No one move. Hear that? That’s the unmistakable sound of silence. Chase the dream of uninterrupted conversation by dialing up a sitter for a much needed date night. Read on to hear how you can bond on a stroll around the zoo, check out a new restaurant opening, experience Deja Vu at The Second City and more! Get planning — and enjoy the heck out of this quiet time before it slips away!
photo: Smyth
Be One of the First to Try Smyth
Take a break from chicken nuggets to try Chefs John Shields and Karen Urie Shields’ new dining concept in the West Loop, Smyth. Smyth is this husband and wife duo’s fine dining compliment to neighborhood restaurant bar The Loyalist housed downstairs. Many of their ingredients are sourced from a local farm in Bourbonnais, including a variety of heirloom and hard to find varieties of herbs, fruits, and vegetables. The experience at Smyth is a confluence of warmth, vitality, and artistry; from the friendly greeting from chefs through the open kitchen to the humble approachability of the sommelier and the relaxed, comfortable nature of the dining room.
Eight course menu is $135, with optional beverage pairings for $85
Tues.-Thurs., 4 p.m.-midnight; Fri. & Sat., 4 p.m.-2 a.m.
Smyth
177 N. Ada St.
West Loop
Online: smythandtheloyalist.com
Reservations: smythandtheloyalist.tocktix.com
Dine Amongst the Scoundrels
Dive deep into delicious food and a good amount of Chicago history at the Tortoise Supper Club. Owned by Keene and Megan Addington, a quick walk around the restaurant makes their love of the Second City very apparent. They worked with the Chicago History Museum to chose scandalous or rogue Chi-town residents in history and commissioned a caricature artist to create their likeness. These paintings, live jazz music played Friday and Saturday nights on a piano given to Keene’s grandmother on her 10th birthday, books acquired from the Newberry library and countless local artifacts should put this hidden gem on the top of every Chicagoan’s restaurant bucket list.
Mon.-Thurs., 11:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.; Fri., 11:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m.; Sat., 5 p.m.-11:30 p.m.; Sun., 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
Tortoise Supper Club
350 N. State St.
Near North Side
Online: tortoisesupperclub.com
Naperville’s Last Fling
Naperville has proven they’ve mastered the art of throwing the epic end-of-summer party with their Last Fling. Head west for this four-day affair featuring national headlining artists like the Bodeans, Toad the West Sprocket, Rusted Root, Sugar Ray, Everclear and more!
Sept. 2-5
Admission costs vary, check website
Jackson & Main Streets
Naperville
Online: lastfling.org
photo: Lincoln Park Zoo
Get Some Adulting Done at the Zoo
Ever wondered what goes on behind the gates after hours at Lincoln Park Zoo? Wonder no more. Leave the kid at home and ever over for Adults Night Out. The over 21 crowd will enjoy unique animal chats, live entertainment and cash bars throughout the zoo. No kids. No crowds. Strolling among exhibits with a beer or glass of wine in hand. Sound fun? Join in!
Sept. 8; 6:30 p.m.-10 p.m.
$15 non-members; $12 members
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N. Clark St.
Lincoln Park
Online: lpzoo.org/adults-night-out
photo: Navy Pier
Take In the Final Fireworks of the Season
Head to Navy Pier for the final two firework displays of the season or climb 94 floors above The Mag Mile to the 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck to get a unique and unforgettable view. Sip a cocktail with your favorite plus one and enjoy the sound of silence.
Sept. 3 & Sept. 10; 10:15 p.m.
Navy Pier
600 E. Grand Ave.
Online: navypier.com/fireworks
&
360 CHICAGO Observation Deck
Chicago 606 Resident Appreciation Rate: $10; General admission: $20
Online: 360chicago.com
Fall is in the Air at Jake’s Cider Bash
Give an early welcome to fall with all things apple in Jake’s Keg Room and Patio. Sip on over a dozen ciders while you munch on smoke apple BBQ wings, local hot links with cider braised onions, applewood smoked pork loin sliders, bbq chips and house baked apple pie.
Sept. 15; 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap
41 E. Superior
Gold Coast
Online: eventbrite.com/e/jake-melnicks-corner-tap-cider-bash
photo: Second City via © Todd Rosenberg Photography
Get Your Laughs at the Second City’s Fool Me Twice, Deja Vu
Everyone has a deja vu story or two to share. That 6th sense is a strong one and Second City is ready to take you on an uproarious exploration of intuition. Take a gleeful glance into funny mothers, millennials, christian media and contemporary nostalgia as you get fooled twice and come back for another round of fooling.
Tues.-Sun. evenings in September
Second City MainStage
1616 N. Wells
Old Town
Online: secondcity.com
photo: Glenview House
Glenview Haus’ 5th Annual Oktoberfest Tent Party
Inspired by the world’s most popular German event, Glenview “Haus” will host the North Shore’s most exciting and authentic all-day Oktoberfest celebration this side of Munich. The 5th annual festival will feature authentic grub, grog and live German music in the Oktoberfest tent located in the railroad parking lot directly west of the restaurant.
Sept. 17; 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Glenview House
1843 Glenview Rd.
Glenview
Online: theglenviewhouse.com
photo: Sunda
Maki Monday at Sunda
Sunda invites guests to learn the specialty art of rolling sushi on Maki Monday’s, the last Monday of every month. Each Maki Monday begins with a saki tasting where guests are guided through three difference types of sake. Then, Sunda’s award-winning chef teams help the group recreate inventive signature sushi rolls. Proper sushi rolling techniques are learned as eating and drinking ensues. Perfect for girls night or date night!
Sept. 26; Sake tasting, 6 p.m.-6:30 p.m.; Maki rolling, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
$45/person
Sunda
110 W. Illinois
River North
Online: sundachicago.com
photo: Red Bull Illume Chicago
Red Bull Illume Chicago 2016
Kicking off the fourth edition of their exhibit tour in North America, Chicago’s Wrigley Square, located in Millennium Park, is the ideal place to showcase the finalist of the Red Bull Illume Image Quest 2016. The light boxes will stand side-by-side with the famous Millennium Monument and be a stone’s throw away from the famous Chicago Bean. To showcase the amazing imagery in a unique perspective, the exhibition will only be open after the sun goes down.
Opens Sept. 28; 6:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
Free
Millennium Park
201 E. Randolph St.
Online: redbullillume.com
Think Ahead to New Years!
Chicago’s premier entertainment, restaurant, and nightclub management company, Rockit Ranch Productions, is running a one-of-a-kind contest – The New Year’s Eve Ultimate Night Out Experience. A seasonal bonanza of prizes fit for partygoers, foodies, music lovers and fashionistas alike, Rockit Ranch Productions invites all playing to win one of three New Year’s Eve experiences. Check their website for details.
Free to enter online: rockitranch.com
Need help with a sitter? Don’t forget Pump It Up Lisle hosts Parents Night Out every third Friday and there are plenty of online sitter services to help you in your date night quest.
Any fun date nights planned in September? Share your ideas in the Comments below!
— Maria Chambers
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