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Downtown after-party ideas?

miniminiminiminiminimini
in Illinois-Chicago
We get kicked out of our Loop venue at 11:30 but a lot of our friends are late-night people.

Our wedding is on the Sunday night of Memorial Day weekend. Our hotel's bar is closing at 12 that night and despite it not being a 'school night,' they won't stay open late unless we pre-pay a minimum for everyone's drinks and food.

We don't want to plan a second wedding...we just want to designate a bar. Where can we go (downtown/river north a must) that will be fun and that will have space, but not totally packed and meat-market-y? We want something not trying too hard--like a dive bar/pub would be ideal--we really don't want any velvet ropes or massive crowds of cheesy people. We may have up to 50 people who want to keep the party going until 2.

We don't live in Chicago so I don't actually know where to go! 

Also, has anyone booked a boat for an after-party? Do they do late-night boat rides? 

Thanks in advance!


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Re: Downtown after-party ideas?

  • ncwenzencwenze member
    100 Comments Second Anniversary
    edited February 2012
     i actually worked (still do part time) on a boat at navy pier. 
    you can privately charter some of the boats, but that gets kinda pricey because if you want an open bar you have to have food ( for liability reasons). then you are looking at a second reception basically; you are paying for the boat, the bar,  catering, and a band/dj

    i know Spirit of Chicago, Odyssey, Mystic Blue, Anita Dee II,  do late night cruises on saturday nights, not sure about sunday...possibly cause it's a holiday weekened. if so this would be great for you. theres a DJ, dancing, usually a really good time, and a great view for out of town guests.  check their websites or call the ticket office to ask.

    as far as regular boat rides go, they usually are only 30 to 60 minutes....and they all wrap up around midnight, that might be too late for you, and not really what you are looking for.
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  • rachelc1985rachelc1985 member
    10 Comments
    Public House is at 400 N State - close to the loop and river north. It's a popular bar, but typically not too overcrowded.  It's not too divey, but not snobby either.  They're open til 2am on Sundays!
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  • KatWAGKatWAG member
    2500 Comments Fifth Anniversary 500 Love Its 5 Answers

    I second public house, a long with Bull and Bear or Moe's Cantina. If you are looking for a place a little bit nicer try anything on Hubbard. Epic has a great roof top, hubbarb inn, Paris Club even, Hub 51. Or the Pump Room (not on Hubbard, but its tha same type of place)

    If you really want to rage, you can go to the Underground which is open until 4am.

    If it is nice out try Roof or Vertigo Sky Lougne.

    I think a lot of places will have special hours given the holiday but I would double check.

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