The Blue Line Coffee Crawl with the Caffentures!

Spring is here and our city is filling up with bar crawls, foodie tours and wine tastings. For those who would rather get their caffeine fix, pay attention because this event is designed just for YOU! The Caffentures present the first-ever coffee crawl/workshop in the history of Chicago—the Blue Line Coffee Crawl.

The tour will take you through Logan Square, Buck Town and Wicker Park to visit three local coffee shops. While tasting premium coffee you will be able to learn the lingo and immerse yourself into the culture and explore the art of this popular phenomenon.

The adventure begins at the first coffee shop destination, Gaslight Coffee Roasters in Logan Square, who share a space with Half-Wit Coffee Roasters. You will be able to experience up to three coffees at its pourover bar (way of brewing coffee), espresso from its Strada machine and charcuterie (cold cooked meats) plates! You will have these fancy shmanshy terms down by the end of the tour, I promise! You will then, hop on the blue line and travel to Ipsento Coffee and taste their fair trade drinks. Here you will learn about different processing methods, specifically how Ipsento sources their coffee from Panama farm. The tour will end in Wicker Park at Caffe Streets where you can experience different brewing options including the only cold-brew tower in a Chicago retail space! While your there be sure to pick up bags of coffee from around the country.

After the tour you will feel like jumping into the barista’s shoes and trying new techniques in your own home! But, if you coffee lovers have another urge for the adventure, they will take place every third Saturday and tickets are only $30. If you want to try more local coffee shops, the Caffentures has also added different tours including the Red Line Coffee Crawl and the Brown Line Coffee Crawl. For more information check out the Caffentures.

-Sammi Raines

Tags: Art, bar crawls, barista, Blue Line Coffee Crawl, Brewing, Brown Line Coffee Crawl, Buck Town, Caffe Streets, caffeine, Caffentures, charcuterie, coffee, coffee crawl, coffee shops, cold-brew tower, culture, fair trade, foodie tours, Gaslight Coffee Roasters, Ipsento Coffee, Local, Logan Square, Panama farm, pourover bar, Red Line Coffee Crawl, Spring, Strada machine, Taste, tour, wicker park, wine tastings

Calling all Chicago Wine and Rock Enthusiasts!

Tags: Bob Stroud, chicago, food, magnificent mile, michigan avenue, Music, rock and roll, The Drive 97.1, The Signature Room at the 95th®, wine

Chicagoans stand up to keep Uber in Chicago

For those not familiar, Uber is a mobile app that lets you request a Private Driver or TAXI at the touch of a button.

In almost 15 months in Chicago, Uber has driven thousands of Chicagoans to their favorite restaurants, kept them stylish en route to killer events, or gotten them home safely after a late night in the office. Uber has even helped with a few ‘Rides of Glory’ – a morning ride that comes only a few hours after a late night ride to the same location. It should come as no surprise that River North and Lincoln Park had the highest concentration of those types of rides .

During our time in Chicago, we’ve felt extremely welcomed by Chicago’s amazing bar and restaurant scene – especially the Rockit Ranch family. It’s been great to partner up on numerous events, including our Restaurant Week special in February, where we provided free rides to Sunda during lunch. We’re excited to bring Chicago even more exciting promotions over the next few months including the upcoming ‘Uber Sleigh’. Throughout December we’ll be collecting toys in Ubers, and eventually donating them to charity.

Unfortunately, recently proposed Chicago regulations would prohibit Uber’s Black car service from operating in Chicago. In addition to preventing Uber from bringing the style and safety to your transportation, these regulations would limit the earning potential of over 1,000 drivers who partner with Uber. By restricting the use of technology in the transportation industry, these regulations also raise concerns for anyone who believes that innovation is the key to Chicago’s future growth and status as a truly world-class city.

Even with that minor roadblock, we’re working hard to ensure that Uber will be here for a long time. Plus, the support from Chicagoans has been amazing! If you haven’t taken a ride, sign up here and receive $10 off your first ride!

For updates on Uber including information on our regulatory issues and the upcoming toy drive, make sure to follow us on Twitter.

-Max Crowley

Tags: $10 0ff, Blog, celebrity, first ride, law, max crowley, mayor, mobile app, private driver, regulation, rockit ranch, sunda, taxi, Uber, underground

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas: Christkindlmarket, Ice- skating, ZooLights, & A Christmas Carol!

I know what you’re thinking.  It’s too early to talk about holiday stuff.  Halloween just ended, right? Well you may not want to participate, but next thing you know, you’ll be hearing “Let it Snow” on LITE FM. In between searching for the perfect gifts for your loved ones, take a break to enjoy some Chicago holiday classics.

Christkindlmarket, November 20-December 24^th  Daley Plaza transforms into a German wonderland for a month.  Get unique gifts, eat some amazing German food (Spaten and Struedel, naturally), and meet up with Santa Claus.  Don’t forget about the tree! The 99^th Annual Tree Lighting will take place November 20^th at 5pm.

Want to mix aerobic exercise with awesome architecture? Ice-skating at Millennium Park is for you! I’ve been doing this since 2001 when it started.  It’s so much fun because it is FREE. The biggest tip is to bring your own skates. I know, you never use them, but seriously.  The line for rentals can be an hour long, so have a pair ready.  Don’t have any? A lot of thrift shops will have them this season.  Scrounge around and you’ll have them forever!

Here’s another oldie but goodie: lunch at the Walnut Room.  It really doesn’t get better having great food under the beautiful tree.  It’s something everyone in Chicago enjoys doing.  Something Chicagoans don’t like doing is waiting.  So my little tip is to not eat lunch there.  It can be a 2 hour long line on a weekend to get your hands on some of Mrs. Herring’s pot pie.  Here’s what my family likes to do: put our name in, have lunch, shop and have dessert in the afternoon.  Think about it: their desserts are the best part of their menu.  Enjoy some of their Frango cheesecake and skip the craziness!

Even the least festive person can’t say no to this next one: A Christmas Carol.  You’ll go in saying “Bah Humbug” and leave saying “God bless us, everyone!” It’s the 35^th year the Goodman has performed this classic Dickens Play.  The run starts November 17^th and ends December 29^th.

Lights! Animals! Action! Another great tradition is a little north of the Loop at the Lincoln Park Zoo.  ZooLights features warm drinks, holiday crafts, and a light show.  Get some food on Clark Street (there are so many classic restaurants…Chicago Oven and Pizza Grinder anyone?) and head over to see the amazing lights! You can see the animals too, but for some reason that darn polar bear is never out…

-Grace Rickert 

Tags: chicago, Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder, christmas, Christmas Lights, Christmas Trees, Daley Plaza, Frango, german, Goodman, Goodwill, Holiday, Holidays in Chicago, lincoln park, Lincoln Park Zoo, Loop, Macy’s Christmas Carol, Thrift stores, Unique, Village Thrift, Walnut Room, Zoo, ZooLights

Open House Chicago Opens Its Door to All That Our Beautiful City Has To Offer

I’ve always been a natural hostess, someone who jumps at any and every chance to entertain my family and friends.  Yet, whenever I have guests in town, I struggle with my role as a “tour guide,” wondering how to put Chicago on display without succumbing to the ever-popular, though quite cliché options of shopping on Michigan Ave., taking pictures in front of the Bean, or eating our way through the city (a city that, mind you, boasts some of the best restaurants in the world).

Fortunately, I stumbled upon the Chicago Architecture Foundation’s website, home to a ton of interactive tours, which have definitely become a go-to form of entertainment for my out-of-town guests.  From boats, to buses, to bikes, and beyond, the CAF provides an unparalleled insight into the city’s internationally renowned historic and modern architecture.  The best part?  The tours are all led by real Chicagoans, with real knowledge about the city (and some even include bars on board!) – you won’t find anything cheesy or boring here.

Like most citywide tour organizations, though, CAF docents tend to focus their efforts on teaching excited attendees about the exterior of Chicago’s buildings.  So, while gawking at skyscrapers, admiring innovative construction, and reveling in the historic landscape that has molded this city, I constantly find myself wondering, what’s inside of that building?  What does that iconic theater’s auditorium look it?  What makes up the interior of that enormous home?

Well, for its second year in row, the CAF is giving curious people like myself a sneak-peek into some of the city’s most exclusive spaces.  On October 13^th and 14^th, Open House Chicago (OHC) will expose over 150 buildings in the city – from repurposed mansions, to private clubs and secret rooms, to world famous hotels.  Even better?  It’s totally FREE!  That’s right – no fees or registration, AND no lines or leaders.   It’s a completely self-guided experience, allowing you to explore the city’s hidden gems at no cost and with no real restrictions.  What better way to spend the weekend?

So, grab a friend, venture out into some of Chicago’s most diverse neighborhoods, and enjoy the open house.

-Kara Blasquez

Tags: architectural tour, CAF, Chicago architecture, Chicago Architecture Foundation, exclusive spaces, hidden gem, iconic theater, OHC, Open House Chicago, private club, secret room, walking tour

AKIRA Goes Metropolitan for Their BIG 10 Year Anniversary Fall Fashion Show!

I can honestly say that AKIRA is my favorite retail store in the entire city of Chicago and there are a million reasons why. I’ve narrowed it down to my top 5 so I can keep this short & sweet.

1.     Their insanely stylish & innovative women’s & men’s clothing /footwear

2.     All of their locations (Over 17 in neighborhoods all over the city & even the suburbs!!)

3.     Their amazing customer service & stylists (You won’t walk out their door without a bag or two swung over your shoulder)

4.     The co-owner …Jon Cotay (Sweetest & smartest owner in the industry…hands down!)

5.     & last but definitely not least…their FASHION SHOWS!

In just a few days (this Sunday) the magic will unfold and Chicagoans will watch in awe as AKIRA unveils their 10^th Annual Fall Fashion Show. I covered their Spring Fashion Show for this blog at the Lyric Opera House and it was so beautifully executed – I was more than impressed to say the least. Here’s what you can look forward to you:

Before the fabulous fashion show begins, make friends with a bartender and server, you’re not going to want to miss out on these treats …the bar will be stocked with Reyka Vodka, Peroni beer, Mionetto sparkling wine, Smartwater, Vitaminwater, Vita Coco, & Coco Café. As far as food goes, it’s quite an impressive list of local favs: Union Sushi, Wow Bao, Forever Yogurt, E.leaven, Lovely: A Bakeshop, Argent, Peeled, Bridge House Tavern, Mezza Grill, South Water Kitchen, Take Me Out, Moon Palace, Uncle Sammy’s, Hot Woks Cool Sushi, Staropolska in Logan Square, Indian Garden Restaurant, The Storefront Company, Baume & Brix, W Crossing, & Popchips...like I said, IMPRESSIVE.

The fashion show itself will be hosted by Miss USA 2012 (Olivia Culpo) & emceed by Kelli Zink (CelebTV).  Clothing and shoes for the show will be provided by some pretty awesome sponsors which include: Caterpillar, DL1961, 7 Diamonds, Michael Antonio, MIA, PF Flyers, Jeffrey Campbell, Diesel, Premium Lounge, French Connection, Original Penguin, Ben Sherman, & Bed Stu.  Best news? If you liked what you see on the runway, you’ll be able to buy it afterwards at a one-night only pop-up shop.

Okay, that may be a lie, the best part is that 5 different charity organizations will benefit from the proceeds raised throughout the night. Imerman Angels, Project Ladybug, Clara’s House, the Human Rights Campaign, & AKIRA’s Fashion Scholarship Fund will all reap the benefits.

If you thought the party stopped when the show ended, you’re wrong…so wrong. The after party continues at Japonais at 9pm and will be hosted by Miss Illinois USA 2012 (Ashley Hooks). Once that raps up the after-after party pops off at The Underground. So let loose, dress your best, & party til 5 am to celebrate the 10 YEARS AKIRA’s been rocking Chicago’s fashion scene.

-Alex Chwastek & Amanda Rivera

Tags: & AKIRA’s Fashion Scholarship Fund, 7 Diamonds, : Union Sushi, Argent, ashley hooks, Baume & Brix, Bed Stu, Ben Sherman, best fashion show in chicago, Bridge House Tavern, Caterpillar, CelebTV, Clara’s House, Coco Café, Diesel, DL1961, E.leaven, emcee, fall fashion shows in Chicago, Forever Yogurt, French Connection, grossinger autoplex, Hot Woks Cool Sushi, imerman angels, Indian Garden Restaurant, Japanois, Jeffrey Campbell, jon cotay, Kelli Zink, Logan Square, Lovely: A Bakeshop, Mezza Grill, MIA, Michael Antonio, Mionetto sparkling wine, Miss Illinois USA 2012, Moon Palace, Olivia Culpo, Original Penguin, Peeled, Peroni beer, PF Flyers, Premium Lounge, Project Ladybug, Reyka Vodka, Smartwater, South Water Kitchen, Staropolska, Take Me Out, the Human Rights Campaign, The Storefront Company, Uncle Sammy’s, underground, vip, Vita Coco, Vitaminwater, W Crossing, Wow Bao

Goorin Bros. Chicago Sample Sale

Hold onto your hats, Chicago!  Or better yet…grab a new one.  You’re favorite West Coast hatters, Goorin Bros. are hosting their first ever Chicago Sample Sale.  Staying true to where their Chicago magic started 3 years ago, they are hosting this event at an off-site location in the city’s trendy Wicker Park neighborhood.

This three day event will boast an array of hats, at unbeatable prices!  You can purchase fedoras, baseball caps, Ivy’s, and cloches for LESS than 20 bucks!

Goorin Bros. is a fourth generation, family-owned company.  In 1895, master craftsman Cassel Goorin sold his first hat off a horse cart in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Cassel’s sons – the Goorin Brothers – continued the tradition of hat making when they moved the family business to San Francisco in 1949.  Today, Goorin Brothers is led by Cassel’s great grandson who remains dedicated to the art of bold hat making by crafting hats inspired by San Francisco’s rich artistic community.

Goorin has two Chicago outposts; it’s original in Wicker Park  and its sister store in Lakeview have become a destinations for cult followers and new hat wearers alike.  Whether you’re a die-hard fan, or a just a little hat curious, this sample sale is the perfect way to stock up on Goorin goodness for all seasons.

Check it out at Mazi Dance Fitness Studio on:

Friday July 20th 3pm-7pm

Saturday July 21st 11am-7pm

Sunday July 22nd 11am-7pm

Tags: 1895, baseball caps, cassel goorin, chicago sample sale, family-owned, fedoras, goorin bros., hat making, lakeview, mazi dance fitness studio, off-site, Pennsylvania, pittsburgh, san francisco, seasons, west coast, wicker park

Who do you think is best in Chicago!?

Just voted for the Chicago Reader “Best in Chicago” awards online! Figured I would share my answers since everyone asks me on Twitter and Facebook about my Chicago favs! (BTW, sorry did these fast, was in a rush, sorry if missed anyone!) You should vote too! (Especially for my places! haha) Voting ends this weekend so go to http://bestof.chicagoreader.com/ now!

Tags: alice in wonderland, amc on illinois, andrew lee, andy lee, arthur murray, ashkenaz, assault.it, avenues, back up, best of, bill and phil movers, billy dec, binny's, carrie seacrist, chicago reader, conan o'brien, connie's, dance center chicago, dj rock city, dr. wax, el tapitio, elevation, equinox, golden triangle, hero fitness, house of blues, house of glunz, hubbard, improv olympic, jim bean club, joe's, kanye west, kinsella landscaping, kith kin, lolla, lookingglass theatre, loveabulls, lovehammers, medinah country club, merchandise mart, metro, niketown, paws, plain white t's, que rico, reeza's, richard's, riverside cafe, rockit bar and grill, rockit wrigley, second city, skinny cows, smart rooms, south of 80, sue, sunda, the peninsula, trex, u of i, u2, underground, vermillion, village cycle, whole foods, wiener circle

My Goorin hat secret now in Chicago!

For years now I have secretly been getting some of my coolest hats from this unique little shop in L.A. called “goorin” every time I happen to be out there- and now everyone can enjoy them because they opened a shop right here in bucktown, chicago!  Speaking of, there is a superfun opening party there this Saturday night the 30th from 5p-9p w/drinks, snacks, live music,.. and 1st peak at all the killer hats (w/vip discounts for guests) for all to enjoy! (check this video of their other store having a party and imagine what it will be like w/the coolest faces in chicago there- you need to go!)

And Outside of the actual hats being very cool, described as “archetypal pieces, with a unique twist of flare,” I have to say I have mad respect for their store design, the veteran chicago crew they picked to launch here with (say hi to drew when go!) & the history of the company which has been around for over 115years! I honestly don’t want to tell you all about it when it would be way more fun for all to hit this party Saturday night and take in what I have been loving secretly for years, yourself!  Enjoy and tweetpic me hats you are trying on if can- I need ideas for what kind of hat to wear to the grammys the next night!

Goorin chicago is located at 1533 N Milwaukee… for more info go to www.goorin.com or 773.384.4287

Tags: goorin, goorin hats, grammys, hats, store opening