What Are You Doing Tonight?

Restaurants:

• Kroll’s, located in South Loop, is a comfortable, casual sports bar that’s great for a midday reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the convention floor. Featuring standard bar food like pretzels and pizza alongside more unexpected dishes like oxtail soup, Kroll’s offers a relaxed atmosphere. The dining portion of the restaurant closes at 10:00 p.m., after which there is a late-night menu offered in the bar and cocktail lounge. This spot is fantastic for milkshakes, mojitos or catching a Met’s game.

• For a group that can’t decide, The Spoke and Bird Cafe in South Loop truly has something for everyone. Focusing on farm-to-table freshness, this restaurant with ample indoor and outdoor seating has local beers, a full coffee bar and a menu with everything from veggie omelets and kale salads to smoked hot dogs and BLTs. The Spoke and Bird is open 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Monday–Friday, and 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday for all your bean brew, beer and burger needs.

• Are boats more your speed than the boogeyman? Consider Mercury’s Chicago by Night! Cruise. Departing at 8:15 p.m., this 90-minute cruise takes you along the Chicago River and Lakefront, with live commentary on the history and architecture, as well as alcohol, soda and snacks available for purchase. Adult tickets are $45 and can be purchased via the Mercury Cruises website or by calling 312-332-1368.

• Jazzed for the next day of IMTS? Chicago is home to a wealth of jazz clubs, including the historical venues Andy’s Jazz Club and The Green Mill. Both venues have live music seven days a week, from dinner time until the wee hours of the morning. Andy’s requires a reservation for all customers (which can be made via andysjazzclub.com) while Green Mill explicitly states that it does not take reservations. Green Mill is also a cash-only establishment, so stop by an ATM, grab some singles and don’t forget to tip your bartender!

• Need a nightcap without the madcap romps? There are plenty of cozy bars and taverns in the Chicago area! Kibbitznest, located in the Lincoln Park area, has books and board games for patrons to play while enjoying a drink. Both Remedy in Bucktown and Frontier in Noble Square feature ample seating and charming brick fireplaces. EZ Inn, located in Ukrainian Village, is a great spot for cheap drinks and long chats, with a jukebox ready for you to throw on some jams. Of course, if you don’t feel like making a trek, there are plenty of bars near McCormick Place, including Fatpour Tap Works, where you can order from a list of more than 200 brews, watch a game, and chat with newfound compatriots and long-time companions.