Beyond Roses: Brighton's Alternative Valentine's Day Guide

If the thought of overpriced set menus and obligatory red roses makes you cringe, you’re in luck. Brighton has always been the perfect place to ditch the traditional Valentine’s Day clichés, and this year is no exception. Whether you’re happily single, celebrating with friends, or just looking for a date night that’s genuinely interesting, the city is offering plenty of unconventional ways to spend Saturday, February 14th, 2026.

For those actively avoiding romance, the anti-Valentine’s parties are where it’s at. The event that inspired this whole alternative guide is the Not a Valentine's Party at The Terrace at the American Express Stadium. Running from 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM, this is strictly a singles event, styled as a classic school disco featuring 70s and 80s tunes. If you prefer high-energy chaos, Old Skool BINGO Brighton at Horizon Nightclub promises bingo rounds mixed with 80s, 90s, and 2000s RnB, games, and challenges starting from 6:30 PM. For those looking to mingle the night before, Friday, February 13th, offers a couple of options: singles aged 30-45 can check out the structured Valentine's Lock & Key Party at The Fitz Regent starting at 8:00 PM, or gather your friends for the Social Queer Galentine’s event at North Laine Brewhouse, featuring speed socialising, games, and DJs.

If you’re looking for a date that goes beyond dinner and a movie, Brighton has some truly unique experiences lined up. For a date that’s literally about matters of the heart, the Anatomy Nights: Matters of the Heart event at Komedia offers an educational and unusual evening. Experts from the Brighton and Sussex Medical School will perform a live dissection of an animal heart, demonstrating how the organ works. This runs from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM and costs just £5, with proceeds going to charity.

Alternatively, you could serve a sentence together at Alcotraz Brighton: Cell Block One-Three. This immersive theatrical cocktail experience requires you to smuggle your own liquor past the guards while wearing orange jumpsuits. It’s a fun, high-energy way to spend the evening, with multiple slots available on Saturday, February 14th, starting from £39.50 per person. If you prefer marine life to prison life, SEA LIFE Brighton is hosting a special adults-only Valentine's Deep Sea Date Night from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. For £15 per person, you get after-hours access to the world's oldest aquarium and a glass of fizz (or a non-alcoholic alternative). You can even add a Candlelit Glass Bottom Boat Ride for £15 per couple.

For those seeking cultural or creative alternatives, there are plenty of options. The annual Refugee Valentine party at The Old Market in Hove celebrates the diversity of love with live acts showcasing West African fusion, Latin, salsa, and Ukrainian folk music, starting at 7:00 PM. If you want a relaxed daytime activity, try a Paint and Sip session, such as the 'Man O Man' event at The Tempest from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, or kick off the day with a lively Bottomless Brunch at BOTTOMLESS BY BOOTLEGGER, with slots at 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM for £39.95 per person.

Finally, if you just want a great film without the schmaltz, keep an eye out for cult cinema screenings. Venues like Wagner Hall often host pop-up events, with past Valentine’s alternatives including classics like Harold and Maude or the romantic cut of Little Shop of Horrors.