KARACHI: In spite of all the controversies around Valentine’s Day celebrations, Karachi will celebrate the day with bookshops displaying greeting cards and teddy bears carrying red hearts near their entrances, clothing stores dressing up the mannequins in their windows in red dresses, and hotels and cafes organising parties and bashes.

Even the balloon men at Clifton are happy for the occasion as they make more sales. “Rs60 a balloon, madam,” says the kid with bunches of red and silver heart-shaped balloons while speaking to Dawn on Saturday evening. When reminded that the balloons were Rs50 each only last week, he smiles broadly, “but it’s Valentine’s Day, tomorrow.”

While the authorities have closed down the Seaview beach to “protect lives” on the occasion by placing a ban on swimming in the sea on Sunday, the enthusiasts always find many other places to celebrate the day of love. There are big parties and balls planned all over town, starting from the evening of the 13th itself.

“We thought tomorrow would be too hectic so we planned a party for Feb 13,” says a gentleman introducing himself as Ashu of Event Agency, the organisers of a party with white and red or black and red dress code and theme at Cyprus Lounge at Khayaban-i-Shahbaz in DHA.

“Guests may start arriving at 6pm and the party will go on until midnight,” he says, while pointing out that only couples or groups of four are welcome. “We are charging Rs2,000 per couple and Rs4,500 per group. Men and boys who are alone are not allowed. Even if a group has one lady, we’ll allow them to come in, otherwise, it is a no,” Ashu adds.

The organisers have arranged a barbecue for the party and since it is a cafe, anyway, one may also order anything from the regular menu. Plus there is a Disc Jockey (DJ), dance floor and sheesha, too.

On the big day, Feb 14, the Grand Ball Room at Movenpick Hotel, too, will have a lovely buffet along with the DJ and dance floor but only for couples starting 8pm onwards. “You may wear anything you like, as there is no specific dress code for our Valentine’s Ball that will go on till 12midnight,” says Areeba Najam, one of the young people involved in the planning of the whole party. She says charges are Rs7,500 for a couple.

When asked what would happen if the guests would like to stay for longer than after midnight, the lady laughs and explains, “As long as no one turns into a pumpkin or lizard, it will be fine.”

When there is talk of good food and celebrations, how anyone can forget about Port Grand? There will be a candlelight buffet, exciting boat and romantic buggy rides and a musical concert too, all for Rs5,000, but for couples only. Others can follow their lonely hearts elsewhere.

If you are a single girl, at least you are welcome at the DownTown Cafe (sorry boys) along with couples for the Grand Lovers Party. So if you are a single girl, you are to pay Rs1,000 and if you are a couple then bring Rs2,000 with you. An official photographer present on the occasion will click your picture (after having your permission, of course). The DJ at the party will also be a girl. It’s 2016, why will you want to wear a corsage, when you have glow bands? Take to the dance floor under LED lights.

Syed Aziz Saleem, one of the organisers of the Grand Lovers Party, says they have made special arrangements regarding security. “We have involved the police in our security plans, plus we’ll have private security guards as well as four bouncers inside. Single boys and men are not allowed since they are known to become rowdy and we don’t want to cause any inconvenience or disturbance for our other guests,” he explains.

He says they will not allow anyone to bring any contraband substance such as weapons, drugs or alcohol with them and nothing of the sort will be provided at the cafe as well. “It’s going to be a clean, fun party that may go on till 1am,” he adds.

Other places to be on Valentine’s Day may also be searched using key words such as ‘Karachi’, ‘party’ and ‘Valentine’s Day’ on Facebook or Twitter. And those who are not interested in partying or eating may head for the movies. Check out the newspapers for those Valentine’s Day special shows of the best recently-released romantic flicks!

Published in Dawn, February 14th, 2016