Chicago Athletic Association Chicago

Library bar

Sophie from Chicago

"The "Chicago Athletic Association" (CAA) is an elite, hidden, and multifaceted space in the heart of the Loop. The gem of this hotel is the drawing room..."

The Chicago Athletic Association (CAA) is an elite, hidden, multifaceted space in the heart of the Loop. Located directly across from Millennium Park, the CAA is primarily an established hotel for tourists to take refuge in from a busy Michigan Avenue. Additionally, there are multiple bar and restaurant options to choose from inside, including rooftop bar Cindy's and a Shake Shack; however, I think the gem of this hotel is their Drawing Room.

This grand room is designed entirely out of wood with large working fireplaces and plush chairs and couches for hotel guests and tourists to sit upon. The vibe of the space is akin to a library in the Harry Potter book series or an Ivy League university study lounge. There are plenty of tea, coffee, libation, and light snack choices on their menu. For those looking for more activity, right across the Drawing Room is a Game Room, complete with a pool table, bocce ball, and shuffleboard.

You'll often see a group of employees in this spot during an after-work happy hour outing. There are plenty of ways to explore this hotel's public spaces and it's a spot to bookmark and rest in after strolling through Millennium Park or the Art Institute.

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Chicago Spotter Sophie

About me A proud Chicago native and past Fulbright scholar, I hold a BA in English and Spanish from the University of Iowa and an MFA in Creative Nonfiction Writing from Columbia College Chicago. It was during graduate school I really started exploring many of Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. I occasionally teach English classes but am primarily a copywriter. I also host an open-mic reading series in Lincoln Park (and on Zoom), write essays, and travel in my free time. I'm on the pursuit for the best cup of brew and have been to over 150 different coffee shops in Chicago. ...

About this spot

12 S Michigan

Cocktails:

USD

Website

3129403552

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Oct 16, 2025

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