Love it or hate it, it’s an excuse to get out with your loved one, and that’s got to be good! Sick of the candlelit dinner scene? Cityscape has some unique ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Ōtautahi. And yes, you may pretend you came up with these ideas yourself.

Get your hair cut together

If you and your sweetheart have been rocking the overgrown yeti look for a little too long, make an experience of it and book a tandem hairdo. Have a laugh watching each other in the stages of transformation, and take some hella cute selfies when you’re both looking fly as all get out. Mod’s Hair in Merivale is the ideal spot for a date night makeover: it has a Perrier Jouët Champagne bar, cocktails and tasty bites so you can Valentine’s in style.

Hear us out… scavenger hunt

Interactive, explorative and always fun, scavenger hunts are an awesome way to explore the city. Work out a list together, name a prize for the winner, and designate an area to tick off the items – a license plate starting with a particular letter, a French pastry, a blue flower with red thorns (à la Shrek). You could contain your hunt to your favourite book store or op shop. Bonus fun times: try your found items on, and snap a reel of silly photos.

Two can play this sweet game

Stroll hand-in-hand to your favourite ice cream parlour and make things a little interesting. Try nominating a flavour that your partner-in-crime HAS to try. Or play the blind taste test game and see if you can identify the flavour you’ve been given. The Gelato Lab in Opawa is a hot (or cold) spot with heaps of unique and interesting flavours to choose from, including Italian classics and delicious Kiwi-inspired creations.

Get creative, literally

If you ask us, a shared experience is the greatest of all gifts – it comes with free memories! Get creative with your darling and try your hands at something new, like a perfume making class at Fragranzi. You’ll get to craft your very own signature scent, and be flooded with nice memories every time you smell it. Other great options include a pottery class at General Pottery (think Ghost) or a cooking class (think Hell’s Kitchen… OK, maybe not).

Spend Valentine’s Day in denial

Good Times Comedy Club is running a special PHUCK Valentine’s comedy show: “A comedy show for single people. Happy people also welcome.” It’s a great option if you’re spending this Valentine’s Day alone, or frankly it’s also a hilarious date night – but maybe just pretend to be friends lest you end up the butt of some jokes.

events.humanitix.com