What we’re about
🎉 Welcome to Windy City Wanderers! 🌆
We’re so excited to have you here!
Whether you’re new to Chicago or a lifelong local, this group lets you explore the city in fresh, unforgettable ways. Think of it as being a tourist in your own town—discovering hidden gems, fun facts, and unique experiences across Chicagoland. 🗺️✨
This group is the sister to our original, "1001 Things to See in Chicago Before You Die," and we’ll be hosting lots of joint events together! 🤝
🎟️ Membership Info:
- Enjoy a 90-day FREE trial
- After that, it’s just $12/year
- Want to skip the dues? Host an event, and your annual fee is waived! 🙌
🚇 Most events happen in the city or nearby suburbs like Oak Park, Evanston, and Park Ridge—and all are CTA-accessible.
❗Group Policy: We have a “3-strikes” no-show policy. Miss three events without updating your RSVP, and you'll be suspended for 3 months. This keeps things fair and respectful for everyone.
🎉 This is a year-round group—winter won’t slow us down! We’re all about meeting new people and having fun through one-of-a-kind outings all over the Chicago area.
💬 Got questions or ideas? Want to lead an outing? Message us anytime—we’d love to hear from you!
Let’s stay connected:
📘 Facebook Page
👥 Facebook Group
📸 Instagram
🌟 Sister Group on Meetup
Can’t wait to wander with you!
Giovina R.
Organizer, Windy City Wanderers 🌬️🚶♀️🚶♂️
Featured event
🥳🍾NYE Day Drinking: Mimosas to Irish Midnight, Class, Chaos & Champagne 🍸😂
🥳 🍾NYE Day Drinking: Mimosas to Irish Midnight, Class, Chaos & Champagne 🍸😂
🎉 NEW YEAR’S EVE DAY DRINKING ADVENTURE!
Wednesday, December 31, 2025 • 12:00 PM – 7:30 PM
✨ New Year, New Plan, Less Nonsense ✨
This year we're ditching the usual Weeds Midnight Party and embracing something revolutionary:
Celebrating New Year’s Eve WITHOUT dealing with drunk amateurs. 😆🍾
Let’s be honest…
Who actually wants to:
❌ Pay $150 to stand in a crowded hotel ballroom?
❌ Play surge-pricing roulette with Uber?
❌ Spend 20 minutes freezing on a curb while valet “can’t find your car”?
❌ Wear sparkly shoes that destroy your feet?
❌ Get elbowed by a 22-year-old who pregamed with Fireball at 3 PM?
Not. Us.
So instead…
We’re day drinking.
Like classy, responsible adults who know their limits and their bedtime. 🍻😇
We’ll be done before the amateurs crawl out of their caves — home in jammies, snacks in hand, and dignity intact.
***
🍔🥂 STEP 1: LUNCH — Because We’re Grownups
📍 Bub City — 12–1 PM
435 N Clark St
🔗 https://www.bub-city.com/
We begin with food.
Because if we’re going to toast 7 different midnights, we’re going to need a base.
This is science. 🔬🍔
***
🗺️ TENTATIVE ITINERARY (a.k.a. The Magical Mystery Bar Crawl)
Subject to change depending on:
• vibes
• crowds
• sudden cravings
• who gets distracted by shiny objects
1️⃣ Bub City — 12–1 PM
435 N Clark St
The pre-game feast. Carb loading = strategic brilliance.
2️⃣ Boss Bar — 1–2 PM
📍 420 N Clark St
A River North classic. Where time stands still and the people-watching is elite.
3️⃣ Rossi’s Bar — 2–3 PM
📍 412 N State St
An iconic dive. Sticky floor included at no additional cost.
4️⃣ Mother Hubbard’s — 3–4 PM
📍 5 W Hubbard St
Sports bar energy. Cold beer. TVs shouting at you. Comforting.
5️⃣ Snickers Bar & Grill — 4–5 PM
📍 448 N State St
A no-frills staple. Perfect for that “we’re still pacing ourselves, right?” drink.
6️⃣ Fadó Irish Pub — 5–7 PM
📍 100 W Grand Ave
🔗 https://fadoirishpub.com/chicago/
Champagne toast at 6 PM for Irish New Year! We WILL toast like we’ve suddenly developed an Irish accent. They actually do a real champagne toast at 6 PM for Irish New Year. We will be there — ready to shout “SLÁINTE!” like we’re on vacation in Dublin.
***
🌍✨ THE WORLD MIDNIGHT TOASTS
We are absolutely using Google World Clock to justify every drink.
It’s educational.
We’re basically scholars.
🎉 1 PM CST — UTC+5
Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Maldives, Western Kazakhstan, places we can’t pronounce but still appreciate.
🎉 2 PM CST — UTC+4
UAE, Oman, Georgia, Seychelles — lots of fancy places we probably can’t afford to visit.
🎉 3 PM CST — UTC+3
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, East Africa, Moscow.
We toast responsibly. Unlike Moscow.
🎉 4 PM CST — UTC+2
South Africa, Egypt, Greece.
Yes, we WILL yell “OPA!” at some point.
🎉 5 PM CST — UTC+1
France, Italy, Spain, Germany.
This is the chic hour. Pinkies up.
🎉 6 PM CST — UTC+0
Ireland 🇮🇪, UK, Portugal, Iceland.
🍾 Fadó champagne toast = our Super Bowl.
***
⏰ THE GRAND FINALE — 7:30 PM
And then…
We go home.
Before the amateurs come out.
Before the $75 Uber rides.
Before the sequined chaos.
We will be at home in slippers, watching the ball drop like the responsible, fabulous adults we are. 🛋️✨
🚇 Transportation Tips
Parking in the River North can be extremely challenging.
Highly recommended:
• CTA (train or bus)
• Metra
• SpotHero or ParkWhiz for better parking rates
CTA Trip Planner:
🔗 https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
***
❗ No-Show Policy (Please Read!)
• Three no-shows without updating your RSVP = 3-month suspension
• Cut-off to update your RSVP = event start time
• If you arrive late, message the host directly
• Not checking in with the host at walks/tours/festival events counts as a no-show
• Repeated no-shows may result in removal from the group
Upcoming events
43
✨🎁 5TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY @ DAD'S PLACE IN WRIGLEYVILLE! (w/KARAOKE!)🎁🎅⛄🤶
Dad's Place, 3369 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, US🎉🎄🎅 ANNUAL MULTI-MEETUP HOLIDAY PARTY! 🎅🎄🎉
📍 Dad's Place – Wrigleyville
🗓️ Starts at 7:00 PM — Please be on time to grab tables!! ⏰✨
Get ready for the MOST ✨🎁 FESTIVE 🎁✨ night of the year — our Annual Holiday Party is back and bigger than ever at Dad’s Place in Wrigleyville! 🍻🎉
Expect food 🍔, drinks 🍹, holiday cheer 🎄✨, and karaoke 🎤😄 all night long!
And YES — karaoke is TOTALLY optional 😉🙌 (sing, cheer, vibe — it’s all good!)
we'll be partying with multiple Meetup groups, so get ready to meet new people 🤝✨, make holiday memories 📸🎁, and celebrate the season together!
***
🍔🍕🌭 DELICIOUS MENU ALERT! 🤤🎉
Come hungry — we’ve got all the goodies!
🍔 Burgers
🧀 Quesadillas
🌭 Brats & Chips
🍕 Pizza
🥑 Guac & Chips
YUM. 😋❤️
***
🎤🎶🎄 ABOUT DAD’S PLACE
Wrigleyville’s coziest, friendliest, karaoke-loving holiday spot!
- 🎤 Karaoke & live music
- 🍺 Great drinks & tasty food
- 🎄 Cozy, festive, neighborhood vibes
🔗 Venue website: https://www.dadsplacechicago.com/
***
✨💚❤️ FESTIVE ATTIRE ENCOURAGED! ❤️💚✨
Bring the HOLIDAY SPIRIT — any holiday you celebrate! 🎅🕎🎄🌟
🎉💫 Classic Holiday Festive Ideas:
- 🤶 Ugly sweaters (the uglier, the better!)
- ✨ Sparkles, sequins, glitter — SHINE!
- ❤️💚 Holiday colors galore
- 🎅 Santa hats • 🦌 Reindeer antlers • 🧝 Elf gear
- 🔔 Fun jewelry, scarves, socks — GO BIG!
The more festive, the more fun. 🔥🎄
***
🚇🚗 GETTING THERE
- 🚆 Public Transit: CTA Trip Planner / Google Maps
🔗 transitchicago.com/planatrip
- 🚗 Driving: SpotHero or Parking Whiz recommended
***
❗🚫 NO-SHOW POLICY
Help keep our events amazing! 🌟
- ❌ 3 no-shows = 3-month RSVP freeze
- 🕢 Update your RSVP before the event starts
- 📩 Late? Message the host!
- ✔️ Check in with the host at certain events
21 attendees
NEW DATE!🎄After-Work Drinks @Butch McGuire’s: Chicago’s Wildest Holiday Decor🍸
Butch McGuire's Tavern, 20 West Division Street, Chicago, IL, US***RESCEDULED TO MONDAY 12/8/25 @ 6 pm!***
🎄 After-Work Drinks @ Butch McGuire’s: Chicago’s Wildest Holiday Decor! 🍸
Holiday Cocktails & Bites in the Gold Coast
Let’s check out a true Gold Coast institution and one of Chicago’s most outrageously decorated holiday bars! 🎅✨ During the season, Butch McGuire’s transforms into a full-blown winter fever dream — lights, garland, giant ornaments, and not one but two double-decker trains chugging through the bar and antique room.
(Even Santa thinks it’s too much… which means it’s perfect for us!) 🎁🤣
📅 Monday 12/8/25 @ 6 PM
📍 Butch McGuire’s Tavern
20 W Division St · Chicago, IL
MEAL & DRINKS
Tables seat 4–6 and the bar does not take reservations, so we’ll be in small groups.
***
💵 PLEASE BRING CASH!
They cannot do separate checks for groups.
Please add 32% (12% tax + 20% tip) to your total.
Cash makes everything easier for large groups!
This place gets crowded during the holidays so we will go on a Monday evening early in the season to beat the crowds!
***
## 🍸 A Little Butch McGuire’s History (It’s Wild.)
In 1961, Butch McGuire borrowed money from his mother and opened his “world famous” saloon — sparking the legendary Rush & Division nightlife corridor.
The place quickly became Chicago’s first singles bar, and legend has it that 5,000–10,000 marriages began here over cocktails and chaos! ✨💍
Butch was famous for:
• Sending drivers to bring “stewardesses” from Sandburg Village
• Insisting men give up bar seats for women (or get thrown out!)
• Hiring female bartenders & managers before anyone else
• Inventing the Harvey Wallbanger & Skip and Go Naked
• Perfecting a Bloody Mary garnished with celery (still iconic)
And of course…
🎄 Turning Christmas at Butch McGuire’s into a Chicago tradition — complete with trains that raise money for the Boys & Girls of Mercy Home.
This man was camp before camp existed.
***
## 📜 Links
Website: https://butchmcguires.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ButchMcGuires/
Menu: https://butchmcguires.com/menu/#lunchdinner
Drinks: https://butchmcguires.com/menu/#beer
***
## 🚇 Getting There
Use CTA Trip Planner: https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
Easily accessible by bus & train.
## 🚗 Parking
Metered street parking on Division, Rush & side streets (watch signs!).
SpotHero & ParkWhiz strongly recommended.
***
## 🚫 No-Show Policy
• 3 no-shows without updating RSVP = 3-month freeze
• Update RSVP before event start
• Message host if late
• Not checking in counts as a no-show
• Repeat offenders may be removed from the group
***
🍸🎄 Join us for cocktails, comfort food, and the most gloriously over-the-top holiday decor in Chicago.
If you love glitter, lights, and pure holiday camp — this is the night out for you!19 attendees
🍷 Swirl, Sip, Repeat: $10 Wine Tasting + Christmas Fun at Buzzed by ZEA! 🎉🍫
Buzzed By ZEA - Salon & Bar, 3707 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL, US🍷 Swirl, Sip, Repeat: $10 Wine Tasting + Christmas Fun at Buzzed by ZEA! 🎉🍫
Wine Down Wednesday — Special Tuesday Edition!
🗓️ Tuesday, December 9, 2025
🕔 6:00–8:00 PM (We’ll meet at 6 PM, but feel free to arrive earlier!)
📍 Buzzed by ZEA Salon & Bar – 3707 N Halsted St, Chicago
💰 Only $10
Unwind early in the week with a fun, festive, and relaxed holiday wine tasting hosted by the always engaging Michael Roberts—expert sommelier and master chocolatier! For just $10, you’ll enjoy generous pours of up to 4 wines from around the world, with the option to purchase your favorites (most under $25!). 🍷🍫
🎄 Holiday Twist:
We’re switching things up with a special Tuesday night tasting for the season! Michael normally hosts on Wednesdays, but he’s making an exception just for the holidays. Come sip wine, taste chocolates, and hang out with Michael—because let’s be honest… the real reason to come is to drink good wine, eat cheese, and enjoy great company! 🍷🧀🍫
***
✨ Event Highlights:
- Casual, walk-around wine tasting format
- Chocolates available for purchase 🍫
- Light bites/charcuterie boards available for purchase 🍴
- All wines available at discounted prices 🛍️
- Perfect for wine newbies and wine nerds
- Michael keeps things fun, engaging, and easy to understand
- Optional group dinner afterward at a nearby restaurant
💳 Payment Note:
You can pay for the tasting with a credit card, but please bring cash for tips—Michael and the staff truly appreciate it!
🍽️ Food Note:
Buzzed by ZEA does not serve food, but we’ll grab dinner nearby afterward—everyone is welcome!
***
📍 Venue Vibe:
Buzzed by ZEA Salon & Bar is a chic hybrid space—salon by day, craft cocktail bar by night. Stylish, cozy, energetic, and perfect for a midweek holiday escape.
🔗 More Info:
- Buzzed by ZEA Website: https://www.buzzedbyzea.com/
- Buzzed by ZEA Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/BuzzedByZEA/
- Michael’s Chocolate & Wine Classes – Divine Dales: https://www.divinedales.com/
***
🚗 Getting There:
🚇 Easy access via CTA – use CTA Trip Planner: https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
🚘 Metered parking on Halsted + limited side-street parking (check signs!)
🅿️ Best options:
- SpotHero: https://spothero.com/
- ParkWhiz: https://www.parkwhiz.com/
***
⚠️ RSVP & No-Show Policy:
🚫 3 no-shows without updating = 3-month RSVP freeze
⏰ RSVP updates allowed until the event start time
📲 Running late? Send the host a quick message
❌ Repeat no-shows may be removed from the group
***
🍷 Come solo or bring a friend!
Whether you’re wine curious or wine obsessed, this holiday tasting is the perfect way to sip, mingle, and celebrate the season. Cheers to great wine and great people! 🎄🍷17 attendees
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