Sure Paris is the place for romance, but have you stopped to consider the ample opportunities Chicago has to offer? From swanky speakeasies to intimate Candlelight concerts and everything in between, there is so much to choose from when it comes to planning unique date ideas right here in the city!
Keep reading for the full list of inspired date ideas and let us know via @secret.chicago what your go-to date entails!
Stroll through the whimsical Harry Potter Forbidden Forest
Turn date night into an adventure at the Harry Potter Forbidden Forest Experience near Chicago. As you wind through torch-lit trails and glowing magical creatures appear between the trees, it feels like you’ve stepped into the wizarding world. Cast spells together, chase your Patronus, and explore the shadows of the forest before ending the night with a warm drink under the stars. Perfect for couples who want something a little more thrilling than dinner and a movie. Grab your tickets now!
Enjoy a festive date night at The Bellevue
For a luxurious and festive date night, The Bellevue Chicago shines this season. Twinkling lights, lush garlands, and cozy seating set the scene for enjoying craft cocktails over a delicious meal. Don’t miss the creamy Bucatini Carbonara with pancetta, egg yolk, and pecorino, or indulge in the perfectly grilled Faroe Island Salmon with sweet‑potato chimichurri. Fan-favorite appetizers like crispy calamari, truffle fries, and roasted Brussels sprouts are perfect for sharing. Pair your meal with signature cocktails like The Bellevue, the smoky Boulevardier or the Pink Lady for a festive touch. Ring in the holidays with special brunches, New Year’s Eve celebrations, or a sparkling night out with someone special.
See the Joffrey Ballet’s whimsical return of The Nutcracker!
In this whimsical version of the beloved Nutcracker production, you’ll embark on a magical journey to the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair with young Marie and her Nutcracker Prince. In Christopher Wheeldon’s two-time Tony Award®-winning holiday masterpiece, watch Christmas Eve unfold in a celebratory atmosphere. An unexpected visit from the enchanting Great Impresario propels Marie into a spellbinding adventure that Chicagoans can all love because it takes us back to the dreamlike world during a fascinating time in Chicago’s history. Step into the holiday magic of this must-see tradition, boldly reimagined for a new generation to enjoy.
The schedule runs every Saturday through December 28, 2023. Learn more and grab tickets here.
Turn a regular night out into a magical escape at WONDRA
Snuggle up and step into this luminous nature-inspired multisensory escape just outside Chicago. Wander together through glowing forests, crystal caves, floating cloudscapes, and celestial gardens, all inside an 11,000-square-foot dream-world at Woodfield Mall.
WONDRA’s mix of lights, sound, and interactive scenes hits all the right notes for couples: it’s romantic, surreal, and a total break from the ordinary. If you’re looking for a creative date idea, this adventure makes for an unforgettable night together.
Check out this thrilling Bingo Loco experience
Bingo Loco is more than just bingo, it’s a wild dance party with confetti showers, epic lip-sync battles, and dance-offs! It’s coming to Chicago this June, so grab your tickets now for the most unforgettable date night. You never know, you could win some unique prizes like a cruise package, a piano, a giant inflatable flamingo, a microwave, a lawnmower, a trip to Vegas, and so much more!
Make your next date night unforgettable at one of Chicago’s best steakhouses
There are few things more romantic than slipping into a candlelit steakhouse for a night that feels both luxurious and warm. At Sophia Steak in River North, the ambiance is polished yet inviting, the steaks are seared to perfection, and the wine and champagne selection makes you want to linger over a decadent dessert. Or there’s BLVD Steakhouse, a lavish spot with grand chandeliers suspended above ornate velvet seating that sets the scene for an evening of timeless elegance and indulgent dining.
Beyond those classics, there’s a whole world of steakhouses that deliver on the same promise we can’t get enough of: low lighting, delicious sides meant to share, and the kind of experience that turns a dinner date into a lasting memory. Whether you’re celebrating or reconnecting, the right steakhouse becomes the backdrop for romance. Check out our full list of top steakhouses in the city, because you’ll want to try each one at least once.
Celebrate the season with a festive Panamerican holiday menu
This December, La Licor in Logan Square turns up the holiday spirit with a Panamerican twist. The quaint restaurant is serving a special tamales menu from across Latin America, from Mexico’s chicken green tamales to Colombia’s hearty Tolimense tamal alongside inventive holiday cocktails inspired by Puerto Rico, Panama, and more. Add festive decor and the lively energy of their “Cocktail Combat Series” on Monday nights, and La Licor becomes a must-visit spot for a unique date night with a touch of holiday cheer.
📍2521 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
See ‘Charles Dickens Begrudgingly Performs “A Christmas Carol” Again’ in Chicago
Step into a quirky and charming holiday tradition as Blake Montgomery brings back his award-winning solo show Charles Dickens Begrudgingly Performs ‘A Christmas Carol’ Again at Theater Wit from December 7-28. This imaginative performance re-envisions Dickens as a weary, two-centuries-old author who’s tired of retelling his classic tale … that is… until a few Christmas spirits help him rediscover the magic. It’s funny, heartfelt, and perfect for anyone who wants a fresh spin on a holiday favorite. Grab tickets at theaterwit.org or call the Theater Wit Box Office at 773.975.8150.
📍Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave
This high-tech mini golf spot is perfect for your next date night
Want to shake up your usual date night, Puttshack is a fun pick! There’s glowing courses, music, and mini golf that keeps score for you—so you can just enjoy the game. Share some tasty bites like the Puttshack Poutine and Mediterranean Lamb Skewers, and sip on creative cocktails.
📍 Locations in Oak Brook and Skokie
Dine in the dark
Combining the comfort of your age-old reliable dinner date with the added adventure of dining in the dark, this mysterious and interactive experience blindfolds diners meaning they can enjoy a delicious three-course meal a little differently from normal.
Eminent psychologists have been advocating dining in the dark as the ultimate taste experience for many years. With eyes eliminated from the equation other senses—namely taste and smell—take over to elevate your meal to a whole new level.
There will be no shortage of things to discuss at this unique night which is sure to take any date night to the next level with something so familiar and unfamiliar at the same time.
Grab tickets to a Dining in the Dark experience.
Imagine you’re in a James Bond film at Activate Games with your date
If you want to bring on the adventure during your next date night, consider heading to Activate Games in Oak Brook. The thrilling, high-tech interactive gaming facility will get hearts racing whether you try out the laser games so you feel like you’re in an intense James Bond film, or play ‘the floor is lava’ activity in the Mega Grid room. With over 10 different game rooms, one thing’s for sure, you’ll be tested both physically and mentally—and what is more fun than that, whether you’re on your first date or 10th?
Grab a drink at any of the best cocktail bars in Chicago
Cocktails and chill the night away at a swanky bar of your choosing! Whether you prefer a dimly lit atmosphere or a hopping bar with an $800 vintage Mai Thai, settling in at a cozy place with a good drink in hand is always a nice idea.
Make it a museum date
Traverse Chicago’s ample museums for a day filled with art, culture, and yes, romance as you explore all the city has to offer when it comes to a rewarding cultural experience! Why choose when there are plenty of free upcoming museum days this month? Explore everything from history to grand art exhibitions, prehistoric exhibits, beloved writers, and much more whether it’s a first date situation or a settled-in partnership, it’s always exciting to learn something new together!
Check out a unique VR experience or break out of an escape room
Venture to Wonderverse Chicago’s 45,000-square-foot entertainment paradise for an evening of thrills! From the action-packed Jumanji: Reverse the Curse VR experience that has you finding the stolen jewel to trying to break out of one of the three Uncharted escape rooms, there’s no shortage of adrenaline-pumping adventures to enjoy. End the night with a cocktail at the hidden Ghostbusters Ghost Trap Speakeasy.
Sneak into a speakeasy
Chicago is replete with endless speakeasies to explore and the unique, intimate setting makes for a great date idea. We’ve got everything from The Green Mill Cocktail Lounge which has been around since the Prohibition Era, to Nine Bar in Chinatown, the first cocktail bar in the area.
Make a reservation, dress up, and go grab a drink!
Get cozy at a dazzling ‘Ballet of Lights’ show
If an enchanting evening of ballet, lights and music doesn’t sound romantic to you, then we don’t know what will! At ‘Ballet of Lightst’ in Chicago, graceful ballerinas adorned in fibre-optic costumes pirouette and plié to the sounds of Tchaikovsky’s timeless Sleeping Beauty. Cuddle up with your boo and experience this ballet classic in a whole new light at this magnificent spectacle of dance and light.
Grab brunch with your lover
Enjoy a daytime date at one of Chicago’s many brunch spots! Whether you want to enjoy a mimosa tower or settle in at a casual diner, it’s true that the best connections can be made over a good meal!
Enjoy a self-guided tour of Chicago’s best public art pieces
From the iconic Cloud Gate to smaller pieces like Calder’s Flamingo by Alexander Calder, there are so many cool public art monuments to explore in Chicago so grab your chosen date and head out on a self-guided tour to experience some of the coolest art pieces that Chicago has to offer.
Whether you relax in the grass below Lincoln Parks Chevron by John Henry or head to Congress Plaza to see Magdelene by Dessa Kirk, these incredible art pieces are sure to spark a conversation or two!
Experience a romantic Candlelight concert
If live fire dining isn’t your speed, there’s another fun date idea on the list: a gorgeous Candlelight concert featuring contained flames, gorgeous musical renditions, and plenty of romance.
With tributes to legendary artists like Queen (who are actually coming to Chicago with Adam Lambert this year! ), Adele and Neo-Soul and Hip-Hop Favorites, these Candlelight concerts provide a special, intimate space to connect over music.
Relax together at an ultra-calming spa
Continuing on with a more relaxing date idea, there are so many recentering activities to partake in that make for a fun and restorative date. Take the luminous AIRE Ancient Baths for example. they provide a calming space to relax, breathe deeply, and immerse yourself in quiet conversation. Whether you book a couples massage or just float through the warm waters, this intimate setting is a great place to connect.
Or, make a joint customizable facial appointment at Heyday Spa! Sure, it might not be the best setting for ample conversation, but the chic space can also allow you to reset with tailored skin treatments, so you can go about the rest of your date glowing and relaxed.
-Melissa Maynard and Amanda Edelman