Manchester Valentine’s ideas if you’re on your own this year

If you’re spending Valentine’s on your own this year – well, you’re not alone.

Maybe you’re single and want to treat yourself, or perhaps you’re socially isolated from your loved one thanks to national lockdown. Or maybe you just want some virtual fun with friends that isn’t another Zoom quiz.

From wine tasting with smaller measures to a great solo dining offer and an online cabaret, there’s still plenty of ways to mark the occasion if you so desire.

Wine tasting without the waste

Independent wine specialists Salut have launched a wine tasting experience especially for Valentine’s Day, and it’s been created for single wine lovers who can’t be together with friends this February 14th.

After what has been an extraordinarily tough year for people living alone, Salut have created the box to celebrate not just romantic love, but love in all its forms – and it’s particularly geared towards those who live alone as it’s made up of half bottles rather than the traditional ‘couple-friendly’ 75cl vessels.

Salut’s “Half the Bottle, All the Bottle” Valentine’s Box contains three or six 37.5ml bottles of quality wines from around the world as well as tasting notes for each, and a link to an online tutored tasting video where the Salut team will guide customers through each glass.

It’s the perfect way to celebrate a virtual Valentine’s night with friends, as each pal can order the box to their home via Salut’s website, then get online on the night for a fun, relaxed wine tasting in the comfort of their own home.

From £24 plus delivery, order here.

An Italian feast for one – delivered

Piccolino has launched an extra special solo dining bundle with a three-course meal, side order and bottle of wine for £40 – a saving of up to £15.20 on usual menu prices.

And because part of the treat is knowing that you have something to look forward to, Piccolino is inviting guests to place their orders now for the big day, and have it delivered for free anywhere within a five-mile radius of the restaurants.

You can order from the Alderley Edge, Bramhall, Chester, Didsbury, Hale, Knutsford and Stockton Heath branches by phone, online or on the Club Individual app. Collection is also available for orders without alcohol.

Find out more here.

An online cabaret if you find Valentine’s weekend tough

Heartbreak Productions aims to tell stories that inspire, entertain, challenge and help us come to a better understanding of human beings.

Love Matters, streaming on 13th February, is a cabaret kaleidoscope of song, dance, drama and talking head conversations, focusing on the spectrum of love and what it means to us.

They hope to reach people who may be self-isolating, or living alone, and will find Valentine’s weekend a little bit tough.

Join them to celebrate everything there is to love about this life.

Performances on 13th February at 6.30pm and 9pm. Tickets £10. Book here.

A Sunday pub roast at home

If you’d rather have a roast than a romantic dinner, check out the Edinburgh Castle in Ancoats which is doing a special menu for collection on Sunday 14th.

Served from midday until 6pm, options include crispy Old Spot pork belly with dripping roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, glazed seasonal vegetables and gravy, or a salt baked beetroot and vegan black pudding wellington.

For pudding there’s a chocolate, raspberry and passion fruit delice.

Email your order to [email protected] and include a contact number. You will be called on the day of your collection to confirm your order and for payment to be taken over the phone. You can also call 0161 414 0004 to order from midday Thursday – Sunday.

Virtual speed dating

If you’re searching for a partner in crime and you’re aged 24 – 45, check out virtual Manchester speed dating where you can meet up to 12 potential partners in one night.

It works exactly the same way as an event would at a venue, and you will have a number of one-to-one dates, which you can do using video or audio.

You will then be moved from room to room until you get an opportunity to meet everyone.

Friday 12th February, 7.15pm – 8.45pm. Tickets £6. Book here.