Just booked a weekend trip to Chicago - any suggestions?

[Universal]

Headed up to Chicago two weekends from now (7/15-7/17).

We are eating at Joe's Seafood on Friday night and I've booked bottle service rooftop at TheWit Hotel for afterwards. Good choices?

Any suggestions for Saturday night bottle service?

Also, any nice Italian restaurant recommendations in the Downtown area? We are staying at the Trump and would like to find a place relatively close by.

And any other suggestions for daytime activities?

Thanks!

[*ho_train*]

I'd like to jump in on this post too! Going to Chicago July 29th-August 1st. Never been to the city. What must I do, see or go to in Chicago? BTW, I am going with a group of 10-12 girls. Thanks in advance!

Universal, hope you don't mind me joining in on asking questions here since we're both going to the same city soon! It just makes it easier for me too!

Universal, the rooftop of thewit hotel - do you know what vibe it is there or what kind of music they play?

[Universal]

I'd like to jump in on this post too! Going to Chicago July 29th-August 1st. Never been to the city. What must I do, see or go to in Chicago? BTW, I am going with a group of 10-12 girls. Thanks in advance!

Universal, hope you don't mind me joining in on asking questions here since we're both going to the same city soon! It just makes it easier for me too!

Universal, the rooftop of thewit hotel - do you know what vibe it is there or what kind of music they play?

No problem. Hopefully we'll get some good advice.

The girl I talked to at theWit told me their DJ's are "open format" and typically play a mix of house, hip hop and top 40. Don't hold me to that, though, because she didn't come across as a particulalry competent person on the phone.

I can't comment much on the vibe since I've never been, but I've heard/read good things about it.

[*ho_train*]

Yes, hopefully some of the Chicago peeps on here will be able to help us out!

[Sweat_shop]

also going to Chicago this 7/7-7/11 but i have a tour guide hug it out.... all i can say is go to wiener circle and get a choc shake

[RoxieCris]

Hey im going Aug 12-15 so whatever I find out i will def repost on here...I think Yelp is still our best bet for a while...we may need to tell peeps about JC so they can help us out ya know... I'm staying downtown by Grant Park....and as far as Italian I think it should be alot there

[ChiTownChik]

Chicago is a great city to visit especially during the summer, you will have no problem finding fun things to keep you busy during ur stay. For clubs I'd recommend, V Live, Privet, Level, Excalibur just to name a few, all of these are in the downtown area not too far from your hotel. Make sure you check out the bars/clubs on Rush & Division, its a street full of bars and clubs and great for bar hopping during the weekend. Most of these bars/clubs are free and if you have to pay cover, it's only $5 or $10 depending on the time.

Joe's Stonecrab is a great choice for seafood. Gibsons, Bandera (my favorite), Carmines (Italian), & Tavern on Rush are good restaurants to check out as well. Get recommendations from the concierge at ur hotel for anything specific, Chicago has a ton of GREAT restaurants for any cuisine/taste so you really can't go wrong.

Do a Trolley Tour if you get a chance during the day, a great way to see the city and you can hop on and off at any of the stops. You gotta get some Garrets popcorn, prepare to wait in a long line but you will not regret it, it's world famous! Check out Navy Pier for the touristy restaurants/shopping thing right on the lake if that's ur scene. Also, you can rent bikes along the lake and do your own tour if you like, the lakefront has a long trail that runs for several miles and is awesome for a walk/bike ride and people watching. Oak Street Beach & North Avenue Beach have volleyball nets and tons of people hanging out during the summer and it's really cool to be on the beach with the city right behind you, very different, this is also where you will find the bike/walking trail that runs parallel to Lake Shore Drive right along the lake. These are just a few recommendations that come to mind, if there is anything specific ur looking for, I'll do my best to help out! Ur gonna have a blast!

You can also check out www.metromix.com to see what's going on around town during ur visit.

[tschwicht]

Back from the dead to help out a thread..

As for club/lounge suggestions I would say Lumen, Underground, Manor, Stone Lotus, and Proof for afterhours. Also maybe be Soundbar, Spybar, and Rino. Of the ones mentioned above I they would be ok too, it depends on the scene you're looking for. Level is closed down though. I agree with checking out Rush Street.

Also, if you're looking to strictly barhop and not do the bottle service thing just go down Clark street in Wrigleyville. It's more of a young crowd, a little crazier especially on days or nights during a cubs game. It can also be more of a college scene though, so if you're not looking to lose your mind and just want a nice classy night out stick with the clubs or lounges.

Definitely check the lakefront out, and North Avenue beach is a great recommendation. Shopping is Michigan Ave/Magnificent Mile. There isn't much you won't find there. The art museum is awesome, and you can walk all around Millenium Park as well. The Lincoln Park Zoo is right along the lake and is free.

As for food, well, I don't eat. Ok I do, but I don't put much thought into it. There are a million pizza places, or you could go upscale and do something like the Signature Room. Metromix has good recommendations but just ask people out on the town where they would go. Hope this helps!

[Universal]

Thanks for the input, guys. I will definitely check into your suggestions.

[ChiTownChik]

I haven't been into the club scene for awhile now, I'm more into the bar/lounge chill spots these days so I'd go with Tschwicht's recommendations for the clubs, as you see, I didn't even know Level was closed down, lol. Excalibur & Vlive are bigger clubs vs. lounges, but his recommendations are good as well. Ditto on Clark street in Wrigleyville for bar hopping as well, more locals here, whereas Rush Street will have more tourists, but both are good times!

[Chitown Rik]

Hub 51 is very hot right now.

http://www.hub51chicago.com/special-events/

Sorry.. missed the question on Italian food... Italian Village is excellent!
http://www.italianvillage-chicago.com/

[*ho_train*]

thank you all for your recommendations! my girls and i will try to check out those places!

[Universal]

Hub 51 is very hot right now.

http://www.hub51chicago.com/special-events/

Sorry.. missed the question on Italian food... Italian Village is excellent!
http://www.italianvillage-chicago.com/

Thnx. What about the club portion downstairs at HUB 51...SUB 51? Worth getting a table there on a Sat night?

[hug it out]

Will update everyone after this weekend.

[Chitown Rik]

Universal,
Depends on your style. I was at Pure the last week in Feb and the crowd was more the see & be seen type which is what I experienced at Sub 51 the one time I went. It’s one of the best bets if you’re looking to run into celebs or athletes and it's probably the closest thing to a Vegas club we've currently got right now. If you're looking for something a little more laid back there's plenty of underground clubs, check metromix.com. The Rush & Ontario St corridor is always a good time and you don't necessarily NEED to do bottle at most of those clubs, but that's totally up to you. If you're going to do Sub 51 I would recommend BS.