Take everything you think you know about relaxing gyms and day spas and chuck them out the window. That includes the notions they should be overly frilly, overly priced, latent in testosterone and / or only women who have stunning figures are welcome. Now imagine a place where only women are permitted, where the focus is on truly letting the worries of the day slip away, where a mere $20 can score up to three full hours soaking and where no specific body type is required. Oh Thousand Waves, how can women ever repay you?
Whether the visit is for a good, long soak, a well deserved massage, a deep, cleansing herbal wrap or a combination of all of the above, this spa is sure to welcome even the complete novice a day in paradise. The overall cleanliness of this spa helps to ensure everyone will feel comfortable dipping their toes into the water. Swim suits are optional for the baths, but everything else one could possibly ever need is already supplied. (Yes, this is a very open environment.) For those booking an appointment for a massage, be sure to get there an hour early to get in some complimentary Jacuzzi time!
While they may not offer as many services as their higher priced counterparts, what they do offer is very exacting, with top notch service by well trained staff. It actually seems to work in their favor, since it helps their clients zero in on what it is they really need. One of the nicest things about Thousand Waves is their particular care for women who are pregnant or are dealing with cancer. Free treatments are available with doctors’ referrals, including stress management, as they strive to make each woman feel well cared for, no matter how much is being spent. This is genuinely one place where everyone is an equal.
It should also be noted that while this establishment is strictly for women, it doesn’t mean it’s heavily geared for lesbians. All women of all types are welcome, including moms and girlfriends, from the extremely modest to the most empowered. Therefore, those who have even an inkling of insecurity can let it all flow down the drain with those toxins and other impurities. This is truly a haven no price tag can be attached, perhaps deserving of a Mastercard commercial!
Looking for an original vinyl of the Scorpions “In Trance” album? How about that killer CD by The Pixies? Well grab up that list and head down to Reckless Records! It’s a store that remembers what it’s like to actually collect music on mediums other than iPods owned by independent owners. It’s also where all the cool kids still go, even if some of those kids happen to be pushing the envelope on their AARP memberships!
This trio of record stores located in some of the hippest neighborhoods around town have a major cult following by a vast amount of folks who still like to buy their music in person. On top of the latest releases by underground and cult favorites, Reckless Records carries a fantastic collection of used CDs, and they even have cassettes and vinyl as well! How cool is that? While the prevalent genres stocked are rock and alternative, quite a few other styles are also available, making this the perfect spot to scope out those hard to find tracks. A small selection of vintage posters, t shirts and video games are also available for die hard collectors.
Of course, since they carry a good deal of used stuff, they obviously need to get it from somewhere. Folks in the know frequently unload their used items here in confidence, knowing they are going to fetch a good price for them. These guys are very good about keeping track of where everything comes from, so shoppers can also feel good about knowing nothing here is “hot”, making all three of these indie shops great places to support.
The fun, helpful and extremely knowledgeable staff really earn their chops, and they genuinely love what they do, many in underground bands themselves, so chat it up with a local celebrity or two! No music trivia question goes unanswered, so those looking for the extremely hard to find can begin their quests here.
The scene in Lincoln Park is primarily known for one thing: pricey sports bars packed with reverting Frat boys and Trixies. However, there is one place where the kids from that one particular school lunch table (you know, that one, way in the back!) congregate and shake their money makers: that place is the Neo.
Whether you’re into the Goth, Punk, Metal or 80s New Wave scene, the DJs here spin it all! There might even be a few 80s pop songs thrown in for good measure. The entire place is decked out in black, the blackest black, the lights are hitting all the right places, the fog machine has that definitive haunted house smell, the floor is open to everyone and the gin and tonics will knock you on your keister! What more could anyone want?
What makes this place truly a cool place to go is that you can dance like a complete idiot without a care in the world, as the regulars there really aren’t taking notes. Really! There are no attitudes at his place, because real underground scenes like this simply won’t put up with it. The other thing that’s great is most people who hit this spot go there spontaneously off the cuff, so pretty much everyone there is looking to get something going, which also kicks a lot of the pretension out the door. Also, that customary meat market mentality is also lacking, so ladies can go there without worrying about some slime ball “accidentally” bumping them over and over.
So if you’re looking to party and go dancing with your friends in what is probably the absolute coolest bar in Chicago, here is what you need to do:
Dress the way you really want to - be it denim, leather, pleather or lace
Dress as lightly as possible or bring your guard dog buddy, since there’s no coat check
Bring cash
Take the train or cab, as parking really sucks
Find your way back into the alley on Clark and go inside
Whether folks plan on going as a group to hit the Midnight showing of Rocky Horror (with or without full regalia!), a couple wanting to get all snuggly like while watching Breakfast at Tiffany’s or perhaps good friends just want to relive their youth by seeing Raiders of the Lost Ark on the big screen again, the Music Box Theatre is the place to go for a fun and enchanting evening.
While the musty seats can be downright uncomfortable, the sound is very sub par by today’s standards and the carpeting is in serious need of a rehab, that taste of real butter on the popcorn and all those wonderful independent and foreign films more than make up for it. The twinkling lights above and the large organ playing before the shows can stir up some nostalgia no place else can even come close. Classic cartoon festivals, and Grease and Monty Python sing alongs are equally as entertaining. RKO and John Hughes films duke it out for screen time, as do classic Japanese monster movies and cult classics.
There is a second, smaller theatre inside that is even more cozy than the main screen, which many folks say is more akin to being seated in a very large living room. That can be inferred as either good or bad, depending on who‘s being asked. Even so, the magic of the big screen is still highlighted and captured here, making it an experience no soul should pass before leaving.
Those wanting to avoid the family and kid crowds need to take in a later film, just like anyplace else. Unlike the Brew and View, no alcohol is served here, so hitting up the local pubs beforehand or afterwards is a good idea. Also, parking in the surrounding area can be really tight, especially on weekends, so taking advantage of the nearby trains or cabs is highly suggested.
Now here’s a place that all coffee shops should take a few notes from. Folks who are otherwise turned off by that overall corporate, sterile, yuppie Starbucks mentality can come to Mercury Café and claim it as their second home.
Upon entering, the first thing people will realize just how HUGE this place is! It’s well spread out, with comfy couches and overstuffed chairs scattered throughout. There are actual vintage desks and chairs for those looking for a place to work and utilize the free WiFi, including plenty of sockets to plug into, which drops the worry about the batteries don’t dying out. The walls are decorated with rotating art guests can purchase by local up and comers, which adds to the overall coziness and charm, instead of the standard, uninspired wall hangings most cafes hang to merely fill up space. A decently stocked library is also available, as are classic board games and vintage clothing.
The coffee and teas brewed here are fair trade and organic and at very fair prices. Friendly staff actually bring out their orders to their customers, instead of making them wait by the register or keeping their ears perked for their names. What a novel idea! And, unlike many small independent cafes, these folks accept major credit cards, with only a $3 minimum, which saves the hassle of stopping at the ATM ahead of time.
Ample, made to order sandwiches are also available, again fairly priced and prepared with organic ingredients, featuring bread from a local independent baker, including vegan choices. Desserts also come from a local bakery, many of which are completely vegan and absolutely delicious! Dropping a $10 here truly goes a long way, and allows guests to linger as long as they wish, without ever feeling the pressure of the shop “needing the space”.
Since this establishment is so truly inviting, many social gatherings are held here, from chess players to those who have a penchant for all things Goth. Even so, the decibel level never seems to rise beyond a whisper for those seated away from the groups, combined with music filtered through the air that is just as eclectic and genuine as the regulars.
As Chicago’s first woman owned and female oriented sex shop, Early to Bed is a store where women can feel comfortable shopping for fun playthings in a clean, upbeat and supportive atmosphere. No worries about creepy, trench coat donning guys lurking in the corners here! It’s nice to be able to see all kinds of great priced items to check out in person, instead of shopping online. And, the wonderful, courteous staff is more than happy to offer just the right amount of help, without pressure, prejudice or embarrassment. How completely liberating!
Yes, Chicago is blessed with a decent handful of other such stores in the city, but Early to Bed falls in as a happy medium among them all. It is somewhere between the primarily gag and bachelorette party supply store, Batteries Not Included, and the overly pink, foux foux and heavily priced G Boutique, which also tends to cater to smallish sizes.
While this establishment caters to women, be they straight or gay, genders of shapes and sizes are just as welcome, as no double standards are allowed here. The outright vulgar packaging and seedy environment customary to most such stores are kept at bay, making the shopping experience that much more enjoyable. And my oh my how much fun it is to turn on the testers on display! buzz! Bzzzzzz! BZZZZZZ! Folks are guaranteed every item they sell does just what they promise!
What makes this store even better is the vast amount of vegan and latex free supplies on hand, since many of their regular customers go there specifically to find these products, again without having to resort to pulling that otherwise customary happy dance around the mail box. Special items can also be ordered, and their accepting and non pressuring staff is chock full of information, so customers can know up front if the product is a good buy for them. Those who know what they want can and would prefer discretion can of course order through them online.
So yes! Making the trip down to Early to Bed is something everyone should experience at least once in their lifetimes. It’s a safe bet almost all first timers become regulars, because this is a true gift bestowed upon the city, making sure everyone’s sex lives sizzle!
Not that many comic book stores in Chicago offer as much as this place does or have outlasted as many. Chicago Comics is a store where Comic Book Guy would feel right at home, perched above his nerdy pedestal, overseeing the lowly kids and 50 something geeks from far down below, just the way it should be. And who really cares if the guys behind the counter are a bunch of burrito munching, elitist snobs? They know their stuff inside and out, planning their schedules around Star Trek / Star Wars conventions, Comicons and reading up on the status of the latest underground rags - all so us miniscule peon shoppers and collectors can blow our pay checks to get our hands on all that is Avant Garde!
Walking in, patrons are transported into another world, though not exactly Krypton. That first whiff of old newsprint tantalizes the senses, beckoning to enter even further into its mighty depths. Besides the Marvel and DC standards, Chicago Comics carries an ungodly array of independent rags, back issues and rare gems many other stores simply do not have.
Manga, graphic novels and plenty of erotica are also in stock for more seasoned veterans and neophytes alike. And oh my yes - the statuary! and the toys, toys, toys! Where else can one lay their hands on an autographed Lady Death lunch box or an original Luke Skywalker action figure - in mint condition with original packaging?
Esteemed and independent artists make periodic signing engagements, so fans should sign up for their news letter to get the inside scoop. Indie artists can even contact the store for setting up consignment deals, which many stores simply will not handle. How cool would that be to bring your friends along and show them your mini comic gracing the shelves right alongside Stan Lee’s latest release? It’s enough to even make Brodie a tad jealous (though he’d never admit it).
So make the trek out to Chicago Comics, spend an hour or two with your closest friends, blow your hard earned money and swap out reading on the train ride home. Just be sure to scoop up some extra mylar bags, because you never know if what you just bought is going to become extra valuable!
Lordy, Lordy, look at all those brews on the chalk board! They're currently standing at 267 varieties to choose from, hailing from all parts of the world, and maybe even other galaxies! What is this, a geography lesson? Drafts change regularly, featuring stuff most people probably never heard of but fun to try out. Hey: with a name like that, they had BETTER have enough to drink!
Quencher's is a local hot spot for hipsters, locals and even lap tops that features great local acts almost every night of the week, with free popcorn to make folks even more thirsty. They even have a photo booth to capture that sweet, sweet drunken lapse of reasoning! And with the band area spaced out far enough away from the front, folks who want to just hang out and shoot the breeze can do so without blowing out their buddy's ear drum in the process.
Located smack dab on the corner of Fullerton and Western and away from most of the other scene sites, Quencher's plays hosts to some of the most eclectic crowds in town who go out of their way to get there, and hey, they serve up some darn good eatin' pub grub food as well. (Tater tots just plain rock!) Daylight hours tend to be on the mellow side, where the back room takes on a flair more like a coffee house than a bar, but at night and especially on weekends, this place can get really hopping with crowds from all walks of life.
What makes this place cool is the fact that anyone is truly welcome, even people pushing 40 and who sometimes may beg to get carded. Bar flies shackled to the stools are more than welcome here, and yes, the bar keep actually know their regulars' names. Of course, ample youthage on a scene night out are also prevalent, along with all those beer snobs this place just may have been built for.
So hey, come on down and try out something that's hard to pronounce, check out a band and chill out with some new friends. Just remember to bring a small wad of cash, because the only card that's accepted here is a driver's license.
Go ahead and take a double look at this latest Streeterville addition! While you may not find Jack and Larry brooding over a brew about Greedy Gretchen (or plotting their next sexcapade with a pair of Swedish flight attendants!), what you will find is a very retro 70's and 80's themed neighborhood lounge, complete with wood paneled walls, DJs pumping out music of the heyday and even kitschy commercials on the tube! The sitcom snappies on the walls and the fondue on the menu add to the theme, yet the owners somehow worked the nostalgia in with just the right amount of contemporary flair to keep their patrons' minds from going into overload.
This place is really happening after work, as many folks wandering out after a brutal day at the office are more than ready to let their hair down. Sitcom sing alongs tend to spontaneously break out, allowing 20- to 40- somethings to leave the seriousness behind and become fun and silly. Bar height tables and lounge seating around a roaring fire make it a great spot for starting the night off downtown with a new companion, with top notch bar staff at the ready to mix up anything your heart desires.
While not exactly the sort of place for having a sit down meal, the traditional bar grub available is more than ample for whetting appetites before heading out to the main events. Stick with the theme and go with the fondue, or try the Jamaican Jerk served in a hollowed out pineapple! Since the area is not very car friendly, cab it for the night! Take in a performance in the nearby theatre district, go shopping along the Mag mile or take a quiet walk through Millennium Park when the tourists have all but gone.
The only retro on the sans menu are the leisure suits and Members Only jackets - leave those back in the closet, please! And that goes for you too, Mr. Furley! If the Disco Gods are indeed merciful, they will never make a comeback!
While the bulk of their business stems from their banquets and pizza delivery, La Villa does an excellent job at serving up wonderful, authentic Italian dishes, and the only thing inflated is their portions.
This dimly lit restaurant, complete with a full bar and tucked away, high backed booths sets the tone for a casual night out, more on the quiet side on later week nights. White linen table cloths and napkins adorn the well used tables and booths, lit by small candles, accompanied by quality olive oil for bread, setting the tone for something a little more special. Though the d?cor is very much a 70s throwback and could use a little sprucing up, there is a certain little bit of charm here that really doesn't seem to require they act all that fast on a total gut rehab.
Even when the adjacent banquet hall is booked up solid, the service is quick but not pressured, and everything prepared is fresh and home made. The basket of hot bread and focaccia is simply divine, the minestrone soup has a lot of flavor, and the pasta dishes are top notch. Their vast menu of steaks, ribs, chops and seafood are all grilled to perfection, and the small, fresh salad bar is quaint yet very tasty.
Of course, it's their pizza that made them a local favorite, and this is just the sort of place folks enjoy dining out for a pie. Sausage lovers will especially love their home made variety, and the sauce is right on time, even for picky Chicagoans who love their saucy pizzas! A decent selection of wines and brews are available, and the bar staff do a fine job of mixing just about anything guests could ask for.
It's little wonder folks have made this charming Italian restaurant part of their regular routine. La Villa makes folks feel right at home and even know their regulars on a first name basis. Just be sure to dine there after 7pm to ensure the families have already cleared out.
The scene in Lincoln Park is primarily known for one thing: pricey sports bars packed with reverting Frat boys and Trixies. However, there is one place where the kids from that one particular school lunch table (you know, that one, way in the back!) congregate and shake their money makers: that place is the Neo.
Lordy, Lordy, look at all those brews on the chalk board! They're currently standing at 267 varieties to choose from, hailing from all parts of the world, and maybe even other galaxies! What is this, a geography lesson? Drafts change regularly, featuring stuff most people probably never heard of but fun to try out. Hey: with a name like that, they had BETTER have enough to drink! 
Go ahead and take a double look at this latest Streeterville addition! While you may not find Jack and Larry brooding over a brew about Greedy Gretchen (or plotting their next sexcapade with a pair of Swedish flight attendants!), what you will find is a very retro 70's and 80's themed neighborhood lounge, complete with wood paneled walls, DJs pumping out music of the heyday and even kitschy commercials on the tube! The sitcom snappies on the walls and the fondue on the menu add to the theme, yet the owners somehow worked the nostalgia in with just the right amount of contemporary flair to keep their patrons' minds from going into overload.