Events & Activities in Chicago

The Arie Crown Theater—named after Lithuanian-native business tycoon, Arie Crown, and Theater, his loyal shar pei—has been a Chicago staple since 1960. Although its home at McCormick Place caught fire in 1967, somehow the theater was spared. It emerged from the smoke to welcome the biggest names in entertainment to its stage, acts including the Rolling Stones, the Temptaitions, the Bolshoi Ballet, and Jerry Seinfeld as well as stagings of Hello Dolly with Carol Channing and The King and I with Yul Brenner.

Close Up 2 certainly has the jazz club vibe down—the dimly lit lounge, the deep blue color scheme, the furnace that runs on burning saxophone reeds. Into this mood-setting space step local duets and trios as well as big bands and big names in jazz, all of whom perform on weeknights until 2 a.m. and weekends until 3 a.m., causing the diverse audience to tap their toes between sips of cocktails.

At Epic, chef Stephen Wambach calls upon regional ingredients to create his Michelin star–winning menu of new American cuisine. Lauded as a “master of meat” by Timeout Chicago, Stephen expertly sears and seasons braised short ribs and a lineup of premium Angus steaks. Cocoa rubbed rack of lamb and apple-brandy glazed pork chops round out the meat selections, which are complemented by seafood delights including cornmeal dusted ahi tuna, seared scallops with butternut squash ravioli, and lobster. Though the name Epic aptly describes the food, it also embodies the restaurant itself. Situated in a River North warehouse, diners are engulfed by soaring ceilings, equalled in drama by the open, winding staircase to the second floor dining room. Sleek, ultra-modern décor runs throughout the restaurant—characterized by gleaming, nearly black wood and minimalistic lighting—and extends to the rooftop lounge. In the open air, guests can sip craft cocktails and mingle in leather booths while drinking in astonishing views of the neighboring skyscrapers.

Mindy Segal, a five-time nominee for the James Beard Foundation’s Outstanding Pastry Chef award, crafts contemporary American cuisine at her combination restaurant, dessert bar, and pastry shop. The restaurant’s foodsmiths aggressively pursue the best practices in cooking and plating, organizing ingredients in ways that accentuate texture, temperature, and taste. Fresh groceries sourced from farmers and Peter Rabbit’s knapsack become salads, such as beets with mixed greens, or sandwiches, such as the cheddar melt on pumpernickel. Entrees for breakfast, lunch, and dinner incorporate French ingredients and preparations while maintaining New-World flair. The restaurant’s namesake beverage—hot chocolate—comes in eight different styles, each crowned in housemade marshmallows and christened with steamed milk or coffee.

Named one of the 100 Best Bars of 2010 by Chicago Magazine, 404 Wine Bar is a far cry from a traditional tavern. Exposed brick walls and dark, reclaimed wood envelopes diners sidled up to velvet-covered booths as they toss back glasses of worldly wines and champagnes. During the winter months, the back fireplace roars to life as servers present tables with platters of gourmet cheeses, grilled seafood, and crispy flatbreads, and offer suggestions on ideal pairings. Warmer weather has guests flocking to the outdoor patio, which is illuminated by stringed lights and dotted with wrought iron tables and chairs.

Chicago Boxing Club enhances strength, endurance, and self-control through invigorating boxing, wrestling, muay thai, and jujitsu classes led by professional instructors. More than 3,000 square feet of training space houses all the necessary equipment to complete full-body workouts, and professional trainers work to instill proper training techniques in students or bitter discarded teddy bears. Cardio machines and weights surround the facility's two championship boxing rings, where students hone speed and self-defense methods in boxing classes or tactical leverage maneuvers in jujitsu classes. Muay thai classes fine-tune flexibility and balance with fast, high-kicking techniques, and youth boxing classes keep kids in shape during off-seasons from writing symphonies or defeating chess robots.