let's do fun things
you could have stayed in. but you didn't.
this is what saying yes looks like.
real conversations. real chemistry. no profiles required.
rooms full of people who actually showed up.
it starts as "maybe." it ends like this.
let's go line dancing
Epiphany Center for the Arts
201 S Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
let's go line dancing at epiphany boots, beats, and your new favorite night out. we're teaming up with line dancers of chicago to take over epiphany for a night of line dancing that's equal parts lesson and party. the night opens with a beginner-friendly lesson from the pros at line dancers of chicago, so you'll have the moves down before the floor heats up. then it's country classics, modern hits, and line dance staples until close. come solo, bring your crew, or show up ready to make new friends on the dance floor. no partner needed. no experience necessary. boots encouraged, good vibes required.
singles, sun, and salsa
Whispers on Oak Street Beach
Oak Street Beach, 1000 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
salsa as the sun goes down, right on the sand at whispers on oak street beach. we start with a beginner friendly lesson, then it's open dancing with music, drinks, and good company. this one is built for meeting someone new. we sell equal men's and women's tickets so the dance floor stays balanced all night. heads up: this event is geared toward straight singles looking to meet the opposite sex. 6:30 to 9pm at whispers on oak street beach. bring comfy shoes and an open mind.
arguing with strangers: trigger warning
AMBAR Restaurant, Chicago
700 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654, USA
arguing with strangers: trigger warning intimate dinner. one question. endless entrees included. everyone leaves understanding it better than they walked in. has religion had a net positive or net negative impact on the world throughout history? we're at ambar, and your ticket includes endless entrees for the night. eat while you argue. it's harder to be hostile to someone you're sharing a table with. this one comes with homework. do the reading before you come. bring the examples, the history, the parts that complicate your own answer. the format is built to make you see it from more than one place. you'll argue a side you may not hold, which means you have to build the strongest honest version of it. then you move to the side you actually want to talk through, and you work it out with people who got there differently than you did. it's a genuinely hard question. religion has built hospitals, universities, and civil rights movements, and it has justified wars, conquest, and exclusion. most of us have only ever really examined one half of that ledger. the point of the night is to look at both, out loud, with people who see it differently. capped at 30 so everyone gets the floor. structured so nobody dominates. hosted so it stays curious instead of combative. you don't have to change your mind. you just have to be able to explain the other side well enough that someone who holds it would recognize themselves in it. no debate experience needed. just do the reading and come hungry.
let's learn salsa advanced
We The People Fitness Studio
1229 N North Branch St #3/F, Chicago, IL 60642, USA
let's learn salsa: advanced series (+ salsa before sunset) a three-week advanced salsa series with Andrew, Director of our Latin Dance Vertical, plus entry to Salsa Before Sunset on the rooftop. dates saturday, august 8 saturday, august 15 saturday, august 22 thursday, august 27 (salsa before sunset) who it's for dancers who already have the fundamentals down and want to level up turn patterns, styling, musicality, and lead/follow at a higher tempo. this is not a beginner class. if you've never taken salsa before, start with our beginner series. what to expect three progressive saturday sessions built to compound week over week. same cohort each week, so by session three you know your partners, the material builds on itself, and you leave with real reps under your belt. Andrew will push technique, cover advanced concepts like cross-body variations, complex turn combinations, and partner connection at speed. included all three tuesday classes plus admission to salsa before sunset on thursday, august 27, the rooftop social where you can put the work in front of a live DJ, sunset, and a full floor of dancers. the bigger idea most people never take a class because walking in alone feels awkward. we solve that: your host introduces you to the room, you're paired up from minute one, and by week two you're greeting people by name. that's the whole point.
game night
Duffy's Tavern and Grille
420 W Diversey Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
join us for game night every Monday at Duffy's! must rsvp on pie using the link below for entry. we've got a curated collection of fun easy-to-learn games that allow you to make friends over friendly competition coming solo? we've got you covered! we'll set you up with games and fun players to enjoy the night with. see you there!
last call lectures: from dowries to algorithms: a singles lecture on the evolution of modern love
The Scout Waterhouse + Kitchen
1419 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610, USA
part lecture, part singles mixer, you’re not going to miss this one! historically, romance grew out of a small circle of family-vetted matches and dowries. now, love arrives through a curated bio, a quick swipe, and competing for attention against eleven other matches in your inbox. somewhere between arranged marriages and infinite matches, the rules of connection have fundamentally shifted. as a result, we are operating off instincts built for a world that does not exist anymore. in this lecture, we are digging into how we got here. do soul mates really exist? why does having more dating options make it harder to choose, not easier? and how much of our modern heartbreak comes down to standards nobody can actually meet? leading the night is dr. johanna strokoff, a licensed clinical psychologist who has spent over a decade leading talks on love, relationships, and the psychology behind why we want what we want. here is how the night runs: dr. strokoff opens with a 45 minute lecture, followed by 15 minutes of live q&a. then we break into small, intentionally mixed groups for 45 minutes of guided discussion with fellow singles, closing with a 15 minute debrief to bring it all back together. and stick around after for mingling with your fellow curious (and single 😉) minds!
let's learn bachata
We The People Fitness Studio
1229 N North Branch St #3/F, Chicago, IL 60642, USA
let's learn bachata: beginner series (+ salsa before sunset) a three-week beginner bachata series with Andrew, Director of our Latin Dance Vertical, plus entry to Salsa Before Sunset on the rooftop. dates tuesday, august 11 tuesday, august 18 tuesday, august 25 thursday, august 27 (salsa before sunset) who it's for total beginners. no partner needed, no experience needed, no rhythm required (we'll get you there). if you've been curious about bachata but haven't had a reason to start, this is it. what to expect three progressive tuesday sessions built to compound week over week. same cohort each week, so by session three you know your partners, the basic step feels natural, and you can actually dance a song from start to finish. Andrew will cover the fundamentals: basic step, timing, connection, side-to-side, and your first turn patterns. included all three tuesday classes plus admission to salsa before sunset on thursday, august 27, the rooftop social where you can practice what you learned with a live DJ, sunset, and a full floor of dancers. bachata gets played too. don't worry. the bigger idea most people never take a class because walking in alone feels awkward. we solve that: your host introduces you to the room, you're paired up from minute one, and by week two you're greeting people by name. that's the whole point.
clover x ldft: pour decisions
Clover Sports and Leisure
722 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60654, USA
think you can shake, stir, and garnish your way to glory? pour decisions is a cocktail class meets bar-top competition for a one-of-a-kind evening at clover west town, where you'll learn how to make three different cocktails and a mocktail option meet new people while you: • sample and learn how to craft cocktails while picking up tips from behind the bar • create your own custom drink during the interactive workshop and compete for best mixologist • enjoy photo ops and a night full of unforgettable moments whether you’re an aspiring mixologist or just looking for a unique night out, this is your opportunity to put your cocktail creativity to the test.
salsa before sunset
Castaways Beach Club
1603 N Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
salsa, the beach, and the best skyline view in the city. 21+ we're taking over castaways on north avenue beach for a night of salsa dancing right as the sun dips behind the city. the night opens with a beginner-friendly lesson, so whether you're a seasoned dancer or you've never moved to a beat in your life, you'll be on the floor in no time. then the dj takes over with the best of salsa, bachata, and latin hits while the sky lights up over lake michigan. come solo, bring your crew, or show up ready to meet someone new. no partner needed. no experience necessary. just bring an open mind and shoes you can spin in.
sunset walk + watch party
Adler Planetarium Skyline Walk
517 E Solidarity Dr, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
we’re teaming up with Chicago Girls Who Walk and Chicago Gents Who Stroll for a sunset walk + watch party at chicago’s best sunset spot ☀️ bring a blanket, a camera, and be ready to make new friends. we’ll bring friendship bracelets and bubbles (because let’s be real, sometimes you just don’t know what to do with your hands) and the ultimate lake party playlist 🕺🏻 don’t do summer alone! keep an eye out here for exact walking route info!
game night: liar's night
Duffy's Tavern and Grille
420 W Diversey Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
liar's night is back. we're switching up game night. every game on the table will focus on social deduction, deception, bluffing, and reading the room. spend the night trying to catch someone else in a lie, or convincing the group you’re totally innocent (even when you’re definitely not). coming solo? we’ve got you covered. we’ll help match you with a group and walk everyone through the rules so you can jump right in and start playing. whether you’re a master manipulator or a terrible liar, this is a game night where everyone wins.
arguing with strangers
The Scout Waterhouse + Kitchen
1419 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610, USA
our sold out arguing with strangers event returns for a rematch, Tuesday, september 1. arguing with strangers is half debate club, half open mic, and 100% real talk. we start things easy. get paired with a stranger, get handed a side, and argue something ridiculous. like is a hot dog a sandwich? defend it with everything you've got and practice disagreeing with a laugh. then the best matchups go up front. the crowd picks a winner on who's more fun to watch, not who's right. once everyone's loose, the topics get real and you argue what you actually believe. the stuff you don't usually say out loud to a stranger. what you'd never compromise on. maybe what you've even changed your mind about. things may get serious, but they stay civil. And at the end of the night, you walk away knowing you can completely disagree with someone and still walk out respecting a new friend. we forgot how to do that. this is practice.
last call lectures: lie better, laugh more: the linguistics of humor and deceit
The Scout Waterhouse + Kitchen
1419 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610, USA
last call lectures presents lie better, laugh more: the linguistics of humor and deceit all of us have laughed, and whether we want to admit it or not, all of us have lied. what we didn't know is that deceit and humor have more in common than we thought. this lecture we're digging into why jokes and lies both hinge on a listener expecting one thing and getting another, what your word choice gives away when you're bending the truth, and why the best comedians are, linguistically speaking, doing the same trick as the best liars. leading the night is dr. jason riggle, a professor at the university of chicago. dr. riggle brings 20+ years of experience working in the linguistics field and is currently working on their book, the linguistics of humor and deceit. here is how the night runs: dr. riggle opens with a 45 minute lecture, followed by 15 minutes of live q&a. then we break into small groups for 45 minutes of guided discussion, closing with a 15 minute debrief to bring it all back together. stick around after for mingling, this crowd always has more to say.
salsa before sunset
Castaways Beach Club
1603 N Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
salsa, the beach, and the best skyline view in the city. 21+ we're taking over castaways on north avenue beach for a night of salsa dancing right as the sun dips behind the city. the night opens with a beginner-friendly lesson, so whether you're a seasoned dancer or you've never moved to a beat in your life, you'll be on the floor in no time. then the dj takes over with the best of salsa, bachata, and latin hits while the sky lights up over lake michigan. come solo, bring your crew, or show up ready to meet someone new. no partner needed. no experience necessary. just bring an open mind and shoes you can spin in.
last call lectures: the epic journey of the odyssey: from the iliad to the aeneid to imax theaters
The Scout Waterhouse + Kitchen
1419 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610, USA
christopher nolan just spent a quarter-billion dollars reminding everyone that one of the hottest stories of 2026 is also roughly 2,800 years old. but before odysseus was matt damon, before the trojan war was an imax spectacle, and long before western civilization decided that reading dead greeks made you sophisticated, there was homer: a probably-not-one-guy poet telling enormous stories about war, monsters, gods, bad decisions, wounded egos, and one man taking an absolutely unreasonable amount of time to get home. in this lecture, historian dr. john j murphy takes us back to the ancient world to unpack the iliad, the odyssey, and their wildly influential roman successor, virgil’s aeneid. we’ll meet heroes who are brave, petty, horny, traumatized, occasionally brilliant, and spectacularly bad at conflict resolution—and ask how their stories became some of the foundational texts of western literature. then we’re heading to the movies. what does christopher nolan keep from homer? what does he throw overboard? why make the gods quieter, the war darker, and odysseus more recognizably human? and when you adapt a story that has already survived nearly three millennia of retellings, is changing it actually a betrayal, or the most homeric thing you could possibly do? come for the cyclops. stay for the fall of troy, roman propaganda, ancient masculinity, unreliable narrators, extremely vindictive gods, and the realization that basically every road movie, war story, homecoming narrative, and “one last job before i can go home” plot owes homer his flowers. we’ve spent 2,800 years telling the same stories; christopher nolan just put them back in imax.
salsa before sunset
Castaways Beach Club
1603 N Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
salsa, the beach, and the best skyline view in the city. 21+ we're taking over castaways on north avenue beach for a night of salsa dancing right as the sun dips behind the city. the night opens with a beginner-friendly lesson, so whether you're a seasoned dancer or you've never moved to a beat in your life, you'll be on the floor in no time. then the dj takes over with the best of salsa, bachata, and latin hits while the sky lights up over lake michigan. come solo, bring your crew, or show up ready to meet someone new. no partner needed. no experience necessary. just bring an open mind and shoes you can spin in.
last call lectures: risk, reward, repeat: the neuroscience behind why we gamble
Chicago
Chicago, IL, USA
our brains are there to keep us from making bad decisions, but when you light up its reward circuit, all it wants is to achieve that high again. good decision or not. and when your brain starts convince you the next pull is the one that pays off, it's hard to get it to stop. modern gambling is built around this principle, and this lecture is going to dive into the neuroscience that created the $70 billion annual industry. this week's presenter dr. viral mistry, a neuroscience educator at dominican university, has spent years studying how nervous systems learn, and is a passionate advocate of making neuroscience findings approachable to the public. why do near misses feel like almost-wins? why are some brains built to chase the risk while others walk away? and what, if anything, can we as the broader public do about it? dr. mistry will answer these questions and more on tuesday, september 29. here is how the night runs: our lecturer opens with a 45-minute talk, followed by 15-minutes of live q&a. then we break into small groups for 45-minutes of guided discussion with fellow readers, closing with a short debrief to bring it all back together. stick around after for mingling and connecting with others who are just as curious as you are.
