Headed to Chicago next weekend

[shep]

5 of us are headed to Chicago for the weekend next friday for my brothers bachelor party. Got any sugestions on what hotel to stay in looking for something close to downtown / bar / club scene that won't cost us an arm and a leg. What are some good bars to go to? What are some of the things that everyone that goes to Chicago must do /see?
At this point right now we are road tripping there. It is about 500 miles so 7.5 to 8 hour drive should be a blast.

[gtotto]

5 of us are headed to Chicago for the weekend next friday for my brothers bachelor party. Got any sugestions on what hotel to stay in looking for something close to downtown / bar / club scene that won't cost us an arm and a leg. What are some good bars to go to? What are some of the things that everyone that goes to Chicago must do /see?
At this point right now we are road tripping there. It is about 500 miles so 7.5 to 8 hour drive should be a blast.


Not sure if I can help you with the "arm and a leg" cost but I can give you a few good bar areas to check out.

Downtown area - Division and Rush Streets or Rush and State (a little spendy but a cool area)

Lincoln Park Area - Lincoln Avenue east of Halsted St.

Wrigleyville - Clark Street near Addision - Wrigley Field

ALL these areas will have what you're looking for and will give you a good feel for the Chicago bar scene. All the areas have several bars in a concentrated area so it is very possible you can take a cab to one area and stay all night. It's not too difficult to get around by cab or bus. I would probably recommend staying in a cheaper downtown hotel and use that as your staging point. That way you can check out some sites at the Lakefront or on Lake Shore Drive and cab it around the bar areas.

Good Luck!!

[kochevy67]

I would stay as close to downtown as possible. Anything near Michigan Ave. is fine, make sure it is on North Michigan Ave. I know you don't want it to cost a ton of money but unfortunately your in Chicago and stuff is not cheap downtown. Look at this way if you stay out of the downtown area it will cost you a ton in cab fare. While here I wouldn't venture to the south side and for sure not the west side. The Division St. scene is okay but it is usually younger college aged kids, if you want to hang out with people more your age I would suggest Tavern on Rush, Jillie's, Excalibur or any other bars in that area, keep in mind these bars are not cheap so it would be best to buy beer and throw a few back before heading out. For a cheaper evening you can check out Lincoln Ave. where the bars are decent and not as expensive. PM me if you want so I can get a better idea of what you are looking to do, I also could give you some ideas on where to eat that is not downtown and won't cost you a ton of cash, in my opinion the restaurants out of the tourist trap are better and you get more food.

[kochevy67]

PM me or GTOTTO we can show you a few places.

[turbo kid]

Navy pier is nice also!

[shep]

I fully expect to spend $100+ a night for the hotel. We don't need a $400 dollar room to pass out in. Now that I know what area I need to be looking at that helps. Thanks for the info. I have been to Navy Pier my last weekend at boot camp about 14 yrs ago.

[oestek]

If you end up in Wrigleyville and see this sign:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Go in and get some of the best pizza around!

[Cakeaholic]

River North Best Western is cheap and fairly nice for a best western.

Club Quarters is real nice and cheap but rooms are small. More for business travel though.

Hope that helps.

[kochevy67]

Whatever you do DON'T rent a hotel room on Lincoln Avenue. And I would expect to spend more than $100 for a night.
Pm me I will see if I can get u a break on a room at the Hyatt, just don't tear the damn thing up on me. LOL

[Shiro666]

F'n Blue Chicago.

Reasonable drinks and GREAT BLUES! See if you can catch Charlie Love.