Anti-Gooey Valentine's Day: Beer Tastings, Hitchcock, Mortified LA

— by Caroline on Crack

Heart plushie

Happy heart.

There’s more going on this Sunday the 14th than romantic candlelit dinners (although there does seem to be a ton of those this year) and long walks on the beach. You don’t have to be all in luuuuve and stuff to enjoy the following events. If anything, I say go on and enjoy them with your friends. Ha! Up yours, Valentine’s Day!

4th Street Vine: Winter Beer Tasting
Wow! Taste seven full flavored ales, including three Trappists, for $15! So what if it’s in the LBC? At this boutique wine shop on Retro Row, you’ll get to enjoy the likes of Westmalle Trappist Tripel, Rochefort 8 Trappist and St. Bernardus Christmas Ale. Nice and hearty for this cold albeit sunny weather we’re having. Although weather reports say we’ll be enjoying 70-degree weather this weekend. Never mind. Beer still good!

  • 2:30-6pm. $15/person. 4th Street Vine, 2142 E. 4th Street, Long Beach (map). (562) 343-5463.

Silverlake Wine: Sparkling Wine Sunday Tasting + Heirloom LA
Nah, you don’t have to be in love to enjoy bubbly. It’s a good thing, too, since sparkling-wine-loving singles and couples will love this Sunday’s tasting which features beauts like Clavelin “Brut Comte” Cremant de Jura NV, Sommariva Prosecco di Conegliano NV / Italy and Tintero Moscato d’Asti “Sori Gramela” NV 2009. Heirloom LA will be providing the nibbles. Reservations required.

  • 3pm or 6pm. $20/person. Silverlake Wine, 2395 Glendale Boulevard, Silver Lake (map). (323) 662-9024.

City Sip LA: Cheesy and Sweet Beer Tasting
Nothing says cheesy luuuve holiday like cheese, chocolate and beer. There are still spots available for this wonderful event where beer expert, Alex Macy, will guide you through eight beers and cheese and chocolate pairings.

  • 4:30-6pm. $35. City Sip LA, 2150 W. Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles (map). RSVP to: Cupid@citysipla.com or call (213) 483- 9463.

Verdugo Bar: One Night Stand With Frysmith
And if you want even more beer, the Verdugo Bar and French fry truck, Frysmith, have conspired to create a heart-stopping menu with four courses like seared sea scallops, duck legs and lemon jam and apple fries with a beer tasting.

  • 7:30pm. $23 advance, $28 at the door. Verdugo Bar, 3408 Verdugo Road, Los Angeles (map). (818) 371-6814.

Aero Theatre: Hitchcock Double Feature
Want something dark and suspenseful to counter all that saccharine? A Hitchcock double feature made to order with classics, Rebecca and Notorious! Both with two swoon-worthy leading men, Laurence Olivier and Cary Grant. Le sigh!

  • 7:30pm. $11. Aero Theatre, 1328 Montana Avenue, Santa Monica (map).

King King: Mortified LA — Doomed Valentine’s Show
Remember when you were a teenager and every minor romantic setback seemed like the end of the world? “Dear Diary, Jimmy didn’t even look at me today. I want to die!” Well share in the pain at this Valentine edition of the comedy show where ordinary folk get up on stage and bear their soul via their own teenage diaries. Funny!

  • Doors open 7:10, show 8pm. $15 advance, $20 door. King King, 6555 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood (map).

For more ideas on what to do that’s Valentine-ish, check out Goldstar.