StLLaurie

4 women who went to high school together & are now 43yrs young are looking for suggestions on fun nightspots to dance to music from the 70's to present day. We are staying downtown. Any suggestions for a bar type place that has a good DJ or just plays music would be appreciated.

Also, are there any spas in Chicago that would be reasonably priced? We don't need fancy schmancy, just quality massages/facials etc.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Tomsd

Sounds like Rush St might be a good place to start.

ChgoGal

Hi StLLaurie,

Re: nightclubs
Sadly, I'm more of a wine-bar-with-the-girls type, so I'm not in the know with which are the better places to dance and just have fun. However, you may want to look at yelp.com for what people say about these places:
Sidetrack-a gay bar in Lakeview, but known for being a really fun place to go. This would be a taxi ride (from downtown for 4=about $8-10 each way; or bus 1-way, taxi back to hotel).

The Hangge-Uppe on Division has been around forever and kinda known for fun dance music. Not fancy, and likely very crowded with all manner of people. THe Division Street bars are all a bit dive-y. (Division Street is at the north end of Rush Street.)

RE: spas
Not reasonably-priced (about $100), but Urban Oasis is the place for massages. There's a location on Maple (Gold Coast/nearish downtown). For more reasonable pricing, maybe just get a mani/pedi at Exhale Spa at 945 N. STate or if you want to explore the Clark/Diversey area, I like Nail Bar http://www.nailbarchicago.com/

Hope you have a great time in Chicago! Post if you want suggestions on theater or restaurants (with cuisine, price-point, neighborhood, etc.).

StLLaurie

Thanks for all your ideas ChgoGal! I was at Hangge-Uppe years ago on my 1st trip to Chicago & had forgotten the name~THANK YOU! We do wine-bars here at home, so I was thinking we could use a night out dancing just like we did in the good ole days!

We are staying at Seneca Hotel on E Chestnut. Last time we went to Hugo's Frog Bar & had alot of fun & a great meal. Any other casual, mid-price restaurants would be appreciated. I had thought of exploring China Town if the other ladies are game. I'm wondering if it is worth our time for shopping & lunch?

ChgoGal

Hi, StLLaurie.

Glad you've been to the Hangge-uppe so you know what you might be getting yourself into.

I'd pass on Chicago's China Town. It's a longish train ride down, and then the 2 blocks of restaurants is a bit anti-climactic. Not really worthwhile unless you have a huge hankering for a Chinese bakery for sesame balls or dumplings. Shopping's a bit drab, too, unless you're looking for medicinal herbs or tea. If you had a week in Chicago, maybe... but if you have a weekend, I'd pass.

As for restaurants that you and the other ladies might look into...

bistronomic (French, but well-done, not just heavy creams and butter. Ask to sit in the back bar room if you can for easier conversation).
http://bistronomic.net/

L'apetito deli (Italian deli/grocery store), at the base of John Hancock Building. Great for a less-expensive b'fast/lunch (sandwiches, arancini, pizza, pasta, pasta salads, gelato, Italian bakery).
http://lappetito.com/

Cantina Laredo (Mexican); well-located, newer restaurant, but getting good reviews from all my co-workers.
http://www.cantinalaredo.com/restaur...tion.php?st=IL

Grand Lux Cafe (American cuisine). A chain restaurant, but popular, well-located, bright, sunny view of Michigan Avenue.
http://www.grandluxcafe.com/

Osteria Via STato (Italian), well-located, nice atmosphere
http://www.osteriaviastato.com/

TAxi rides away...
piccolo sogno - wonderful Italian. A taxi ride. If the weather's nice when you're going, the outdoor patio is nice.
http://piccolosognorestaurant.com/

BOKA -- more of an "event" dinner (i.e., you might spend a longer time here for dinner, and a little more money). Next to famous Alinea restaurant, across the street from Steppenwolf Theatre.
http://www.bokachicago.com/

Are you coming in for a weekend? In which month? That might help others give you suggestions.

HappyTrvlr

A good neighborhood French Bistro is Bistro Zinc on N. State, walkable from your hotel.Others in Streeterville, also walkable from hotel, ( between the lakefront and Michigan Ave) are Emilio's Tapas Sol y Nieve,and Dao Thai. We had bad meals at Grand Luxe Cafe and only went there as a friend made the reservation, a typical chain resaurant with huge menu.

StLLaurie

Thank you soo very much for your suggestions. We are arriving this Friday morning & will leave Sunday afternoon.

After looking at the yelp.com reviews I think we've outgrown places like the Hangge-Uppe! I'll just keep the memories I have of my one visit there when I was much younger!

And thanks for the review of ChinaTown! I'll check out the websites for the restaurants you suggested. Thank you very very much for all your help!

Cadgirl

We didn't get to partake, but our girls group did check into Renew Spa Chicago. Gets pretty good reviews on Yelp, and prices look reasonable. www.renewspachicago.com

ChgoGal

A couple interesting options just for this weekend:

TJ and Dave at Mayne Stage
http://www.maynestage.com/

Wyatt Cenac at the Hideaway
http://www.hideoutchicago.com/event/79991/

StLLaurie

With your help, our Girls Trip was a weekend of fun!
The Seneca Hotel was a great location with good service. On Friday we had lunch at Dao Thai which was delicious, shopped Michigan Ave, & had dinner at Hugo's Frog Bar. We had discovered Hugo's on our last trip 2 yrs ago & had such a good time we had to return. Again, we had entertainment, a good meal & wonderful service. Saturday we shopped at Bucktown & lunched at Northside which was great food & cozy atmosphere for lunch on a cold day. We had dinner at Carmine's, then decided to partake of the nightlife at The Lodge, & Sheenanigans. People watching on Rush Street was fun. We went to Hange-Uppe & although the bouncer told us we wouldn't be the oldest people there, we were! We stayed for a drink, had some laughs at the bachelorette parties & were reminded of our younger days. A good trip with great friends in a fun town! Thanks to all for your suggestions!