So evidently Galentine’s Day is a thing now. If you are as baffled as we were, then here’s a quick lowdown…
According to Urban Dictionary, Galentine’s Day is celebrated on 13 February as an anti-Valentine’s Day for women to celebrate their closest female friendships and enjoy the company of the girls (single and attached) who will always be there for each other through thick and thin.
It turns out this craze started with a random episode of NBC show Parks and Recreation in 2010, when Amy Poehlers character, Leslie Knope, gathers a group of her closest ‘gal pals’ for a waffles brunch, declaring: “Every February 13, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home and we just come and kick it, breakfast-style”.
Now it would appear that cult following has caught on and venues across the world are offering ‘gal pals’ the chance to spoil themselves with a girlie night out.
Manchester has its fair share of options.
Be At One Bar on Deansgate throwing the ultimate ‘Galentine’s Day lock-in’ and giving groups of women who book a table the chance to win one of two Young Women’s Trust #SpiritedWomen survival kits. Cosy Club at the Corn Exchange is marking Galentine’s Day with a ‘sharing is caring’ tapas menu.
Meanwhile for the ultimate girls night out, Selfridges Trafford San Carlo Bar is hosting a night of Champagne tasting on Thursday 13 February from 7pm. San Carlo’s experts will take you and your BFFs through an assortment of Champagnes, which will be accompanied by a delicious food pairing board.
All Star Lanes Manchester, however, is being more gender inclusive and has introduced Palentine’s Day. With a limited edition F.R.I.E.N.D.S inspired cocktail menu, die-hard F.R.I.E.N.D.S fans can put their knowledge to the test on Thursday 13 February from 7pm with a Ross and Rachel theme quiz night.
Even if you just choose a cheesy film and tub of ice cream, who will you share Galentine’s Day with?