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Looking for love in all the wrong places? Chris Peck finds the perfect bars for a tryst this Valentine’s Day

February may be derived from the Latin verb februare, meaning to purify, but InOut made sure any detoxing and purification was done in January – so we can enjoy February where we’re most at home, on the bar scene

For most of us, February is best known for Valentines Day, which has been turned into an over-commercialised, slightly nauseating celebration that we’d rather avoid. In the interests of good taste, we’ve singled out three bars from around the network where you can express true love without drowning in a sea of sickening red roses and heart-shaped tinfoil balloons – and without the risk of being shot at by a midget dressed in a loincloth holding a bow and arrow, otherwise known as Cupid.

3 of the best… romantic hideaways

Palma de Mallorca

A city that lends itself to romance thanks to its harbourside position, balmy evenings and eternally sun-kissed residents, Palma de Mallorca is the ideal spot for an amorous moment. They say that true love can be hard to find, and you will have to work hard to find the exceptional Abaco Bar, situated in the La Lonja district on Calle Sant Joan.

What was once a working 16th-century palace has now been converted into a museum-cum-bar, open to the public while also doubling as an exclusive cocktail bar in the courtyard. Embellished with magnificent and exceptionally opulent flower and fruit displays, you can pretend you’re king of the castle before whisking your princess or prince off to your tower for a night of passion.

Vienna

Austria may not be known as a nation full of people of overly romantic persuasions, but as the saying goes, it’s always the quiet ones you have to watch out for.

Hidden away behind the frontage of what appears to be a regular Vienna townhouse, you have to ring a bell to be allowed in to the decidedly seductive Tanzcafe Jenseits (3 Nelkengasse, www.tanzcafe-jenseits.com).

Once inside, embrace this dimly lit, red-velvet curtained hangout for its kitsch, camp and entirely decadent atmosphere. Sip on a scotch, soak up the sexy lounge music and stare lovingly into the eyes of your one and only. This is romance on a super-cool scale.

Brussels

While one of the oldest professions in the world might be utterly devoid of true romance, this doesn’t stop one of its former hostelries from being the setting for some 21st-century love stories. Tucked away just off Brussels’ Grand’Place, Goupil Le Fol (22 Rue de le Violette) is an eccentric bar whose walls are covered with old paintings of nudes and lurid landscapes (just try to forget the fact that the three-storey bar looks like a cross between an opium den and a 1970s porno set). Order a couple of fruit liqueurs (a house speciality), curl up in one of the cosy and romantic corners, listen to the French music blaring from the jukebox and let love take hold – with absolutely no influence from that vertically challenged, bow and arrow-wielding Cupid.

Cocktail corner

Heavenly Hibiscus

Predictions on the cocktail circuit suggest that hibiscus will be a big flavour this year, putting InOut back at the bar experimenting.

Add two measures of vodka, half a measure of Grand Marnier, a dash of fresh lime juice and three quarters of a measure of Hibiscus syrup* to a mixing glass, add ice and shake before straining into a chilled Martini glass. Garnish with an edible orchid or hibiscus flower.

*Hibiscus syrup: Add two hibiscus teabags to one cup of freshly boiled water and let steep for 10 minutes. Remove teabags and add one small cup of superfine (not powdered) sugar. Stir until all the sugar dissolves. Refrigerate until ready to use.

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