Paging the Chicagoans

[sleazy rider]

Acquaintance is coming over the pond next week to town.  He's staying at the Doubletree Miracle Mile one night, then heading out to Schaumburg Convention Center for four more.  He needs suggestions for blues bar, places to eat on an expense account and touristy stuff.  All suggestions welcome and will be forwarded on to him.

I've sent him the link for this page.

[mxvet57]

Are you talking about the Blues Bar in Mt. Prospect?

[sleazy rider]

Any nice blues bars in the downtown area?

[Cab]

Ta Sleazy.

I think it's the Hilton - magnificent mile that I'm in on the Sat night. Or it could be the doubletree. TBH, until I check my travel plans email again, I don't know  

Tips for the Sat night would be more than appreciated. Sun-Thurs will more than likely be covered by my colleagues in Schaumberg.

Cab

[sleazy rider]

Welcome to the board, Cab.  

[Fourstring]

Hey Cab! 

Hilton Mag Mile is a nice hotel- I'm there about once a month.  The restaurant downstairs isn't too shabby if you're just pooped from traveling either.

Andy's Jazz Club is my favorite downtown.  It's not too far from the House of Blues if you'd rather have the overly-commercial equivalent.  If he's a hard-core music guy, go to the Green Mill or M-Lounge.  Green Mill usually has a bad-ass organ trio called Sabertooth there on the late jam most Saturdays.  Just north of the Excalibur (big dance club) there's a smaller spot called The Joynt; my jobbing guys have a residency there on most Friday's and Saturday's.

For blues, just head to Buddy Guy's Legends and call it a night- Buddy shows up there to sit in a few days a week.  For something more off the beaten path and really authentic; go to Kingston Mines on the north side.  Don't eat the food; they just got the rat problem under control. 

In Schaumburg, there's Durty Nellie's around the corner in Palatine.  It's a dual-stage rock and blues club, lots of cover bands, easy parking.  It's a bit of a drive, but there's a combination ski-hill and bar in Lisle for the younger crowd  called The Four Lakes.  There'll be a loud-ass band just about every night.  As far as dining, you pretty much can't go wrong in Schaumburg, since there's a ton of money in the area.  If he's got an expense account, I recommend the Capital Grille right by the airport.  Prepare to blow some cash- I think our last bill for three was close to $600.

[Cab]

Hey Cab! 

Wotcha.

Hilton Mag Mile is a nice hotel- I'm there about once a month.  The restaurant downstairs isn't too shabby if you're just pooped from traveling either.

Andy's Jazz Club is my favorite downtown.  It's not too far from the House of Blues if you'd rather have the overly-commercial equivalent.  If he's a hard-core music guy, go to the Green Mill or M-Lounge.  Green Mill usually has a bad-ass organ trio called Sabertooth there on the late jam most Saturdays.  Just north of the Excalibur (big dance club) there's a smaller spot called The Joynt; my jobbing guys have a residency there on most Friday's and Saturday's.

Nice one, will probably check one or two of those out.

For blues, just head to Buddy Guy's Legends and call it a night- Buddy shows up there to sit in a few days a week.  For something more off the beaten path and really authentic; go to Kingston Mines on the north side.  Don't eat the food; they just got the rat problem under control. 

I did try to sort out something at Buddy Guy's, but he's all booked up for the Sat night.  

In Schaumburg, there's Durty Nellie's around the corner in Palatine.  It's a dual-stage rock and blues club, lots of cover bands, easy parking.  It's a bit of a drive, but there's a combination ski-hill and bar in Lisle for the younger crowd  called The Four Lakes.  There'll be a loud-ass band just about every night.  As far as dining, you pretty much can't go wrong in Schaumburg, since there's a ton of money in the area.  If he's got an expense account, I recommend the Capital Grille right by the airport.  Prepare to blow some cash- I think our last bill for three was close to $600.

Ta again. I've not been to Chicago before so that'll be handy info. I can make out that I'm all clued up to my colleagues.  

[Grnarrowe]

Try Kingston Mines on Halsted and Blues right across the street.  

http://kingstonmines.com/

[jadziadax8]

Since you're out in the 'burbs, Cab, you may want to recommend Schnitzel Platz to your colleagues for dinner one night.  Authentic German food every night and Hank & Bob Thursday-Sunday nights.  Hank & Bob are the coolest polka duo on the planet.  A couple of WWII vets playing bass and accordion, doing jazz standards polka style (as well as "I don't want her, you can have her; she's too fat for me.")

http://www.schnitzelplatz.com/

[Cab]

Try Kingston Mines on Halsted and Blues right across the street.  

http://kingstonmines.com/

That could be a go-er, thanks.

[Cab]

Since you're out in the 'burbs, Cab, you may want to recommend Schnitzel Platz to your colleagues for dinner one night.  Authentic German food every night and Hank & Bob Thursday-Sunday nights.  Hank & Bob are the coolest polka duo on the planet.  A couple of WWII vets playing bass and accordion, doing jazz standards polka style (as well as "I don't want her, you can have her; she's too fat for me.")

http://www.schnitzelplatz.com/

Heheh, one of my colleagues attending is German.  

Mind you, I've always tried to get a copy of fawlty towers and the "don't mention the war" clip to show her:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xnNhzgcWTk

[jadziadax8]

Heheh, one of my colleagues attending is German.  

Mind you, I've always tried to get a copy of fawlty towers and the "don't mention the war" clip to show her:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xnNhzgcWTk

Lol!

One night we were drinking with Chef Wolfgang, and Fourstring asked him where he learned to cook.  The response?  "In Germany!"

[Fourstring]

That could be a go-er, thanks.

Seriously, don't eat the food.

Good news is, there's a 24 hour Mexican place two doors down on the same side of the street that probably makes the best burritos in Chicago.

[CLAY]

Hey Fourstring- what do you think about Blue Chicago?  I have always enjoyed that spot- but we often stay at the Best Western River North (right around the corner).