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Anniversary trip to Chicago the third week in January — romantic spots needed
Posted on 1/1/26 at 7:55 pm
Posted on 1/1/26 at 7:55 pm
We’re going up in late January to watch Phantom of the Opera, and the only meal/bar/social thing we have planned is at dinner at Bavette
We are flying in Thursday afternoon January 22 and leave Sunday afternoon January 25
As we are approaching 50, we are not really into the nightclub scene but do enjoy a nice romantic restaurant restaurant followed by a dimly lit speakeasy bar.
We are staying in downtown at the La Salle but be willing to take an Uber somewhere if it was worth it
TIA for the suggestions
We are flying in Thursday afternoon January 22 and leave Sunday afternoon January 25
As we are approaching 50, we are not really into the nightclub scene but do enjoy a nice romantic restaurant restaurant followed by a dimly lit speakeasy bar.
We are staying in downtown at the La Salle but be willing to take an Uber somewhere if it was worth it
TIA for the suggestions
This post was edited on 1/1/26 at 7:56 pm
5
Posted on 1/1/26 at 9:26 pm to HoustonGumbeauxGuy
We hit this one on an anniversary trip a few years back. Fun atmosphere and from what I remember the food was good. Read up on it and check out the link. Small and intimate.
LINK
LINK
Posted on 1/1/26 at 11:27 pm to HoustonGumbeauxGuy
quote:
As we are approaching 50, we are not really into the nightclub scene but do enjoy a nice romantic restaurant restaurant followed by a dimly lit speakeasy bar.
Hogsalt restaurants will fit what you're looking for. You have Bavette's, but also look into Trivoli Tavern and Armitage Alehouse. Unfortunately, reservations are unlikely and you'll just need to put your name in with hostess on the earlier side of the evening. Few other ideas are Carino, Valhalla, Obelix, Osteria Langhe, and Monteverde. Have plenty more, obviously, but don't want to overwhelm with too many options.
Best cocktail bar neighborhood in the city is Logan Square - The Meadowlark, Billy Sunday, Scofflaw, Best Intentions, and Cara Cara Club just to name a few. Conveniently, aforementioned Osteria Langhe is in Logan, as well.
ETA: My Chicago thread guide has a pretty extensive list of cocktail bars if you'd like to run through that.
quote:
We are staying in downtown at the La Salle but be willing to take an Uber somewhere if it was worth it
The Loop? Yes, you'll want to... leave
Very much 9-5 and can seem pretty desolate at night because everyone lives in the neighborhoods and many spots close shop early. No issue taking the train on your way to dinner and cocktails but Lyft/Uber back would probably be the move.This post was edited on 1/2/26 at 10:24 am
Posted on 1/1/26 at 11:45 pm to hoopsgalore
Steppenwolf is running a limited engagement of Amadeus. They put on amazing shows. Theater was started in part by Gary Sinise.
Steppenwolf Amadeus
Scroll through their history page. The list of the former company members is astounding.
Edit: looks like it’s sold out. My bad.
Steppenwolf Amadeus
Scroll through their history page. The list of the former company members is astounding.
Edit: looks like it’s sold out. My bad.
This post was edited on 1/1/26 at 11:47 pm
Posted on 1/2/26 at 9:41 am to HoustonGumbeauxGuy
I’d recommend staying in River North. Better spot to get out and walk. As Hoops said, the loop is 9-5 and I wouldn’t walk around after dark.
If you’re looking for another Marriott property, I’d recommend The Gwen or The Ritz.
If you’re looking for another Marriott property, I’d recommend The Gwen or The Ritz.
Posted on 1/2/26 at 10:57 am to hoopsgalore
quote:
Conveniently, aforementioned Osteria Langhe is in Logan, as well.
Get the plin is you go!
hoops - Have you been to Creepies yet? Im going next Friday... I have high hopes given it's a Posey restaurant...
Posted on 1/2/26 at 11:12 am to BengalBen
quote:
I’d recommend staying in River North
I may actually change the hotel to river north. Any bars you would recommend in river north?
Logan Square bars mentioned above seem cool but appears to be a good ways from downtown.
Posted on 1/2/26 at 11:16 am to TFTC
quote:
hoops - Have you been to Creepies yet? Im going next Friday... I have high hopes given it's a Posey restaurant...
Yup! Relatively recently, actually. My wife loves mussels and maintains The Loyalist and Hopsmith are two of the best, but Creepies and Le Bouchon have come close. I also have a love-hate relationship with chicken at restaurants - it can go well, but also very poor but really enjoyed that, too. In general, I like Creepies because it's not a stuffy, pretentious space, which a lot of West Loop has fallen victim to in recent years.
As a random aside, we went to Mister Tiger with a couple friends this past Tuesday and it was a great meal. One of the best I've had in recent months. Was all the more impressed because their final seating was at 7:30 due to a private event, and we were 7:15. You can tell service was slightly rushed, which is fine, but absolutely nothing tasted rushed.
This post was edited on 1/2/26 at 11:28 am
Posted on 1/2/26 at 11:25 am to hoopsgalore
I love the mussels at Hopsmith, but that is a bit of a haul for me... Good to hear about Creepies!
Mister Tiger is in that old Porkchop location? I have changed up my route to the office slightly and bypass that little corridor of Grand... I need to mix it up a little more often as there has been some change in that area...
Mister Tiger is in that old Porkchop location? I have changed up my route to the office slightly and bypass that little corridor of Grand... I need to mix it up a little more often as there has been some change in that area...
Posted on 1/2/26 at 11:26 am to HoustonGumbeauxGuy
quote:
Logan Square bars mentioned above seem cool but appears to be a good ways from downtown.
Eh, it's somewhere around 12-15 minutes on the Blue Line from Clark/Lake in The Loop. It's a worthwhile go if cocktail bars are your thing. In general, the best cocktail bars in Chicago aren't going to be in the immediate downtown area. They'll be in neighborhoods like Logan Square, Pilsen, etc.
quote:
I may actually change the hotel to river north. Any bars you would recommend in river north?
Gilt Bar (The Library is their basement cocktail lounge), Arbella, Dearly Beloved, Gus' Sip & Dip (might be a tough one), Three Dots (probably the most popular/touristy recommendation), and The Drifter (a classic under Green Door Tavern). Of these, Gilt Bar and Arbella likely what you most may be looking for.
This post was edited on 1/2/26 at 12:13 pm
Posted on 1/2/26 at 11:30 am to TFTC
quote:
Mister Tiger is in that old Porkchop location? I have changed up my route to the office slightly and bypass that little corridor of Grand... I need to mix it up a little more often as there has been some change in that area...
Honestly, not entirely sure what it was before but that general area has done very well in its revitalization in recent years. Friends of Friends is a very quick ride down Grand, as well, and they make fantastic cocktails. One of my newer favorite bars.
Posted on 1/2/26 at 11:40 am to HoustonGumbeauxGuy
You've picked great place to eat in Bavette! We sat downstairs in the basement. Very cool.
Posted on 1/2/26 at 12:02 pm to hoopsgalore
quote:
Friends of Friends
Yeah, we popped in there just before Xmas... I drive by every day for months, but would always forget about it, mainly because has never been much of a reason to south down Damen (past Chicago)
Posted on 1/2/26 at 12:09 pm to hoopsgalore
Thanks !
Posted on 1/2/26 at 1:56 pm to HoustonGumbeauxGuy
I'm of similar age. Here are some of my favorite places to have drinks with my wife for date night:
The Drawing Room
Scofflaw
Victor Bar
Hopleaf
Cindy's
Meadowlark
The Getaway
Apero
Nine Bar
The Hi-Lo
Punch House
Haven't been yet, but Charis Listening Bar and Bisous are at the top of my list to check out.
The Drawing Room
Scofflaw
Victor Bar
Hopleaf
Cindy's
Meadowlark
The Getaway
Apero
Nine Bar
The Hi-Lo
Punch House
Haven't been yet, but Charis Listening Bar and Bisous are at the top of my list to check out.
This post was edited on 1/2/26 at 2:03 pm
Posted on 1/2/26 at 1:59 pm to hoopsgalore
quote:
Gilt Bar (The Library is their basement cocktail lounge), Arbella, Dearly Beloved, Gus' Sip & Dip (might be a tough one), Three Dots (probably the most popular/touristy recommendation), and The Drifter (a classic under Green Door Tavern). Of these, Gilt Bar and Arbella likely what you most may be looking for.
I would add Sparrow to the list. I've tried to get into Gus' twice now and have given up due to having to stand in the cold.
Posted on 1/2/26 at 4:11 pm to keakdasneak
quote:
I would add Sparrow to the list. I've tried to get into Gus' twice now and have given up due to having to stand in the cold.
Thought about adding Sparrow. Quick Uber from River North, for sure, but wasn't sure if that was just a tad outside the area OP was looking for.
This post was edited on 1/2/26 at 4:12 pm
Posted on 1/2/26 at 4:16 pm to keakdasneak
quote:
Haven't been yet, but Charis Listening Bar and Bisous are at the top of my list to check out.
Been trying to get to Charis myself. Will try for it next time I'm down around Osito's, The Alderman, Monochrome, etc. You been to Parachute HiFi since they reopened as a listening bar? It's fantastic.
Bisous is worth checking out if you haven't been, but I just can't bring myself to like it all that much. Been a couple times and it's just so, so busy. The menu is creative, but the number of drinks they're pumping out, especially on a weekend... I've gotten a couple pretty bad cocktails.
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