A Valentine’s delight for the single soul

Mumbai: With the air brimming with love, Valentine’s Day might as well be the lover’s paradise. Some spend the day celebrating the little things, while others believe in a grand gesture to emote their feelings.

And even as couples in the city gear up for the day, singles have their own share of options to make the most of it.

For one, you could gather up your girl gang and head to Agent Jack’s Bar to be greeted by their witty AI system.

At the bar, which houses the AI system, one can bargain with the AI for a drop in its price. However, as one is greeted with amusing and sarcastic remarks on a regular basis, for Valentine’s Day, it has some special plans in place.

“We want to make the day a fun celebration for our single patrons,” says Rahul Dhingra, founder of the bar.

“For this, we will be presenting a completely different avatar of Agent Jack (the AI). He has decided to put forward his romantic side by putting on a flirty avatar during negotiations. You can ask the Agent for two orders of the same drink and he’ll answer with a “Darling, why don’t we make it four instead of two to make this a night to remember?” laughs Rahul.

And while you have a flirty Agent tending your table, Rahul recommends picking up a drink or two from its specially curated menu of cocktails for the day.

“We also have a twist planned. We plan to give out vouchers to innovative proposals to Agent Jack on social media,” says Rahul.

Hoppipola, on the other hand, is hosting a speed-dating session in association with LOL Social Club, for the singles who hope to change their relationship status. The modus operandi is quite simple: one has to chat with a minimum of eight eligible singles for eight minutes each, and score them. The team evaluates the score and passes on details via email.

The cats and the staff at Cat Café Studio will play cupid this year too. Yashmi Adani, social media manager for the café, says its Valentine’s speed-dating session is going to be different from the usual ones.

“We are hoping to get someone really famous and loved to host the evening, who will provide some comic relief for the awkward first-timers,” she laughs.

Through their celebratory week, the studio also has other activities planned. The team behind The Bombay Bronx hopes to be a little more inclusive, and get everyone to have fun on Valentine’s.

“Celebrating Valentine’s Day is too cliché. We want our patrons to celebrate the day with our wide range of LIITs. The first LIIT is on the house for girls,” says Nakul Kumar, co-founder of the space.

His recommendations for LIITs stand strong on Cupid is Stupid or X Boyfriend. And if love is not your cup of tea at all, Irish House is hosting an entire week of celebrating singlehood. Write about your singledom and stick it on their ‘freedom wall’. Or box away your bitter memories of a sorry ex — along with potent LIITs.

Whatever may be your plan on Valentine’s, Mumbai’s eateries and pubs seem ready to cater to your tastes on the day of love.