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Date night

Date night in Chicago

First dates, date nights — intimate, charming, easy to talk.

Plan a date night night →

Example nights

Real Chicago venues, put together by our planner. Refreshed Oct 19.

Drinks at Love Street in Lincoln Park, then dinner at The Monkey's Paw.

  • 01Love StreetLincoln Park · $$
  • 02The Monkey's PawLincoln Park · $$
Plan your own →

Drinks at Sparrow in Rush & Division, then dinner at Lou Malnati's Pizzeria.

  • 01SparrowRush & Division · $$
  • 02Lou Malnati's PizzeriaRush & Division · $$
Plan your own →

Games at Bordel in West Town, then dinner at Bangers & Lace Wicker Park in Wicker Park.

  • 01BordelWest Town · $$$
  • 02Bangers & Lace Wicker ParkWicker Park · $$
Plan your own →

Top 12 venues

  1. 01

    NoMI

    Streeterville · $$$$

    Inside the Park Hyatt, this elegant spot with an outdoor garden serves inventive New American food.

  2. 02

    Inkwell

    West Loop · $$$

  3. 03

    Dearly Beloved

    Near North · $$$

    Velvet booths, smoky cocktails, off-menu octopus — moody and classy-edgy, staff who actually know what they're doing.

  4. 04

    Bavette's Bar & Boeuf

    River North · $$$$

    Upscale steakhouse with a New American menu in an ornate, dimly lit wood & brick setting.

  5. 05

    Valedor

    Wicker Park · $$$

    Japanese-Mexican cocktails and tapas in a cozy, intimate space. Pour-your-own sake ceremony, fresh drinks, katsu sando.

  6. 06

    Nightcap

    West Town · $$$

    Rotating menus, mole cocktails you drink from bowls, wagyu tallow candles to eat with focaccia — bartenders treat drinks like theater.

  7. 07

    Bordel

    West Town · $$$

    Craft drinks fuel the vibe at this bordello-inspired lounge offering a variety of live performances.

  8. 08

    Z Bar

    River North · $$$$

    Posh lounge for creative cocktails & global tapas, plus a terrace providing scenic city views.

  9. 09

    HIDE+SEEK

    West Loop · $$$

  10. 10

    Ciao! Cafe & Wine Lounge

    West Loop · $$

    Italian tapas and global wines in a cozy 20-year fixture. Drew the sommelier bartender, live music, cash only.

  11. 11

    Aba

    Fulton Market District · $$$

    Rooftop lounge with green harissa chicken, whipped feta, chocolate babka French toast. Low-lit, foliage-forward — coastal getaway energy in Fulton Market.

  12. 12

    Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio

    West Loop · $$$

    Stylish spot serving refined, contemporary Italian fare such as fresh pastas, plus global wines.