Best Valentine's Day Events For Singles In Chicago
You just endured New Year's Eve without a partner and here comes the commercial flood of goo-goo-eyed Valentine's Day couples all over your Facebook feed. Let those lovers pay for flowers, chocolates and extravagant dinners at exorbitant prices. Singles have plenty of choices that include big fun for a small amount of effort. Being single on February 14 is nothing new as illustrated by last year's list.
Beer Lovers Meetup
Lake County Fairgrounds
1060 East Peterson Road
Grayslake, IL 60030
(847) 680-7200
www.lcfair.com
Date: Feb. 14, 2015 at 4 p.m.
Grilled cheese and tomato soup, Britney and autotune, Bey and Jay Z, single and drinking – some things just naturally work together. Brew fans needn't be coupled to enjoy the Craft Beer Lovers Meetup held in the 65,000-square-foot Expo Hall at the Lake County Fairgrounds, which will also offer wine, cocktails, entertainment, games and food. Who knows? Something might ferment between you and another with a foamy upper lip. You must purchase your tickets online, in advance.
Chicago Theater Week
Various venues
www.chicagoplays.com
Date: Feb. 12-22, 2015 at various times
If love is nothing else, it's certainly heavy drama and a smattering of comedy. If you're single this Valentine's Day, you can be entertained by either since Chicago Theater Week kicks off on the 12th. More than 100 productions take place over the 10-day "week" including relationship-perfect show titles such as "Sorry" at TimeLine Theater; "Accidentally Like a Martyr" staged at Red Orchid Theatre; the comedy "Dividing the Estate" at Raven Theatre Company; the Goodman Theater's "Rapture, Blister, Burn"; and "Marie Antoinette" whose love affair with France ended with a roll of her head.
SpeedChicago Valentine Bash
Municipal Bar + Dining Company
216 West Ohio Street
Chicago, IL 60654
(866) WE SPEED
www.speedchicagodating.com
Date: Feb. 14, 2015 at 8 p.m.
School's over and the prospects at the office are either attached or mentally detached, so why not try speed dating? Daters chat with each other for six to seven minutes and then select whom they would like to get to know more. If it's a mutual match, they are notified the next day by email. There's a cash bar (if it's not going swimmingly) and Municipal supplies complimentary light appetizers so your belly doesn't growl while you're talking about you puppy and latest yoga pose. Women get complimentary touch-ups provided by a certified make-up artist, too.
Valentine's Laser Zombie Massacre Bash
Fear City Tactical Arena
8240 N. Austin Ave.
Morton Grove, IL 60053
(224) 888-1031
www.fearcitychicago.com
Date: Valentine's weekend, check the website for exact times
Fear City Haunted House and Battle Royale Laser Tag present a Valentine's Zombie Massacre Bash. Get your relationship aggressions out without having to stay overnight at Cook County Jail. In addition to laser-shooting zombies, you can move your head and shoulders "Thriller" style to music courtesy of DJ Scarecro. There's cash bar so you can belly up and commiserate about your ex.
Related: 2014's Best New Cocktail Bars In Chicago
The Mystick Krewe of Laff
2015 Annual Mardi Gras Bash: All You Need Is Love
Chicago Cultural Center
78 East Washington St
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 744-6630
www.kreweoflaff.org
Date: Feb. 14, 2015 at 8 p.m.
Skip Valentine's Day entirely and go straight to Mardi Gras as the Mystick Krewe of Laff holds its annual bash on love night. You must wear a costume (or formal attire with a mask) to enjoy Hurricanes (the drink of Mardi Gras), beer, wine and a buffet and live entertainment by Swamp Heat and B.S. Brass Band. There's even an after-bash party at Billy Goat after midnight. You must buy tickets in advance at the website.
Above & Beyond
Navy Pier
600 East Grand Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 595-PIER
www.navypier.com
Date: Feb. 14, 2015 at 8 p.m.
Because you're in a trance when in love, you need trance music when you're not. The British troupe, Above & Beyond, comprised of Jono Grant, Tony McGuinness and Paavo Siljamaki, have been ahead of the curve in terms of EDM and the trio plays in the Grand Ballroom on Valentine's night. The group, typically selling out venues around the planet, will most likely perform the single from the second album.
Related: Best EDM Bars Or Clubs In Chicago
Jacky Runice has been a columnist with the Daily Herald Chicago since grunge music and flannel was the new black. Her fingers and gray matter have been busy as travel editor of Reunions Magazine; penning a column that was syndicated around the nation via Tribune Media Services. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
