chicago meet up!
well our plans are finalized and the d*s train is packing up and heading to chicago on april 28-30. so, time to schedule our meet up! saturday night (april 29) is the best for us, so, if you're in the area and want to come, fill us in on a great chicago hot spot (a fun bar would be pref) and we'll pick and time and chat design over some martinis, or whatever you drink of choice is. so, where should we meet? you guys suggest a place and ac and i will be there with bells on.
[UPDATE: CHANGE OF LOCATION!! CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS!]
posted by design*sponge @ 11.4.06
19 Comments:
So many possibilities! Martini Ranch is an old stand-by, or for something super laid back there is Clark Street Ale House (I love my filthy martinis with their blue cheese stuffed olives!), or for something a bit ritzier there is Suite Lounge.
I'm just a geeky law student though.. you might be better off with suggestions with someone a little more city-savy.
Dangit! I am going to be in Chicago the weekend before. Bad luck.
Anyhow, my brother is a manager at Sushi Samba and the bar there is cool, but there is also a sort of pit area (that sounds nice, huh?!) with a long round couch type thing where a group could meet.
Let me know if you want more info!
Grace,
Here are my suggstions that should be convenient to you downtown.
The Tasting Room at Randolph Wine Cellars - spacious, light food, and has a great view of the city from the roof top deck (though its unlikely it will be warm enough!)
Motel Bar - retro 70s style bar with loungey type seating, fun traditional cocktails
Hello there. Here is info on an event going on April 29th at a place called Delilah's. It is a loud, smokey, cramped Punk Rock bar in Chicago, if you are into that kind of thing. Love, Chicago = awesome publication design. Check it out at www.lovechicago.org.
"Love, Chicago's zine release party for its 4th issue
Your first beer is on the zine! Issues and other merch will be available. DJ TBA. Invite your 21+ friends!
Saturday, April 29th, 8:00pm - No cover or need to RSVP.
Delilah's http://delilahschicago.com"
Chris C.
So excited that you will be visiting Chicago! Even more excited because my fabulous sister, an industrial design major at the University of Kansas, will be in town the same weekend for a design conference. She introduced designsponge to me and I have been hooked ever since.
The JBar at The James Hotel just opened recently and is supposed to be a great new spot. (Unfortunately I can't attest to its coolness as I have a 6 mo and 2.5 yr old who prefer to frequent ice cream shops.) It sounds like a great stylish space that would be a good location for you (easy walk from the Mag Mile) and a good sized space for your growing fan club. http://www.jameshotels.com/chicago/entertain.php
A would also highly recommend these two:
Japonais (large space with good seating for groups - tends to be a little past trendy - but what does a mother of two know) http://www.japonaischicago.com
Minibar in Boystown (the owners are so accomodating plus they have banned smoking - the space could work unless the group is super large).
http://www.minibarchicago.com
The best bar in the city (in my opinion) is the Hopleaf up in Andersonville, and wouldn't you know it's just a stone's throw (ok, a more like a hurl) away from the Broadway Antique Mart, Ravenswood Antique Mart, and the Edgewater Antique Mall... All in the Uptown/Ravenswood/Edgewater neighborhood.
I'm a bit biased 'cause, well, this is my 'hood...
of all the places mentioned, i would second the hopleaf, the james hotel and sushi samba.
looking forward!
Tobolobampo is awesome, too. If you guys want someplace more casual with great tapas, Cafe Iberco (yeah Sangrias!) is also good.
Right on Julian and Jo, Hopleaf is my favorite bar as well. Since we're talking Andersonville, Joie de Vine is a good, tiny wine bar. I went into Marty's (a new wine/martini bar) about a month ago and had a really nice time there, although both places are on the small side. But you rarely have to shout when you are talking.
I've always wanted to check out the Motel Bar.
Are any of these places very near the site of the conference? I will be attending the conference and would love to meet up!
spring or green zebra are awesome
http://www.springrestaurant.net/
http://www.greenzebrachicago.com/
How about a place where we can actually sit down and actually have a conversation without screaming--on a Saturday night. The Hop Leaf is lovely, but it's a complete zoo on Saturday nights (not to mention Wed/Thu/Fri./Sun nights, too) Likewise, many of the other places mentioned are really crowded on Saturday nights. Maybe we can find something hip, yet obscure. :)
The suggestion of The Tasting Room is a fantastic idea. The room at the top is spacious, with ample seating...sofa groupings and armchairs, etc. It's like being in somebody's relaxed, loft space. It's never super crowded, so it's easy to talk and find places to sit. Pretty views of the city. Plus, mmmm..wine flights and cheese. Love it! :)
The Tasting Room
I would have to second the Sushi Samba vote. The interior of the place was so well designed it won an award... I think from SEGD. While I haven't had the chance to go there mylself, I hear fabulous things about it around town. That and it looks super-cool when passing by it. I understand it's mexican-sushi fusion.
--Jena
Tasting Room gets my vote. It's a little more out of the way, but close to downtown and likely a place where we could actually sit down and talk.
Chicago, you say?? If you're into spanish cuisine, Cafe Ba Ba Reeba is a must visit! They have the yummiest tapas ever!
ugh, I miss that place....
Tasting Room is a wonderful idea! It's a unique Chicago experience, and has a very accomodating staff (not to mention excellent wine & snacks!). The view is stunning. While Sushi Samba is beautiful inside, the music is always a wee bit loud for conversation (in my opinion). It's also not unique to Chicago: there's one in NYC & Miami... Just my 2 cents worth!
I was in Chicago this past week and went to del Toro. Fabulous interior and good food. Might be a little cramped and/or expensive, though.
http://www.deltorocafe.com/
check it out
Just Grapes is a locally owned wine shop with super style. There are two tasting machines so everyone can load up a card with some cash and taste 30 different wines. There is plenty of seating in the back but it is configured like a classroom.... a classroom with exposed brick walls and a ipod mix of music. I think that one can buy a bottle and drink without a corkage. No food, though. It is on WASHINGTON between CLINTON and JEFFERSON.
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