Date Night Guide To Lincoln Square
By Rachel Azark
The following reasons are why you're in need of a date night:
1. You snagged a first date.
2. You need a night out to get away from the kids because they're driving you bonkers.
3. Because your "date night" in front of the TV with your latest Netflix movie isn't cutting it anymore with your significant other.
Why should you go to Lincoln Square for a date night:
1. It's right off the Brown Line at the Western stop.
2. There's actually parking in town, all though you do have to pay for some of it. Unless you get savvy and park in the nearby neighborhood streets.
3. There are actually a lot of fun things to do in the area for people with different interests.
For the Literary Types
The Book Cellar
4736-38 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
Phone: 773-293-2665
www.bookcellarinc.com
I'm still mourning the loss of Borders. But luckily, Lincoln Square still has the Book Cellar and it's important to support the local businesses. What's nice about the Book Cellar is that they have a little café where you can stop in for a glass of wine or a cup of coffee. If it's a first date, it might be a good place to meet up that isn't too intimidating. And they always have different events going on that you can attend. Sometimes it's stand up comedy, other times it's a reading -- just check out their website for their event calendar.
One awesome event held at The Book Cellar is Essay Fiesta. Every third Monday of the month, Essay Fiesta picks a handful of hilarious writers to read a mix of funny, embarrassing and/or scathing non-fiction stories. Plus, it's all in the name of charity!
Amateur Chefs
The Chopping Block
4747 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
Phone: 773-472-6700
www.thechoppingblock.net
Oh man, there's nothing like bonding over learning how to cook something. In fact, learning a new hobby together is supposed to somehow bring you two closer together because you're learning something new together. It reignites that spark! So, you and your honey should attend a cooking class at the Chopping Block. You can learn everything from how to roll sushi, to baking bread, or take A Sauce Odyssey. They even have a class titled "Date Night: Two to Tango" where you can learn all about food from Argentina. View their event calendar for all their course offerings.
Movie Buffs
Davis Theater
4614 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
www.davistheater.com
Movies are great if you really just need to check out of reality and relax for a while. (Or you're on a really bad date, and you don't want to talk to the other person for two hours.) If you need something to make you laugh because the two of you had a hard week at work, go see a comedy. If you want to know what everyone else is talking about on Facebook, go see the latest drama. The Davis Theater gives matinee pricing before 6:01 p.m. and all tickets are $5.75. (That is a steal in this city.) Or for shows after 6:01 p.m., adult tickets are only $8.25.
Wine Connoisseurs
Provenance Food and Wine
2312 W. Leland Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
Phone: 773-784-2314
www.provenancefoodandwine.com
If you're looking to impress your date with your extensive knowledge of wine, then attending a wine tasting might be for you. Otherwise, attending wine tastings are just fun and a great way to try a variety of labels. Provenance Food and Wine is a specialty shop that specializes in affordable, sustainably produced wines, small-batch beers, handcrafted spirits, artisanal cheeses and food items. Every Thursday evening they offer a complimentary wine tasting from 6 – 8 p.m. (Free date idea anyone?) They also offer knife sharpening classes (highly suggest not for a first date) and many tastings throughout the month.
Rachel Azark is a writer and lives in Chicago. Read more of her work on her blog parksandpancakes.com.
