Valentine's Day Ideas in Chicago
Updated February 5, 2021
Valentine’s Day 2021 in Chicago is going to be different than any other year. Many will be celebrating at home, some will be away from their significant other. Some may be single and have not been on a date in ages. All thngs considered, one thing remains constant: Chicago deep dish is here to stay and a good choice on Vday.
Chicago + Vday = Heart-shaped deep dish pizza
Lou Malnati’s offers these festive 9” heart-shaped pizzas at select locations from February 8 - 14. You can enjoy your heart-shaped deep dish in the restaurant, pick it up or have it delivered.
Valentine’s Day Fun for Everyone
These activities are a hit regardless of whether you’re coupled up or not.
Virtual Scavenger Hunt
Watson Adventures has hosted fun murder mysteries at the Art Institute and other in person adventures in the past, and has continued to provide virtual programming during Covid. Try a virtual scavenger hunt or gameby yourself, +1 or with a group.
Virtual Cooking Class
Chicago is a city of foodies and renowned chefs, so naturally cooking classes are all the rage. Cozymeal offers cooking, cocktail, and wine tasting classes hosted by local chefs and experts. Not local to Chicago but colorful and cool is Salty Seattle’s pasta-making classes, such as the heart-shaped gnocchi class scheduled for Valentine’s Day. If you want an in-person cooking class, you can learn to bake sweet treats in small groups (~6) and Give Me Some Sugar.
A Trip to an Ancient Roman Spa
Aire Ancient Baths in River West is open as of February 2021 with safety precautions in place and some amenities like steam rooms closed. Aire offers special Valentine’s Day gift packages and experiences for individuals, couples, and groups.
360 Degrees of Vincent Van Gogh
The Van Gogh Immersive exhibit, which landed in Chicago after over 2 million visits in Paris, is a great Valentine’s Day gift or activity. The exhibit was recently extended through September. For art enthusiasts, Galerie F is another local option for a smaller creative activity.
Sweet Treats
It is said a warm churro warms the heart. Churro Parlor is not only a source of delicious warm churros, but is also festively decorated for Valentine’s Day. Dip and Sip donuts has a Cupid’s 6 Pack donut set that is fittingly very red. If you’re feeling blue, a manteconcha from Pilsen’s PNL is the answer. Missing Mindy’s Hot Chocolate? You can order Mindy’s Bakery goods from the walk up window or have them delivered to your door from Foxtrot Market (more on local delivery below). Eater Chicago has a Chicago hot chocolate map for those wanting to sip their sweets.
Dining Out on Valentine’s Day
Fulton Market has a program called Dining Together, Apart, that allows guests to have heated outdoor space to enjoy a meal safely. Publican is one such restaurant fit for a Valentine’s Day reservation. Tock, the reservation brain child of Nick Kokonas (Alinea Co-founder), has an easy-to-use reservation system that includes information such as if heated domes are available. The Infatuation has a nice list of outdoor dining options by neighborhood with a map.
Valentine’s Day, Delivered
Foxtrot Market is a local Chicago grocer with curated items from around town. What’s cool about Foxtrot is you can get everyday staples like Metric Coffee or wine delivered in an hour or less. For Valentine’s Day, you may consider ordering one of their gift packs pictured above. Call me old fashioned, but that Old Fashioned cocktail gift set looks perfect. While the bubbles and sweets is a more standard Valentine’s Day gift option for your Chicago gal, treat her (or yourself) with a real Galentine’s day gift set complete with a bottle of Rose and a dildo.
Chicago Valentine’s Day for Singles
Once upon a time, Diag Bar in Lakeview hosted a darts tournament where contestants aimed at pictures of their ex. Sadly, Diag has closed its doors, but the spirit of vengeance and power to the single people in Chicago remains strong.
Planning a night with the ladies? Read our Galentine's Day Guide.
More Chicago Date Night Ideas:
“Maybe another Year” Ideas
Utopian Tailgate, a year round rooftop game bar in Old Town
Movie screenings at Music Box theater