Nightlife

Headquarters Beercade: A Tasteful Blast From The Past

I had been inside Headquarters Beercade for less than five minutes when it hit me: This place was unlike any other bar–or arcade–I had ever been to. Located in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, Headquarters Beercade seamlessly fuses together spectacular craft beer and cocktails with classic arcade games…

2012/11/15

Best Wisconsin Badgers Bars In Chicago

As a Chicago native engaged to a proud Wisconsin Badger fan, I’ve frequented many Badger bars in Chicago that claim they are the best place to watch Bucky and the beloved Badgers. Here’s a round up of the truly best in the city!

2012/10/01

Best Trivia Nights In Chicago

Are you up for a little game of trivia? If you were awesome at Trivial Pursuit and know a lot of random facts about a lot of random things, then you need to head to one of Chicago’s trivia nights. Read ahead for some top bars to head to for your trivia fix.

2012/08/14

Date Spots On The ‘L’

For whatever reason, tonight’s date is going to be car-less. And that’s okay! If you’re up for a little transit of the public manner, you can reach all sorts of destinations in the city. In fact, we’ve laid out a date where you can hit stops all over the city, and barely walk farther than you would to find the nameless one-way street you left your car on during the last date.

2012/07/11

Best Bars For New Bands

All bands have to have their first show somewhere. That venue will probably be a living room, a basement, or a “co-operative event space/art incubator/creativity collective,” which is really just to say some industrial-sized living room. And these venues are fine and dandy and a lot of fun! But should you tire of playing The Spork Fort and Loveship Factory, there are real-life, honest to God licensed venues out there…

2012/06/20

5 Picks For Late Night Dancing

When it’s 12:00 a.m. and you just can’t go home, there’s always somewhere open in Chicago to get your dance on. They may not all be classy, the average age may be 22 and your shoes might get stuck to the ground, but there sure will be dancing. Here’s an eclectic sampling of some of the best late night dancing spots in Chicago.

2012/04/23

Pick-A-Side: What’s Your Favorite Dating Activity?

2012/04/05

Chicago’s Best Old-Timey Bars

Old-school establishments are some of my favorite city nightspots. While I’m no stranger to many of the newer bars lining Chicago streets, it’s the atmosphere of the city’s older watering holes that piques my interest. Before you belly up to the local bar, take a peek at what’s on tap at several longstanding Chicago bars.

2012/03/29

A Chicago Bar That Is Worth The Price: The Aviary

When one of the arguably greatest chefs in the world opens a cocktail joint, expectations are inevitably high. Grant Achatz, the former French Laundry study and mastermind behind Alinea and Next, brings his imaginative take on food and drink to his cocktail bar, the Aviary.

2012/03/22

Getting To Know A Chicago Musician: Tom Schleiter

Tom Schleiter knows a thing or two about Chicago’s music scene. The 25-year-old, who lives in Logan Square, is a professional songwriter and music producer. He got his foot in the industry while at Miami University studying sound recording. Bad City was his second band, which signed with Atlantic Records, made a record with Chicago producer Johnny K, and toured with Smashing Pumpkins, Slash, and KISS…

2012/03/15

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, Shannon Rovers Style

Irish Bagpipe Band the Shannon Rovers has been part of Chicago’s rich Irish tradition since the ‘20s. Originally organized “for the promotion of Irish music and to help members who are in distress to run dances and social affairs to finance these objectives” (per meeting minutes from the 1930), today the group is 70-plus members strong and has become a staple of the city’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations…

2012/03/08

Murder Mystery Dinner Parties In Chicago

When a friend asked me if I wanted to play a “real-life” version of Clue, I jumped at the chance. A dinner party that combines the board-game-setting with being a real-life sleuth sounded like a great solution for this grown up gamer.

2012/03/01

Chicago Sports Bars To Root For The Other Team

We’ve picked out some choice spots for those who want to root for the wrong team, whether they’re out-of-towners (or just fans who make terrible choices).

2012/02/23

Chicago Music Artist Profile: Daniel Knox

As much as it’s known for its food, its sports teams, its politics and its skyline, Chicago’s rich musical heritage should top any list of treasures that make the city great. As the birthplace of “Chicago-style” blues to a hotbed for the ‘90s alternative rock scene, the Windy City has been home to some of the most important and influential artists in modern music.

2012/02/16

Conversations: The Dog Walking Bartender

Hungry Brain is a Roscoe Village bar that’s a dive, but in the good kind of way, inviting to everyone and anyone. Take a look at what The Bartender has to say about the place and its customers. Find out why you might want to check it out.

2012/02/09

Best Bets For A Mid-Week Date Night In Chicago

Just because you and your sweetheart have to get up the next day doesn’t mean that your mid-week dates have to lack a sense of occasion. While the long, luxurious outings are great for weekends, we’ve picked out a few choices place to dine so you can get cozy up and share some romance – even if it is a school night.

2012/02/09

Best Bars To Rent For A Party In Chicago

Bars can offer a lot of possibilities when it comes to hosting a party that your miniature apartment or home simply cannot. Want to know what bars offer the most? Detailed here are the best pars to rent for a party in Chicago!

2012/02/02

Barn & Company: A New Chicago BBQ Bar

You can smell the smoker used at Barn & Company, a BBQ bar, a block away. The atmosphere is overwhelmingly fun! The layout is as big as a barn, the lighting is warehouse-bright, and the wood walls are adorned with pigs…

2012/01/26

A Fun Night Out For Only $30

One reason I love Chicago so much is that a night out means endless possibilities. From doughnut shops to wine bars and comedy venues, I make a point to try as many spots as I can, while still watching my wallet. Take a look at my quest to hit the streets for good food and fun for under $30!

2012/01/19

Chicago’s Top Bars For Niche Sports

The diverse population of Chicago’s metro area means there are fan bases for niche sports, ranging from rugby to racing. Whether you’re cheering for your favorite scrum-half or welterweight, here are a few Chicago bars that are devoted to some of the less noted sports.

2011/12/29