Laughter is the way to true love, a wise man once said. Following that logic, Valentine's Day and Leicester Comedy Festival should be a match made in hilarity heaven, writes Simon Ward.

A candlelit meal in a flashy restaurant might be a more typical romantic date.

But with no less than 19 comedy festival shows to choose from tomorrow, comedians will be hoping to woo romancing couples into a laughter-infused evening of stand-up instead.

Geoff Rowe, comedy festival director, may be a bit biased, but he makes a good point.

"Some people want an alternative to red roses and a romantic meal," he said.

"Taking someone to a comedy show and having a laugh is a good alternative, and ultimately probably more memorable than a traditional dinner."

Leicester Comedy Festival is no stranger to romance. Comedians Stewart Lee and Bridget Christie met here in 2005 during the Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year show. The couple, who both returned for this year's festival, are now married.

Throughout tomorrow afternoon, Granby Street restaurant Kayall is putting on five shows.

One of the highlights promises to be three-man sketch group WitTank who serve up an appetising and exuberant blend of razor-sharp wit, shambolic charm and infectious fun.

Or there's Jaik Campbell's show The Audacity of Hopefulness, where Jaik speaks from the heart about natural disasters, relationships and how to find happiness.

Shows at the restaurant are organised by Spikey Mike – he doesn't like to reveal his real name) –who runs Funhouse Comedy.

He said it offered the ideal compromise between going for a meal and doing something a little different.

"We've been putting on Valentine's Day shows for six years and we always get a lot of couples coming along," he said.

"Most comedians have material about relationships so it can be quite a fun way to spend Valentine's Day.

"And because the shows only tend to be about an hour long, it means couples can go for a meal before or after."

The Blind Tiger Meal tomorrow offers another option combining meal and merriment.

For £20-a-head, couples will be whisked away to a mystery location and served curry and entertained by an, as yet, unnamed comedian, who happens to be a former nominee for the Perrier award at Edinburgh. Tickets are selling fast but can still be bought at www.lastminute.com.

Still on the food theme, there's also TV presenter Hardeep Singh Koli's show, The Nearly Naked Chef, at Athena.

There is also plenty on the comedy festival bill for anyone in need of an escape from Valentine's Day.

Goth transgendered stand-up Bethany Black brings a dark-tinged show, Nothing Personal, to The May Room at The Belmont Hotel, while award-winning Midlands stand-up Nathan Cassidy is promising to push rudeness and offensively levels to the max in his show, The Frog That Says Sausages, at The Criterion.