Where was Dark Matter filmed? Guide to all the locations

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Based on the science fiction thriller novel of the same name by Blake Crouch, Dark Matter was filmed primarily in Chicago.

The story follows Jason Dessen, a college physics professor who wakes up in a reality where his life is completely different from the one he knows.

Joel Edgerton as Jason Dessen

Filled with quantum physics and parallel worlds, the series stars Joel Edgerton as Jason, and Jennifer Connelly as his wife, Daniela.

Here is our spoiler-free guide to the filming locations of Dark Matter. You'll find the locations in order of appearance.


The Dark Matter locations

Dark Matter location
At the beginning of the first episode, "Are You Happy in Your Life?", Charlie and Jason are driving down North Kedzie Boulevard in Logan Square, Chicago.

The traffic light is at the intersection with West Logan Boulevard.
(You can open all the locations on Google Maps by clicking on the links below in the captions ↴)
  Image courtesy of Apple TV - Map


Lakemont College
The fictional Lakemont College, where Jason works as a physics teacher, is actually located at the Mathematics Community Center (NEIU) at Northeastern Illinois University.

Established in 1867, it is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the state.
Image courtesy of Apple TV - Map


The Dark Matter house

Dark Matter house
The Dessen home exterior is a historic brownstone located near the Damen Blue Line station on Wicker Park's Caton Street.

Brownstones are built with a blend of brick and sandstone, often featuring architectural details such as stoops and ornate facades, representing a significant part of Chicago's architectural heritage.

According to real estate websites, this three-bedroom house built in the 1890s has an estimated market value of about 1,300,000 dollars.
Image courtesy of Apple TV - Map


Village Tap bar
When Jason goes to meet Ryan at the Village Tap bar, there is a shot filmed near Logan Square with North Milwaukee Avenue.

The Logan Theatre neon light sign appears in the background.
Image courtesy of Apple TV and Google Maps


Dark Matter bar
In the sequence, the pub appears to be across the street. However, the Village Tap was filmed at the Damen Tavern on Huron Street and North Damen Avenue.

The interior, with a Devil's Toboggan anti-alcohol prohibition poster, was also shot here.
Image courtesy of Apple TV and Google Maps


Jalisco Electronics
On his way home, a taxi almost runs over Jason on West Chicago Avenue in West Town, so the bar might be in that area as well.
Image courtesy of Apple TV and - Google Maps


Dark Matter City
Daniela's gallery in the second episode, "Trip of a Lifetime", is Artifact Events in the Ravenswood neighborhood of Chicago.

Decorated with antique stone columns and chandeliers, this unique venue is housed in a former industrial space.

One of our readers told us that Daniela's house is a private home on Randolph Street near Carpenter.
Image courtesy of Apple TV - Map


French restaurant Obélix
The restaurant at the beginning of the third episode, "The Box", is the French restaurant Obélix in River North.
Image courtesy of Apple TV - Map


The Corridor
The box warehouse must be very close to the bridge on West 18th Street over the South Branch of the Chicago River, between East Pilsen and the Near South Side.

The St. Charles Air Line Bridge appears in the background of the scene.
Image courtesy of Apple TV - Map


Drake Hotel chicago
But in the story, the box is located near the shore of Lake Michigan, north of downtown Chicag

The iconic Drake Hotel, situated at the northern end of the Magnificent Mile, can be seen in some words behind the box.
Image courtesy of Apple TV - Map


Worldless
In the fifth episode, "Worldless," Amanda and Jason find a car in front of KenTone's Drive-In restaurant on West 18th Street near the bridge.
Image courtesy of Apple TV - Map


Untitled Supper Club
The restaurant where Jason and Amanda dine and dance on their night out in the sixth episode, "Superposition", is the Untitled Supper Club, a renowned dining and entertainment venue in the River North neighborhood.
Image courtesy of Apple TV - Map


Milshire Hotel
They stay at the historic Milshire Hotel near Logan Square in Chicago.

Currently not open to the public, the hotel preserves an iconic 80-year-old neon sign.
Image courtesy of Apple TV - Map


Chicago Riverwalk
The scenes with Jason A and Amanda visiting a utopian Chicago were filmed at the Chicago Riverwalk in the West End, the Lake Street Bridge and Riverpoint Park.

The red sculpture is a real one called Constellation by Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava.
Image courtesy of Apple TV - Map


The Green Mill Chicago
The Green Mill cocktail lounge is located on a corner of North Broadway and Lawrence Avenue in Uptown.

Established in 1907, this jazz club is known for its Prohibition-era ties to Al Capone and its vibrant jazz performances.
Image courtesy of Apple TV and Google Maps


Lou Mitchell's
In the eighth episode, "Jupiter," Jason A smokes a cigar at Lou Mitchell's, a historic Chicago diner opened in 1923, located at the start of Route 66.
Image courtesy of Apple TV - Map


University of Chicago campus
This episode also features the University of Chicago's campus in the Hyde Park neighborhood on the city's South Side.

The Joe and Rika Mansueto Library, completed in 2011, is known for its distinctive glass dome design.
Image courtesy of Apple TV - Map


Chicago iconic landmark
The Bean, officially named Cloud Gate, is a famous public sculpture, located in Millennium Park that has become an iconic symbol of Chicago.

Designed by artist Anish Kapoor in 2004, it was inspired by liquid mercury and features a highly reflective stainless steel surface that mirrors the city's skyline and park surroundings.
Image courtesy of Apple TV - Map


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9 comments:

1- Anonymous - May 9, 2024, 7:27 PM
The bar scene is Damen Tavern. Only an alcoholic would know this :) - We had to pause before they entered, but then the Devil's Toboggan picture sealed the deal.

Cheers!

2- Anonymous - Jun 1, 2024, 7:17 AM
The restaurant scene in episode 3 was shot at the River North restaurant Obélix at Huron and Sedgwick.

3- Anonymous - Jun 1, 2024, 7:20 AM
(SPOILER ALERT) The home of Alternate Reality Daniela where she is shot is a private home on Randolph Street at Carpenter.

4- Anonymous - Jun 13, 2024, 9:31 AM
I am almost 100% sure that the interior club scene where Jason and Amanda eat and dance on their night out when they decide to sleep outside the box is the Untitled Supper Club in River North. But then they spend the night in the shuttered Milshire Hotel near Logan Square.

   Reply
   5- Ra Moon - Jun 20, 2024, 16:28 AM
   Thank you all, updated!

6- Anonymous - Jun 28, 2024, 11:03 PM
The storage unit that Daniela follows Jason to is located at the U-Haul at Cermak and Lumber Street.

7- Anonymous - Jul 8, 2024, 7:24 AM
I need to know where Charlie’s friend's house they went to hide out. Lake Forest?

8- Rannell - Jul 18, 2024, 9:52 AM
The skateboard shop from episode 3, I believe, is Uprise off Milwaukee.

9- Anonymous - Jul 25, 2024, 8:53 AM
The lobby of the rooftop restaurant where Jason 1 and Amanda have their last dinner in utopian Chicago is the lobby of 150 North Riverside.


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