Valentine’s Day hasn’t been the same since elementary school.
Instead of receiving a complimentary Valentine’s Day card, you now have to plan out the day yourself. Whether you’re single, planning a Galentine’s outing or looking for something budget-friendly, this guide will help you conquer the pressure-ridden holiday.
Here are 14 Tulsa events for Valentine’s weekend.
Living Arts presents OK So, Tulsa February story slam: 50 ways to leave your lover
7 to 9 p.m. Friday
Singing at The Vanguard might not be enough to get you through Valentine’s Day, especially after a hard break-up. The day before the pop-punk show, Living Arts is giving Tulsans the opportunity to share their love horror stories.
The story slam event theme is “50 ways to leave your lover.” If there’s something you need to get off your chest, leave your name at the door and you may be one of the 10 who are chosen to tell your story in five minutes or less.
The audience will pick a winner depending on who told the best story. The winner receives a cash prize and a chance to participate in the yearly Grand Slam.
Location: Living Arts of Tulsa – 307 E. Reconciliation Way, Tulsa
Age: 18+
Cost: $13.58 a ticket
The Situationship Social at Inner Circle Vodka Bar
4 p.m. Friday to 2 a.m Saturday
No matter the situation, vodka has your back. Inner Circle Vodka Bar is hosting The Situationship Social the night before Valentine’s Day, giving you enough time to find a Valentine or a new friend to spend the special day with.
Location: Inner Circle Vodka Bar – 410 N. Main St., Tulsa
Age: 21+
Cost:Free to attend
Through Being Cool presents Emo Valentines at Vanguard
7 p.m. Saturday
Nothing quite captures the feeling of being single on Valentine’s Day like angsty pop-punk music. If you need an outlet to fully let out your emotions, The Vanguard is the place to be.
Scream along to Green Day, Blink-182, My Chemical Romance and more Feb. 14 during live-band karaoke. Through Being Cool is hosting the event with Dom TeLonges, a Blink-182 tribute band.
Location: The Vanguard – 222 N. Main St., Tulsa
Age: 18+
Cost: $20.72 a ticket online
Sweetheart Run
Racing starts at 7:45 a.m. Saturday
Feeling down about not having a date? Sometimes exercise is the best medicine. The 20th annual Sweetheart Run has opportunities for those at every skill level whether you’re by yourself or with a friend.
Registration is available for a 5K, a 5K couple’s team, a 15K, a 15K couple’s team and a 1K fun run. Sign ups will continue until the race starts or until all the spots are filled.
Location: Fleet Feet Tulsa Blue Dome – 418A E. 2nd St., Tulsa
Age: All ages
Cost: Depends on race, tickets range from $49 to $148
My Funny Valentine at Jackalope Comedy Theater
8 p.m. Saturday
If you’re looking for something funnier than your love life this Valentine’s Day, look no further. At the Jackalope Comedy Theater, improvisers will perform scenes and play games that poke fun at the reality of love. To avoid wait times at the local restaurants overfilled with couples, attend the “My Funny Valentine” show Saturday night.
Location: Jackalope Comedy Theater – SoBA District, 3406 S. Yale Ave., Tulsa
Age:18+
Cost: $16.95
If you’re single around Feb. 14, it doesn’t mean you have to spend the day alone. Consider grabbing a few friends to celebrate platonic love. Galentine’s Day, the trend of celebrating female friendships for Valentine’s Day, is only growing in popularity.
Tulsa establishments are taking advantage of the trend with the events below.
Gathering Place Bestie Bash
6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday
Glitter and girlfriends will infiltrate the Gathering Place in Tulsa the night before Valentine’s Day. For $50 a person, experience a cocktail party, a bracelet-making activity, party favors and complimentary hair tinsel and makeup touch-ups from Ulta stylists. And if that isn’t enough to convince you to spend time with the friends who keep you going, a live DJ will be in attendance.
Location: Gathering Place, Williams Lodge – 2650 S. John Williams Way, Tulsa
Age: 21+
Cost: $50 a person with additional add-ons available
Drag Brunch at Elote Cafe: Love is a Drag
11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Saturday
Love may be a drag, but a good time with your friends is not. At Elote Cafe, reserve a table for a drag brunch on Valentine’s Day. The full menu and brunch specials will be available while drag queens perform their hearts out around your table.
Location: Elote Cafe & Catering – 514 S. Boston Ave., Tulsa
Age: All ages
Cost: Starting at $18.31 based on number of guests
Galentine’s Party at Bourbon & Ash Cigar Lounge
6 p.m. Friday
Gossiping over a few cocktails is all you need for a successful Galentine’s Day. Grab a sparkling strawberry cosmo or a love on the rocks cocktail at Bourbon & Ash Cigar Lounge and enjoy taking Instagram photos with a provided Valentine-theme photo backdrop to commemorate the occasion.
Location: Bourbon & Ash Cigar Lounge – 6124 S. Sheridan Road, Suite A, Tulsa
Age: $21
Cost: Free to attend
Galentine’s Day at Hole Mole
Saturday
A bad time simply cannot be had over a bowl of queso. Grab your friends and head down to Cherry Street to shop, bar-hop or enjoy a Galentine’s Day experience at Hole Mole. The Galentine’s Day sharing menu is complete with an appetizer, entree and dessert at $20 a person.
Reservations required. Call 539-867-2164.
Location: Hole Mole – 1529 E. 15th St., Tulsa
Age:All ages
Cost: $20 a person for a shared menu, $20 bottles of wine and $6 to $8 cocktails
Self-Guided Paint-Your-Own Pottery event hosted by ceramic artist Caitlin Varner
Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday
If cocktails aren’t your style, coffee and pottery may be the next best choice. Ceramic artist Caitlin Varner is hosting a paint-your-own-pottery event at She Brews Coffee Roasters. A ticket to the event covers one specialty coffee.
Location: She Brews Coffee Roasters 1 N. Lewis Ave., Tulsa, OK 74110
Age: 12+
Cost: $21 to attend, handmade pottery for painting ranges from $12 to $35
Most Valentine’s Day plans include expenses and reservations. If you’re looking for a casual, inexpensive celebration, here are four options for the holiday.
I Heart Art Week at Philbrook Museum of Art
Thursday through Sunday, museum hours
Celebrate the love of art at Philbrook Museum of Art all week long. Each day, visitors will be able to leave paper hearts in front of their favorite exhibits and a guided tour is available at 1 p.m.
Special events are planned based on the day. Check the calendar to pick the day best suited for your interests.
Location: Philbrook Museum of Art – 2727 S, Rockford Road, Tulsa
Age: All ages
Cost: Up to $20 a ticket. Individuals enrolled in SNAP, TANF, WIC or SoonerCare can receive $1 general admission tickets for their families; up to four adults and unlimited entry for those under 18.
Forever Valentine Skate at Skates Rollertainment
7 to 9:30 p.m. Friday
The celebration of love is not reserved for lovers or close friends on Valentine’s Day. Celebrate the love of family during the Forever Valentine Skate. Parents and guardians are invited to skate alongside their children the night before parents often find a babysitter for a date night Saturday.
Location: Skates Rollertainment – 401 E. Broadway Court, Suite B, Sand Springs
Age: All ages
Cost:$9 admission, $5 skate rental
Valentine’s Day Market
Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday
A pop-up market can be the perfect opportunity to fill up a Valentine’s Day afternoon. Whether you go with friends, a partner or yourself, there are vendors for crafters of all kinds. Find an activity to do together or buy a gift for each other.
The vendors include Lisa McIlroy Art, Tulsa Charm Bar, Kaileys Odd Creations and many more.
Location: Cabin Boys Brewpub – 223 N. Main St., Tulsa
Age: All ages
Cost: Free to attend
Lovebirds Bird Walk at Ray Harral Nature Center
9 a.m. Saturday
Use Valentine’s Day as an excuse to connect with others and nature. Grab a friend or partner and attend the Lovebirds Bird Walk at the Ray Harral Nature Center to start the day off in a peaceful state of mind.
Location: Ray Harral Nature Center – 7101 S. 3rd St., Broken Arrow
Age: All ages
Cost: Free to attend
Raynee Howell is a freelance arts contributor of the Tulsa Flyer.
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