If you’re looking for the perfect date night spot, the friendly, charming city of Valparaiso has plenty of unique offerings you might not find elsewhere. From elegant restaurants serving great food and drinks to theaters hosting live show events, you’ll find plenty of great date night spots in the local area, no matter what interests you and your date have.
There’s no need to venture out into the big city of East Chicago and bust your budget to have a romantic evening with the special person in your life. The team at Steiner Homes has put together this list to share some of the best spots in the area. Here are six places to consider taking your date.
Elements Wine Bar
Image via Flickr by shixart1985
Located at 23 N. Washington St. in downtown Valparaiso, Elements Wine Bar is a cozy neighborhood favorite, featuring 100 different wine labels. You and your date can choose from over 30 types of wine by the glass, plus over 20 types of beer. If you’re feeling up for an adventure, you can choose a unique mixed drink to share. The relaxed atmosphere is perfect for getting to know your date a little better, and the bar’s live music nights are great for relaxing after a long day. In the warmer months, you can also sit outside on the comfortable patio and enjoy the town’s skyline.
Stacks Bar and Grill
Stacks Bar and Grill is located at 175 W. Lincolnway in the heart of Valparaiso’s downtown and features a creative menu in a casual, library-themed setting. The menu changes frequently, ensuring that you won’t get bored too easily. On the main level, you might enjoy specialty pizzas, sandwiches, and elegant appetizers, including bruschetta and a stuffed portabella mushroom. You and your date can head up to the rooftop to enjoy premium craft cocktails, weekly live music, and a small-plate menu featuring a variety of steaks, including a tomahawk ribeye and filet mignon, plus soups, salads, and sides perfect for two.
With over 150 brews, Stacks Bar and Grill has one of the largest selections of craft brews in the surrounding area. Bourbon and whiskey are also available. For dessert, you and your date can share a gooey Cookie Skillet, featuring a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie topped with vanilla ice cream.
Parea Restaurant & Lounge
If you’re looking for a place to take your date that has a casual yet vibrant atmosphere, Parea Restaurant & Lounge is the perfect restaurant. Located at 69 S. Franklin St., Parea Restaurant has an eclectic menu of delicious, Greek-inspired pub fare, including burgers, chicken dishes, and pita sandwiches. Pasta and risotto dishes are also available. If your date loves seafood or steak, they won’t feel disappointed with the wide selection of house specials that include dishes like filet mignon, mahi-mahi tuna, rib-eye steak, and grilled Atlantic salmon, plus tasty chicken dishes.
Be sure to check their daily specials before you go. Each day, the restaurant has a new special deal on draft beer, wine, or mixed drinks. You’ll also want to check their events page for upcoming events, including live music. On warmer nights, you and your date can enjoy sitting at one of their many outdoor tables situated directly in front of the restaurant.
Radius
If you and your date desire a modern, high-energy restaurant with an innovative menu, Radius is a great option. Radius is located at 15 E. Lincolnway and makes for a truly unique date night spot. You and your date can choose from a variety of great burgers, including the All-American Burger, the Philly Cheesesteak Burger, and the Radius Burger. If your date isn’t in the mood for a burger, Radius has a variety of other food to choose from, including specialty salads, signature sandwiches, special plates, soups, and even tacos.
Their extensive drink selection includes funky seasonal cocktails, ever-changing seasonal craft beer, and a variety of wines. Be sure to sit at the outdoor dining area in front of Valparaiso’s courthouse for added ambiance. You and your date will have a blast listening to live music by some of the area’s best artists, so don’t forget to visit their events page to see when bands are playing. Named Northwest Indiana’s Restaurant of the Year for two consecutive years, the restaurant offers patrons a dining experience that’s both fun and memorable long after they’ve left.
Chicago Street Theatre
Located at 154 W. Chicago St. on one of Valparaiso’s quieter streets, Chicago Street Theatre is a great spot to take your date to enjoy some local talent and relax for a few hours. With a variety of fun, seasonal shows, you and your date can choose from 125 seats, or opt for a front-row seat on one of the theater’s two font couches.
The atmosphere is casual, so you and your date won’t have to worry about getting dressed up before your visit. Be sure to check the theater’s events page to see upcoming productions. For example, the space hosts the team from Well Suited Theater Company, which performs improvisational sketches based on audience suggestions.
Aftermath Cidery & Winery
Located in the middle of downtown Valparaiso at 15 Washington St., Aftermath Cidery & Winery makes for a fun, refreshing date night. The cider menu features a range of regular and seasonal ciders to choose from, plus a special “Spill of the Week” cocktail. If you’re not into cider, you can enjoy three different wine tasting options. The cidery serves a handful of excellent non-alcoholic beverages great for sharing. Its staff also crafts all drinks served on-site, so you can be sure each drink has a fresh, unique taste.
The food menu includes several tasty and unique flatbread pizzas. You can go traditional with a cheese, pepperoni, or sausage pizza. The barbeque chicken and Buffalo chicken pizzas are also popular favorites. If you and your date are feeling adventurous, you can opt for the out-of-this-world pear and prosciutto pizza for a delicious taste that’s both savory and sweet. If you’re not in the mood for flatbread, the artisanal cheese board is also perfect for sharing. Be on the lookout for couples’ trivia night and other fun events for the perfect date night, including live music.
The small city of Valparaiso is far from uneventful, and you certainly won’t leave wondering where you can take your date for a fun night out. If you know of any other great date night spots in the local area, contact us through our online form and we’ll add them to the list. You can also call us at 219-255-3563. In the meantime, we invite you to check out the city’s 21 unique subdivisions to find a neighborhood that best fits you and your family’s needs.
