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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

  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.