Some venues whisper.
Recess does not.
Tucked into the West Loop at 838 W. Kinzie, Recess is massive — 14,500 square feet of open-air patio, repurposed shipping containers, artificial turf, and a 40-foot bar that makes it very clear you didn’t come to sit quietly in a corner.
And that’s exactly why it works.
🏙 Big Space, Big Energy
Built from a former truck repair facility, Recess leans into its industrial roots — wide open, high ceilings, indoor-outdoor flow.
There’s room to move.
Room to laugh loudly.
Room to reset between conversations.
Chicago dating doesn’t need dim lighting to create atmosphere.
It needs momentum.
And this place has it.
🎯 Why Play Changes Everything
Bocce.
Cornhole.
Jumbo Uno.
Battleship.
Sling puck.
Table air hockey.
It sounds playful — and it is.
But play is strategic.
When people have something to do with their hands, conversations loosen.
When there’s a shared laugh over a missed toss, chemistry feels less like an interview and more like a moment.
The “political recess” theme keeps the tone light.
It reminds everyone this isn’t a boardroom.
It’s recess.
And adults need that too.
🍹 Comfort Food, No Pretense
Recess doesn’t do delicate.
It does buffalo chicken rolls.
Chicken and waffle fries.
Shareable cocktail pitchers.
It’s casual in a way that feels very Chicago.
Approachable.
Uncomplicated.
High-energy without trying to impress anyone.
And that ease carries into conversation.
💛 Why It Works for Connection
At MyCheekyDate, we think about contrast.
In some cities, intimacy comes from dim lights.
In Chicago, connection often comes from shared experience.
Recess gives structure — but not stiffness.
You’re not pinned to a tiny table.
You’re not whispering over clinking glassware.
You’re moving.
Rotating.
Engaging.
And in a space that holds hundreds outdoors, somehow it still feels communal.
Chicago has a way of doing that.
🌆 Very West Loop
Fulton Market is one of the city’s most social neighborhoods — trendy, energetic, always buzzing.
Recess fits right in.
It’s the kind of place you Uber to,
stay longer than expected,
and leave with at least one good story.
If you’re joining us, arrive ready to participate.
Chicago dating works best when you lean in.
At Recess, that part happens naturally. 💫