As the polar vortex started to settle into Chicago, two friends traveled here to visit for a long weekend. We decided to stay downtown at the Westin. When I walked into the lobby, I was transported back to a birthday celebration several years ago that started at the hotel bar, 320 River Bar. I recall the bill being astronomical (thank you dad).
Fast forward to now. Happy hour specials are now allowed in Chicago, whereas they used to be banned from 1989-2015. To my liking 320 River Bar has $5 glasses of wine daily from 3:20pm - 6:20 pm.
My friends and I engaged in happy hour glasses of wine all four days we were at the hotel, sometimes taking the elevator to the lobby only to return to the room with a glass of wine to enjoy while we lounged around and other times posting up at the bar to enjoy a drink and bar mix snacks before dinner.
The view that weekend was a snowy one, but I look forward to returning in summer as the bar offers a view of the Chicago River.
Find your way with 116 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!
"Dearborn Denim" in Chicago has real, American-made denim jeans. They even lack the hems so you can have final stitches done on-site and custom for you!
by
"Chicago Magic Lounge" is in a large theater, but here they also do magic right at the bar! I recommend staying for several sets: you too will be stumped!
by
"Lickity Split" in Chicago is my idea of perfect. If your favorite dessert is ice cream, as it is mine, you absolutely have to come get a 'concrete'...
by
"Int'l Museum Surgical Science" in Chicago sounds a little creepy at first. It makes you grateful to be alive in the most recent era of modern medicine...
by
"Bar Roma" in Chicago is my favorite Italian restaurant in the area hands down! This is kind of a big deal, since Italian isn't even my favorite cuisine...
by
"Sacred Art" is a 100% local art shop with paintings, jewelry, ceramics, dioramas, photography and more. I love how the owners are almost always there...
by
"Marty's Martini Bar" in Chicago is the kind of bar where you know you're among adults. The atmosphere's great but what's even greater are the drinks...
by
"Cone Gourmet Ice Cream" is a Chicago boutique ice cream parlor with truly unique flavors, known for its soft serve, hand-scooped ice cream sandwiches...
by
"La Scarola" Chicago: a hole-in-the-wall Italian restaurant with some of the most flavorful & filling authentic fare in the city. Fancy some limoncello?
by
"Cornelia Arts Building" in Chicago is a converted industrial studio right by the train tracks -- it's been decades ahead of this art trend...
by
116 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 116 Insider Tips