It's Spooky Season in Chicago

BEST DATE NEWS

Oct. 16, 2025: Best Date News Volume #148

Welcome to Best Date News, your favorite Chicago weekly newsletter! In this week’s edition, you’ll read about Open House Chicago, The Hand & The Eye, Trader Joe’s, new openings, weekend plans and more!

Oct. 16: National Holidays

• National Sports Day

• National Boss’s Day

• National Liqueur Day

• National Conflict Resolution Day

• National Dictionary Day

Sponsored by our friends at Chicago Artisan Market

Fall Market This Weekend

• Chicago Artisan Market: The Chicago Artisan Market returns this weekend for a one-day Fall Market! It will be held at Morgan MFG in Fulton Market (401 N Morgan St) this Sunday, Oct. 19 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• The market features 115+ of the best local artisans under one roof, offering everything from food, fashion, and home goods to pastries, handbags, woodworking, jewelry, pet items, skincare, spices, sauces, and more.

• It’s the perfect fall date idea. Grab a drink from the full bar, enjoy a variety of lunch options, and browse all the unique vendors. Bring the whole family since kids under 12 get in free and dogs are welcome too.

• Tickets are $8 per person or four for $20 when purchased online in advance, so grab your friends and make a day of it.

Open House Chicago

• Open House Chicago: This weekend, Oct. 18 and 19, is Open House Chicago. The annual, one-weekend only celebration shows off the best of Chicago’s architecture with exclusive behind-the-scenes access to 200+ sites in 20+ neighborhoods open to the public. The best part? It’s free!

• We recommend planning your route in advance since there’s so much to see. Here’s the full list. Double-check each site’s hours before heading out, as they can vary. Creating a short itinerary of your must-visit spots ahead of time will help you make the most of the weekend.

• Some places are only open one day and some places will have long lines, like the Walt Disney House & Birthplace. The Chicago Architecture Center has also put together a variety of different itineraries that we recommend checking out.

• Here are our top 10 places to visit for Open House Chicago 2025:

  1. The Chicago Board of Trade (Loop)

  2. Union League Club of Chicago (Loop)

  3. Columbia Yacht Club (Lakefront)

  4. Avalon Regal Theater (Chatham)

  5. Sheridan Trust & Savings Bank Building (Uptown)

  6. Walt Disney House (Hermosa)

  7. PRU (Loop)

  8. The Cliff Dwellers Club (Loop)

  9. Auditorium Building, Roosevelt University (Loop)

  10. Saint Ignatius College Prep (Near West Side)

Chicago News

• The Hand & The Eye: Chicago is getting a new showstopper. The historic McCormick Mansion at 100 E. Ontario St, formerly home to Lawry’s The Prime Rib, is being transformed into The Hand & The Eye, a $50 million immersive magic destination set to open in spring 2026. Billed as one of the world’s most ambitious magic experiences, the project just unveiled its first renderings, offering a glimpse of Rockwell Group’s dramatic reimagining of the space.

• Trader Joe’s: The West Loop is officially getting a Trader Joe’s. The grocery chain will open a 17,000-square-foot store at 170 N May St as part of a new 25-story apartment tower. The project is part of a larger two-building development approved by City Council that will bring hundreds of new apartments to the area. Trader Joe’s is expected to open in the second half of 2027, marking another major addition to the rapidly growing Fulton Market.

• Chicago’s Best Hotels: Chicago earned high marks in Michelin’s new hotel rankings. The Langham, The Peninsula and The Pendry each received two Michelin Keys, recognizing them among the best in the country. The Langham was praised for its spa and restaurant, The Peninsula for its rooftop views and The Pendry for its mix of historic architecture and modern design.

• Mary Jo McGuire’s: The team behind Butch McGuire’s is bringing its Irish spirit to Lincoln Park with the grand opening of Mary Jo McGuire’s tomorrow night, Friday, Oct. 17. The new two-level bar at 2251 N. Lincoln Ave takes over the former LP’s T.A.P. House space and promises a lively mix of old-school pub charm, rich wood details, multiple bars and live music to celebrate opening night.

• The Scout: Speaking of new bars, The Scout has officially taken over the former Old Town Pour House space at 1419 N. Wells St. The popular South Loop sports bar closed about five years ago but is now open once again, this time in Old Town. Expect the same lively atmosphere, classic comfort food and go-to spot for watching the games.

Just For Fun

• Savannah Bananas: The Savannah Bananas are coming to Wrigley Field for the first time ever in 2026. Their new schedule includes a three-game series against the Firefighters from July 24 to 26. The team played two games at Guaranteed Rate Field this year, but this marks their Wrigley debut. Tickets are expected to sell out fast, and the lottery is open now through Oct. 31.

• October Openings: Eater Chicago put together a list of new restaurant and bar openings this month, and there are some good ones. Highlights include Kama’s new West Loop flagship, Tuk Tuk Thai Isan Street Food’s expansion to Wicker Park, Crumbs.nd.Creams in Albany Park, Wil’s Martini Lounge in Andersonville and Park Manor 75 on 75th Street.

• Chicago Rat Hole: Remember the “Chicago Rat Hole” that went viral last year? Scientists now say the famous sidewalk imprint wasn’t made by a rat after all but by a squirrel. Their analysis found a 98.67% chance that the imprint matched a squirrel’s body instead of a rat’s.

• Pokémon GO Fest: For the first time since 2019, Pokémon GO Fest is returning to Chicago in 2026. The augmented-reality festival will take over Grant Park from June 5–7, bringing tens of thousands of players to explore the city in search of digital creatures and in-game challenges.

• Decker’s Sourdough Bagels: Lettuce Entertain You is testing a brand new bagel concept called Decker’s Sourdough Bagels with a one-day pop-up at Summer House in Lincoln Park on Saturday, Oct. 18. Pre-orders appear to have sold out, but the website notes that walk-in orders are still welcome.

Sponsored by our friends at High Stakes Productions

Clued In: Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way

• Murder Mystery Improv: Welcome to Clued In: Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way, the new improvised mystery that proves that revenge is an estate of mind through a month-long run at The Second City leading up to Halloween.

• Inspired by Agatha Christie, seven improvisers will weave together a made-up murder mystery, sparked by the audience’s suggestion of an unusual inherited object. Your job is to figure out who did it while enjoying plenty of laughs during this 90-minute, fully-improvised show.

• This fast-paced and wildly clever experience is brought to life by High Stakes Productions through an immersive and interactive pre-show, specialty cocktails, mysterious menus, and an estate-like atmosphere at The Second City’s UP Comedy Club.

• Clued In: Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way happens Thursdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 4 p.m. through Oct. 26, with a bonus show on Friday, Oct. 31 at 8 p.m. for Halloween night. Tickets are $30 general admission, with seating assigned upon arrival.

Weekend Plans

• Arts in the Dark: On Saturday, Oct. 18, the 11th annual Arts in the Dark Parade returns to downtown Chicago, lighting up State Street with glowing floats, illuminated costumes, and live performances from more than 90 local artists and cultural groups. The free Halloween parade runs from 6 to 8 p.m. between Lake Street and Van Buren and is one of the most visually stunning celebrations of the season.

• Forest Park Casket Races: A little outside the city in Forest Park, but this one sounds awesome. The 13th Annual Forest Park Casket Races take place Saturday, Oct. 18, turning Beloit Avenue into a Halloween-themed racetrack where teams decorate and race homemade caskets. Festivities start at 9:30 a.m. with booths and a parade, followed by the races at 11 a.m.

• Boo with Sue: The Field Museum’s after-hours Halloween party, Boo with SUE, returns tomorrow, Oct. 17 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Trick-or-treat with SUE the T. rex, meet the museum’s team of “mad scientists” and explore spooky specimens from the collection. The night also features “Dioramas in the Dark,” a walkthrough experience filled with eerie surprises as the lights go out. Costumes are encouraged for all ages.

Poll Question of the Week

Last Newsletter's Poll Results

Poll Results: Last week we asked if you were attending the Chicago Marathon. 45% of you said that you were and 55% of you said that you weren’t. Congratulations to everyone who ran it! We hope everyone else enjoyed watching!

Sunrise & Sunset in Chicago

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

• Sunrise: 7:04 a.m. (8 minutes later)

• Sunset: 6:06 p.m. (12 minutes earlier)

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