on entry. There really is something for everyone this Valentine’s day in Nottingham whether you and your friends are the adventurous type or prefer a more relaxed approach, there are plenty of ways to fill your time and share the love with your friends this year.
Whatever you and your friends decide to do this valentines day, Nottingham offers so much that you are spoilt for choice!
