These great Chicago date spots offer a much bigger chance of creating a night to remember than the standard chain restaurant-then-a-movie combo rut you’re probably stuck in. Whether it’s fine food, fine art or the allure of neon bowling balls, there’s a date night possibility in Chicago that should suit you both.
10Pin Bowling Lounge
330 North State St.
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 644-0300
www.10pinchicago.com/index.php
$-$$$
Hours: Monday-Thursday Noon-1 a.m.; Friday Noon-2 a.m.; Saturday 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.-1 a.m.
Once the go-to place for date night, the bowling alley has been overshadowed by sports bars, nightclubs and tapas. 10Pin Bowling Lounge offers up big screens with music videos, a swanky lounge with a list of martinis that Centerstage Chicago calls “obnoxiously long,” and a bar menu of gourmet-level finger food. Bring your date to 10Pin for people-watching in the eclectic crowd, laughing at gutter balls and crying over splits, and, of course, ordering up her favorite music on the video jukebox. Play a single game and enjoy some food and drink for a moderate price. Reserve a lane or indulge too much in that martini list and the date outlay skyrockets.
Second City
1616 N. Wells St.
Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 337-3993 (Tickets/Box Office)
(312) 664-4032 (Admin/Business Office)
$$
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday shows
With alumni like Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, it’s obvious Chicago-institution Second City can deliver the funny. With rehearsed sketches involving everything from political satire to pratfalls, and improv hours that can go just about anywhere, a date night at Second City will be loud and fast and damn entertaining. Arrive early to get crammed into good seats with tables if you want someplace to set your food — and arrive late if your date wants to sit farther back and hopefully avoid the possibility of being dragged up on stage for an improv session.
The Art Institute of Chicago
111 South Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60603
$-$$
Hours: Monday-Wednesday, Friday 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m. (Free Admission 5-8 p.m.); Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
A first date especially can stall for lack of conversation, so the best date spots are those that supply something to talk about. As the second-largest art museum in the country, the Chicago Art Institute houses a substantial and impressive collection of both ancient, master and modern art. With its rambling maze of rooms and hallways, an Art Institute date is like a treasure hunt that leads through oil paintings, sculpture, photography, medieval armor and even furniture design. If it’s artistic, it’s here. The bonus is that the hushed atmosphere creates a necessity environment for leaning close and whispering in her ear, preferably while you’re both admiring a sensual nude portrait. The Chicago Flame’s Inferno even lists the Art Institute as one of the top 10 date spots that will “get you action.
Tip: Getting free admission on Thursday date nights leaves you with extra money to indulge in the museum’s organic and gourmet restaurant, Terzo Piano, located in the modern-art wing.
Cheesecake Factory
John Hancock Center Bottom Level
875 North Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 337-1107
$$
Hours: Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-11:30 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m.-12:30 a.m.; Saturday 10:30 a.m.-12:30 a.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
There is no other Cheesecake Factory like the one in the John Hancock Center, thanks to Chicago-based designer Jordan Mozer, who threw the corporate design manual out the window. With curved copper, painted fabrics and molded terra-cotta plaster walls and columns, this intriguing dining spot makes you feel like you’ve been baked inside a psychedelic pie. Cozy two-person booths have royally ornate, high-backed seating for added date night ambiance and privacy. The book-size menu offers choices for every taste bud, and the portions will force even the manliest of men to ask for a takeout container. Thankfully, the renowned cheesecake can be ordered for carry-out, complete with plastic forks. Indulge her shopping urges on the Miracle Mile and walk off all the calories at the same time. The reward at the end of the day is a happy date and ready-to-eat cheesecake.
Tip: Park in the Hancock’s self-park garage and take the elevator to the main floor of the Hancock Center. Tucked off to the side is a secret James Bond-like elevator, complete with mirrors, dark décor and two mysterious buttons. Drop down one floor and a door slides open behind you and directly into the Cheesecake Factory.
Mindy’s Hot Chocolate
1747 N. Damen Ave.
Bucktown in Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 489-1747
www.hotchocolatechicago.com
$$
Hours: Saturday-Sunday brunch: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Wednesday-Friday lunch: 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; Tuesday-Sunday dinner and dessert begins at 5:30 p.m.; closing times vary
The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, and the way to a woman’s heart is through chocolate, making Mindy’s Hot Chocolate the perfect Chicago date spot. With a staggeringly delicious menu of seasonal foods that range from baby octopus to beer-soaked pretzels, lamb sausage to gourmet mac and cheese, the potential for overeating is a definite risk. To avoid calorie overload, opt for a dessert-only outing to take full advantage of multi-layer chocolate and seasonal fruit desserts that border on orgasmic. The passion and warmth generated by all that decadent food could just lead to the best date ever.
Sources:
1. http://www.centerstagechicago.com/bars/10pin.html
2. http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/exhibitions/modernwing/overview
3. http://media.www.chicagoflame-inferno.com/media/storage/paper535/news/2009/06/15/Frontline/Top-10.Date.Places.That.Will.Get.You.Action.Guaranteed-3747707.shtml
4. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3190/is_n30_v30/ai_18562157/?tag=content;col1
