10 Best Nerdy Valentine's Day Dates & Activities in Los Angeles

From Nerdist to Star Wars to the Cosplay boom, nerd fandom has permeated our cultural lives. What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than to nerd out to your heart’s content! Here’s just a few ideas of ways to express and indulge in love and passion for all things quirky, fun and nerdy.

Feature by: Emily Saex

1. Visit Velveteria — Hey Girl, what’s easy on the eyes and soft to the touch? Aside from Ryan Gosling of course. It’s the ultimate collection of luxurious vintage velvet paintings that can be found at Velveteria: The Museum of Velvet Paintings in Downtown Los Angeles. On February 13th, in celebration of Valentine’s Day, the museum will be showing off their collection of all things pink, from pink dolphins to poodles and majestic unicorns. Don’t miss this perfect opportunity to admire the almost lost, yet forever wondrous world of velvet art.

2. X-Files Art Show — There has never been a team in the history of Television quite like Mulder & Scully (David Duchovny & Gillian Anderson). The beloved pair of the hit, mind-blowing Sci-Fi show have been admired by fans (including the likes of notable comedian/actor Kumail Nanjiani who hosts The X-Files Files Podcast) since the show first aired in 1993 up through it’s current incarnation as a limited series event on Fox. For those hardcore fans who want to go the extra step in indulging in their deep love for Mulder & Scully and the show itself should be sure to check out Conspiracies, Monsters and Mythology, An X-Files Art Show which celebrates the legacy of the show and is currently on display at the iam8bit art gallery in Echo Park through Valentine’s Day, Sunday, February 14th. For those who can’t make it out to the gallery you can still check out and purchase the awesome and well priced art work online.

3. Mortified Doomed Valentine Show — As Mortified so well describes it, “celebrate/commiserate Valentine’s at Our Annual Romance-Themed Edition of Mortified,” which is the premier embarrassing/awkward coming of age storytelling show by adults. Whether you love or hate Valentine’s Day this show will guarantee a night of laughter and excellent tales of love, lust and dirty, dirty shame. This show is all ages and there will be beer, wine and food available too. There will be a 6:30pm and a 9:30pm show on Saturday, February 13th, taking place at Wanderlust in Hollywood. Get Tickets!

Mortified Live, Photo Credit: Todd Hartman

4. Sing-A-Long at Broadway Bar: Broadway Sings Disney — Stars from Broadway, Film and Television will be coming together for two nights, February 9th and 16th, at Rockwell Table & Stage in Los Feliz to sing a slew of classic Disney songs that have been ingrained in the minds and hearts of Angelenos and transplants alike since childhood. Whether you’re old school and secretly know all the words to “Mary Poppins” jams or if you’re new school and can belt out songs from “Frozen” word for word, we’re betting you’ll love getting your sing-a-long on. And if you’re a bit shy of “Letting Go” a full craft cocktail, wine and beer menu is on tap to help warm up those vocal chords. Get Tickets!

5. Terrifically Tough Tuesday Trivia — Gather your SO, your pals or your Galentine’s crew, and team up for the weekly, super rad Terrifically Tough Tuesday Trivia, hosted by the highly entertaining duo of Lance Voellger and Aaron Powell at Dave & Buster’s in Hollywood. Every Tuesday night (before or after Valentine’s Day, or whenever really) you can have a blast putting your wit, comedic skills and random ass knowledge to the test and compete for killer prizes such as gift certificates from Meltdown Comics, Amoeba Music, Dave & Buster’s game cards and even a brand new car (of the Hot Wheels variety)! The $2 tacos, Dos Equis and Margaritas don’t hurt either.

6. Horrible Movie Night — On February 16th, NerdMelt Showroom in Weho is treating Horrible Movie Night fans to the best Valentine’s Day gift, a screening of the 1993 film Project Vampire. You and your loved ones can shout at the screen with all your best one-liners for a chance to win prizes. But whether you win a prize or not, the cathartic release from roasting a horrible movie, is all the gift you could truly want. Free popcorn and comedic guests round out this awesome evening. Get Tickets!

7. Lucha VaVoom’s “Crazy In Love” — Beyoncé isn’t the only one who’s “Crazy In Love,” Lucha VaVoom’s spectacular, action packed Valentine’s performance shares the same sentiment. On February 10th and 11th your special V-Day date night can include high-flying luchadores, burlesque beauties, laugh out loud comedy antics and special musical performances. Don your best attire and participate in one of the most entertaining shows that Los Angeles has to offer. Get Tickets!

8. All Is Fair in Love and Gaming — If you’re looking for the perfect mesh of old school fun and adult indulgences this Valentine’s Day weekend, getting your barcade hop on just might be the thing to satisfy your tastes. Want to impress that special someone? Find mouthwatering craft beers, Asian fusion bites and video games galore at Button Mash in Echo Park. Looking for draft brews, a chill patio and pinball? Take your date to Eighty Two downtown. Ballin’ on a budget but want to treat yo self and others to a fun night out with cheap drinks, DJs and Donkey Kong? Koreatown’s Blipsy Barcade has got you covered. Need a coffee fix along with some throwback fun? Let the friendly, caffeinated competition begin at GameHäus Café in Glendale.

9. Love & Literature — As if taking your sweetie out for a picnic and lovers walk at Echo Park Lake wasn’t already romantic enough. Now you can go bask in the sunshine and participate in Machine Project’s newest literary inspired endeavor, The Floating Library on Echo Park Lake. From February 11th to 14th (11am-4pm), you can rent a pedal boat, make your way to the center of the lake, and peruse a specially curated collection of raft-bound artist books.

10. DIY Craft Love — You may have been in elementary school the last time you actually made a gift by hand for someone else but a concerted try to do so for your loved ones is a timeless testament to showing you care. If you need a little help in boosting those DIY craft skills try checking out some local workshops, classes and stores. Art Rebel in Sherman Oaks has a variety of Valentine’s Day painting activities that you can do with your boo. Sign up for knitting, crochet or essential oils/botanicals workshops at Gather DTLA (inside The Last Bookstore) and surprise ’em with something handmade or doll up your friends at the DIY Jewelry Studio at Leanna Lin’s Wonderland in Eagle Rock.

Leanna Lin’s Wonderland DIY Jewelry Studio