Things to do in Chicago? 24 hours!

[zinfamous]

I keep ignoring the 24 hours part.

That's a rather small amount of time to fit something like a Cubs game into it...and it totally depends on the time of day that game would be when you are visiting (Cubs have more day games than any other team in the league). Getting properly soused at a Cubs game (pretty much a requirement) really wrecks your day if it is a 1pm game and you plan to do touristy things. Only thing to do after that is head to one of the falafal places across the street, yell at the employees, then amble your way to one of the thousands of bars on Clark street, continue to get shit-faced, then walk into IO for an evening show, yell at the performers and continue to be one of the many assholes in the audience. They might even choose you to do a bit about your day in the city (Though I promise you--getting shitfaced and seeing a Cubs game really isn't that unique).

But you know what--that is basically the real Chicago experience, so it's still fun.

Best bet in that time (if it is an evening game and you still must go to the game) would be to try and catch the architecture boat tour at Navy pier ~ morning 1pmish (don't waste any real time at Navy Pier--it is useless), head up to Lakeview/Wrigleyville, get soused before the game, attend game and get shitfaced, then stumble into IO and by that guy.

 

[smackababy]

That is Boystown. I think he was just joking lol.


Half Acre is relatively close to Wrigley Field. Up in that area might also try Begyle Brewing. They just opened about a year ago.

Gay or not, Boystown has the best clubs and bars.

And Wrigleyville is filled with moron bros.

 

[pete6032]

I keep ignoring the 24 hours part.

That's a rather small amount of time to fit something like a Cubs game into it...and it totally depends on the time of day that game would be when you are visiting (Cubs have more day games than any other team in the league). Getting properly soused at a Cubs game (pretty much a requirement) really wrecks your day if it is a 1pm game and you plan to do touristy things. Only thing to do after that is head to one of the falafal places across the street, yell at the employees, then amble your way to one of the thousands of bars on Clark street, continue to get shit-faced, then walk into IO for an evening show, yell at the performers and continue to be one of the many assholes in the audience. They might even choose you to do a bit about your day in the city (Though I promise you--getting shitfaced and seeing a Cubs game really isn't that unique).

But you know what--that is basically the real Chicago experience, so it's still fun.

Best bet in that time (if it is an evening game and you still must go to the game) would be to try and catch the architecture boat tour at Navy pier ~ morning 1pmish (don't waste any real time at Navy Pier--it is useless), head up to Lakeview/Wrigleyville, get soused before the game, attend game and get shitfaced, then stumble into IO and by that guy.

OP had 24 hrs, someonesmind is here for longer.

 

[zinfamous]

OP had 24 hrs, someonesmind is here for longer.

Oh, right. My info still applies, though!

 

[smackababy]

Cubs (and baseball in general) is pretty lame, especially live.

 

[zinfamous]

Cubs (and baseball in general) is pretty lame, especially live.

It's awesome live. You sit there, look at weird people around you, drink beers and eat tubed meats, and sometimes there's a game thing going on over there. It's pretty much perfect.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

It's awesome live. You sit there, look at weird people around you, drink beers and eat tubed meats, and sometimes there's a game thing going on over there. It's pretty much perfect.

Other than the game part. If you skip the ticket and don't go anywhere near the stadium you can afford more beer and tubed meat. That's makes the experience better in every possible way.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

IME, no. You can try to get some from the street, but bleachers are hot tickets at Wrigley. Usually, you go stand in line some days in advance of the game for whatever bleachers are still available, though that may have changed.

You could always stop by one of the dozens of "ticket broker" shops that surround Wrigley and sell Cubs tickets. (these vendors don't have bleacher tickets, though) Of course, all of these stores are owned by the Cubs, which just sends them blocks of tickets. The Cubs have effectively been scalping their own tickets for years now. Ah, Chicago....

Really? 300 tickets for sale, you have GOTTA figure as a business person you would get to the point of desperation.

I'm looking at tickets for the game tomorrow, and they are at least down to $60 vs. $90 for the game I want to go to on Sunday. Either way, I want some damn bleachers.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Other than the game part. If you skip the ticket and don't go anywhere near the stadium you can afford more beer and tubed meat. That's makes the experience better in every possible way.

Yes, but where else can you see drunk bastards making a complete ass of themselves yelling at outfielders all night? You can't beat that entertainment value.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Yes, but where else can you see drunk bastards making a complete ass of themselves yelling at outfielders all night? You can't beat that entertainment value.

Little League games of course. Admission is free, beer and tubed meats are cheaper and it's easier to park

 

[smackababy]

Yes, but where else can you see drunk bastards making a complete ass of themselves yelling at outfielders all night? You can't beat that entertainment value.

Any bar in Wrigleyville and Lincoln Park? If you want to see a bunch of white bros in polos and boat shoes get drunk and act tough, that's the place to be!

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Any bar in Wrigleyville and Lincoln Park? If you want to see a bunch of white bros in polos and boat shoes get drunk and act tough, that's the place to be!

Yes, but I need bros that make an ass of themselves in front of me. I don't want to have to instigate it, I want it to occur in their natural habitat.

I keep ignoring the 24 hours part.

That's a rather small amount of time to fit something like a Cubs game into it...and it totally depends on the time of day that game would be when you are visiting (Cubs have more day games than any other team in the league). Getting properly soused at a Cubs game (pretty much a requirement) really wrecks your day if it is a 1pm game and you plan to do touristy things. Only thing to do after that is head to one of the falafal places across the street, yell at the employees, then amble your way to one of the thousands of bars on Clark street, continue to get shit-faced, then walk into IO for an evening show, yell at the performers and continue to be one of the many assholes in the audience. They ght even choose you to do a bit about your day in the city (Though I promise you--getting shitfaced and seeing a Cubs game really isn't that unique).
mi
But you know what--that is basically the real Chicago experience, so it's still fun.

Best bet in that time (if it is an evening game and you still must go to the game) would be to try and catch the architecture boat tour at Navy pier ~ morning 1pmish (don't waste any real time at Navy Pier--it is useless), head up to Lakeview/Wrigleyville, get soused before the game, attend game and get shitfaced, then stumble into IO and by that guy.

So the game we are going to is actually going to be Sunday @ 1:20. It sounds like going to Improv afterwards is in perfect order. By the way, I hate these stupid comedy sites with like... 4 stages. Tell me the shows for the night, I don't give a crap what stage it is.

That said, best show on Sunday that I see sounds like the 10:30 PM Late as F***K – The Sunday Improv Show.... If I'm mistaken please tell me otherwise, I love some good stand-up. They try to be so retardedly descriptive with the other shows that it just sounds boring as shit.

Man it sounds like my schedule is going completely according to plan by what you're describing...

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

So who all actually lives in the Chicago area? Most I gather so far is pete and Platypus...It sounds like a meet is in order....

 

[zinfamous]

Any bar in Wrigleyville and Lincoln Park? If you want to see a bunch of white bros in polos and boat shoes get drunk and act tough, that's the place to be!

fucking Chads and Trixies! goddamn Depaul mofos with their popped collars and A4's...

 

[shortylickens]

fucking Chads and Trixies! goddamn Depaul mofos with their popped collars and A4's...

wat?

 

[zinfamous]

Yes, but I need bros that make an ass of themselves in front of me. I don't want to have to instigate it, I want it to occur in their natural habitat.



So the game we are going to is actually going to be Sunday @ 1:20. It sounds like going to Improv afterwards is in perfect order. By the way, I hate these stupid comedy sites with like... 4 stages. Tell me the shows for the night, I don't give a crap what stage it is.

That said, best show on Sunday that I see sounds like the 10:30 PM Late as F***K – The Sunday Improv Show.... If I'm mistaken please tell me otherwise, I love some good stand-up. They try to be so retardedly descriptive with the other shows that it just sounds boring as shit.

Man it sounds like my schedule is going completely according to plan by what you're describing...

what company are you talking about? IO is improv--not standup.

In fact, all of Chicago is Improv--it is the birthplace of fucking Improv (which is, really: IO, and then 2nd City. IO is where you want to go), and they are fucking militant about it. Ordering a hotdog with ketchup is the same as asking about standup in Chicago--you don't do it unless you want to be carried out on a pole (by a Pol) and beaten to death in the streets by an angry mob wielding italian beef-wrapped polish sausages. (OK, that's a pretty awesome way to go, if you ask me)

Anyway, IO has 2 stages, but IIRC, main stage usually has 2 prime time shows, and upstairs has 1 later/prime show. Main stage is the money spot, but the upper stage can be where magic happens. I once saw Jeff Garland do a one man, and fricking Odenkirk (this was 2003-2005) as well. ...that usually happens because you know the people telling you in advance to show up and see these dudes shopping their off-stage bits. But--you don't have to know people to get in there, you just have to be lucky that those dudes show up otherwise, but most of those are on the bill. I think it helps to hear the recs from the Improv posse about the talent that is, should be, and will be big in advance, but no biggy. Just get an IO show.

Go for the 10:30 show. It may suck, it may be glorious...it will certainly be weird. They have PBR on tap up there.

And do try to meet up with Plat if he's available. Good bloke, that one.

 

[zinfamous]

wat?

Lincoln Park, bra. Guess you just don't know...

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

IME, no. You can try to get some from the street, but bleachers are hot tickets at Wrigley. Usually, you go stand in line some days in advance of the game for whatever bleachers are still available, though that may have changed.

You could always stop by one of the dozens of "ticket broker" shops that surround Wrigley and sell Cubs tickets. (these vendors don't have bleacher tickets, though) Of course, all of these stores are owned by the Cubs, which just sends them blocks of tickets. The Cubs have effectively been scalping their own tickets for years now. Ah, Chicago....

Well crap... still haven't bought the cubs tickets, and was hoping the prices would have fallen a little. Sadly they have only gone up. With Stubhubs stupid processing feels of ~$30 we're talking $150+ for bleacher seats in the outfield. Might be better off just trying to scalp them at the last second ffs.

 

[smackababy]

Just don't go to a Cubs game. It's 4 hours of boredom and only idiot locals go here (and they love the Cubs).

 

[zinfamous]

Just don't go to a Cubs game. It's 4 hours of boredom and only idiot locals go here (and they love the Cubs).

what are you talking about? Cubs games are awesome and so are the Cubs.

 

[smackababy]

what are you talking about? Cubs games are awesome and so are the Cubs.

Nope. Not only is baseball in general awful, the Cubs are even more so. Their fans are worse than any other sports fan in the US. New England and Seattle / Carolina bandwagoners aren't even as bad as Cubs fans.

 

[zinfamous]

Nope. Not only is baseball in general awful, the Cubs are even more so. Their fans are worse than any other sports fan in the US. New England and Seattle / Carolina bandwagoners aren't even as bad as Cubs fans.

horsehocky. Redsox and Yankees fans are the absolute worst in all of sports...followed by Philly anything.

Baseball is the best game anywhere. So what if it's mostly boring?

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Just recently got back mid-week. Had an awesome time in Chicago.

Quick breakdown:

Saturday:
Came in late from the travel, had some Lou Malnatis deep dish. Overall pretty good, their selection of toppings sucked though, they really need to add some awesome toppings like... Goat cheese or Sundried tomatoes, or something with more flavor. All they really had was sausage and pepporoni and 1 or 2 other standard items. The crust, however, was the best part of it though. Hands down, delicious stuff.

Sunday:
Took the tram system to Wrigley field. Paid way too damn much for last minute bleacher tickets, but oh well.... Ended up being a 13 inning game baking in the sun for ~4 hours. Still an awesome game with awesome people. Worth it overall.

Afterwards took an Uber to Hopleaf and met with Platypus and had some great beers. He's a friggen awesome bloke to have a beer with and has a way cooler job than me.

Monday:
Took our first stroll around Magnificent mile to look at everything. Went by the Hard Rock cafe and grabbed some collectable charms my spouse wants to grab at every city. Went to the mall and walked around, eventually ended up having lunch at Harry Caray's inside and had a pretty decent burger.

Finished it off by strolling around the city through the millennial park and seeing the magic bean and stuff. Capped it off by walking over to the Navy Pier for some grub at Giordanos and checking out the views.

Tuesday:
Started off with Portillo's for lunch. I mean for fast food it wasn't bad, but I wasn't impressed either. We strolled through the riverwalk area and checked out the planetarium. By this time, my spouse couldn't take it anymore and was just exhausted from walking around everywhere. She was hoping to escape the humid hot weather but apparently we chose the wrong week to come.

Ended at Monk's pub and met some cool people at the bar as well. Yet another awesome place for Belgian beers.

 

[pete6032]

Just recently got back mid-week. Had an awesome time in Chicago.

Quick breakdown:

Saturday:
Came in late from the travel, had some Lou Malnatis deep dish. Overall pretty good, their selection of toppings sucked though, they really need to add some awesome toppings like... Goat cheese or Sundried tomatoes, or something with more flavor. All they really had was sausage and pepporoni and 1 or 2 other standard items. The crust, however, was the best part of it though. Hands down, delicious stuff.

Sunday:
Took the tram system to Wrigley field. Paid way too damn much for last minute bleacher tickets, but oh well.... Ended up being a 13 inning game baking in the sun for ~4 hours. Still an awesome game with awesome people. Worth it overall.

Afterwards took an Uber to Hopleaf and met with Platypus and had some great beers. He's a friggen awesome bloke to have a beer with and has a way cooler job than me.

Monday:
Took our first stroll around Magnificent mile to look at everything. Went by the Hard Rock cafe and grabbed some collectable charms my spouse wants to grab at every city. Went to the mall and walked around, eventually ended up having lunch at Harry Caray's inside and had a pretty decent burger.

Finished it off by strolling around the city through the millennial park and seeing the magic bean and stuff. Capped it off by walking over to the Navy Pier for some grub at Giordanos and checking out the views.

Tuesday:
Started off with Portillo's for lunch. I mean for fast food it wasn't bad, but I wasn't impressed either. We strolled through the riverwalk area and checked out the planetarium. By this time, my spouse couldn't take it anymore and was just exhausted from walking around everywhere. She was hoping to escape the humid hot weather but apparently we chose the wrong week to come.

Ended at Monk's pub and met some cool people at the bar as well. Yet another awesome place for Belgian beers.

Glad you had a good time, I had a busy weekend so couldn't meet. How was the beer and ambience at Hopleaf? There are so many craft breweries now it's hard to keep track of them all.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Glad you had a good time, I had a busy weekend so couldn't meet. How was the beer and ambience at Hopleaf? There are so many craft breweries now it's hard to keep track of them all.

Hopleaf would be my Moe's tavern if I lived nearby. Seriously. Probably a good thing because I would be there every night. It had an overall nice ambiance, less pub-ish, more winebar-ish to a certain extent.