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 Cocktails at Ward Eight. Photo credit: Becca Heuer
Enjoy: A Night Out on Howard Street
Evanston combines a university town's charm with a small city's energy – making it the perfect destination for a night out. Whether you're into cozy lounges, craft cocktails, or live music or theater Evanston has something for everyone.
For the first of many guides, we’re putting together the perfect night with dinner, drinks, and a show all just a short walk away in the Howard Street Business District.
Make a toast: Kick off the evening with a quick drink at Ward Eight (629 Howard). The menu features classic cocktails, small bites, and a great selection of wine and beer. The ambiance, set with rustic decor and twinkling lights, feels like a hidden oasis. Their small plates are perfect for sharing, and the cocktails are as sophisticated as they are refreshing.
Need a little more before the show? Head to Peckish Pig (623 Howard) for delicious beer, cocktails, and a full dinner menu. You’ll find something for everyone with a robust menu that even includes gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options.
Catch a Show: Theo Ubique is a unique cabaret-style theater that brings an intimate and immersive live performance experience that’s hard to find anywhere else. Since its inception in 1997, Theo Ubique has earned a reputation for putting on bold, boundary-pushing productions that range from beloved musicals and lesser-known gems to original cabaret shows. The venue’s intimate layout, which seats around 60 people, means every guest has a front-row view, creating an up-close, interactive experience with the actors and singers.
Check out their 2024 season with a new show, “The Secret Garden,” opening on November 8. Learn More
Dinner + Live Music: Lastly, end your night with a burst of culture and flavor at Good To Go Jamaican Restaurant at 711 Howard Street. The restaurant combines laid-back island vibes with a vibrant atmosphere, making it perfect for kicking off the evening or unwinding with a late-night meal. After your show, enjoy live music on Fridays and a DJ on Saturdays while you dine. This place has such a vibe, don’t forget to get up and dance!
We hope you enjoy a fun, safe night out with your significant other, friends, family, or take on this guide solo! There are so many places to enjoy and discover in Evanston. Stay tuned for more guides for a night out.
 Animal Records Grand Opening Weekend
Celebrate the opening of this new vinyl shop at 624 Grove Street in Downtown Evanston all weekend long with DJ music, food trucks, giveaways and more!
 Welcome Back to Main Street Fall Fest
The dust has settled and Main Street business owners are excited to welcome the community back with a fresh look, featuring new sidewalks, streets, and more! To celebrate, the Evanston Lighthouse Rotary Club and Main-Dempster Mile are hosting a free "Welcome Back to Main Street Fall Fest" this Sunday, Oct. 20 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
 Trick-or-Treat with Howard Street businesses!
Join the Howard Street Business Association for a spook-tacular Halloween celebration! Bring your trick-or-treaters to Howard Street for treats, goodies and a costume contest! Stop by our Costume Checkpoint for even more goodies, music, and to submit your photo. To enter, use hashtag #trickortreatonhowardstreet24. The best costume wins an awesome prize package courtesy of our participating businesses!
 Help us envision Callan & Howard, together!
Based on recommendations from the 2023 One Howard Economic Recovery Plan, the City of Evanston is developing an approach to strengthen physical, social, and economic conditions along Howard Street.
Help us plan and design the space at Howard and Callan Avenue to increase safety, livability, and quality of life for residents, business owners, and visitors for years to come. Take our survey and share your thoughts!
 'Empowering Small Businesses' Workshop Series
October 23: Foundation of Financial Success: Accounting Essentials for Small Business Growth, presented by Haha Alibhai of Radius Consultants
October 30: When Should I Consider Taking on Debt, presented by Meghan Pulver and Don Cortelyou of Evanston Community Bank & Trust
All workshops will take place at Evanston Community Bank & Trust, located at 901 Grove St., from 9 to10:30 a.m. every Wednesday in October. Coffee and light bites provided. Please register if you plan to attend.
See below for upcoming events and start planning your weekends! You can find the full calendar of events on the Enjoy Evanston website.
Downtown Evanston
Main-Dempster Mile
Central Street
Ashland Arts
West Village
West End
Howard Street
Enjoy Evanston
Have a upcoming event?
Help us add to our calendar! We encourage you to submit all your upcoming events through our website.
Please review the following submission guidelines:
- Only public events may be listed
- Cannot be solely retail in nature
- Cannot be solely religious or political in nature
- Cannot be solely fundraisers or networking events
- Should be leisure time or recreational activities
Event eligibility is also evaluated on a case-by-case basis. At this time, we are only able to accept event listings in English.
 Meet Alfonso "Piloto" Nieves Ruiz, Owner of Zentli
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re featuring Alfonso "Piloto" Nieves Ruiz, a visionary artist and local restaurant owner of Zentli.
In 2019, Piloto decided to open a Mexican restaurant called “Zentli” in Evanston, along with his then-partners Marcos Rivera and Danny Howard. As a child, Piloto loved watching his mother cook and holds fond memories of his parents providing food to their community in Mexico.
While the opening of Zentli was delayed for a few years due to the pandemic, the dream stayed alive thanks to a grant from the City and other funding sources. Piloto’s vision for Zentli was to make it a place where art, community, and delicious food intersect. During the delay, he spent considerable time making the space colorful and inviting, featuring his unique and expressive artwork. Zentli finally opened its doors in 2022, offering several recipes perfected by his mother over the years. Located at 1813 Dempster Street, the restaurant serves locally sourced Mexican street food using fresh, natural ingredients and offers vegan and vegetarian options in eclectic, artistic digs.
Read the full feature here.
 What do YOU enjoy about Evanston?
With ten unique business districts, there is something for everyone to enjoy! We want to hear about your faves. Tell us about your favorite places for health and fitness, your favorite store or art gallery to explore, or your favorite place to eat! Send us an email about your favorite spots at hello@enjoyevanston.com.
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