For an upcoming trip to Chicago, my cousin and I plan to meet at Elm Street Liquors. I know the entrance is unmarked. I don't want to keep walking back and forth like a lost, clueless idiot tourist, any specific tips for figuring out the entrance? Staying at the Sofitel (and we like their bar, too, great martinis and kamikazes) and I don't have a Chicago map handy, is it a long walk to ESL?
Thanks!

ttt...any Chicago experts out there?

Your hotel is at State and Chestnut; the bar is at State and Elm (12 West Elm), about 5 short blocks north and on the opposite side of State Street. All I know about the bar is that it has bright blue walls! But I'd head up there (15 minute walk) and ask someone in the immediate area. There are sure to be valet parkers out.

Here is what you do:

Wear a bright shirt with polyester pants. Hang a camera around your neck and gawk at the big buildings as you wander toward your destination.

Some nice street person is sure to offer help!

placeu2 - of course in that area of town, if you don't want to stand out what you need to do is go to a tanning booth, get some tight black trousers, those spikey pointy boots, and load up on the make-up

Asking a valet guy is a good idea.

Thanks, patg for the information. And placeu2, I'm sorry, but since I've been living in a European capital city for five years now, I'm a little short on bright shirts and polyester pants. And having been to Chicago on extended business trips for 16 years in a row, I've kind of stopped gawking at the tall buildings. Although I do admire them.

Nice bar at The Talbott on Delaware and State.
If the weather is good you can sit at a sidwalk table.