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You are here: Home / Balloon Juice / Meetups and social events / Anyone Up for A Chicago Meet-Up Next Weekend?

Anyone Up for A Chicago Meet-Up Next Weekend?

by | 71 Comments

This post is in: 

A question from Left-coast commentor OpieJeanne, last night:

Is anyone interested in a meet-up in Chicago next week? We will be in town on May 6, 7, & 8, leaving on the 9th. We have tickets to a 1 pm Cubs game on the 6th but should be free by 6 pm. Other than that we are flexible. We have a list of things we want to do, like the architecture boat tour on the Chicago River, visit the Field Museum and the Art Institute.

If you’re interested, or have suggestions as to a proper venue, leave a comment below.

Or send me an email, and I’ll forward it to OpieJeanne.

Reader Interactions

71Comments

  1. 1.

    Eljai

    I’m interested! I moved here last September and between winter and covid surges, I haven’t explored the city nearly enough. I signed up for an architecture boat tour the first week I was here and I enjoyed it immensely. The restaurants on the Riverwalk started reopening this month, so there will be more people about.

  3. 3.

    Carlo Graziani

    The current 7-day weather forecast for Chicago (admittedly comic fiction, but still) is rain Saturday May 7, partly cloudy on Sunday. Temperatures in the mid-high 50s. An outdoor venue seems chancy.

    Depending on the number of people interested, and the day/time-of-day preference, I can look at some venue options. Plenty of brewpubs—Goose Island is nice, for example. Quite a few wood-fired pizza places too, including Nella’s, in Hyde Park. Twisted Spoke has a nice rooftop area, don’t know whether it’s covered, though. Lots of options, really. We can pool some research after a quick head count.

  5. 5.

    mrmoshpotato

    I’d be up for wherever.  (Even hauling myself down to Hyde Park.)

    Haven’t been to Goose Island (on Clybourn?) in years, but I remember it being a nice place.

  6. 6.

    A Good Woman

    I would be interested.  I live up on the N side, just shy of Evanston in Rogers Park.  Pretty flexible as to venue.

  8. 8.

    satby

    I’d drive in depending on day, not available except on the 8th. Pick what works for everelse, if it works out I can try to make it.

  12. 12.

    Dan B

    @satby: My long time friend who graduated from Notre Dame used to take the train.  That’s how we had a first encounter.  I was handing out Gay Liberation leaflets at a W.I.T.C.H. demonstration at the Federal Building.  The leaflet burned a hole in his pocket all the way back to his dorm

     

     

    Women’s International Terrorist Conspiracy from He’ll, complete with outfits and a cauldron. I didn’t get either.  Sigh.

  17. 17.

    prostratedragon

    Hyde Park would be great for me. Thinking maybe Piccolo Mundo, for which a group should probably make a reservation.  How is Goose Island for accessibility

    ETA Piccolo Mundo is right by Science and Industry,  just off LSD.

  18. 18.

    Carlo Graziani

    @prostratedragon: I’m not sure. They have a large room on the ground floor. I don’t remember noticing accessibility infrastructure (sorry) but I can call and ask. Should I ask about ramps?

    We should start a head count, including day/time-of-day preferences.

    Me:

    Friday 6: No

    Saturday 7: Any time

    Sunday 8: Morning or Afternoon before about 6.

  19. 19.

    debbie

    Is the season all that old? Apparently, the Reds’ owner will allow fans to wear bags over their heads. ??‍♀️

  21. 21.

    prostratedragon

    @Carlo Graziani:  Yes, would appreciate that, thanks.  Another Hyde Park place is Ascione Bistro.  Amazing I didn’t think of them since I often order from them.

  23. 23.

    opiejeanne

    @Carlo Graziani: I just looked at Weather Underground and the forecast from this morning, which was no rain for the three days we’ll be in town, now shows rain on Friday morning. I realize this is a week away, and everything will change by then.

    It might be a bit too cold to be sitting outside.

  25. 25.

    Carlo Graziani

    @prostratedragon: I actually like Nella’s best in Hyde Park. I would assume that as they are on University property they must be ADA compliant.  Do you happen to know?

  26. 26.

    NotMax

    Just curious.

    Any eateries in the vicinity of Jackson Park to enable jackals a view of progress on the Obama Library?

  27. 27.

    opiejeanne

    It sounds like saturday would work for most people, so pick the place; we’ll get there.

    We’re staying at LondonHouse, 85 East Wacker. TFG’s Tower is right across the river from it, so I’ll be flipping it off.

  28. 28.

    Carlo Graziani

    @NotMax: The Obama Library is  a fenced-off construction site. Unless you bring a helicopter there isn’t much to see, unless you like construction fencing.

  32. 32.

    Carlo Graziani

    Called Goose Island, and they do in fact have accessible ramps. For a Saturday reservation of a party of 10 or so (my wild-ass guess) they recommend ASAP.

  34. 34.

    Carlo Graziani

    @prostratedragon:

    Before declaring convergence, can we please have a poll? I’d like to know day and time-of-day availability (so we can figure out if we’re leaving anyone out), and whether you have any preferences for area of Chicago/type of food or libation.

    Or perhaps just give us a general idea where you’re coming from, so we can choose a center-of-gravity location.  I get the feeling I’ve smoked out a nest of Hyde Parkers, but HP is on the South Side, and I’m happy to give people a ride/arrange carpooling to a more central location if it makes more sense that way.

  36. 36.

    prostratedragon

    I’m flexible. Food preference, either Italian or would like to try Virtue; however a pub would also be fine.

  37. 37.

    Eric S.

    I’m in for a Saturday evening. I’m a north sider. I don’t know Hyde Park at all but happy to explore a new venue.

  38. 38.

    Stacib

    @NotMax: I drive by every day, most days cursing the location choice. ?

    The track and football field for Hyde Park, the high school right across from this site, has been rebuilt. I would guess nearly 500 trees have been cut down and removed. Construction started on LSD expansion a couple weeks ago. Traffic is now a nightmare.

  39. 39.

    Stacib

    If Saturday after 4, count me in. Any place that sells a great burger works for me. I’m on the Southside, so Hyde Park is great, but I’m open to other areas.

  40. 40.

    lafcolleen

    I’d be interested in A Sat pm gathering.  I live on the NW side of Chicago – Old Irving Park.  I have a car so preference for parking or CTA accessible.  I can also transport NW siders.

  41. 41.

    Carlo Graziani

    Here’s what I have so far:

    opiejeanne Loop
    Eljai
    Carlo Graziani S Side
    mrmoshpotato
    A Good Woman Rogers Park
    satby
    prostratedragon S Side
    narya
    NotMax
    Eric S. N Side
    Stacib S Side
    lafcolleen NW Side

  44. 44.

    Eljai

    My schedule is pretty open those days, so whatever works best for everyone.   Coming from Near North.

  45. 45.

    satby

    Ok, Saturday is out for me, it’s a market day. Everyone have a good time.

    It was a long shot anyway, it’s likely most people will want to meet around dinner time, and I’m in the EDT.

  48. 48.

    prostratedragon

    @Carlo Graziani:  Notwithstanding preference,  anywhere PACE goes is good

    ETA And that’s the metro area

    And I’m also open to days as well as evening.

  50. 50.

    Carlo Graziani

    My current list stands thusly:

    opiejeanne Loop
    Eljai Near North
    Carlo Graziani S Side
    mrmoshpotato
    A Good Woman Rogers Park
    prostratedragon S Side
    narya
    Eric S. N Side
    Stacib S Side
    lafcolleen NW Side

    The balance looks to me near-North-Side-ish, in terms of ease of access. Goose Island would work, but might be a little loud if Saturday Evening is the target.

    What is the target? I like Saturday best, but could make Sunday afternoon work. Also, really there are many, many more venues than we’ve looked at here.

    Noshies and drinks is a possible format. Another one is actual sit-down meal. Thoughts?

  54. 54.

    Gammyjill

    If you’re visiting Chicago, you must take the Chicago Architectural Foundation boat tour. And it must be the CAF and not one of its competitors. The difference in quality of docents giving the tours is amazing. Here’s the website to book the boat tour and walking tours. If it’s raining you can sit in the heated cabin.https://www.architecture.org/tours/?transportation=73

  56. 56.

    Carlo Graziani

    Hello. For those of you still checking this thread, this is the list of 11 people that I have ID-ed as attending:

    opiejeanne Loop
    Eljai Near North
    Carlo Graziani S Side
    mrmoshpotato
    A Good Woman Rogers Park
    prostratedragon S Side
    narya
    Eric S. N Side
    Stacib S Side
    lafcolleen NW Side
    Ivan X

    I’ve added narya, because she(? sorry, nym-assumption…) knows Virtue, and hence I presume is in Chicago and interested, but never actually declared in. So narya, if you are in, please confirm.

    Nobody has actually stated a preference for time. So I take that as authorization to make a choice for the group, and wait for squawks of outrage :-|. I’ll call Goose Island and ask for a reservation for 11 people around 2pm on Saturday May 7, which should be a bit quieter than an evening thing.

    It might be a good idea to pin this post on the front page until Saturday, if the powers that be can arrange such a thing.

  57. 57.

    Carlo Graziani

    Goose Island is closed on Mondays, so I haven’t been able to get the reservation. It’s not yet set in stone.

  58. 58.

    opiejeanne

    @Carlo Graziani: Thanks for your help and everyone else who has contributed. We are getting on the train in 6 hours and WiFi is not available on the Empire Builder. I’ll be using my iPhone’s hotspot but there will be places where there’s no phone service. I’ll check back when I can, and we get to Chicago on Thursday evening.

  59. 59.

    Carlo Graziani

    Booked!

    Goose Island Brewhouse, 1800 North Clybourn Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614

    Saturday, May 7, 2 PM. Reservation for party of 11.  Ground floor, accessible area. 20% service fee added to check for “large party” (I actually prefer that to tipping, YMMV).

    It would be great if people who are planning to attend would confirm again here.

  61. 61.

    opiejeanne

    And it looks like the Cubs game on Friday is going to be rained out. .84 inches predicted.

  62. 62.

    mrmoshpotato

    @opiejeanne:

    We are getting on the train in 6 hours and WiFi is not available on the Empire Builder. 

    You be sure to look out of the window(s) every now and then!

  64. 64.

    mrmoshpotato

    @opiejeanne:

    And it looks like the Cubs game on Friday is going to be rained out. .84 inches predicted. 

    Don’t count your chickens yet.

  65. 65.

    opiejeanne

    @mrmoshpotato: lol! Of course. We took the train from Seattle to Glacier in 1988 and the scenery was gorgeous, but I’m afraid we’ll be passing the prettiest country after sunset.

  66. 66.

    opiejeanne

    We’re in Whitefish Montana. Beautiful place, isn’t this where Richard Spencer is from?

  67. 67.

    Chris Sherbak

    Bother – I’m hosting a Zoom May Day celebration from 2-4pm. Do have a wonderful time in Da Windy City and hoist a couple for “absent friends!” (Long time resident – now in Des Plaines.)

  69. 69.

    PST

    I missed this thread the first time around, but I hope I can add my name to the list without exceeding our limit. If not, of course, I understand. By the way, I was present the day Goose Island opened. The whole idea of a microbrewery was rare then and I just couldn’t wait. A colleague and I took the afternoon off and sampled every brew they had. There weren’t many yet, and they weren’t all very good, but it was a nice start. Goose Island now has its big brewery and tasting room on the street where I live. I probably cycle past it five or six times a week.

  70. 70.

    Carlo Graziani

    @PST: I can totally adjust the reservation. I’m going to wait for a few more confirmations. Please plan to come.

  71. 71.

    Carlo Graziani

    Here’s the current state of play:

    CONFIRMED: 8
    ———–
    opiejeanne Loop
    Carlo Graziani S Side
    prostratedragon S Side
    Stacib S Side
    Eric S. N Side
    Eljai Near North
    mrmoshpotato

    PST

    FALSE POSITIVES (i.e. my bad): 1
    ——————————
    narya

    WITHDRAWN, ABORTION RIGHTS MARCH (but marching is thirsty work, and Goose Island is not far and we’ll probably still be there, just sayin’): 1
    ——————————
    A Good Woman, Rogers Park

    NOT HEARD FROM YET: 2
    ——————————
    lafcolleen NW Side
    Ivan X

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