Date night
Date night in Chicago
First dates, date nights — intimate, charming, easy to talk.
Example nights
Real Chicago venues, put together by our planner. Refreshed Jul 20.
Small plates at Barrel cheese & wine | cocktails | Event Space in Lake View East, then dinner at Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ.
- 01Barrel cheese & wine | cocktails | Event SpaceLake View East · $$$
- 02Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQLake View East · $$
Drinks at The Office in Fulton Market District, then dinner at The VIG West Loop in West Loop.
- 01The OfficeFulton Market District · $$$
- 02The VIG West LoopWest Loop · $$
Small plates at Apero in North Center, then dinner at Menya Goku.
- 01AperoNorth Center · $$$
- 02Menya GokuNorth Center · $$
Top 12 venues
01
NoMI
Streeterville · $$$$
Inside the Park Hyatt, this elegant spot with an outdoor garden serves inventive New American food.
02
Inkwell
West Loop · $$$
03
Dearly Beloved
Near North · $$$
Velvet booths, smoky cocktails, off-menu octopus — moody and classy-edgy, staff who actually know what they're doing.
04
Bavette's Bar & Boeuf
River North · $$$$
Upscale steakhouse with a New American menu in an ornate, dimly lit wood & brick setting.
05
Valedor
Wicker Park · $$$
Japanese-Mexican cocktails and tapas in a cozy, intimate space. Pour-your-own sake ceremony, fresh drinks, katsu sando.
06
Nightcap
West Town · $$$
Rotating menus, mole cocktails you drink from bowls, wagyu tallow candles to eat with focaccia — bartenders treat drinks like theater.
07
Bordel
West Town · $$$
Craft drinks fuel the vibe at this bordello-inspired lounge offering a variety of live performances.
08
Z Bar
River North · $$$$
Posh lounge for creative cocktails & global tapas, plus a terrace providing scenic city views.
09
HIDE+SEEK
West Loop · $$$
10
Ciao! Cafe & Wine Lounge
West Loop · $$
Italian tapas and global wines in a cozy 20-year fixture. Drew the sommelier bartender, live music, cash only.
11
Aba
Fulton Market District · $$$
Rooftop lounge with green harissa chicken, whipped feta, chocolate babka French toast. Low-lit, foliage-forward — coastal getaway energy in Fulton Market.
12
Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio
West Loop · $$$
Stylish spot serving refined, contemporary Italian fare such as fresh pastas, plus global wines.