Whether you can’t wait for it or you just can’t wait for it to be over, Valentine’s Day is officially here. While love is free, Valentine’s can cost a lot. If you’re still looking for something to do with bae, want a fun day with your pals, or just a cheap way to treat yo’ self this V-Day, then look no further: here are our picks for a fun date in Glasgow that won’t break the bank.
Head to the movies!
If you’re a bit of a movie buff, head to Europe’s tallest cinema! Get 2 for 1 cinema tickets every Tuesday and Wednesday with the Compare the Meerkat app. The film adaptation of E.L. James’ last novel Fifty Shades Freed is out now in cinemas if you’re in the mood for more of Christian and Anastasia’s… antics. Or, if that’s not your thing, there’s a special showing of Moulin Rouge! at Cineworld so there are plenty of V-Day flicks to choose from.
Chow down at Pizza Express
Surely nothing says ‘I love you’ like sharing one of life’s greatest things: pizza. If your idea of the perfect Valentine’s is a slap-up meal, Pizza Express offers a whopping 20% student discount on Wednesdays. Whether you’ve got a special someone or single and ready to mingle, Valentine’s Day is as good an excuse as any to eat your weight in cheese, right?
Love among the ferns
If you don’t want to break the bank this Valentine’s Day, a romantic stroll around Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens is the perfect option. Just a short walk from Byres Road, the Botanic Gardens are free and easy to get to. The glasshouses full of exotic plant life and tropical temperatures are the perfect setting for romance.
Draw me like one of your French girls
Another free option is the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. The gallery has paintings by Claude Monet, Paul Gauguin and Vincent Van Gogh, so impress your date by brushing up on arty facts. Unsurprisingly, the Museum is one of Glasgow’s most popular attractions for tourists but it’s also a gem somewhat overlooked by locals.
Galentine’s
Of course, you don’t have to have a romantic partner to celebrate Valentine’s Day. In fact, the tradition of celebrating the notorious day with your best female friends has been coined ‘Galentine’s Day’ by TV show, Parks and Recreations. So below are a couple of ideas for the perfect Galentine’s day night out:
The Purrfect day
What could be more wonderful than surrounding yourself with adorable cats this Valentine’s Day? The Purrple Cat Café is a newly opened cat café in the Trongate area of Glasgow. For a £5 entry fee you can visit the cats and four kittens for an hour. If these felines aren’t enough to sell it to you, the café also offers food and drinks.
Endless Activities
Why not head to Braehead? It’s only half an hour on the bus from Buchanan Street and it blows your Galentine’s Day options wide open. The world is your oyster with tons of different restaurants, an ice rink and even a climbing wall. What you spend depends on what you want to do, so it’s easy to have a great day out without breaking the bank.
So, whether you have a special someone or you’re a single pringle this year, Glasgow has plenty on to treat yourself to something special this Valentine’s Day.
Words by Jennifer Bowey
