Top 5 anti-Valentine's Day events in Bristol

Not in the mood for romance this Valentine's Day? Does the barrage of hearts, stuffed toys and red roses bursting from shop windows all over Bristol make you love-sick or just plain sick? Whether you've recently been dumped, are happily single or are just bored of the same thing every year, here are five alternative ways to mark February 14 that are sure to get your heart pounding.

1) Ping Pong Parlour Fancy Dress Valentine Special

Bristol burlesque legend Keda Breeze

Get down with the Kings of Ping for a raucous retro night that combines a live swing band, fancy dress and ping pong. Yes, that's right – ping pong ((or table tennis if you're feeling fancy). With prizes for the hottest swingers and tournament winners you'd be a fool to miss it, so dust off your two-tone shoes and keep your eye on the ball.

Saturday February 11, 6.30pm to 2am at Unit 15, Old Market. Over 18s only. For more info visit the Ping Pong Parlour Facebook page.

2) Anti-Valentine's Beer Tasting

Singeletons! Stop crying into that heart-shaped pillow and get yourself down to the Fuse Anti-Valentine's Social at Zion! Ok so by anti-Valentines they really mean 'singles networking and beer tasting' – but with a special guest on hand from the Bristol Beer Factory and a number of fine local ales available to try, plus light snacks and music, it certainly beats staying in with a soggy microwave meal for one. All attendees receive a complimentary glass of wine, plus exclusive access to the members area of the Fuse website, which allows you to continue any connections you made off-line, on-line!

Wednesday February 15, 8pm to 11pm at Zion, Bedminster. Ages 30 to 45 only. For more info visit the Fuse website.

3) Valentines Burlesque Day with Keda Breeze

Learn how to make taking your clothes off into an art form with an inspirational day hosted by "Bristol burlesque legend" Keda Breeze. From sexy wiggles and tassel twirling to creating create costumes on a budget, this workshop covers everything you need to know to get up and running as a burlesque starlet - either on stage or in the comfort of your own home! Suitable for beginners as well as those who've done burlesque before, the day promises a wonderful opportunity to train with a top burlesque artist in small group with a friendly atmosphere.

Sunday February 12, 10am to 6pm at DMAC Dance Studio, Hamilton House, Stokes Croft. For more info click here.

4) Théâtre des Vampires at The Lanes

Twilight, True Blood, Being Human… vampires have never been so cool. If you can't wait the 265 days until Halloween, fear not - The Lanes has sure got its finger on the pulse (ahem) with its very own Théâtre des Vampires event. Expect "bloody" cocktails, DJs, live performances, prizes for the best dressed vampire and of course cheap bowling. Plus, there's a gruesome vodka jelly on arrival for the first hundred people to show up. Tuesday February 14, 9pm to 4am at The Lanes. For more info visit The Lanes website.

5) Shake your booty like Beyoncé

Remember Beyoncé's showstopping dance in the Single Ladies video? Famous for its booty-shaking shaking moves (not to mention the rumours that one of B's backing dancers is actually her MALE choreographer JaQuel Knight in drag), this iconic routine sparked dancefloor copycats across the world. Now you can make sure you don't put a foot wrong with a dance master class from Go-experience.com. Taking bookings on February 11 and 18, the 90-minute class promises to teach you and your friends how to shake your booty like 'Sasha Fierce' herself. At £20 a head it’s not cheap - but you might just get a bottom like Beyoncé. For more info visit Go-experience.com.