We came here for an event honoring volunteers and achievements by the Respiratory Health…read moreAssociation. I like the outdoor setup, being cradled and surrounded by ivy walls. I wonder if that's the 'Ivy Room' of the namesake? We grabbed some drinks and enjoyed music, speeches and a special award. It's a nice space with seating, not just wicker chairs either but cushions! There were passed drinks and hor-durves, as well as friendly, helpful bartenders for those wanting beer, water or soda. One of us spilled something on a light-colored jacket, and they came to our rescue with seltzer and wipes. There was also a buffet with Spanish themed food (empanadas, paella) and small bite dessert bar. I asked about what had red meat/pork and thankfully I was dutifully informed. The caterers gave me and my party some leftovers! Not sure what prompted that but we appreciated it(we tipped even on free drinks). The missing star has to do with the wine. It was AWFUL! I tried to break it up with beer, but I got so sick the next day, I had to cancel my evening plans. I probably over indulged, but I have had more wine in one sitting with way fewer side effects. I may just stick with beer next time.

Working with Pam was truly one of the best decisions we made for our wedding. From the very first…read moremeeting, she brought a sense of calm, confidence, and genuine care that made the entire planning process feel seamless. Pam has an incredible eye for detail and an innate ability to turn a vision into something even more beautiful than you imagined! She was organized, responsive, and always ten steps ahead, coordinating every vendor flawlessly and ensuring we never had to worry about a thing! On our wedding day, Pam and her team made everything run so smoothly that we were able to be fully present and actually enjoy every moment. Beyond her professionalism, Pam is simply a joy to work with; warm, thoughtful, and deeply invested in making the day special. Our guests are still raving about how perfect everything was, and we owe so much of that to her!!

I came here for a business lunch with a group of colleagues. The service was great, and the…read morelocation couldn't have been better! We ate outside and had a great view of the city. I enjoyed the Thai curry!

Chicago has a spectacular skyline. The best way to see it is usually at twenty stories above the…read moreground. There are a finite number of buildings that have public access to view the skyline. The Skyline Club is not one of them. This member only club is on the 24th floor and has a relocated interior from Europe. There is an outside area that overlooks some prime real estate on South Michigan Avenue - even London House which the public can access. This quiet club is great to have a private meeting over lunch. The menu is not earth shattering but competent. I had the chicken soup and a garden salad. Both were ok. The service was great. Not sure how you will get in unless you know a member.

An incredible place to play ping pong, get a bite to eat and enjoy a drink. We walked in without a…read morereservation and got a great spot to play. The server came by just enough to get refills but not disturb us playing. Music was great and not too loud. Chicken tenders were delicious with Indian inspired sauces for dipping.

Came here to kill some time on a weekend afternoon and we were pleasantly surprised at the…read moreexperience! Price was a bit steep, but that was the only con about coming - everything else was great! We came in without a reservation and got a table without any issues - the space was pretty big and ambiance was nice, modern and clean. Service was solid with folks walking around making sure that food and drinks were taken care of along with retrieving the ping pong balls which was super convenient. We didn't get any food, but the play experience was solid. Overall, if you're looking for a fun get together, SPIN was great.

Was gifted the wine tasting and tour for my birthday which was a very fun experience. Great deal to…read morebuy wine after. I preferred the whites and was disappointed by the reds. We had the date package and ate at the restaurant after. I recommend the pork schnitzel and pierogis. We ordered four shareables but weren't blown away by the butternut squash fondue and gougeres. Loved our hostess for the wine tasting, but wish there was more guidance on tasting notes and wine terminology. I'd recommend though to any wine lovers, I still learned a lot!

I stopped by Chicago Winery on a Wednesday early evening solo and was able to sit at the bar…read morewithout reservation. I was blown away by the ambiance and decor. Chicago Winery prioritizes upscale and intimacy but their service is personable and friendly allowing you to feel right at home. On Wednesday they offer a Happy Hour special, $5 off a tasting and $10 wine by the glass. The server as extremely kind, and was able to offer me some suggestions based on my personal palate and wine interests. I landed on the Winemaker's Tasting, which included 4, one ounce pours, including Blancs de Blancs, Albarino, Barbera and Merlot. I paired the tasting with the a BYOB board. From their menu I picked the olives, Afterglow, and the Tempesta Guanciale. The server was educated on the wines was able to walk me through the tasting and pairings but gave me independence and autonomy to enjoy at my own leisure and pace. I highly enjoyed my visit and absolutely will be returning to dine in, as well as to get a winery tour!

We decided to try out pickleball and learnt about their Gold Coast location. This location has…read morearound 10 courts. The courts are outdoor. You can reserve courts online or at the location. They offer paddles at a cost but the pickleballs are free to use whilst playing. We had a prior reservation. The check in process was fast. We just stated the name and the person at the desk gave us our court number. The area seemed well maintained. The check in desk was at the entrance and was a small space. They also offer pickleball lessons for specific times. They even have some slots that are cheaper to reserve (usually off peak hours). We didn't see any water station but there were a few picnic tables where you could put your stuff and take breaks and sit if needed.

My friend and I wanted to play pickleball but didn't want to wait in line, so we decided to book a…read morecourt in advance at Big City Pickle. The process was super easy, on their website, you can check how many courts are available and choose your preferred time slot. We booked and paid online, and when we arrived, we were assigned our court right away. They provide pickleballs if you need them and also offer paddle rentals. Each slot is one hour long, which is perfect for a good game. There were around 7-10 courts available, and the open setup makes it great for a summer game. I'd definitely recommend it if you don't want to wait in a queue, the whole process was smooth!

This museum is located on the Chicago River in the southwest corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge…read more General admission is a pay-what-you-can donation that helps the Friends Of The Chicago River association. This is a five-story, tower style museum. Due to this, there are no elevators, so it is not ADA accessible. The museum illustrates the history of the Chicago River to include how they reversed its flow to benefit the city. It is only open from May through October, so check their website for operating hours.

NOTE: Due to the narrow build of the historic bridgehouse, this is not wheelchair accessible sadly…read more Free!!! I had some time to kill before my flight home-- found myself by the river at the McCormick Bridgehouse Museum. Great way to learn about the history of the city. And they take donation by Apple Pay! Around 30 mins~ to go through all 5 floors of the exhibition displays and labels. Self-led with some interactive pieces. Really cool and in-depth info about the Chicago River's role in city development. Staff are knowledgeable and friendly! There are some labels that are a little janky or worse for wear, but nothing egregious-- it's free, after all!

We needed a lunch spot near Water Tower and this turned out to be the perfect spot to dine…read more Unfortunately, my friend and I had our tweens lunching with us so we didn't get to do much shopping here...but it looks like they had some gorgeous, unique pieces. I plan on being back in the area later in the week and can't wait to check it out! As for lunch, or Sunday brunch, we started with a warm fresh baguette. I went with avocado toast for my meal, which hit the spot as it always does. I've had my share of avocado toasts in my lifetime and this was a good one. My daughter also really enjoyed her chicken flatbread. It was huge so when it first came out I thought she could have shared it with her friend, but she was super hungry and it was really tasty so she did a pretty good job eating it on her own. Service was fast and attentive and (again) my only regret is not getting to do more shopping...I'll be back!

I have been to the downtown Space 519 for breakfast with my sisters on two occasions. The food is…read moreabsolutely delicious and reasonably priced for downtown and the ambience's warm and friendly. I've enjoyed going to this well designed and cozy shop with a wonderful restaurant tucked into it. Highly recommended. The service is great. It is not a huge menu but everything I've had is delicious and the mimosas - the perfect ratio to make the perfect mimosa, try it!

Two nights at the EMC2 confirmed it: this is a property that treats hospitality as a craft. The…read morerooms are quiet, immaculate, and thoughtfully designed -- but the people are what I'll remember. Shamel, Jackie, and Gwen at the front desk delivered service that was consistent across every shift and every interaction. Requests were anticipated as often as they were fulfilled, and each struck the rare balance of being attentive without ever hovering. Great hotels are defined by their people, and these three make a persuasive case. They're the reason I'd return without hesitation and recommend the EMC2 to anyone visiting Chicago.

This hotel has a cool modern art and science vibe, and I was constantly amazed by its unique…read morefeatures. From the fascinating art pieces to the magnifying-glass room numbers, and the automated delivery robots Leo and Cleo that bring you snacks and toiletries right to your door, it's a truly special place. It's perfect for design enthusiasts and solo travelers looking for a central spot in the city. They also have an onsite dining option, The Albert, which offers creative seasonal dishes and expertly crafted cocktails. Chris, the bar manager, makes a fantastic Old Fashioned and really makes sure you are enjoying your time. One thing I noticed is that the bar doesn't have TVs for watching sports. It feels like they might be missing out on a big customer base because of this.