Love and hate are in the air. Valentine’s Day must be near.
Everyone’s favorite — or most un-favorite — holiday brings out the best in party people. If you’re attached, chances are you’ll be spending the next couple of days finalizing plans and anticipating a night with the significant other. If you’re single, you might be dreading the big day, but also planning fun times with friends. Valentine, schmalentine.
No matter your relationship status, there will be plenty to do around Denver. There’s strong anti-Valentine sentiment out there, but let’s face it: People are going to these parties to hook up.
Tonight, Cupid will be shooting arrows, and possibly slinging drinks, at Slacker and Steve’s Bitter Ball 2010.
Presented by local radio station Alice 105.9, the party at Casselman’s (2620 Walnut St.) aims for a half-girls, half-guys crowd. With booze a-flowing, it’ll be hard for lonely hearts to pass up party games like Spin the Bottle and Seven Seconds in Heaven. Shyer singles can try posting a message on Alice’s Love Board, or borrow a lame-on-purpose pickup line from party hosts Slacker and Steve.
Tickets to the Bitter Ball are $12; find them at . Guests must be age 21 or older. Doors open at 8 p.m.
Singles and couples are welcome at the Anti-Valentine’s Day Party at the Hotel Boulderado (2115 13th St., Boulder) tonight.
Held in the hotel’s event center, the bash will be defiantly non-romantic. Boulder funksters Funkiphino shake the booties and local bakery Tee and Cakes provides tasty little cupcakes to munch on. Exhausted dancers can take a break in a movie room, where comedies — unromantic comedies — will be screening.
And since the party’s held at a hotel, there’s a built-in place to stay. Just in case the night goes in an interesting direction.
The fun starts at 8 p.m. There’s a $10 cover charge. Learn more at .
Finally, for the truly angry, Bar Louie (multiple locations) is throwing “Shred Your Ex” parties on Sunday.
Show up anytime with a photo of a nasty ex, then watch gleefully as it’s shredded in front of your eyes. Time to move on — to all-day drink specials.
Coupled-up folks and those without shred- worthy exes are invited, too: There’s a two- for-one brunch special until 3 p.m.
Visit for a full list of Bar Louie locations in metro Denver.
And don’t forget Fat Tuesday.
This is New Orleans’ time to shine. A win in the Super Bowl, and now Mardi Gras? The Big Easy is riding high.
NOLA love will be everywhere on Tuesday. Beads will be flying at bars and clubs nationwide, but Coloradans have a couple of extra-special places to party.
Oskar Blues Home Made Liquids and Solids (1555 S. Hover Road, Longmont) specializes in Southern cuisine year-round, making it an obvious place to celebrate.
Liquids and Solids hosts a Mardi party on Tuesday featuring local blues-rock-zydeco band Jockamo. Plenty of Louisiana treats and Oskar Blues beers will be on hand, too.
The Fat Tuesday blowout starts at 7 p.m. There’s a $5 cover charge.
Back in Denver, Jezebel’s Juke Joint and Brothel (3862 High St.) celebrates its grand opening and Mardi Gras on the same night.
The masquerade party features cabaret dancing from in-house troupe The Belles of Jezebel’s, plus a burlesque performance by Vivienne VaVoom. Formerly the High Street Speakeasy, the possibly haunted Jezebel’s is the place to do Mardi Gras old-school style.
Upcoming.
Fans of trance music will want to be on the floor at Beta (1909 Blake St.) Thursday for a live set by German DJ/producer ATB.
Advance tickets are $20. Get yours at .
