Valentine's Day is both a loved and loathed holiday, which is what has brought rise to Singles Awareness Day (also known by its tongue-in-cheek acronym, SAD), the anti-Valentine's that points out how the holiday often leaves singles feeling neglected if they don't have a date for that night.  Fortunately, there are many alternatives to the traditional Valentine's Day that cater towards singles that are looking to meet new people, or people who simply want nothing to do with the holiday and want to have fun without being subjected to pink and red hearts on everything.

Both singles groups and friendly meetups are specializing in anti-Valentine's Day events this year at bars and restaurants.  Both plan on being low-key, without speed dating or heavy pressure to find "the one."  If you can count on anything, it will be to meet great new people who you may have a connection with, or just love sharing a conversation over a drink!

To totally remove yourself from anything Valentine's related, there are also more events happening that Sunday to get you out and about.  February 14th is one of the days of the Great Backyard Bird Count on Fire Island, where you will be led by a guide and learn how to identify birds, then count them and contribute your data towards a national collection.  You can also buy tickets for you and a friend to see a play, musical, or magic show.

No matter how you spend the 14th and the days leading up to it, be ready to kick back, relax, and maybe make some new friends!

Make-It: Valentine's Cards & Anti-Valentine's Cards at Port Jefferson Library – FREE!
100 Thompson Street, Port Jefferson, NY 11777
631-509-5707
Wednesday, February 10th, 6:30 PM
Free event
Come make a Valentine’s day card for someone special, or if you don’t like Valentine’s Day, try your hand at creating an Anti-Valentine’s Day card!

Theo Classics: Love Edition at The Emporium
9 Railroad Avenue, Patchogue, NY 11772
631-627-8787
Saturday, February 13th, 10:00 PM
$15 Advance / $20 Door
This enormous dance party may be featuring some love songs, but don't feel like you need to be romantically-involved to let it all out and dance the night away!

Valentine's Night Cabaret at Sands Point Preserve
127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point, NY 11050
516-304-5076
Saturday, February 13th, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
$125 per person
With a lead who has been described as the “anti-Valentine,” A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder is exactly the antidote to the overpowering amount of love that will be in the air on Valentine's weekend! This special evening will feature the original stars of the play performing some of their most renowned songs.

Anti-Valentine's Day Singles Bar Crawl Presented By The Patchogue Restaurant Committee
124 East Main Street, Patchogue, NY 11772
631-207-1000
Sunday, February 14th, 7:00 PM
$15 advance / $20 at the door
This year, the Patchogue Restaurant Committee is hosting an Anti-Valentine’s Day Singles Bar Crawl to benefit Patchogue food pantries. All participants will receive a t-shirt and a bracelet for discounts on all Blue Point Brewery beer specials at each bar.

2nd Annual Anti-Valentine's Day Meetup At 3 Brothers – FREE!
75 Merritts Road, Farmingdale, NY 11735
516-755-1100
Sunday, February 14th, 4:00 PM
Free event
Long Island Vegan Fun will be hosting its 2nd Annual Anti-Valentine's Day Meetup at 3 Brothers Pizza Cafe in Farmingdale. Enjoy a meal free of animal products and have an excellent time!

GTGF Long Island Presents: Happy Valentine's Day… To Us! at Izumi Sushi and Hibachi Steakhouse
5745 Sunrise Highway, Holbrook, NY 11741
631-218-3888
Sunday, February 14th, 5:00 PM
See event listing for pricing
You don't need to have a significant other to have a great time on Valentine's Day! Head over to Izumi in Holbrook for an evening with Good Times With Great Friends (GTGF) Long Island, a group dedicated to enjoyable social gatherings.

2016 Anti-Valentine's Day Singles Brunch at Molto Vino
45 Deer Park Avenue, Babylon, NY 11702
631-983-8915
Sunday, February 21st, 12:00 PM
$35-45 per person
Don't miss a great opportunity to meet some of Long Island's most sought-after singles. This post/anti-Valentine's event will be one to remember, and who knows, you may just meet the love of your life!

Other Non-Valentine’s Related Events on February 14th:

The Great Backyard Bird Count at Fire Island – FREE!
Fire Island National Seashore Wilderness Visitor Center, Ocean Beach, NY 11770
631-687-4780
Sunday, February 14th, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Free event
Join Byron Young, President of Eastern Long Island Audubon for a science stroll to identify and count the birds observed in the Fire Island Wilderness. If the weather cooperates, plan for a 3-mile roundtrip birding walk to the wilderness breach and back.

Guild Hall Presents: Table Talk With Susan Krieger – What Your Face Reveals – FREE!
158 Main Street, East Hampton, NY 11937
631-324-0806
Sunday, February 14th, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Free event
Face reading is a dynamic tool in our quest to understand ourselves and others. In this presentation, Susan will give an introduction to face reading as it relates to our past, present, and future health, eating habits, career choices, and emotional tendencies.

Tailgate/Reggae Sunday at Off Key Tikki
31 Baker Place, Patchogue, NY 11772
631-804-0595
Sunday, February 14th, 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM
See listing for pricing
Join us for your favorite local games and live reggae on the new warm and cozy “Voodoo Deck,” featuring spectacular waterfront views and a plethora of drink and wing specials!

Black History Month Artistic Celebration at Half Hollow Hills Library Dix Hills Branch – FREE!
55 Vanderbilt Parkway, Dix Hills, NY 11746
631-421-4530
Sunday, February 14th, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Free event
Celebrate the achievements of African American “firsts” by learning about the rich contributions of past pioneers, present leaders and their impact on our country.  Prepare for an afternoon of songs, dancing, poetry, and music!

God of Carnage at John W. Engeman Theater
250 Main Street, Northport, NY 11768
631-261-2900
Sunday, February 14th, 2:00 PM
$59-64 per person
From the writers that brought you the hit comedy Art comes this savagely funny Tony Award-Winning Best Play that will leave you roaring with laughter!

Dreamgirls at BroadHollow Theatre Company at Elmont
700 Hemsptead Turnpike, Elmont, NY 11003
516-775-4420
Sunday, February 14th, 2:30 PM
$23-25 per person
A young female singing trio from Chicago get their big break at an amateur competition and begin singing backup vocals for James “Thunder” Early.

Maucha Adnet & Helio Alves With Special Guest Anat Cohen at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts
720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville, NY 11548
516-299-3100
Sunday, February 14th, 3:00 PM
$40 per person
An afternoon of jazz music at the Tilles Center curated by New York-based jazz drummer, LIU Post faculty member, and Grammy nominee Matt Wilson.

1 Billion Rising: Neo-Political Cowgirls Rise For The Retreat – FREE!
158 Main Street, East Hampton, NY 11937
631-324-0806
Sunday, February 14th, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Free event
Join the East End Community in dance, song and spoken word to help The Retreat raise awareness about domestic violence. Kate Mueth and The Neo-Political Cowgirls are a not-for-profit professional dance theater company committed to making new work in the theater in order to increase the stories about and from the perspective of women.

Masters of Illusion at NYCB Theatre at Westbury
960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury, NY 11590
516-247-5213
Sunday, February 14th, 7:00 PM
$39.50 - $89.50 per person
Masters of Illusion brings the world's largest magical touring show to NYCB Theatre at Westbury, complete with incredible illusions and comedic acts performed by some of today's greatest musicians!