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Go early or late to snag a bar stool at Gemma.
Go early or late to snag a bar stool at Gemma.
Photo: Garrett Hall/EDFW

Where to Eat & Drink Alone on Valentine's Day

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Go early or late to snag a bar stool at Gemma.
| Photo: Garrett Hall/EDFW

Black Friday has arrived, and unfortunately many of the city's best restaurants will be totally clogged up with lovey-dovey two-tops tonight. If you're flying solo tonight, care must be taken to ensure you don't end up in the midst of a candle-lit love fest. Here are 13 solid options for eating and drinking alone tonight, whether you want to toast to your singlehood with a fine glass of wine or drown your sorrows in some barbecue. (And remember: It's always easier to snag one seat at the bar rather than two.)

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Adair's Saloon

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A big greasy burger, an icy cold can of beer and some live music sounds like an excellent way to pass Black Friday. Be sure to leave your mark in Sharpie on the wall -- "M.E. WUZ HERE V-DAY 2014", or maybe just a simple "F--- CUPID".
An interior shot of the graffiti and stickered walls of Adair’s Saloon.

Black Swan Saloon

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Gabe will make you feel special by remembering your drink, even if it's only your second time in, and there's a TV to stare at to avoid awkwardness. Pro tip: The coffee bourbon goes down dangerously smooth.

The Blind Butcher

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It's extremely dark in here -- all the better to hide your single sorrows, if you have any. Grab a seat at the bar and order the duck poutine, which is so damn good you won't want to share it anyway. (Be sure to call Uber or a cab if you decide to sample the 15% ABV beer, though.) The Butcher will no doubt be crowded, so go early if you hope to snag a seat.
Gemma will definitely be full of two-tops getting cozy tonight, but if you pop in very early (or very late -- they serve till 1 a.m.) you can likely snag a seat at the long bar. Get the veal sweetbreads and a gin-and-honey 209 cocktail or a glass of wine from the tap and bask in the glory of singlehood.

Jimmy's Food Store

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An Italian Stallion (the sandwich, silly) and a glass of red wine are just what the doctor ordered. Grab a seat at one of the small tables or go home to Netflix the night away with your cat.

Lee Harvey's

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Lee Harvey's busted booths and cold, cold beer make it a perfect venue for solo drinking. They also happen to make some damn fine food -- a jalapeno chicken sandwich and an order of those giant onion rings would make for worthy dinner companions indeed.

Lockhart Smokehouse

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Remember how your ex-girlfriend always used to lecture you about your diet? Forget her. Grab a seat at the bar and load up on meat, meat, and more meat while taking in whatever sporting event happens to be on the TV.

The Mansion Bar

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Yes, the dining room at The Mansion will be full of lovey-dovey couples dropping serious coin on dinner, but the oh-so-civilized bar is a great place to drink alone (as are most classy hotel bars). Feel free to treat yourself to some fresh oysters or a charcuterie plate with housemade terrine for a little solo romance.

Twilite Lounge

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Laid-back yet classy, this slightly New Orleans-esque Deep Ellum bar serves better-than-average cocktails -- try a frozen Irish Coffee or a Pimm's Cup -- and live music means you don't have to worry about chatting anyone up. (Tonight they'll feature A Taste of Herb, an Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass tribute band that's pretty damn awesome.) No food, but swing by nearby Glazed Donut Works for late-night munchies.

Whole Foods Market

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Whole Foods has a bar with plenty of craft beer, and since it's inside a grocery store, people probably won't be cruising for dates -- which could be a good or a bad thing. Also, you can pick up some tofu ice cream sandwiches and Toms shoes on the way out, so how's that for one-stop shopping?

Windmill Lounge

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An obvious choice for solo drinking, the Windmill's bar is a perfect place to settle down with an Old Fashioned or four and have a friendly convo with some of the city's best bartenders. Then again, you could just play the most depressing songs the jukebox has to offer.

Yutaka Sushi Bistro

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Grab a seat at the sushi bar and watch the sushi masters in action. Warm sake is a welcome companion, and feel free to treat yourself to the most expensive shit on the menu.

Adair's Saloon

A big greasy burger, an icy cold can of beer and some live music sounds like an excellent way to pass Black Friday. Be sure to leave your mark in Sharpie on the wall -- "M.E. WUZ HERE V-DAY 2014", or maybe just a simple "F--- CUPID".
An interior shot of the graffiti and stickered walls of Adair’s Saloon.

Black Swan Saloon

Gabe will make you feel special by remembering your drink, even if it's only your second time in, and there's a TV to stare at to avoid awkwardness. Pro tip: The coffee bourbon goes down dangerously smooth.

The Blind Butcher

It's extremely dark in here -- all the better to hide your single sorrows, if you have any. Grab a seat at the bar and order the duck poutine, which is so damn good you won't want to share it anyway. (Be sure to call Uber or a cab if you decide to sample the 15% ABV beer, though.) The Butcher will no doubt be crowded, so go early if you hope to snag a seat.

Gemma

Gemma will definitely be full of two-tops getting cozy tonight, but if you pop in very early (or very late -- they serve till 1 a.m.) you can likely snag a seat at the long bar. Get the veal sweetbreads and a gin-and-honey 209 cocktail or a glass of wine from the tap and bask in the glory of singlehood.

Jimmy's Food Store

An Italian Stallion (the sandwich, silly) and a glass of red wine are just what the doctor ordered. Grab a seat at one of the small tables or go home to Netflix the night away with your cat.

Lee Harvey's

Lee Harvey's busted booths and cold, cold beer make it a perfect venue for solo drinking. They also happen to make some damn fine food -- a jalapeno chicken sandwich and an order of those giant onion rings would make for worthy dinner companions indeed.

Lockhart Smokehouse

Remember how your ex-girlfriend always used to lecture you about your diet? Forget her. Grab a seat at the bar and load up on meat, meat, and more meat while taking in whatever sporting event happens to be on the TV.

The Mansion Bar

Yes, the dining room at The Mansion will be full of lovey-dovey couples dropping serious coin on dinner, but the oh-so-civilized bar is a great place to drink alone (as are most classy hotel bars). Feel free to treat yourself to some fresh oysters or a charcuterie plate with housemade terrine for a little solo romance.

Twilite Lounge

Laid-back yet classy, this slightly New Orleans-esque Deep Ellum bar serves better-than-average cocktails -- try a frozen Irish Coffee or a Pimm's Cup -- and live music means you don't have to worry about chatting anyone up. (Tonight they'll feature A Taste of Herb, an Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass tribute band that's pretty damn awesome.) No food, but swing by nearby Glazed Donut Works for late-night munchies.

Whole Foods Market

Whole Foods has a bar with plenty of craft beer, and since it's inside a grocery store, people probably won't be cruising for dates -- which could be a good or a bad thing. Also, you can pick up some tofu ice cream sandwiches and Toms shoes on the way out, so how's that for one-stop shopping?

Windmill Lounge

An obvious choice for solo drinking, the Windmill's bar is a perfect place to settle down with an Old Fashioned or four and have a friendly convo with some of the city's best bartenders. Then again, you could just play the most depressing songs the jukebox has to offer.

Yutaka Sushi Bistro

Grab a seat at the sushi bar and watch the sushi masters in action. Warm sake is a welcome companion, and feel free to treat yourself to the most expensive shit on the menu.

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