Perth Singles & Galentine’s: Valentine’s Day Weekend Heats Up!

Perth is experiencing a unique Valentine’s Day phenomenon this year, fueled by a calendar quirk and a surge of optimism among singles. For the first time in eleven years, February 14th falls on a Saturday, prompting a wave of hopeful anticipation that this could be the year Cupid’s arrow finds its mark for those flying solo.

But the shift isn’t just about romantic prospects. A broader celebration of connection – encompassing friendship and family – is taking hold across the city, with venues adapting their offerings to reflect a more inclusive approach to the traditionally couple-centric holiday. Restaurants, bars, and pubs are rolling out experiences designed to celebrate all forms of affection.

The unexpected catalyst for this change in attitude appears to be social media. A TikTok post highlighting the Saturday night timing of Valentine’s Day – and the implication that a larger pool of singles would be out and about – went viral, racking up 1.7 million likes and countless comments. Another viral clip, with over 580,000 likes, depicted a man dancing with the caption “Check mate,” celebrating the perceived advantage of a Saturday night Valentine’s Day for single individuals.

The sentiment is resonating with Perth’s single population. Lucy Ford, 24, told The West Australian that she and her friends are actively embracing the opportunity. “Straight away, when me and my friends found out it was on a Saturday, my girlfriend calls me up and she was like, ‘we’re going to the clubs’,” she said. Ford and her friends are hoping for increased confidence among potential suitors, believing the absence of pre-existing Valentine’s Day plans will encourage more interaction. “Hopefully there’s a lot more confidence amongst the male population on Saturday night,” she added. “On previous nights out, which aren’t Valentine’s Day, I don’t really get approached much, unfortunately.”

Ford and her friends plan to attend the Thursday Dating event at Cottesloe Beach Hotel, one of 800 singles hoping to find a connection. While acknowledging the possibility of a long night, she remains optimistic. “I don’t think I’m going to find the love of my life dancing in a nightclub at 2am, but maybe he will be at a singles event where everyone’s got the intention to meet people and to make connections in person,” she said. She also hinted at the possibility of exploring other venues later in the evening.

The Leederville precinct is bracing for a busy night, with venues like The Leederville Hotel, The Garden, Servo Restaurant, and Daisy’s Red Room anticipating a surge in single patrons. A spokesperson for the area stated, “There’s never been a better time for singles to get out of the house. We look forward to what promises to be a bumper evening in our late-night spaces. With any luck we’ll be welcoming them back for a romantic anniversary celebration next year.”

However, not all single women are focused on finding a romantic partner. The rise of “Galentine’s Day” – a celebration of female friendships – is gaining traction, offering an alternative to the traditional Valentine’s Day focus on couples. Many are choosing to prioritize platonic connections and soften the potential sting of being single on the holiday.

Perth venues are responding to this trend, hosting Galentine’s Day events ranging from bottomless brunches to indulgent dinners. The Aviary is hosting a girls-only pyjama party, with venue manager Isaac Aparelis noting that the Saturday timing influenced the decision to lean into the Galentine’s theme. “I think appreciation between friends is a nicer way to show your love,” Aparelis said. “Valentines Day being on a Saturday definitely influenced the decision to steer towards Galentines . . . It seemed more fun.”

Nicky Dhelbai, 21, is among those celebrating with her friends this weekend. “Galentines this year was kind of just an unspoken thing with my friends,” she said. “We were all like, this is the Galentines where the plans actually make it out of the group chat.” The Beaufort, The Claremont Hotel, and Lil’s Rooftop Bar are also hosting Galentine’s events, further demonstrating the growing popularity of this alternative celebration.

Beyond romantic pursuits and female friendships, the concept of family celebrations is also gaining momentum. Beach Street Co in Fremantle has introduced “Family Times Day,” hosting a movie night under the stars. A spokesperson for Beach Street Co explained, “This Year we are celebrating Family Times on Valentine’s Day because love isn’t just for couples, its for families too. This is the first time we are bringing that family spirit to Valentine’s Day . . . The fact that it falls on a Saturday helped us focus more on families.” The Manning family is among those choosing to spend February 14th with their children, viewing it as an opportunity to celebrate the people they love most.

Traditional Valentine’s Day fine dining experiences are also contributing to Perth’s vibrant atmosphere. A spokesperson from The Rechabite in Northbridge noted, “This year feels like the perfect excuse to go all out, no need to rush home on a school night.” From beachfront dinners at Bib & Tucker to intimate settings at Varnish On King, Perth’s venues are offering a diverse range of options to cater to all types of celebrations this February 14th.