It's Gonna Be May, Chicago

BEST DATE NEWS

May 1, 2025: Best Date News Volume #124

Welcome to Best Date News, your favorite Chicago weekly newsletter! In this week’s newsletter you will read about Chicago’s tulips, the status of Lincoln Square’s Lincoln Ave, Real ID, possible Uber refunds, our big Hogsalt gift card giveaway and more!

May 1: National Holidays

• National Lei Day

• National Learn to Ride a Bike Day

• National Couple Appreciation Day

• National School Principals’ Day

• World Password Day

Sponsored by our friends at Park Hyatt Chicago

NoMI Garden Maison Marché

• Park Hyatt Chicago: NoMI Garden, on the seventh floor terrace of Park Hyatt Chicago, is hosting Maison Marché, a one-night-only experience that marks the season opening of NoMI Garden.

• This summer kickoff party will have an open bar, live DJ, sweeping city views, sushi, oysters and other bites. Sip craft cocktails, complete with their build-your-own garnish wall, while enjoying unlimited sushi and oysters from live chef stations, hors d’oeuvres from their new menu and refreshing desserts.

• The event takes place on Friday, May 16 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

• Early-access tickets are on sale right now for $125, until May 2. After that, the price of general admission goes up to $155.

Chicago News

• Tulips: Chicago’s famous Michigan Ave tulips are now blooming! Each fall, over 100,000 tulip bulbs are brought to Chicago from the Netherlands. This annual tradition creates a beautiful, floral paradise of tulips for Chicagoans to enjoy every spring. We are currently in the peak time to see, so go check them out!

• Lincoln Square: Last week, we shared that the heart of Lincoln Square’s business district, the 4700 block of North Lincoln Avenue, was being shutdown to cars for a week, due to construction. This was seen as a win for those clamoring for more pedestrian-only streets in Chicago. The street closure is now being extended with construction taking longer than expected. Is that a good thing for the businesses on this strip? See the survey results straight from the business owners.

• Real ID: You have probably heard the term “Real ID” being used recently, and that’s because the “deadline” to get one is quickly approaching. Starting on May 7, Illinois residents will need a Real ID to board domestic flights, if you don’t want to use a U.S. passport. What happens if you don’t get one? Full details.

• Uber Charges: You might be getting a refund from Uber. A new pricing model, including a $1.50 congestion surcharge, took effect in Chicago on Jan. 6 and was supposed to apply only to downtown rides between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily — but Uber mistakenly charged riders outside of those hours too, for months.

• Hamburger Mary’s: The iconic burger and drag show spot is planning on making a comeback in a new Edgewater location (1055 W. Bryn Mawr Ave) this summer. Hamburger Mary’s was a longtime favorite in Andersonville before it closed, in 2020, after 14 years on Clark Street. The fun, diner-style restaurant is best known for burgers, drag shows and an inclusive environment.

Just For Fun

• Hogsalt Giveaway: We have a huge giveaway happening on Instagram right now, that you do not want to miss! We’ve teamed up with Smart City Chicago to give away a $1,000 Hogsalt gift card to use at restaurants like Bavette’s, Trivoli Tavern, Au Cheval, Ciccio Mio, Armitage Alehouse and more. You have until Sunday, May 4 to enter.

• Jersey Collab: Chicago is now responsible for the first ever on-field jersey collaboration between an MLB and NBA team. The Chicago White Sox have unveiled new City Connect uniforms inspired by the Chicago Bulls, featuring a bold red base, black pinstripes and a “CHICAGO” wordmark drawn from the Bulls’ Statement jersey.

• Centennial Fountain: The Centennial Fountain is back in action for the summer season. Starting today, it will spray its signature 80-foot water arc across the Chicago River every hour, on the hour, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., through Sept. 30. You can find the fountain at 400 N. McClurg Court.

• Italian Ice: May 1 marks the return of two of Chicago’s most iconic Italian ice spots. Miko’s Italian Ice (Logan Square and Irving Park) has expanded its hours to 12-9 p.m., and Mario’s Italian Lemonade in Little Italy officially reopened today with daily hours from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

• Free Museum Days: Illinois residents can enjoy free museum days this month at the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, Chicago History Museum and Museum of Contemporary Art.

Weekend Plans

• Farmers Markets: May brings the return of farmers markets throughout the city, offering fresh produce, artisanal goods and ready-to-eat foods. Markets are opening in Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, Lincoln Square, Hyde Park, Pilsen and more. For a complete schedule and locations, visit the Chicago Farmers Markets page.

• Ed Helms: The Office and Hangover star just released a new book, SNAFU, based on his hit podcast about America’s most ridiculous real-life disasters. He will be in Chicago this Saturday, May 3 to talk about his new book and do a book signing. Tickets are still available.

• Things to Do: Looking for something else fun to do this weekend? Here are your updated lists of events and activities from Choose Chicago and TimeOut Chicago.

• Chicago Sports: The Chicago Fire have a home game on Saturday, May 3 against Orlando City SC. The Chicago White Sox host the Houston Astros for a three-game series from May 2-4.

Chicago Product of the Week

• Bake Sale Croissant: Daisies Chicago (Leigh Omilinsky) and Milk Bar (Christina Tosi) have teamed up to create the ultimate croissant in celebration of Milk Bar’s new Chicago location in West Loop.

• What is it: The “Bake Sale Croissant” is a “dreamy croissant stuffed with gooey chocolate chip cookies, funfetti-packed sprinkle cookies and rich chocolate fudge brownie. It’s crowned with malted vanilla mousse, mini cookies and confetti shower of rainbow sprinkles.”

• Where to get it: It’s available only at the Daisies Chicago café in Logan Square beginning today, through the end of May.

• For a good cause: A portion of the proceeds will benefit the nonprofit organization Cookies for Kids’ Cancer that funds research for children battling cancer.

Poll Question of the Week

Last Newsletter's Poll Results

Poll Results: Last newsletter we asked if you had gone to see the cherry blossoms, and here were your responses:

• 40%: Yes, I saw them already

• 34%: No, I’m not going to see them

• 26%: No, but I’m planning on going

Sunrise & Sunset in Chicago

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

• Sunrise: 5:46 a.m. (10 minutes earlier)

• Sunset: 7:49 p.m. (8 minutes later)

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