Talk of The Town: October 2026

AFTER DARK

As the days grow shorter and evenings arrive earlier, October invites us to look at nighttime in a whole new way. This month, Talk of the Town explores the world after dark, from bustling night markets and late-night dining to the science of darkness and movies that capture the magic, mystery, and occasional mayhem of the night.

In many parts of the world, after dark is when markets truly come alive. Nowhere is this more evident than Asia, where night markets are a beloved part of urban culture. In Taipei, Nanjichang Night Market is a local favorite known for its traditional Taiwanese street food, including several vendors recognized by the Michelin Guide's Bib Gourmand. In Bangkok, JODD FAIRS Ratchada combines more than 1,500 stalls of fashion, shopping, and vendors serving Thai specialties alongside street foods from across Asia.

And while Osaka's Dotonbori isn't technically a night market, its neon-lit streets have much the same appeal. Along the Dotonbori River, restaurants, food stalls, and izakayas serve up Osaka favorites like takoyaki and okonomiyaki, creating a lively, walk-and-graze experience that's quintessentially Japanese.

Europe doesn't have quite the same year-round night-market tradition, but its famous Christmas markets provide plenty of after-dark atmosphere. From late November through December, markets in Strasbourg, Vienna, Nuremberg and Prague glow with twinkling lights, festive foods, and handcrafted gifts—with many staying open until around 9:00 PM. For a year-round option, Lisbon's Time Out Market brings together dozens of restaurants and bars under one roof and stays open until midnight, with even later hours on peak weekends.

Chicago has plenty of places where you can grab a bite well after dark. Some are local legends that have been feeding night owls for generations. White Palace Grill, a family-owned fixture since 1939, even earned a visit from Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. For over 50 years, Golden Apple Grill has been serving hungry Chicagoans—including Emmy Award winner Tina Fey, who was a regular during her years at Second City. Meanwhile, the landmark Golden Nugget Pancake House on West Diversey Avenue in Avondale traces its history to 1966.

But late-night dining has evolved well beyond the traditional diner. In Andersonville, Little Bad Wolf is a stylish spot for burgers and craft cocktails, while San Soo Gab San in Lincoln Square turns Korean barbecue into a late-night social experience with a table-filling spread of banchan, the traditional side dishes served alongside grilled meats.

If you're downtown for the theater, symphony or opera, Bar Siena in the West Loop offers its full Italian-inspired menu until 11:00 PM on Friday and Saturday, with a late-night menu available until 1:00 AM. In the suburbs, The Spot in Evanston and Nobel House in Glen Ellyn are both open until midnight on Friday and Saturday, with their kitchens closing about an hour before.

For most of us, darkness is a cue to turn on the lights. But biologically, darkness sends a very different message. For millions of years, the human body has used the cycle of light and darkness to regulate its internal clock, known as the circadian rhythm. As darkness falls, the brain releases melatonin, a hormone that prepares us for sleep. Body temperature drops, alertness decreases, and other physiological processes shift into nighttime mode.

But darkness also affects us psychologically. Humans evolved when nighttime meant limited visibility and greater vulnerability to predators and other dangers. Our brains became particularly attuned to what we couldn't see, making unfamiliar sounds or movements in the dark feel more threatening. That instinct hasn't disappeared, even though modern life has largely removed the dangers our ancestors faced after sunset.

There's a modern twist, too: we're experiencing less darkness than ever. Streetlights, illuminated buildings, and other artificial light can disrupt our circadian rhythms and suppress melatonin production. At the same time, light pollution is erasing the natural night sky, making stars harder to see and altering the behavior of nocturnal wildlife.

Darkness, it turns out, is more than the absence of light—it's an essential part of the natural world, and something our bodies have evolved to need.

Looking for a movie that makes the most of the nighttime? Start with these three different takes on what can happen after dark.

Midnight in Paris (2011) follows a disenchanted writer who discovers that at midnight, the streets of Paris become a portal to the Jazz Age past, where he encounters some of the era's legendary artists and writers.

In Martin Scorsese's dark comedy After Hours (1985), an ordinary Manhattan evening takes a surreal turn. What begins as a chance encounter in SoHo becomes a bizarre, nightmarish odyssey through the city, as one man's attempt to break from his predictable routine spirals out of control.

In Night at the Museum (2006), the American Museum of Natural History becomes a very different place after closing time, when its exhibits mysteriously come to life. It's a playful reminder that nighttime can transform even the most familiar surroundings.