Bear Down, Chicago Bears

BEST DATE NEWS

Jan. 15, 2026: Best Date News Volume #161

Welcome to Best Date News, your go-to guide for what’s happening in Chicago! This week, we’re diving into all things Chicago Bears! We also dive into Time Out Market Chicago closing, concerts coming to Chicago, a chance to win a $300 restaurant gift card and much more.

Jan. 15: National Holidays

• National Bagel Day

• National Hat Day

• National Strawberry Ice Cream Day

• National Pothole Day

• National Booch Day

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• It’s the perfect time to start planning your winter Wisconsin getaway. Whether you’re heading out with family or planning a winter weekend with friends, Wisconsin is one of the best places in the Midwest to make the most of the season.

Chicago News

• Chicago Bears: It’s been all things Chicago Bears this month as the team continues its magical run, and no matter what happens from here, at least we beat the Packers (Bears fans watch this). Following last weekend’s win, Jewel Osco is offering $7 off a $7 or more purchase when you use the code “J4U” in the app between Jan. 12 and Jan. 16. Portillo’s is also getting in on the celebration with a buy one get one free Italian Beef and Shredded Cheddar sandwich deal currently available on Uber Eats. You can thank Caleb Williams for the shredded cheddar.

• Time Out Market: Time Out announced yesterday that Time Out Market Chicago will permanently close on Jan. 23. The Fulton Market food hall first opened in 2019 and has been home to a rotating lineup of local restaurants over the past six years, with nearly 20 vendors currently operating. Time Out also confirmed its Boston market will be closing as part of the announcement.

• BTS at Soldier Field: The world’s biggest K-pop group, BTS, is officially returning to the stage and bringing its BTS World Tour to Soldier Field for two nights on Aug. 27 and 28. The shows mark the group’s first major tour since announcing a hiatus in late 2022 and completing mandatory military service. General ticket onsale begins Saturday, Jan. 24 at 11 a.m., with presale options available in advance. Demand is expected to be massive.

• Windy City Smokeout: In other Chicago music news, Windy City Smokeout released its full lineup for this summer this week. The annual country music and BBQ festival will take place July 8–12 outside the United Center. This year’s headliners include Treaty Oak Revival, Hootie & The Blowfish, Lainey Wilson, Jordan Davis and Blake Shelton.

• Restaurant Closings: Sushi Hall, a Lincoln Park sushi restaurant which opened in 2022 at 2630 N. Clark St., is no longer operating after quietly closing and not posting an official statement online. Meanwhile, Bloom Plant Based Kitchen in Wicker Park will close on Feb. 21. Chef Rodolfo shared that while this marks the end of Bloom, he hinted that a new restaurant concept is in the works.

Just For Fun

• The Wieners Circle: Chicago’s gratest hot dog stand has been making headlines after announcing that if the Bears win the Super Bowl, The Wieners Circle will feed free hot dogs to the entire parade and give players on the team free hot dogs for life. The Lincoln Park staple is also hosting a Caleb Williams lookalike contest on Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 6 p.m.

• $300 Gift Card Giveaway: We recently visited the newly opened Indian fusion restaurant Kama in West Loop and were impressed. Located on Randolph Street, the spot puts a modern spin on classic Indian dishes and family recipes, with the lamb chops and Goan mussels standing out as must-tries. We’re currently giving away a $300 gift card to Kama, but the giveaway ends tonight at 11:59 p.m., so make sure to enter before it closes.

• Devil Dawgs x Heinz: Heinz just rolled out its new Heinz Dipper, a first-of-its-kind french fry box with an adorable, built-in ketchup compartment, and Chicago was selected as one of just six locations nationwide to get it. The limited rollout includes Devil Dawgs locations in Chicago and Evanston while supplies last.

• Bruno Mars: Due to popular demand, Bruno Mars has added a second Chicago show at Soldier Field as part of The Romantic Tour. The newly added show will take place on May 17. Presale tickets went on sale yesterday afternoon, and the general public onsale opened today at noon.

• Charlie Puth: Charlie Puth is officially heading back on tour and bringing The Whatever’s Clever! World Tour to North America and Europe. One of the stops includes Rosemont on May 15. Public ticket onsale begins tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 16 at 10 a.m., with artist presale options already live. See options.

Weekend Plans

• Bear Down: The event of the weekend will see the Chicago Bears host the Los Angeles Rams at Soldier Field in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs. Kickoff is set for Sunday night at 5:30 p.m. on NBC. It could end up being one of the coldest games in Bears history. If you thought tickets for last week’s game were expensive, they’re even worse this week. That isn’t stopping this Australian Bears fan, though, who is flying 19 hours and spending just 39 hours in Chicago to catch the game.

• Bears Watch Parties: If going to the game isn’t in the cards this weekend but you don’t want to watch from home, there are plenty of Bears watch parties happening around Chicago. Bars across the city are leaning all the way in with drink specials, sound on and packed crowds. Here are nine spots hosting watch parties this weekend.

• Derrick Rose: Derrick Rose’s No. 1 jersey is set to be retired in the United Center rafters on Saturday, Jan. 24, with a special postgame ceremony after the Bulls host the Boston Celtics. To celebrate, Adidas is bringing back Rose’s signature sneaker, the AdiZero Rose 1, which will be available starting Saturday, Jan. 17 for $130. Rose will also host a meet and greet on Sunday, Jan. 18 at Rose’s Flower Shop.

• West Loop Wine and Pizza Fest: Like pizza and wine? This Saturday, Jan. 17 from 12 to 3 p.m., the West Loop Wine and Pizza Fest is taking over PB&J: Pizza Beer and Jukebox. Tickets are $35.68 and include 10 wine tastings (3 ounces each) and five slices of pizza.

• The Escape Game: If you’re looking for a fun, indoor plan this weekend, The Escape Game in River North recently launched a new winter themed game called Legend of the Yeti. The experience takes place inside an abandoned outpost, where teams have 60 minutes to work through clues across multiple rooms. Watch a sneak peek of us attempting it.

Poll Question of the Week

Last Newsletter's Poll Results

Poll Results: Last week, we asked who you thought would win the Bears vs. Packers game. The 76% of you who chose the Bears were correct!

Sunrise & Sunset in Chicago

Here is today’s outlook in Chicago (compared to last week):

• Sunrise: 7:15 a.m. (2 minutes earlier)

• Sunset: 4:44 p.m. (8 minutes later)

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