Rockwell on the River
A former tannery set on a three-acre lot alongside the Chicago River has been repurposed as an evolving hub for neighborhood tastemakers. The lofty brick space is home to a small-batch whiskey distillery (Judson & Moore) with a stylish tasting room, a shoe boutique, and a ceramics center with some single-session classes. Toward the back, Soul & Smoke serves excellent barbecue (the brisket's a don't-miss), while the riverside patio and small marina out back double as a launch for Chicago Electric Boat Company, which rents retro-looking "donut boats" by the hour (from $152) for impromptu river cruises.
