The Green Mill, 4802 N. Broadway. View Full Caption Flickr/Keith Cooper

UPTOWN — It may be hip to hate on Valentine's Day, but after weeks of being glued to your couch under piles of blankets, you can probably use a little love — or at least some decent wine.

We rounded up Valentine's Day ideas for Uptown and Andersonville residents of all romantic persuasions. Got better ideas? Follow us on Twitter and tell us about your #hotdateinthehood or add a comment if we missed your event and you want to spread the good word.



For the duo that is not quite a couple.. yet: Impress your new love by taking them by the Green Mill, 4802 N. Broadway, for the "Flipside Show," featuring the always cool Chris Foreman playing organ behind the historic Chicago bar. The show starts early (5 p.m.-8 p.m.) so grab a drink there before stopping at Carmela's Taqueria, 1206 W. Lawrence Ave., around the corner from the Mill. It's not fancy, but they have awesome tacos. Still thirsty? End the night dancing to 80's music at Holiday Club, 4000 N. Sheridan Road.

The (re)discover theater cast will be performing "50 Shades of Shakespeare" at Mary's Attic Friday. View Full Caption Facebook/Matt Wills

For the foodie couple that hates battling V-Day restaurant crowds: If you're going to check out a great neighborhood restaurant, you're going to do it when there is not a two hour wait. Instead, swing by In Fine Spirits, 5418 N. Clark St., and pick up a bottle of your beau's favorite wine. Unsure of what to choose? Ask someone — the staffers know their stuff. As you peruse the pinots, place a take-out order at Calo Ristorante, 5343 N. Clark St., across the street (may we suggest the Rigatoni Alla Barese) and have your love fire up the Netflix. You'll be eating pasta and drinking wine on the couch in no time.

For the happily single: Throw on some sweat pants after work and head to Fat Cat, 4840 N. Broadway, for slasher movies, DIY ice cream sundaes and food including roasted garlic, scallion and pesto mac and cheese and garlic risotto balls stuffed with brie. Bad breath? Who cares! Your cat will get over it. Check Fat Cat's Facebook event page for more details.

For the queer romantic who needs a good laugh: This is not your ordinary Shakespeare play. Mary's Attic (above Hamburger Mary's, 5400 N. Clark St.) will be hosting a Valentine's Day edition of "50 Shades of Shakespeare," which they describe as "an orgy of hilarious, powerful, and revealing explorations of gender roles, sexuality, kink and relationships." Four actors are on hand to perform 12 of Shakespeare's "sexiest scenes" — and the audience decides which role they play. Tickets are $10 at the door and online and the show starts at 8 p.m. Bonus? It's "Fruity Friday," so pints of boozy fruit punch are only 5 bucks.

For the person who wants to ignore the whole "Valentine's Day" thing: Who needs a Hallmark holiday when you can get 48 percent off books, magazines, comics and more at Shake, Rattle & Read, 4812 N. Broadway. The store, which is celebrating its 48th anniversary all weekend, is also marking down vinyl by 25 percent. After you stock up on vintage goodies, head over to the Hopleaf, 5148 N. Clark St., and snag a seat at the bar. Mussels for one, a Belgian beer and a good book — now that's a night you can fall in love with.