UTB Love Week: Worst Places For Your Valentine's Day Date

Valentine's Day is around the corner and romance is in the air. We won't bring you chocolates, flowers or sensual massage oils, but we'll celebrate with you by hooking up later exploring the best (and worst) of Penn's romantic side. So let's go– and don't be shy: Love Week is here!

Philadelphia is the City of Brotherly Love, so it's no surprise that there are a lot of places that you can go with your significant other(s?) to get your romance on. A leisurely stroll down Locust Walk, a makeout sesh in Clark Park, dinner at a small restaurant– they're all wonderful options. Unfortunately, there are some less-than-savory choices that you should steer clear of. Introducing: the worst places for your Valentine's Day date!

Pod Let's get one thing straight: Pod is not that great. Yeah, it's really close, and being seen there will totally get you in with the cool crowd, but the food is overpriced and it can get noisy. Also, the rooms with the color-changing lights: discuss amongst yourselves. This place would only be romantic for a retro-futuristic anime fan. But hey, there are probably a few of those at Penn.

Capogiro The gelato here is delicious and the ambience is nice, but you'll end up seeing everyone you know and that bitch from your writing seminar. It's also really cold in Capogiro. Nip-numbingly cold. If you must, go to one of the downtown branches.

Biopond NATURE. It's awesome, right? Trees, birds, waves on the beach... super romantic. Well, you won't find any of that at the Biopond. The #1 stoner spot on campus since whenever the Biopond was built, it's not really a sanctuary from all things West Philly. If you're looking to get nature'd-out then head over to Fairmount or Clark Park.

Houston Market Why would you ever take your date to Houston Market!? Oh, because there's nothing more romantic than mediocre sushi, salads, burgers or burritos, right? WRONG. Also, the combined smell of Einstein, Insomnia cookies, and whatever it is that the chefs de cuisine of Houston are making is truly nauseating. Skip. It. Other suggestions: Anywhere.

The Rave Going to a movie with your date to sit in dark room with other people for two hours without talking is kind of ridiculous. Just cross The Rave off of places to go on V-Day, especially if you plan on seeing "The Roommate."

All things considered, it turns out that, with few exceptions (Biba, among others), University City may require some creativity if you're trying to stick around. Otherwise, just suck it up and head downtown or into Old City. Your date will thank you, and you can thank us!