Alex Kirk:

[`NG]

I will be in chicago sometime in july ( I think) when my lady friend does her glee casting audition or some shit. Are there any places/bars/concerts that are "must see" during that time?

Love,
Justin.

[kirk]

Depends when in July. Pitchfork Music Festival happens right in the middle of July over the weekend. Bon Iver is also coming in late July. Not sure I have the funds for it, though :[ Flaming Lips first week of July, Decemberists end of July.

Stay away from pretty much all bars that are downtown. They're clubs. And it's loaded with predominately slutty girls, new money yuppies, and old money trying to act like new money yuppies. But if you insist in trying to catch a glimpse of Vince Vaughan or the Blackhawks, you can go to Tavern on Rush. My ex is a hostess there and sees those bros come in regularly.

The better bars, which are actually bars (pubs) are in Wicker Park, Lakeview, and Lincoln Park. Wicker Park has a lot of hipsters, but their bars are fine. Lincoln Park is a young professional neighborhood with some yuppies. Lakeview, where I live, is kind of like an up-and-coming Lincoln Park - though Lakeview has a younger crowd, I would say. The three neighborhoods I mentioned are also very safe when walking around at night - young, gay hipsters just don't want to hurt people.

I don't know if there are any MUST see bars, though. Probably because the bars I go to are the ones that people congregate to in order to avoid tourists or anything particularly flashy.

As far as MUST see places - downtown in general, Millennium Park, Grant Park, Michigan Ave. river walk, Navy Pier (especially at night), Sear's Tower (can go to the top and walk out on an enclosed platform for $20/person). And any of the museums if you have time for it. Really just roaming downtown Chicago at night in itself is a must see. You've got the lake at the east and the river just intersecting the city in two when it's all lit up. It's just downright precious.

Where are you staying?

[CharlieGiteau]

Watch out for that rapist in Lincoln Park.

[acetamino]

Computer, can you enhance the 4d3d3d3d please.

[unpro]

or you could let your girl go alone and ignore that shit hole.


but then again, im in phoenix so my opinion on a shitty city is laughable because i live in a shitty city.

[Rob]

Make sure you wear an animal collective t-shirt, skinny jeans, and neon shoelaces where ever Alex sends you.

Such a hipster.

[AlopeX]

omg gotta see the bean

[ohhhhbeeee]

fuck chicago

and fuck kirk

[t`RavE]

Make sure you wear an animal collective t-shirt, skinny jeans, and neon shoelaces where ever Alex sends you.

Such a hipster.

[`NG]

lol, you kids are crazy.



I just want to find a good bar with (hopefully) some local beer or craft beer where I can sit and piss away time while she is doing her singing shit.

And trust me, anywhere is better than fucking Memphis. You could dig a hole and shit in it and end up with a pile of higher IQ than most of this city.

I don't know where we would be staying, I don't know dicks about chicago. Cameron (thebear) and his brother live up there, I could probably squeeze a couch or two out of him if I can't find anything decent.

[kirk]

or you could let your girl go alone and ignore that shit hole.


but then again, im in phoenix so my opinion on a shitty city is laughable because i live in a shitty city.

You've clearly never been to Chicago.

NG there's Schuba's up near me. That's my favorite bar - doubles as a venue. There's another nice place called Matilda's as well that has some microbrews from the midwest. Both are in Lakeview really close to me.

Let me know when you find out where you're staying.

[mg_]

More like Alex Nerdirk.

[acetamino]

I was determined in Chicago
But I dug my teeth into my knees
And I settled for a telephone
Sang into your machine:
"You are my sunshine
My only sunshine
You are my sunshine
My only sunshine,"

[carlos]

Pitchfork Music Festival happens right in the middle of July over the weekend. Bon Iver is also coming in late July. Not sure I have the funds for it, though :[ Flaming Lips first week of July, Decemberists end of July.

Awful music.

[mogers]

Alex, have you seen the Flaming Lips live before?

[hXc]

i'll be in chicago for a week on the 14th and i'm going to millenium park, sears tower, navy pier, the field museum, and the shedd aquarium. weeeeeee

edit: oh and a cubs/yankees game

CAN'T WAIT FOR SOME PORTILLOS NOMNOM

[Rob]

Pitchfork Music Festival happens right in the middle of July over the weekend. Bon Iver is also coming in late July. Not sure I have the funds for it, though :[ Flaming Lips first week of July, Decemberists end of July.

Awful music.

Tell us what you listen to so we can shit all over it.

[carlos]

Pitchfork Music Festival happens right in the middle of July over the weekend. Bon Iver is also coming in late July. Not sure I have the funds for it, though :[ Flaming Lips first week of July, Decemberists end of July.

Awful music.

Tell us what you listen to so we can shit all over it.

I only listen to The Beatles and Radiohead, do your best bro.

Nah, that was sarcasm. Just being bitter since there's no way i could afford to fly to Chicago for PMF and most of those other bands he mentioned aren't touring the northwest. :/

[rdk]

Pitchfork Music Festival happens right in the middle of July over the weekend. Bon Iver is also coming in late July. Not sure I have the funds for it, though :[ Flaming Lips first week of July, Decemberists end of July.

Awful music.

Tell us what you listen to so we can shit all over it.

awww standing up fro his numero uno brohammich

[kirk]

Awful music.

Tell us what you listen to so we can shit all over it.

awww standing up fro his numero uno brohammich

Rob was here sleeping not 15 feet away from me back in March when he came for Arcade Fire with his ladyfriend. We have an unbreakable bond.

Pitchfork isn't for everyone, no doubt. But it's tough to not have fun. It's a smaller festival, you won't feel overwhelmed, and the music is always good for dancing when you're in an intoxicated/high state. And there's plenty of room to sprawl out in the park where it's held.

[kirk]

i'll be in chicago for a week on the 14th and i'm going to millenium park, sears tower, navy pier, the field museum, and the shedd aquarium. weeeeeee

edit: oh and a cubs/yankees game

CAN'T WAIT FOR SOME PORTILLOS NOMNOM

75% of Cubs fans only do it for the image. Wrigley is about 10 minutes from me door to door, 5 minutes on bike. The whole area, Wrigleyville, is frat boy douchey central. Good location none the less with a decent venue near by.

[kirk]

I was determined in Chicago
But I dug my teeth into my knees
And I settled for a telephone
Sang into your machine:
"You are my sunshine
My only sunshine
You are my sunshine
My only sunshine,"

Conor in his emoest of emo days. He actually played that one last tour, I believe.

Alex, have you seen the Flaming Lips live before?

No :\ and I remember you saying they are one of the best, if not THE best, show you've seen. I would love to. But if I have the funds to see any shows, it's going to be Bon Iver. Then Decemberists.

[unpro]

or you could let your girl go alone and ignore that shit hole.


but then again, im in phoenix so my opinion on a shitty city is laughable because i live in a shitty city.

You've clearly never been to Chicago.

NG there's Schuba's up near me. That's my favorite bar - doubles as a venue. There's another nice place called Matilda's as well that has some microbrews from the midwest. Both are in Lakeview really close to me.

Let me know when you find out where you're staying.

multiple times.

[kirk]

or you could let your girl go alone and ignore that shit hole.


but then again, im in phoenix so my opinion on a shitty city is laughable because i live in a shitty city.

You've clearly never been to Chicago.

NG there's Schuba's up near me. That's my favorite bar - doubles as a venue. There's another nice place called Matilda's as well that has some microbrews from the midwest. Both are in Lakeview really close to me.

Let me know when you find out where you're staying.

multiple times.

Which probably means you didn't actually SEE Chicago. Curious as to how you define shitty.

[unpro]

[t`RavE]

I personally loved Chicago, gonna be in the area for 8 weeks starting on June 22 for Boot camp, weeeee! Can't wait for that first weekend of liberty to go get a metro pass and see the city again.

[kirk]

I personally loved Chicago, gonna be in the area for 8 weeks starting on June 22 for Boot camp, weeeee! Can't wait for that first weekend of liberty to go get a metro pass and see the city again.

Agree. Shrug.

I realize the city isn't for everyone, but to call it a shithole is something else entirely. It's a pretty clean city compared to other major cities I've seen (NYC, SF, Phoenix, London, Dublin, Toronto, etc). We have quiet, safe neighborhoods. Lots of museums. A lake and a river. Lots of parks and festivals and sports teams. Navy Pier. Plenty of bars, restaurants, shopping, etc. There's so much you can do for a super tight budget.

[Rob]

Chicago was incredible. My gf and I speak of it fondly when we're driving through an actual shithole: Arlington, TX.

[Miller`]

Wrigley for a day game, Aquarium, Sears Tower in that order.

[mg_]

i'll be in chicago for a week on the 14th and i'm going to millenium park, sears tower, navy pier, the field museum, and the shedd aquarium. weeeeeee

edit: oh and a cubs/yankees game

CAN'T WAIT FOR SOME PORTILLOS NOMNOM

75% of Cubs fans only do it for the image. Wrigley is about 10 minutes from me door to door, 5 minutes on bike. The whole area, Wrigleyville, is frat boy douchey central. Good location none the less with a decent venue near by.

To be fair, frat boy douchey is way better than "shootey because I want your money" Comiskey Southside.

My buddy and I were walking home in the evening, barely 200 feet from the park when a cop came up, lights on, calling us idiots going to get killed, and shoved us in his cruiser.

He then flagged down a cab and told the driver to take us back to our hotel.

10/10, would go through it again. However, lol @ the Southside.

[kirk]

i'll be in chicago for a week on the 14th and i'm going to millenium park, sears tower, navy pier, the field museum, and the shedd aquarium. weeeeeee

edit: oh and a cubs/yankees game

CAN'T WAIT FOR SOME PORTILLOS NOMNOM

75% of Cubs fans only do it for the image. Wrigley is about 10 minutes from me door to door, 5 minutes on bike. The whole area, Wrigleyville, is frat boy douchey central. Good location none the less with a decent venue near by.

To be fair, frat boy douchey is way better than "shootey because I want your money" Comiskey Southside.

My buddy and I were walking home in the evening, barely 200 feet from the park when a cop came up, lights on, calling us idiots going to get killed, and shoved us in his cruiser.

He then flagged down a cab and told the driver to take us back to our hotel.

10/10, would go through it again. However, lol @ the Southside.

Oh no doubt. I remember seeing a show in 2007 (Mumford, actually). The stop was off Ashland, but my intoxicated friend and I got off at Ashlandnear 63rd, which is the southwest end of the city. There was a security guard in the McDonalds.

From Roosevelt to Bryn Mawr is pretty much fine. The areas around me - Wrgleyville, Lakeview, Lincoln Park and River North/Streeterville are ESPECIALLY safe and nice areas.

[kirk]

i'll be in chicago for a week on the 14th and i'm going to millenium park, sears tower, navy pier, the field museum, and the shedd aquarium. weeeeeee

edit: oh and a cubs/yankees game

CAN'T WAIT FOR SOME PORTILLOS NOMNOM

75% of Cubs fans only do it for the image. Wrigley is about 10 minutes from me door to door, 5 minutes on bike. The whole area, Wrigleyville, is frat boy douchey central. Good location none the less with a decent venue near by.

To be fair, frat boy douchey is way better than "shootey because I want your money" Comiskey Southside.

My buddy and I were walking home in the evening, barely 200 feet from the park when a cop came up, lights on, calling us idiots going to get killed, and shoved us in his cruiser.

He then flagged down a cab and told the driver to take us back to our hotel.

10/10, would go through it again. However, lol @ the Southside.

Oh no doubt. I remember seeing a show in 2007 (Mumford, actually). The stop was off Ashland, but my intoxicated friend and I got off at Ashlandnear 63rd, which is the southwest end of the city. There was a security guard in the McDonalds.

From Roosevelt to Bryn Mawr is pretty much fine. The areas around me - Wrgleyville, Lakeview, Lincoln Park and River North/Streeterville are ESPECIALLY safe and nice areas.

[james-]

How are you going to compare Arlington, tx to chicago?

Arlington isn't even shitty compared to half of texas.

[t`RavE]

How are you going to compare Arlington, tx to chicago?

Arlington isn't even shitty compared to half of texas.

I actually liked Dallas/Fort Worth and San Antonio, Houston not so much but still.

Everyone can agree there are places in every city that are dangerous, street lights you don't stop at even if they're red, areas you don't go after dark if you're a certain skin color. Granted I would never choose to step foot in Detroit or Cleveland really, however Chicago is a must see regardless of the Southside.

[`NG]

All of memphis is dangerous.

[Rob]

How are you going to compare Arlington, tx to chicago?

Arlington isn't even shitty compared to half of texas.

Uhh... they're both cities in America.