Here come the girls: How to spend Galentine’s in Bristol

Ah it’s that time of year again, don’t you just love forced romantic gestures and spending 24 hours having happy couples shove their relationships down your throat? Your boyfriend is a rat, get him off my Instagram feed. If, like me, you are sick to death of men (heinous beasts), this article is for you.

It is time for us single ladies to reclaim the holiday that we’ve dreaded for so long. As Dolly says, the most meaningful relationships in my life have come from my friendships with women, and that certainly is something to be celebrated. Love is indeed a many splendored thing, and I can think of many beautiful women in my life that I love, whereas the only man whose company I can stand is my cat Buddy’s. So, ditch your emotionally unintelligent deadbeat situationship and spend the day with your favourite ladies! Here is how you should spend Valentine’s Day in Bristol with the girls, instead of crying to Adele on your bathroom floor. (Guilty!)

Everyman trip

Now, nothing screams Galentine’s more than a little bit of Bridget Jones. She’s a feminist icon: single, successful, and a maneater. When I grow up, I want to be Bridget Jones. And the latest instalment Mad About the Boy, is out just in time for Valentine’s. Treat yourself to an Everyman trip, a ticket is probably the same price as a small private jet (very reasonable I’d say). P

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ack some snacks, because paying £8 for popcorn is literally crazy, but charging £8 for popcorn should be a criminal offence. Perhaps bring a tinny or two, and spend a few hours enjoying the visuals of Leo Woodall’s lovely face on the big screen whilst sat on those delightful Everyman sofas. You deserve it.

Craft night

What is Valentines if not another excuse to decorate your mouldy student house? It’s time to get creative, march on over to Clifton Down Sainsbury’s and grab some pink balloons, some banners and some silly pink candlesticks covered in little red love hearts and spend some time with the girls making the living room cute. Given the current financial situation, some DIY decorations are a must. Get some pink card and get cutting! Having a cute, decorated shared space is also a great way to combat the February blues.

Drinks at Vittoria

If you’re brave enough to tackle the sea of over-cuddly couples who will no doubt descend on Whiteladies Road like a biblical plague of locusts on Friday, then Vittoria is the perfect spot. These couples think they own the place? I say no! Grab the girls and plonk yourselves down in one of the artful, well curated booths. You can fantasise about the sexy bartender, there is just something about the way he garnishes those cocktails. Damn him and his tasteful patchwork tattoos. But what to drink? A cocktail, perhaps a “Dildo Baggins” for the lady? Perhaps not.

My good sir, we’ll have your cheapest bottle of white wine and will spend the rest of our evening loudly dissecting the intricacies of our dire dating lives in excruciating detail, much to the horror of the aging gentleman at the table next to us, thank you. That will be all.

Galentine’s dinner

If you’d prefer to stay at home and avoid the aforementioned plague of locusts/PDA couples, why not organise a Galentine’s dinner? Have everyone contribute a dish to the table, get all dressed up to make it feel special and enjoy a wholesome evening in the company of your housemates. Tried and tested themes include: Greek (think lots of olives and salads), Spanish (featuring ungodly amounts of sangria) and cocktail night.

Dinner out

If you’re budget stretches a little further, why not head out for a meal? It’s almost Reading Week, so take it as a Galentine’s/Can’t believe we made it through January celebration meal. If you book a table through First Table you get 50 per cent off of your meal and also avoid the 8pm couple rush. Some of the restaurants included in this deal are Mangosteen, Pazzo, Muiño, and Rock Salt. Treat yourself!

Bristol Comedy Cave

Let’s be honest, this time of year can be a bit depressing, especially when you have your gran on the other end of the phone asking you if you’re ever going to have a boyfriend. So why not lighten the mood with a bit of comedy? Hosted in Basement 45,  the comedy nights have been named the best in Bristol by Culture Calling. This is a great way to lighten the mood, and also do something just a little bit different.

A La Rocca boogie!

They say time heals all. I disagree. A La Rocca boogie heals all. Valentine’s falls on a Friday this year… coincidence? I think not! This is divine intervention, the universe is practically begging us to go out. Invite the girls over for pres, have a little chicken wine, and gush to all your friends how much you love and appreciate them.

Then head on down to the Triangle, because Galentines calls for some cheesy, white girl wasted La Rocca tunes. Ah yes, if music be the food of love, play Beat Again by JLS. Valentines can be a little tough for us singletons, so you can have a cathartic cry in the toilets over that loser boy and have all your equally drunk friends validate you. (Oops. You got me. Guilty again.) After your little cry, sing your wee heart out to Angels by Robbie Williams, and then head off for a romantic 3am candlelit dinner at M&M’s with your besties.