February 14, 2017, 08:09 PM 
Valentine's Day holds different meanings for different people. For some, it is an excuse to receive overpriced gifts and dine at Michelin-starred restaurants. For others, it is a money-burning exercise at said restaurants.
Whatever your inclination during this overly-commercialised special day, take a ride in our time machine to try out what a Valentine's Day in the 1960s would've been like.
By the way, it's free, because using your imagination doesn't cost a thing.
Catch the Musical Express at Capitol Theatre
Kick off the special day with a musical variety show at the Capitol Theatre - one of the finest cinemas of its time.
The Musical Express was a one-hour variety show which featured local acts such as The Quests, Rita Chow, and famous comedic duo Wang Sa and Yeh Fong. These acts never failed to draw packed crowds to the Capitol Theatre every Sunday morning in the 1960s.
Let the boys from the Quests show you a good time at the Capitol Theatre. Image via.
Capitol Theatre itself was also a treat for patrons. For starters, the technology was exceptional. It had the latest Simplex projector, outstanding acoustics, and a multi-hued lighting system.
Inside Capitol Theatre. Image via.
The theatre's interior design was also visually captivating, featuring beautiful silk draping, imported upholstery, and elaborate Greek decorations. Look carefully today and you'll spot Greek zodiac lining the hall's dome, and two Pegasus framing the stage.
Dance at New World Amusement Park
Surprise your bae with a visit to New World - an all-in-one entertainment paradise that included cabarets, opera halls, restaurants, cinemas and other entertainment facilities.
The New World. Image via.
Opened in 1923 by brothers Ong Boon Tat and Ong Peng Hock, New World Park was the first of the "Three Worlds" amusement parks that enthralled Singaporeans in the past. The other two were Great World and Gay World (also known as Happy World).
Visitors could sit back and enjoy the crooning of famous songbird Sakura Teng, or impress their darling with some snazzy joget (dance) moves at Bunga Tanjong dance club.
The New World cabaret also offered something for the single men. For a dollar, they could buy three dances with the dancing girls. From the cha cha to the rumba to the foxtrot, dancing was a highlight for many visitors.
If dances weren't your thing, the New World also offered stunt entertainment in the form of Rose Chan who did stripteases with a python and King Kong, a Hungarian giant wrestler who famously ate a whole goat in order to promote his show.
Rose Chan with python. Image via.
Unfortunately, today, all that remains of the New World Park are its gates, situated just outside City Square Mall.
Gaze into each other's eyes at the Esplanade Park
End off your sappy 1960s Valentine's Day celebration with a visit to the Esplanade Park, specifically in a field clustered by a circle of Angsana trees - more popularly known as gor zhang chiu kar - Hokkien for 'under the five trees'.
Your next make-out spot. Image via.
A popular dating spot up to the 1960s, the field used to offer a peaceful solitude, perfect for exchanging sweet nothings with your loved one or just enjoying the sea breeze from the bay. Nice.
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