LIFESTYLE: Spending Valentine's Day in Belfast
Liv Elsey
It may not be Paris or Rome, but we can certainly try to make Belfast our city of love for the evening. Whether you’re choosing to spend Valentine’s Day (14 February) with your mates or dates, these places could certainly meet your date night standards.
If you’re seeking adventure and don’t mind getting a sweat on, you could try and throw a couple of axes at targets in Black Axe Throwing Co. in Cityside Retail Park (Yorkgate).
Can’t stand being apart from the one(s) you love? then check out the awesome Prison Island escape room near Balmoral Road. There may be some handcuffs but hardly the fluffy type…
Food and Valentine’s typically go hand-in-hand and Belfast spoils you with a repertoire of gorgeous brunch, lunch, and dinner spots. Fancy Italian? Try Scalinis or Villa Italia for a pizza my heart.
Looking for a little bit of spice? You need to get up to The East Bengal on the Upper Newtownards Road. Just take a Glider and get off at Ballyhackamore. Share a yummy curry and talk about the love from my head to-ma-toes.
Maybe you fancy a quiet night in instead this Valentine’s. If this is the case and you’re feeling extra boujee, Shed Bistro on Ormeau Road has you covered with their exquisite extra special takeaway menu to enjoy in the comfort of your own room.
Grab your mates, power up the laptop and chill out with some awesome TV shows and films online. After all, why get dressed up when you could mooch about in your comfies with your gang, and have a ball? Maybe turn it into an art evening with pencils and paper, and have a go at drawing each other - just for some craic!
Fancy venturing out for a night at the movies? Queen’s Film Theatre is right on our doorstep with a selection of cool films to choose from - plus students get cheaper tickets with their LUMI memberships. Or if you’re looking for something a little more mainstream, Movie House and Odeon are both showing some cracking films. A great place to pop-corn the question.
Roses are red, violets are blue, the weather is Baltic, but I’ll share my scarf with you. Belfast has some cracking places to walk, run, jog or cycle. There is nothing more romantic than wrapping up warm and going for a long walk in nature, where you can talk and make some wonderful memories along the way.
Head down to Ormeau Park or Stormont Estate for a lovely walk in the fresh air - but don’t forget to bring a large umbrella to share as the weather does not scream French Riviera!
One thing to remember about Valentine’s is that it is not how much money you spend on someone but the quality of the time and energy you share with them on this special day. Enjoy yourselves and remember to spread the love. 💖
Liv Elsey is the editor for Health and Lifestyle at The Scoop and an MA Journalism student at Ulster University.