Inexpensive things to do in Chicago for college-age
Jul 1st, 2007, 08:51 AM
#21
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(Smacking forehead with palm) How could I forget the Weiner's Circle! Your "savvy, college-age young adults" would probably enjoy it immensely, especially when things get wound up late at night.
Brookside, sorry, I forgot to answer a couple of your other questions...
A cool place to buy books: In addition to Venetian Night (which draws a BIG crowd but totally worth going), the Newberry Library is having their Book Fair that weekend. Great place to browse and pick a few.
IMHO, Cullen's is one of the best Irish *pubs* in Chicago. Very good food and a great atmosphere with good waitstaff and bartenders. It gets pretty busy on the evenings with the live Irish music (Sundays, too).
Brookside, sorry, I forgot to answer a couple of your other questions...
A cool place to buy books: In addition to Venetian Night (which draws a BIG crowd but totally worth going), the Newberry Library is having their Book Fair that weekend. Great place to browse and pick a few.
IMHO, Cullen's is one of the best Irish *pubs* in Chicago. Very good food and a great atmosphere with good waitstaff and bartenders. It gets pretty busy on the evenings with the live Irish music (Sundays, too).
Jul 1st, 2007, 08:56 AM
#22
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The place I saw on Food Network was part of a profile of the "World's Greatest Hotdogs." This particular Chicago establishment served hotdogs only, and was more of a stand than a restaurant. It was (is?) open late nights and seemed very popular with the post-clubbing crowd. Most of the patrons shown on camera were very drunk, and the staff was throwing some attitude at them, for sure! 
I confess I have been to both the Cheesecake Factory and Grande Lux on several occassions, usually post-theatre. We always go to the theatre and we always want dessert afterwards, and there don't seem to be many establishments that cater to this - even in Chicago. Most stop seating at 10:00 pm, and most shows let out around then. If you have alternatives, I would *love* to hear about them. Last year, after Wicked, we tried to go to 312 Chicago, only to have the hostess literally close the door in our faces, even though it was something like 9:59.
Those that do stay open late usually have a rowdy bar crowd, and that kind of atmosphere isn't what we want post-theatre. (Might be a topic for another thread maybe?)
I confess I have been to both the Cheesecake Factory and Grande Lux on several occassions, usually post-theatre. We always go to the theatre and we always want dessert afterwards, and there don't seem to be many establishments that cater to this - even in Chicago. Most stop seating at 10:00 pm, and most shows let out around then. If you have alternatives, I would *love* to hear about them. Last year, after Wicked, we tried to go to 312 Chicago, only to have the hostess literally close the door in our faces, even though it was something like 9:59.
Those that do stay open late usually have a rowdy bar crowd, and that kind of atmosphere isn't what we want post-theatre. (Might be a topic for another thread maybe?)
Jul 1st, 2007, 09:17 AM
#24
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We must have posted at the same time, Brookside.
Yes, that's probably the Weiner's Circle you saw.
Post-dinner theatres...there are a few around town. Since there are so many theatre venues, in different areas of the city, I'll only mention two. If you are over in the Loop area, the one I like is Aria (international fusion spin on comfort food) in the Fairmont over on N. Columbus (5 min. cab ride from the Ford Center for the Performing Arts aka Oriental). Atwood Cafe also has a three-course pre-theatre menu where you can leave the last course (dessert) for after the show, if you wish - although I haven't good to Atwood since the late night construction has really stepped up a notch in Block 37.
If you are going to a show over on N. Halsted (at the Steppenwolf or Royal George, for example), then I'd recommend BOKA. The current chef did stints at Charlie Trotter's and fine other establishments around town.
Have fun when you are here!
Yes, that's probably the Weiner's Circle you saw.
Post-dinner theatres...there are a few around town. Since there are so many theatre venues, in different areas of the city, I'll only mention two. If you are over in the Loop area, the one I like is Aria (international fusion spin on comfort food) in the Fairmont over on N. Columbus (5 min. cab ride from the Ford Center for the Performing Arts aka Oriental). Atwood Cafe also has a three-course pre-theatre menu where you can leave the last course (dessert) for after the show, if you wish - although I haven't good to Atwood since the late night construction has really stepped up a notch in Block 37.
If you are going to a show over on N. Halsted (at the Steppenwolf or Royal George, for example), then I'd recommend BOKA. The current chef did stints at Charlie Trotter's and fine other establishments around town.
Have fun when you are here!
Jul 1st, 2007, 10:39 AM
#27
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Weiner's Circle - that's it!!!
Thanks for the post-show suggestions. Atwoods is an old stand-by - the construction was bad this time last year, too. Boka might be a little intimidating for my casual crowd, but it sure sounds tempting.
Did I read that Smith & Wallensky grill is open late? Funny - their website menu doesn't list dessert - ??
I'm getting very excited about the trip! Our vacations seem always wrapped around wherever DD has a dance workshop - but I never mind coming back to Chicago!
Thanks for the post-show suggestions. Atwoods is an old stand-by - the construction was bad this time last year, too. Boka might be a little intimidating for my casual crowd, but it sure sounds tempting.
Did I read that Smith & Wallensky grill is open late? Funny - their website menu doesn't list dessert - ??
I'm getting very excited about the trip! Our vacations seem always wrapped around wherever DD has a dance workshop - but I never mind coming back to Chicago!
Jul 1st, 2007, 10:49 AM
#28
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Great dialog on a great city! Target is sponsoring free evenings at the Art Institute on Thusdays and Fridays all summer. I beleive it is from 5-9pm. Maybe you could combine with a free concert at Millenium Park with a picnic.
http://www.artic.edu/aic/index.php
http://www.artic.edu/aic/index.php
Jul 1st, 2007, 11:24 AM
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Neverthere, I agree -- this has been one of the funnest posts ever! Thanks for the heads up about Target's free evenings at the museum! F.DIL will be thrilled!
Grill on the Alley sounds *great* -- but I just tried to reserve through menu pages and there are no seatings past 9:30 -- ??? Oh well --
Sooo ... the general consensus on Venetian Night is "don't miss" -- ? What are the best vantage points? And will we have to get there super early for a good view? I'm asking because I just found out the Southport neighborhood festival is also going on that night. I love neighborhood festivals, and DD is on the fence about the boat thing.
Grill on the Alley sounds *great* -- but I just tried to reserve through menu pages and there are no seatings past 9:30 -- ??? Oh well --
Sooo ... the general consensus on Venetian Night is "don't miss" -- ? What are the best vantage points? And will we have to get there super early for a good view? I'm asking because I just found out the Southport neighborhood festival is also going on that night. I love neighborhood festivals, and DD is on the fence about the boat thing.
Jul 1st, 2007, 04:02 PM
#32
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Well, comparing the Venetian Night festivities to neighborhood festivals is like comparing apples to oranges. Venetian Night is a BIG event (I think something like 750,000 attend - not as much as the 3rd of July, though) with the parade of boats and fireworks at Monroe Harbor and the concert at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park.
The ultimate seat for Venetian Night would be on one of the decorated boats in the parade, of course - but, if you can't have one, being at Monroe Harbor is where you really want to be for the boat parade and that really means getting there early and staying there to keep your place. I was at the Beer Garden on Navy Pier for Venetian Night one time and it was OK because a couple of the boats came past there as well, but I really prefer the other vantage point.
Actually, there is another neighborhood festival, Taste of Lincoln Avenue, which is happening that weekend as well. The music line-up looks good for it. Cannot find the music line-up for Summer on Southport (assume that's to what you are referring in your previous post). Maybe it's a little early yet for the final posting.
The ultimate seat for Venetian Night would be on one of the decorated boats in the parade, of course - but, if you can't have one, being at Monroe Harbor is where you really want to be for the boat parade and that really means getting there early and staying there to keep your place. I was at the Beer Garden on Navy Pier for Venetian Night one time and it was OK because a couple of the boats came past there as well, but I really prefer the other vantage point.
Actually, there is another neighborhood festival, Taste of Lincoln Avenue, which is happening that weekend as well. The music line-up looks good for it. Cannot find the music line-up for Summer on Southport (assume that's to what you are referring in your previous post). Maybe it's a little early yet for the final posting.
Jul 1st, 2007, 04:21 PM
#33
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ooohh -- just *how* early should we get there for Venetian night? That's a travel day for us -we don't arrive till around 2:30 pm. Should we bring a blanket to sit on?
Taste of Lincoln Ave sounds fun -- so many festivals - so little time!
Taste of Lincoln Ave sounds fun -- so many festivals - so little time!
Jul 2nd, 2007, 12:41 PM
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Steppenwolf Theater offers (day-of only) 20 tickets for $20 for every mainstage performance of "August: Osage County" - which I just saw and it's wonderful! Very funny and the acting is the best I've ever seen anywhere. Call after box office opens at 11 a.m. and ask for the $20 tickets - amazing deal since tickets are usually $45-65.
Jul 2nd, 2007, 12:46 PM
#36
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Oh! And I just remembered if you want to save money, Steppenwolf takes volunteer ushers... you can call the box office well in advance of your trip, volunteer for one of those nights (for all 4 of you if slots are available), then see the show for free!
Jul 2nd, 2007, 01:32 PM
#37
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Thanks ChgoGal - DD and I both want to "branch out" from the usual "Broadway in Chicago" offerings (not that they aren't great, but we've seen most of the current musicals, etc. Steppenwolf will be another first!)
Thanks to *everyone* for the great suggestions. We don't leave until the end of the month, so keep them coming!
Thanks to *everyone* for the great suggestions. We don't leave until the end of the month, so keep them coming!
Jul 2nd, 2007, 07:02 PM
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Jul 2nd, 2007, 07:13 PM
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Jul 3rd, 2007, 02:46 AM
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One of the best sources for what is on and what is to eat is www.chicagoreader.com, the online edition of the off-beat weekly. The restaurant segment there lets you search restaurant reviews by neighborhood or by distance to local attraction. There is also Time Out Chicago at www.timeout.com/chicago which is similar.
