Unlucky in love this Valentine’s Day? Is the cold, cutting wind and depressing, dirty slush on the pavement this winter a metaphor for your love life? Cheer up, because a couple of Hoboken bars are on a mission to set up Hudson singles just like you.
On Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, The Liquid Lounge, located at 251 10th St., is hosting its Third Annual (and final) Purple Hearts Valentines Variety Show to lift your lonely spirits.Besides the live musical performances by Zef and Brian Bellew, there will be poetry recited by love and sex-driven poet “Alexander.” But the most exciting part of the night will probably be the lounge’s game show segment, which will feature “Sexual Jeopardy.”
“We’re going to have three contestants on the stage who will have answer general knowledge love and sex questions,” said Liquid Lounge owner Joe Borzotta. “The one with the most right answers wins, and we’re giving away prizes like pop-culture memorabilia, shirts, Godzilla figures, champagne and condoms.”
The Liquid Lounge is also well known for their “Love at the Lounge” personal ad books, where singles can read or fill out self-describing applications. If someone strikes someone else’s fancy, then he or she can go the bar and ask to be set up with the person in the book.
“I saw this at a bar in New York, and I thought it was a good idea,” said Borzotta. “I’ve seen lots of people meet other people this way, and they wind up talking for two or three hours at table. The only rule we have is that the people have to come by themselves. It’s not fair if they have friends here to bail them out.”
But Borzotta said that the famous ad books are just one aspect of the bar that tries to foster a comfortable hook-up scene.
“This is a great place to meet somebody, because we have a very casual atmosphere here,” he said. “It’s easy to strike up a conversation, and there’s a nice eclectic mix of people. I know three or four couples who met at the bar and got married. One couple had their wedding reception here, because they met here.”
Paul the Tarot Card Reader will also be on call on Valentine’s Day for anyone interested in future love endeavors.
Borzotta has not renewed his lease of the Park and 10th bar and will be closing the Liquid Lounge Feb. 21 after being open for only three years. So single patrons only have a few more weeks to make a love connection at the legendary art and live music oriented bar. For more information on the Valentine’s Day events, call the Lounge at 420-7989.
The Dating Game
The Liberty Bar & Grill, located at 61-63 14th St., will be hosting “The Dating Game” on Saturday, Feb. 17. Owner Dawn Kaplan had professional game organizers running the event that will have three eligible bachelors interviewed behind a drop cloth by a bachelorette. The most compatible man will be selected, and will win a free dinner at the Liberty with woman he was selected by.
“I wanted to come up with something different for Valentine’s Day,” said Kaplan. “We run two charity events every year. February is Heart Month, so we thought a dating game would be perfect.”
The $10 application fee goes to the American Heart Association, so the payment is actually considered tax deductible. Kaplan has allowed singles to sign up for the game for the past few weeks and has already collected dozens of applications.
“Based on the response I’ve gotten, I think there’s definitely a need for these kind of activities around here,” said Kaplan. “Don’t get me wrong, there’s no shortage of dating going on, but I think people are more comfortable meeting people in a fun and non-pressure way. They know it’s a game, and there’s less pressure when it’s a game. It’s also a good way to meet people, because you wind up with someone you’re more compatible with.” The Dating Game will begin at around 8 p.m. and Kaplan expects to play about 10 games throughout the night. “It think it’s going to be a riot,” said Kaplan.
Worried about what the applicants are like?
“I’ve seen the people handing in the applications, and I think we have a nice looking crew of contestants,” said Kaplan.
Feb. 17 will kick off a regular Wednesday Game Show Night. Other games that will be played every week will include The Newlywed Game, Jeopardy, Name that Tune and Family Feud.
To participate in the Liberty’s Dating Game, pick up an application at the bar. For more information on Game Night, call 222-6322.