February Kicks Off in Chicago

BEST DATE NEWS

Feb. 5, 2026: Best Date News Volume #164

Welcome to Best Date News, your go-to guide for what’s happening in Chicago! This week, we’re diving into Chicago’s cold weather streak, Chicagoland athletes to cheer on in the 2026 Winter Olympics, the Super Bowl, the start of Chicago Black Restaurant Week and more.

Feb. 5: National Holidays

• National Chocolate Fondue Day

• National Optimist Day

• National Weatherman’s Day

• National Pork Rind Day

• World Nutella Day

Sponsored by our friends at Kama West Loop

Spice & Spark Galentine’s Cocktail Lab

• Kama West Loop: If your Galentine’s plans usually start and end with dinner, this unique event is a fun way to switch things up. Spice & Spark is a hands-on cocktail lab happening at Kama West Loop (812 W Randolph St) on Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 6 p.m. Built around Indian spices and aromatics, the experience focuses on learning how to make cocktails, not just ordering them.

• Led by Kama’s mixologist, you’ll learn how to infuse, balance and build layered flavors while crafting two cocktails step by step with your friends, all in a setting that feels social, interactive and more like a night out than a class.

• Your ticket includes a welcome cocktail, two rounds of chef’s bite snacks and the guided cocktail-making experience for two cocktails. You’ll also get 25% off appetizers ordered before, during or after the class.

• Tickets are limited, so reserve your spot while space is still available.

Chicago News

• Cold Weather Streak: In honor of National Weatherman’s Day, Chicago is in the middle of one of its longest stretches of sub-freezing high temperatures in nearly 20 years, with more than two straight weeks failing to reach 32°. The streak could push close to 20 days before finally breaking later this week, and a warmer stretch possibly arriving next week.

• Winter Olympics: The 2026 Winter Olympics officially kick off tomorrow, marking the 25th Winter Games and the first to be co-hosted by two cities. Events will take place across northern Italy, centered around Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, with competition running through Feb. 22 and nearly 3,000 athletes competing across more than 100 medal events. Here are the Chicago-area athletes to watch competing for Team USA.

• Black Restaurant Week: Chicago Black Restaurant Week runs from Feb. 8 to 22 and features nearly 40 Black owned restaurants across the city and suburbs. Now in its 11th year, the event kicks off this Sunday and includes everything from fast casual and BBQ to steakhouses and fine dining, with fixed price menus that typically include an appetizer, entrée and dessert.

• Chicago Bulls: The NBA trade deadline hits today at 2 p.m., and the Bulls have been the busiest team thus far leading up to it. Chicago has moved several familiar names this week, including Nikola Vučević, Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, Kevin Huerter and others, as the team works to reshape the roster before the deadline. More trades could be coming before the clock runs out this afternoon.

• Carmine’s: A longtime Rush Street staple in the Gold Coast is officially back. Carmine’s has reopened in its refreshed space at 1037 N. Rush after being closed for nearly three full years, bringing back the classic Italian pastas and other Italian favorites it was known for before renovations. The restaurant got a complete overhaul, and it looks like a major glow up. Take a look.

Just For Fun

• Galentine’s Day: Galentine’s Day has become a thing of its own in Chicago, with plenty of events around the city focused on celebrating friendships instead of romance. From dance parties and wine walks to drag brunches, fitness classes, and bottomless mimosas, there are lots of ways to spend Feb. 13 with your friends. If you’re looking for ideas, here are 12 Ways to Celebrate Galentine’s Day in Chicago.

• Name a Cockroach: Brookfield Zoo Chicago is once again letting you name a Madagascar hissing cockroach after your ex, a frenemy, or anyone you want for a $15 donation that supports the zoo. You’ll get a Certificate of Naming, and the first name will appear on the Cockroach Naming Board when it’s unveiled on Feb. 14. The submission deadline is today at 5 p.m.

• Anti-Valentine’s Day Events: If you’re not feeling the whole cockroach thing, Chicago has plenty of other anti-Valentine’s Day events over the next couple of weeks that lean more funny, messy and very unromantic. From drunk Shakespeare and chaotic storytelling shows to singles mixers, drag brunches, film festivals and concerts, there are plenty of ways to acknowledge Valentine’s Day without actually celebrating it.

• Noah Kahan: Noah Kahan is bringing The Great Divide Tour to Chicago with a stop at Wrigley Field on July 14, joined by special guest Gigi Perez. Fans can sign up for the artist presale until 10:59 p.m. tonight, with the presale taking place Tuesday, Feb. 10 at noon local time. General onsale begins Thursday, Feb. 12 at noon.

• MSI Free Days: The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is offering free admission on 16 different days in February, which is one of the most free days you’ll ever see in a single month. Illinois residents can visit for free on Feb. 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25 and 26. Tickets are required, but you can reserve them ahead of time.

Weekend Plans

• Chicago Auto Show: The 2026 Chicago Auto Show runs from Saturday, Feb. 7 through Monday, Feb. 16 at McCormick Place. Doors open daily at 10 a.m., with most days running until 9 p.m. It’s one of the largest auto shows in the country (and the longest running), featuring new car debuts, EVs, concept vehicles and hands on exhibits from dozens of automakers.

• Super Bowl Watch Parties: Trying to figure out where to watch the Super Bowl? Here is a good list of 13 places around Chicago. If you care more about the halftime show than the actual game, Pachanga is hosting a Bad Bunny Halftime Show Watch Party at Bar Sol at Navy Pier starting at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 8. Tickets are $34.60 and include all you can eat wings, pizza and appetizers through halftime, plus DJs, a massive LED screen and surround sound for the show.

• Big Game Brunch: How cool is this?! Bub City in River North is hosting a Big Game Brunch this Sunday, Feb. 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wear a football jersey and you’ll receive a gift card equal to your total check amount. For example, if you spend $100 at brunch, you’d get a $100 gift card to use on a future visit. It’s also happening at The Oakville, Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba and Lil’ Ba-Ba-Reeba.

• Puppy Bowl Party: If your Super Bowl Sunday plans lean more puppies than football, Cody’s Public House is hosting its 5th Annual Puppy Bowl Viewing Party on Sunday, Feb. 8 from noon to 4 p.m. The free, dog-friendly event will air the Puppy Bowl throughout the bar and feature raffles, contests, a dog cartoonist, themed cocktails and support for Chicago Canine Rescue.

• Chicago Restaurant Week: Chicago Restaurant Week comes to a close this Sunday, Feb. 8, but one menu we think you should check out before it ends is the $30 lunch at Gibsons Steakhouse. The three course lineup includes bread service, your choice of soup or salad, an 8oz Prime striploin with maître butter, French fries and crème brûlée, which is a pretty strong deal if you ask us.

Poll Question of the Week

Last Newsletter's Poll Results

Poll Results: Last week, we asked which airline was your favorite. Here were the poll results:

• 1st: United Airlines (47%)

• 2nd: American Airlines (28%)

• 3rd: Southwest (15%)

• 4th: Delta (10%)

Sunrise & Sunset in Chicago

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

• Sunrise: 6:58 a.m. (7 minutes earlier)

• Sunset: 5:10 p.m. (9 minutes later)

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