For When You Go Together Like Peanut Butter & Jelly, But Want to Leave the Cooking to the Pros
One of Chicago’s most intimate destinations for date night primed with mood lighting, cozy seating arrangements and candelabras galore, Fulton Market Kitchen is a top-tier option for date night in Chicago. Known of their artful, inspired dishes and incredible art that dons the walls of the space courtesy of incredible local artists, Fulton Market Kitchen is open for dinner and weekend brunch. Reservations can be made at www.fultonmarketkithcen.com.
Formerly Engine Company 104 of the Chicago Fire Department, The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant, 1401 S Michigan Ave., invites patrons to peer into the past while experiencing exceptional food and service. The quintessential steakhouse menu is complimented by timeless house favorites and distinctive, contemporary seasonal dishes. A worldly wine list offers over 20 selections by the glass and more than 50 by the bottle. Guests may make a reservation on Resy or by calling the restaurant at (312) 786-1401.
With three Chicago locations in Lakeview, South Loop, and Chinatown, Lowcountry is the perfect restaurant for a date night. Lowcountry embraces the tradition of gathering with the ones you love over a seafood boil. Put on a bib and don’t be afraid to get your hands a bit dirty! Diners can order their choice of protein: shrimp, snow crab, mussels, clams, crawfish, or lobster tails by the pound, served with delicious sides and flavor-forward sauces. If there’s room, the meal can be topped off with mouth-watering fried Oreos or beignets. For more information, visit their website.
With an award-winning menu, signature cocktails, and a Wine Spectator-honored Wine List, Ocean Prime is the perfect place to eat, drink, and spend time with someone special. Located at 87 E Wacker Drive, on the iconic corner of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, Ocean Prime gives guests breathtaking views of downtown Chicago in a lively atmosphere. Guests may make a reservation on their website or by calling Ocean Prime at (312) 428-4344.
For a romantic evening out on the Pier, look out from the sunlit dining room to breathtaking Lake Michigan, or step out onto the 150-seat patio and into the open air to experience the awe that is Lírica, Chicago’s chic dining destination at 900 E. Grand Ave., which opened in 2021 as the first and only Latin-inspired venue on Navy Pier. Drawing inspiration from more than a dozen South American countries and encouraging guests to embrace “Comiendo con Ritmo” or “eating with rhythm”, Lírica’s menu boasts only the best in everything from fresh-cut fish to tender meats including Braised Beef Short Rib and of course, plenty of delicious starters or “primeros,” such as Latin Spiced Chicken Wings. Lírica takes guests on a culinary tour of Latin America, boasting a combination of rich and rustic flavors and a vibrant atmosphere to create a colorful experience. Lirica is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily and accepts reservations online at www.liricarestaurant.com
For the couples that are self-prescribed “foodies,” take your taste buds on an exquisite journey at Kōmo Chicago, a boundless Japanese fine dining destination on West Loop’s Restaurant Row, 738 W Randolph St. Executive Chef Macku provides precision thoughtfully woven into each dish and delivers the utmost attention to the quality of each ingredient. A contemporary design that seamlessly pays homage to Japanese culture, Kōmo takes fine dining to another level amidst an already impressive culinary scene in the city’s most famous dining districts.
Take Love To New Heights at Chicago’s Top Rooftop Bars
The world’s largest rooftop deck as recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records and one of Chicago’s most exciting hotspots located at Navy Pier, Offshore Rooftop, is the hottest destination to impress your date on your next date night. Boasting over 42,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space with unmatched views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan, this year-round rooftop destination offers a full-service bar and world-class kitchen, along with cozy fire pits to snuggle next to, a gaming area, and the best views to watch the sunset.
Take a break from your loving gazes to take in the best skyline views in Chicago at Kennedy Rooftop. Located in the heart of Wicker Park, Kennedy Rooftop is one of Chicago’s top spots to enjoy each other’s company boasting top-notch views, intimate fire pits, a vibrant atmosphere and a robust menu of Signature cocktails, shared plates, entrees and desserts. Reservations are available by phone at 773-270-6770. For more information, visit www.kennedyrooftop.com.
Located 24 stories above the Chicago Loop, AIRE Rooftop Bar, offers unparalleled, panoramic views of Chicago. To kick off Summer, AIRE has released a new menu and cocktail list inspired by the Midwest and city of Chicago. With shareable plates and signature cocktails, AIRE is perfect for unwinding after a long day. AIRE also features open fireplaces for cozying up on chilly nights, and umbrellas for shade on hot summer days. Guests may make a reservation online via TOCK and on their website.
For the Ever-So-Adventurous Duo
Pixar Putt, located at Polk Bros Park at Navy Pier, is a new pop-up mini-golf experience at the city’s beloved landmark. The course features 18 fun and interactive holes inspired by Disney and Pixar film favorites such as Toy Story, The Incredibles, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo, Coco, A Bug’s Life, Wall-E, and Inside Out. Adults can take in the city’s beautiful skyline at night with Pixar Putt After Dark, offering evening sessions for guests 18+ every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 7:00-10:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.pixarputt.com/chicago
Enjoy excellent service and live entertainment at Chicago Gaelic Park, 6119 W. 147th Street. The Carraig Irish Pub at Gaelic Park offers diners both traditional Irish and contemporary dishes. Perfect for summer nights out, the pub has a patio barbeque every Wednesday from June to September with their infamous ribs, as well as other appetizers and entrees. Enjoy live music every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, or participate in their weekly trivia nights. Carraig Irish Pub has got all your needs covered with no cover charge. To make a reservation, please call Chicago Gaelic Park at (708) 687-9323.
Dubbed “a saucy hit!” by the Chicago Reader, “Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man,” is playing at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N Lincoln Ave., through July 24. This interactive romantic comedy takes the audience on a hilarious and wild ride where no topic is taboo and the insider ‘tips’ come straight from the source: a gay man. The show performs at 8 p.m. every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening. Available for $39.95 – $69.95, tickets are available at the Greenhouse Theater Center and on their website.
Looking for date night ideas? Five Iron Golf has you covered. The nation’s leading indoor golf and entertainment experience is fun for both novice and expert golfers. Golf is not the only element Five Iron brings to the table. The venue features a full-service bar and restaurant, with a chef-inspired menu, craft cocktails, and local favorites on draft. With three Chicago locations: River North, Lincoln Park, and The Loop, no matter where you are in the city there is a Five Iron Golf close by. Guests can reserve a bay on the Five Iron Golf website.
The legendary Horseshoe Hammond, located just a quick 20-minute drive from downtown Chicago right along Lake Michigan at 777 Casino Center Drive in Hammond, Indiana, ranked as one of the top 2022 Best Places to Work by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce for the twelfth consecutive year, is the ultimate date night with plenty to enjoy! This one stop entertainment haven is known to offer visitors the highest limits, featuring over 40 progressive jackpots starting at over $50,000. Grab your date and enjoy access to over 847 slot machines, 104 table games, over 1,100 penny machines, 15 poker tables, an impressive roster of restaurants, plus The Venue which hosts some of the hottest live entertainers!
For those looking for a little friendly competition for date night are invited to step into Replay Lincoln Park for their latest experience, ReplaY2K. The city’s favorite pop-up bar, located at 2833 N. Sheffield, offers over 60+ free vintage arcade games, including pinball, air hockey, skeeball, and more with no cover or tokens needed! During this latest pop up, the team has transformed it space into iconic moments from the early 2000s such as homages to Radio Shack and Blockbuster, references to Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears’ legendary denim ensemble and N’SYNC’s No Strings Attached album cover, along with themed trivia nights, boy band karaoke, themed cocktails and menu items, and much more. Those couples looking to relive the early 2000s need to look no further.
Ditch the typical date night, and instead enjoy a fun experience and good vibes at Puttshack Oakbrook Center! Puttshack is the world’s first and only upscale, tech-infused mini golf experience that is perfectly complemented with an array of global food and beverage offerings you and your date can share between games. Couples will be surrounded by an all-around high-energy and will allow for plenty room for that Insta selfie. For more information, purchase a gift card, or book your upcoming game, please visit https://www.puttshack.com/find-a-location/oakbrook.
Cheers to good times together at Carnivale’s wildly popular “Copa Carnivale” that features a delicious three-course prix fixe dinner and wows by giving couples a seat right in the middle of the action as world-class performers take the stage for a 90-minute, flair-filled Copacabana-style dinner show. Talent includes a variety of South-American influenced performers including feathered showgirls, a live Afro-Brazilian band, Samba Dancers, acrobatic aerialists and more. The highlight of the night? Guests celebrating a special occasion like an anniversary or engagement can toast with a glass of champagne poured directly from an aerialist hanging upside down in the middle of the show! Copa Carnivale is scheduled for May 26 and June 30 with a 6 pm and 8:30 pm performance each night. Tickets are $129 per person and include dinner. To make a reservation, visit www.carnivalechicago.com.
Those looking to impress their dates with a cruise, are invited to set sail on City Cruises’ luxurious vessels including the Odyssey Lake Michigan, Spirit of Chicago, Chicago Elite, and the Odyssey Chicago River. Whatever celebrating an anniversary or just each other’s company, it’s better on a yacht. Guests can enjoy curated cocktails and cuisine during brunch and dinner cruises, all while taking in the unmatched views of Lake Michigan and the city skyline from the Chicago River.
Chicago’s premier lifestyle and shopping center, Roosevelt Collection Shops, offers a variety of retail destinations, dining outlets, experiences and expansive, pet-friendly outdoor communal spaces fit for the perfect day out with your loved one. Catch a movie at the Showplace ICON, enjoy dinner at the new X Pot Chicago for a luxury hot pot experience, Nando’s Peri Peri or Pacino’s for chef-crafted, quality Italian fare. Shop the day away at retailers including H&M, Ulta Beauty, Francesca’s, Old Navy, Victoria’s Secret, The Container Store and support local business that call the center home including Kido, Chicago French Press, Remix Footwear and more. For a full list of business, restaurants and entertainment destinations located within the South Loop center, please visit www.rooseveltcollectionshops.com.
Couple up and catch a show! The world’s most beloved musical, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, is currently at The Marriott Theatre, for a short while longer! THE SOUND OF MUSIC tells the tale of young nun-turned-governess Maria Rainer, whose free spirit has trouble fitting into the rules and regulations of the monastery. Commissioned by the Mother Abbess to serve as the governess for seven motherless children, Maria transforms the Von Trapp family home from a place of stern obedience to one filled with joy, laughter and music. Based on the true story of the Von Trapp Family Singers, this musical captures a personal tale of growth and hope amidst the horrors of World War II. Critics are raving, calling it a production “worth seeing with the entire family” and the Chicago Tribune stating, “the secret is in the kids”. The final date is June 5! For more information, please visit here.
For the Pair That is Always Getting Away
Nestled in Oak Brook, Hyatt Lodge, 2815 Jorie Boulevard, is a private hideaway perfect for an overnight trip, a romantic dinner out, or a relaxing spa day. With luxurious and spacious suites, a rejuvenating spa featuring one of Illinois’ largest indoor pools, and delicious onsite dining at Water’s Edge and Hearth Lounge, guests can relax at the resort-style property whilst sitting waterside and enjoying the serene backdrop of the lush grounds. Learn more about Hyatt Lodge’s offerings by visiting their website.
W Minneapolis – The Foshay, 821 Marquette Avenue in Minneapolis, is the perfect place for a romantic weekend getaway. The newly modernized hotel offers great relaxation, high-tech features, and high-class amenities for guests. Take in the 360-degree views from the 30th Floor Observation Deck, enjoy cocktails from the 1920s-style Prohibition Bar, or mingle and dance in the chic Living Room lounge. For more information and to reserve your stay, please visit their website.
Those looking for a more romantic date night in are welcome to stop by Sable at Navy Pier, the first hotel to break ground and make waves on one of the city’s most iconic and historic landmarks. Offering sweeping, unparalleled views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline, the hotel is a destination truly unlike any other. This high-end oasis combines lush accommodations with elegance and comfort, with each room boasting floor to ceiling windows with unparalleled lake and skyline views, along with corner room upgrades, serenity beds, and spacious living room areas. Those looking to get away without getting away with their better half will be in for the ultimate treat on Navy Pier. To book an upcoming date night staycation, please click here.
For those whose love language is a romantic picnic and staycation all in one, The Forester Hotel has them covered! The North Shore hotel has just launched a Picnic Package. In addition to an overnight stay in one of their stunning guest rooms, visitors that book the package will receive a picnic basket complete with a foldable fleece travel blanket, choice of a bottle or red, white or sparkling wine, a corkscrew and a pair of drinking glasses to make for the perfect toast. Those looking to add a little fare, the hotel’s on-site restaurant, Oaken Bistro, is fully prepped to work with guests to create a custom menu perfect for any occasion. To book the Picnic Package, please visit www.theforesterhotel.com/offers.
On a long layover at O’Hare from a romantic vacay or doing some serious shopping at the Fashion Outlet of Chicago? Make some time to stop for some food and delicious libations at Thorn Restaurant & Lounge! This modern American restaurant and lounge located inside The Rose Hotel at 5200 Pearl St. in Rosemont is just steps away from all the Rosemont happenings, and provide incredible items as well as an awesome ambiance. Make it a whole weekend outing by booking a stay at The Rose Hotel!
Spending some time together in the Loop? The already highly-adored new addition to the hustle and bustle of Downtown Chicago, the dual-branded Canopy by Hilton Chicago Central Loop and adjacent Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Central Loop are officially open and welcoming guests to explore the new properties. Designated Landmark status by the Commission on Chicago Landmarks, both new hotel properties have come together to pay homage to the site’s rich history through its stylish design, incorporating subtle nuances that reflect and celebrate its past. For more information or to book your stay at the new hotel, please visit their website.
