Love is in the air in Chicago! It may be hard to feel as temperatures dip below zero, but it’s there. Ravenswood businesses are feeling it as neighbors “shop small” heading into Valentine’s Day. To make sure you don’t miss anything, we’ve collected details about the Valentine’s Day celebrations, specials, and gift ideas from around the neighborhood.
Looking for a unique, thoughtful card for your Valentine? There are plenty of options in Ravenswood. You can go old school with a handmade card from Starshaped Press (4636 N Ravenswood Ave), a traditional letterpress located in the heart of the Ravenswood Industrial Corridor. You can find original cards from other Chicago artists, as well as hundreds of great gift ideas, at local gift shops like Neighborly (4710 N Lincoln Ave), Ravensgoods (4703 N Damen Ave) and Hazel (1835 W Montrose Ave).
Valentine’s Day Events
2/12, Leather Work Date Night at Chicago School of Shoemaking and Leather Arts
Kick off your Valentine’s Day weekend with a creative date night! Choose from several leather projects to make, such as a belt, cuff, clutch, card case, key fob and more. You’ll also receive a set of monogrammed leather coasters to commemorate the night. 7pm, $150 per couple, 3717 N Ravenswood Ave More Info
2/12-13, ‘Shopping and a Show’ at Hazel
One of Chicago’s favorite gift shops has enlisted performers on staff, along with a few other Chicago nightlife entertainers, to create a special socially distant event for Valentine’s weekend. The window displays at Hazel will transform into a stage for a series of glamorous performances; including glitzy go-go dancing, living art, and more.
New local sweet shop the Sweet Spot will be selling hot chocolate bombs and cotton candy, and Amy’s Candy Bar is popping up with some Valentine’s Day favorites. 5pm, FREE, 1835 W Montrose Ave More Info
2/13, Ravenswood “Valentine’s Date Night At Home” Comedy Show
Laugh it up while snuggled with your sweetheart in the comfort of home with this locally-produced virtual stand-up show. Las Locas Comedy presents an evening of performances from a diverse lineup of Chicago’s hottest comics, beamed to your screens and devices live via Zoom!
Host Janice Rodriguez (Las Locas Comedy) will be joined by Laura Hugg (Second City), Jake Noll (Chicago Reader Best Chicago Stand Up, 2019), Dario Durham (B Posi+ive: The Chicago Stories podcast) Tyler Fowler (Best Of The Fest, Cleveland Comedy Festival) and Sonal Aggarwal (Netflix’s Easy). Tickets include access to exclusive promotional offers from Ravenswood small businesses. 8pm on Zoom, $10 More Info
2/14, KOVAL Virtual Valentine’s Day Brunch Cocktails & Treats
Treat yourself and your loved ones with the gift of delicious treats and cocktails! This virtual Brunch Cocktails & Treats class features decadent bubbly cocktails and delicious truffles. KOVAL Mixologist Zach Overstreet will teach you to shake and stir cocktails that have been expertly designed to pair with treats from guest pastry chef and owner of Yolk & White, Paul Yochum. 12pm on Zoom, $55-95 More Info
2/14, Family Valentine’s Day Workshop at Chicago School of Shoemaking and Leather Arts
Celebrate Valentine’s day with the kiddos with this family workshop. Choose from Valentine-themed elements like hearts, stars, and jeweled rivets (bring the bling!), to customize your work. One registration admits 2 people and you can make two projects. 3 times slots available throughout the day. 3:30pm, $35, 3717 N Ravenswood Ave More Info
2/14-15, Valentine’s Day Yoga Classes for Adults and Kids
BC Wellness Plus is offering some easy, uplifting Valentine’s Day-themed virtual yoga classes. Adults are invited to join Embrace the Love Yoga Flow, which will include some partner poses (though a partner is optional). For the kids, BC is offering Young Minds, Big Hearts Kids Yoga, a great way to get kids moving, stretching, having fun.
All classes are beginner friendly. Registration includes access to all Valentine’s Themed classes and a sampling of the BC Wellness video library (yoga, home workouts, kids yoga, meditation, chair yoga, breathwork, and more). Multiple times available, $10 More Info
Valentine’s Day Eats & Sweets
Dinner for One from Tuscan Hen
Dining solo or syncing up meals with your sweetheart for a Zoom date? Tuscan Hen Market has you covered. The meal starts with bruschetta topped with slow roasted cherry tomatoes and herbed goat cheese. Then, choose from braised short ribs with polenta topped with gremolata or ricotta gnocchi with pesto, shrimp and asparagus. Note: the shrimp can be omitted for a vegetarian option! Both come with house-made herb focaccia and a side salad. For dessert, indulge in an individual chocolate raspberry cake with Chambord whipped cream. Order Here
Heart-Shaped Pizzas are Back at Chicago’s Pizza
Whether it’s a pumpkin for Halloween or a shamrock for St. Patrick’s Day, holiday-themed shaped pizzas at Chicago’s on Montrose are always a hit with local families. Their heart-shaped pie might be the biggest hit, perfecting for Galentine’s Day parties, family celebrations, solo celebrations, couples, and throuples. Order Here
Note: Chicago’s Pizza’s dining room (1919 W Montrose Ave) is now open at 25% capacity. Their team is taking all necessary safety measures. Guests will have their temperature checked at the door and are asked to wear masks at all times, except when eating.
Give a “Box of Love” from Lucila’s Alfajores
Leave the cheesy heart-shaped box of factory assembled chocolates for the kids. Ravenswood’s favorite Lucila’s Alfajores is offering a gift box of their decadent, handmade, dulce de leche-filled Argentine pastries. Covered in dark and white chocolate, these unique sweets are perfect for any loved one (and a wonderful way to treat yourself too!). Shipping and curbside pickup from their Ravenswood Avenue bakery are available. Order Here
Valentine’s Day Bottled Cocktail Set from The Long Room Room
Show your “sipport” for local schools while enjoying a pair of lovely, hand-crafted cocktails. The set includes a carbonated Bazucca Fizz and and the Smoke & Crystal pocket cocktail. You’ll also get some fun Valentine’s-themed party favors.
As a way of showing love to Ravenswood Elementary, the Long Room is donating 25% of cocktail set sales back to the school! Order Here
Heart-Shaped Cookies and Valentine’s Day Gift Boxes from Hilary’s Cookies
A favorite every year, the Retro Lunchbox Gift Boxes are back at Hilary’s Cookies. These super cute old fashioned lunchboxes come loaded with a half-dozen Strawberry Lemon, heart-shaped butter cookies.
Need something for a chocolate lover? Hilary’s has prepared gift boxes of one dozen individually wrapped heart-shaped butter cookies in assorted flavors, including White Chocolate Raspberry, Dark Chocolate/ White Chocolate, and Dark Chocolate Toasted Coconut.
Other gift boxes from Hilary’s feature her famous chocolate dipped coconut macaroons, or a dozen assorted vegan cookies in flavors like Chocolate Coffee, Snickerdoodle, and Oatmeal Strawberry. Local delivery and cubside pickup are available through Saturday, February 13th. More Info
Sips & Sweets: Beer and Treat Pairing
Begyle Brewing and Amy’s Candy Bar have given their annual Valentine’s Day beer and candy event a take-home twist. Tickets include 6 beers paired with a sampling of sweets, tasting sheets, and access to a prerecorded guided tasting. Each pairing serves two! Tickets will be available through 2/9, with pickups available on 2/12 and 2/13. Order Here
