“Let’s grab coffee” ☕

• Marigold Kitchen | $$ | This lunch/brunch spot offers spiked options for many of their cafe drinks to calm those first-date jitters.
• Johnson Public House | $ | For a more casual feel – this eatery is within walking distance from local thrifts and bars if all goes well.

Creative cuties 🎨

• Fired Up Pottery | $$ | Want to impress your artsy crush but aren’t creatively inclined? Painting pre-made pottery is the perfect middle ground. If your design goes sideways, just call it abstract.
• Wine and Design | $$ | Sip on some wine and create a themed masterpiece with the help of a local artist. Date night packages include two seats per ticket.
  

“I hope this works out” 💪

• Boulders Climbing Gym | $$-$$$ | Grab day passes for $20/person, or try a Learn to Belay class for $75/person which includes a two-week trial membership, great for follow-up dates.
• Blind Shot | $$ | With golf simulators and ample casual seating, this social club is ideal for a double or group date. Side note: Does anyone else think it’s time for a Topgolf in the 608?

Wine and dine 🍽️

• Harvey House | $$$ | What’s more impressive than a reservation at one of the New York Times’ top 50 restaurants in 2022?
• A Pig in a Fur Coat | $$$ | This is one for the flirty foodies. Alternatively, hit up its sister shop Alimentari to whip up dinner for two at home.

• The Moth: Vices | Monday, Jan. 9 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | High Noon Saloon, 701 E. Washington Ave., Madison | Free | Prepare a five-minute story about a wicked habit, a mild failing, or a defect in your otherwise perfect self.
• Green Thumb Gardening – Winter Vegetables | Monday, Jan. 9 | 6-8 p.m. | Virtual | $12 | Attend the first class of this nine-part winter veggies course where you’ll learn all about starting seeds. 🌿

• Hunger Games Trivia | Tuesday, Jan. 10 | 7-9 p.m. | The Rigby, 119 E. Main St., Madison | Free | May the odds be ever in your favor as you test your Hunger Games knowledge and compete for themed prizes. 🧠
• Vinyl Night | Tuesday, Jan. 10 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Delta Beer Lab, 167 E. Badger Rd., Fitchburg | Free | Bring your own record, add it to the queue, and enjoy beats and beer with local music lovers.

• Cool Front | Wednesday, Jan. 11 | 7 p.m. | Red Rooster Madison, 2513 Seiferth Rd., Madison | Enjoy as this Madison-based electric rock trio plays hits from Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tom Petty and ZZ Top.
• Vaccine Clinic | Wednesday, Jan. 11 | 12:30 p.m. | Goodman South Madison Library, 2222 S. Park St., Madison | Free | Stop by for free COVID-19 vaccines and boosters administered by Public Health Madison and Dane County. 💉

• Mess Monsters | Thursday, Jan. 12 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Madison Children’s Museum, 100 N. Hamilton St., Madison | Free with admission | Bring the kids for sensory art projects involving touch, smell, and sound.
• Third Coast Bluegrass | Thursday, Jan. 12 | 8-11 p.m. | North Street Cabaret, 610 North St., Madison | $15-$22 | Jam out with this Midwest bluegrass band, part of this year’s Sugar Maple Concert Series at the cabaret. 🎶
  

• 38º | Partly cloudy | 7% chance of rain

• Bad news for politicians with a passion for trendy dances — Gov. Tony Evers has banned the popular app TikTok on all state-issued devices. 21 other states have similar partial or full bans, citing cybersecurity concerns. 📵 (WKOW)

• Public charter school One City is undergoing a partial closure due to a lack of teachers. All ninth and tenth-grade classes at the school will be suspended starting Jan. 20. MMSD has set up an emergency enrollment program for displaced students. (Channel 3000)
• Due to ground conditions, the Odana School and Walnut Grove dog parks are temporarily closed. A reminder to all of you pet parents out there: Don’t forget to swap out your 2022 dog park permit for a 2023 one. This can be done online and is required for Fido to frolic. 🐶

• The Filene House at 1617 Sherman Ave. was recently nominated as a historical landmark. This poses an issue for Vermilion Development, which hopes to raze the historic spot to make room for a multi-building housing structure. The nomination will be considered by the Landmarks Commission today at 5 p.m. which will subsequently affect the future of the development project. (WSJ)

• The Packers fell just short of a playoff berth, losing to the Detroit Lions 20-16. Green Bay ends the season with a record of 8-9. The good news? Only 80 days until Opening Day for the Brewers. 🏈 (Madison.com)

• The Maple Tree Supper Club is on track to reopen in June of this year. The restaurant — which has been a local favorite for nearly 40 years — has been undergoing repairs and rebuilding after a fire that occurred in October. (WKOW)

• It’s officially early catch-and-release season in Wisconsin for trout. In order to participate, anglers must have a valid fishing license as well as an inland trout stamp. To learn more and brush up on all of the rules and regulations, visit the DNR’s website. (WKOW)

• The Madison Parks Department is teaming up with the Badgers women’s hockey team for the first time since 2020 for its Outdoor Skate event. Heads up — if you had plans to attend this event tomorrow, know that it has been postponed to Tues. Jan. 17 due to this week’s balmy weather. ⛸️

• Don’t just eat better — eat the best. Sunbasket’s meal kit service delivers delicious, healthy meals created by award-winning chefs straight to your front door. Bonus: 608today readers can get $100 off their first four deliveries and more when they sign up. *

If you like indie-rock/pop artists like...

• Modest Mouse
• Vampire Weekend
• Arctic Monkeys

• Seasaw
• MQBS
• Pink Halo
• Disq

If you like folk artists like...

• Mumford and Sons
• Bon Iver
• Fleet Foxes

• Bear in the Forest
• Kaia Fowler
• Ritt Dietz
• Amanda Jane Hoffman

If you like hip-hop artists like...

• Bruno Mars
• 6LACK
• Denzel Curry

• K.I.L.O aka SkitL’z
• Supa Friends
• Taye Sharkiee
• D’Funk and the Grease Monkeys