Single-minded individuals

For singletons out there who dread this time of year fret not. Valentine's Day is not just about soppy loved-up couples, with too much money and time on their hands, making overblown romantic gestures to one another.

It can also be the perfect time to meet another lonely heart — and who knows maybe you’ll be making the overblown gestures this time next year. And because we are generous souls we’ve made the dating game even easier by giving you our pick of the best dating nights in London.

Singles Ball

On the eve of the dreaded day Chemistry will host a Singles Ball packed full of fun at Sugar Reef - so you might get a Valentine's date after all! Games on the night include: ‘Unlock the Chemistry’, three minute speed dating, and at the end of the night if someone you fancy has disappeared, you can pin your calling card up on the ‘Wall of Encounters’ and keep your fingers crossed for a phone call!

The price of love: £30

More information at: www.chemistryevent.co.uk

Lock and Key party

Ok, so you’re not guaranteed to find the actual key to your heart, but a Lock and Key party gives you the perfect excuse to get mingling with the opposite sex. When the ladies arrive they are given a small padlock to wear around their neck and the men each receive a key, you then spend the evening finding the partner who fits with you. Plus the organisers throw in some flirty cards to help things along.

The price of love: £5

More information at: www.mateordate.co.uk

Food for Love

They say food is the way to a man's heart and chocolate is a girl’s second best friend - so what better place to meet someone then in a singles night in Harrods Food Halls? If aphrodisiac-laced canapés, champagne, oysters and glamorous men and women looking for true romance don’t get you in the mood, what will? You’ll go home full if nothing else!

The price of love: £25

More information at: www.cosmoparty.com

Theatre luvvies

There isn’t a more talked about show in London, so why not fit in an evening watching Jerry Springer the Opera with some dating fun? You’ll start the evening with a performance of the opera before heading off to a bar for a bit of lock and key action with up to 200 like-minded singles, followed by drinking and dancing - there couldn’t be a better conversation starter!

The price of love: £27.95 (which includes the price of the theatre ticket)

More information at: www.speeddater.co.uk

Film fanatics

If you’re a bit of a film buff and you are looking for a like-minded singleton to share your passion with, you could attend one of the special singles screenings of the new Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez movie Shall we Dance. There will be a lock and key party at a local bar afterwards and dancing until 3.30am for all the single night owls!

The price for love: £19 (which includes the price of the theatre ticket)

More information at: www.speeddater.co.uk

Tribal gathering

Tribe, an events company for young free and single professionals, have been inspired by the ancient Feast of Lupercal to host their Valentines Party on Friday 11 February. According to them ancient Valentine's Day celebrations included 'name drawing' - where a young man drew the name of a girl who was to be his sweetheart for the whole year. Tribe aren't going to commit their party-goers to a whole year with each other, but they do have a few cheeky matchmaking ideas up their sleeves including: speed dating, Valentine card swapping and a photo wall for posting secret messages.

The price of love: £22

More information at: www.tribe-events.com