Valentine's Day Events in Hackney

With Valentine's Day approaching fast, Dalston People have compiled a list of the best ways to celebrate in Hackney.

Whether you are loved up or fun free and single, here are some great ideas for Valentine's Weekend.

Cafe OTO is hosting a two night residency with live music from CINC and special guests John Russell and John Tilbury.

CINC is an open improvisation trio featuring three of the most critically acclaimed musicians currently working in the field of creative music: Paul Lytton (percussion), Ken Vandermark (reeds), and Philipp Wachsmann (violin and electronics). 

The group was originally formed after Lytton and Vandermark had spent time playing as a duo, and Lytton suggested Wachsmann to make the unit a trio. The music is spontaneously generated and features a wide range of expression during each performance- at times reminiscent of the severe beauty of Morton Feldman; in other moments the sounds and rhythms come forth with the blinding ferocity of American Free Jazz from the 1960's. Watch a video of them performing here.

Each night costs £8 in advance and £10 on the door, or you can buy a ticket for both nights for £14. You can buy tickets on the Cafe OTO website.

Dalston's latest hotspot The Nest told us their plans on Twitter: "We are turning the nest into a sleazy sultry red haven! Expect music to grind too! Slow down deep and sexy!"

The Prince Arthur Pub in Forest Road are offering a specially Valentine's menu which they reassure us is guaranteed to impress! You can choose from delights such as roast Denham Estate rare breed pork cutlet, grilled Cornish lemon sole and slow braised venison shank. The menu costs £28 for three courses. 

They will also be serving a ‘Love Potion’ consisting of slow poached wild strawberries with rose bud and vanilla, served over Joseph Perrier Champagne for £8.50, and oysters from Wright Brothers of Borough Market: Duchy Natives £14.50 for six / £28 for twelve / £42 for eighteen. Yum!

If you wanted to try something a bit different, Stoke Newington's award winning Thai restaurant Yum Yum are also offering a Valentine's Menu. At £35 per head each dish has been given a particularly romantic name like "Forever love" and "The old flame". The restaurant offers an excellent range of cocktails and the decor makes you feel like you could be in Thailand itself. 

Finally, don't forget the flowers this Valentine's Day! Rebel Rebel on Broadway Market offers some gorgeous bouquets and they deliver all over London. 

If you have an event you think we should know about please email dalston@thelocalpeople.co.uk or tweet @Dalstonpeople. 

Photos courtesy of genvessel and lu_lu on Flickr.