Happy Halloween, Chicago

BEST DATE NEWS

Oct. 30, 2025: Best Date News Volume #150

Welcome to Best Date News, your favorite Chicago weekly newsletter! In this week’s edition, you’ll read about a new bagel shop coming to Chicago, Windy City Smokeout 2026, Halloween homes around the Chicago area, Haunted Halsted, fun Halloween weekend plans and more!

Oct. 30: National Holidays

• National Candy Corn Day

• National Mischief Night

• National Haunted Refrigerator Night

• National Wicked Day

• National Text Your Ex Day

Sponsored by our friends at After

After Dark: Into the 7 Deadly Sins

• After Halloween: You’re invited to step into temptation with this immersive Halloween soiree on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. After Dark: The Seven Sinful Rooms transforms After into a world of indulgence where every bite, cocktail and room tempts you with a different deadly sin.

• Available for two nights only, this Halloween experience runs from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. and brings the vices to life through dramatic design, unlimited food and drink, and unforgettable performances. Each room is its own world, inviting guests to lean into every desire.

• After is the sister cocktail bar to Ever, a two-star Michelin restaurant from Chef Curtis Duffy, who will be there both nights. Duffy, a three-star Michelin chef, has been featured on The Bear and in his own Netflix documentary, so the experience truly speaks for itself.

• The night will feature live music, a DJ and a costume contest where one guest will win an Ever Experience for two. You can get tickets here. Guests must be 21 or older to attend.

Chicago News

• Call Your Mother: Chicago’s bagel scene is in the midst of a revolution with another newcomer announced this week. The popular spot from Washington, D.C., Call Your Mother, is set to open its first Midwest location this spring in Wicker Park at 1615 N Damen Ave. Known for its bright “Boca meets Brooklyn” vibe, the shop serves wood-fired bagels that blend New York and Montreal styles with sandwiches like the Jetski with brisket and the Hidden Cove with smoked salmon. The opening is expected around March or April 2026.

• Windy City Smokeout: The 2026 Windy City Smokeout lineup was announced this week, featuring headliners Lainey Wilson, Jordan Davis, Hootie & The Blowfish, Treaty Oak Revival and one act still to be announced. The festival will take place July 8–12 and will include its first-ever Wednesday night concert headlined by Treaty Oak Revival on July 8. Wednesday and four-day wristbands are now available.

• New Brown Bears: The Lincoln Park Zoo had two special new arrivals this week. Two brown bears, named Ash and Lexi, came from Henry Vilas Zoo. They are the first brown bears to live at Lincoln Park Zoo since 1979. Watch them explore their new habitat for the first time.

• Cerise Rooftop: Cerise Rooftop, located above Virgin Hotels Chicago in the Loop, is permanently closing this Saturday, Nov. 1. This follows news from last month that the hotel is being taken over by Sports Illustrated Resorts. Cerise has been celebrating its final week with nightly DJ sets, and there are two more remaining. One takes place tonight and the final two tomorrow on Halloween.

• Oakbrook Center: One of the suburbs’ hottest shopping malls continues to make moves, as SKIMS officially opened at Oakbrook Center yesterday. Another clothing brand, Varley, just opened there a few weeks ago. The Purple Pig is set to open its second restaurant there soon as well.

Just For Fun

• Halloween Homes: The Chicago Sun-Times put together an article highlighting three Chicago homes with Halloween yard displays to die for. And yes, they’re pretty incredible. If you’re out in the suburbs for Halloween and want to see more amazing decorations, the homes in Hinsdale go above and beyond.

• Dementors House: We visited one of the aforementioned Chicago Halloween houses this week, a Dementor-inspired bungalow in Ravenswood Manor. It features four evil spirits floating around the home, all made entirely by hand, including one that’s an incredible 16 feet long. You can find it at the intersection of Wilson and Richmond.

• Savannah Bananas: If you’re hoping to catch some Banana Ball at Wrigley Field in 2026, here’s your reminder that the deadline to enter the ticket lottery is tomorrow. It will be a tough ticket since Chicago currently ranks first out of 71 cities on the 2026 tour for total lottery submissions.

• Naperville World Record: Back to the suburbs, where a 17-year-old from Naperville named Eric Klabel just set a new world record (still to be certified) for the tallest toothpick tower in the world. His Eiffel Tower replica, made entirely of toothpicks, stands at 17.3 feet tall. You have to take a look.

• Peloton in Wicker Park: Peloton instructor Hannah Corbin is coming to Barnes & Noble Wicker Park next Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 6 p.m. as part of her Did You Stretch Tho tour. Guests can meet Hannah, get a personalized copy and snap a photo with her. Check the event details in advance.

Halloween Weekend Plans

• Haunted Halsted: The 28th annual Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade takes place on Friday, Oct. 31. The parade is ranked among the top 10 Halloween celebrations in the United States. It kicks off at 7:30 p.m. at Halsted and Belmont and runs north on Belmont to Brompton. It’s free to attend. Take a look at how cool this parade is!

• Wrigleyville Halloween Crawl: The Wrigleyville Halloween Crawl returns this Friday, Oct. 31 from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. for one of Chicago’s biggest Halloween parties. Tickets include admission, free dinner buffets, gift cards, live music and more. Dozens of Wrigleyville’s most popular bars are joining in for the crawl, and there’s a $3,000 costume contest for the best Halloween looks.

• Gold Coast Parties: Looking to go out tonight? Division Street in Gold Coast is the move with two Halloween parties. She-nannigans hosts Bulls & Boos with Halloween karaoke and a chance to win four VIP front row tickets and VIP parking for the Bulls game on Halloween. Across the street, The Lodge Tavern runs a Paw-Lo-Ween dog costume contest from 7–9 p.m., where you can bring your pup for a shot at prizes.

• River North Halloween Bar Fest: River North’s biggest Halloween event is happening Saturday, Nov. 1 from 3 to 9 p.m. The River North Halloween Bar Fest is taking over the neighborhood with one $19.99 ticket giving you access to top bars like Bodega, Celeste, Hubbard Inn, Joy District, LiqrBox, Lore and Sound Bar. Expect drink specials, music and plenty of costumes all afternoon. Entry is 21 and over.

• Salt Shed Open House: Tonight, Thursday, Oct. 30 you’ll have the rare chance to experience everything at the Salt Shed open at one time during its Halloween-themed Open House from 5 to 10 p.m. Play arcade games at Elston Electric, head to the Three Top Lounge for skyline views and a Goth DJ set and enjoy fall and Halloween activities throughout the venue. Costumes are welcome with food and drinks from Goose Island and Pizza Friendly Pizza.

Poll Question of the Week

Last Newsletter's Poll Results

Poll Results: Last week we asked if you enjoy watching horror movies. 77% of you said that you do not. A couple people who mentioned their favorites included The Exorcist and Evil Dead.

Sunrise & Sunset in Chicago

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

• Sunrise: 7:20 a.m. (8 minutes later)

• Sunset: 5:46 p.m. (10 minutes earlier)

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