What we’re about
Welcome to our fun and active group!
Whether you're new to Chicago or have lived here for a while, becoming a member of this group allows you to explore the Chicago area in ways that most residents may never experience. It’s like being a tourist in your own city as we uncover hidden gems and unique experiences.
This group is a sister to the original, "1001 Things to See in Chicago Before You Die," and we will be hosting many joint events together.
Our goal is to create a club filled with enjoyable events, giving you the chance to meet new people while participating in unique and diverse outings throughout Chicagoland. This is a year-round group, and winter won't slow us down!
The annual dues are $12 per member, but you get a 90-day free trial to see if you enjoy the group! If you choose to host an event, your annual dues will be waived. We are a highly active and social group with a wide range of activities throughout Chicago.
Most of our events take place in Chicago or nearby suburbs like Evanston, Oak Park, and Park Ridge. All events are accessible via public transportation, which is why we primarily focus on Chicago.
Please note that we have a firm "three strikes" policy regarding no-shows. If you don't attend an event without updating your RSVP, you will receive a strike. After accumulating three strikes, you will be suspended from the group for three months. We aim to maintain fairness and fun for all our members.
If you have any questions about the group, suggestions for events, or would like to lead an outing, please let me know. Hosting an event allows you to waive your annual dues!
Please also check out & join our Facebook group page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1571684466442303
We also have an Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/1001thingstoseeinchicago/
Giovina Romandine
Organizer for Windy City Wanderers!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- 🌇 Sunset Rooftop Drinks @ Pandan – Inside Viceroy Hotel (Gold Coast)Viceroy, CHicago, IL
🌇 Sunset Rooftop Drinks @ Pandan – Gold Coast
📍 Pandan Rooftop at Viceroy Chicago – 18th Floor
📅 Tuesday Evening 7/15/25 | 6:15 PM Start Time Sharp
📌 1118 N State St, Chicago, IL 60610
🔗 Pandan Info & MenuLet’s check out a stunning NEW rooftop in the Gold Coast! Formerly Devereaux, this space has been reimagined as Pandan, a lush Southeast Asian-inspired cocktail lounge perched atop the 18th floor of the Viceroy Hotel. Expect dazzling skyline views, a stylish crowd, and a curated menu of shareable bites and inventive cocktails.
🌿 Think cozy lounge seating, botanicals, baos & buns, and cocktails as bold as the view.
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🕕 Important Info: Please Arrive on Time
This is a multi-group event, and reservations are very limited.
🔒 We can’t guarantee entry or seating if you arrive after 6:15 PM.
🍽 Tables are reserved for 2–6 people each. We may be seated apart due to the venue layout.
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💵 Cash Only for Group Orders
No separate checks for large groups.
➕ Please add 32% to your total to cover 12% tax + 20% tip
💡 Tip: Bring small bills for easier splitting.
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📋 Helpful Links:
🍽 Food Menu
🍹 Drink Menu
📍 CTA Trip Planner
If driving, there is metered parking, but parking can be tough so use parking apps
🚗 SpotHero | ParkWhiz
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🚫 No-Show Policy Reminder:
✔ 3 unexcused no-shows = 3-month RSVP restriction
✔ Cutoff time to update your RSVP is event start time
✔ Always check in with the host on arrival
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🍸 Bring your rooftop energy, appetite for adventure, and love of great city views—this is a perfect summer night out! - 🎤🌮🎶 Live Band Karaoke + Taco Tuesday! Multi-Group Meetup! 🎶🌮🎤All Star Seafood and sports, Chicago, IL
🎤🌮🎶 Live Band Karaoke + Taco Tuesday! Multi-Group Meetup! 🎶🌮🎤
⭐ Hosted by Deanna ⭐
Come on out for an incredibly fun Tuesday night—join multiple Meetup groups for Live Band Karaoke at All Star Seafood & Sports!
If you've never done live band karaoke before, you're in for a treat! This isn't your standard machine karaoke—the band plays live and helps you out if you don't know all the words or need support. Whether you want to take the mic or just watch and cheer on others, it's a blast either way.
✅ No experience necessary! The band will back you up and keep the energy high.
✅ Or just hang out and enjoy! Watching people perform with a live band is half the fun.
✅ Multi-group event: Expect a bigger, livelier crowd than the RSVP count—these typically average 10–12 people from our group alone, plus attendees from other groups.We want laid-back, non-judgmental, fun-loving folks who want to have a good time and support each other—even if someone can't carry a tune in a bucket!
🎉 TACO TUESDAY SPECIAL!
Come hungry and enjoy their awesome Tuesday Taco specials. Pair your food with drinks from their full bar.***
📅 WHEN:
Tuesday night! Live Band Karaoke starts at 8 PM.
🕗 Arrive early to get a good spot, hang out, grab food and drinks before the singing starts!***
📍 WHERE:
All Star Seafood & Sports
730 S. Clark St., Chicago, IL
✅ Website
✅ Facebook
✅ Menu***
🚗 PARKING INFO:
Street parking on Clark, Polk, and Wells Streets (watch for no parking and permit-only signs—it can be tricky).
⭐ Highly recommend using SpotHero or Parking Whiz for the safest and easiest option.
🚇 PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:
Plenty of CTA options—plan your route here: CTA Trip Planner***
✨ WHAT TO EXPECT:
✅ Sing with a live band (they’ll help you!)
✅ Amazing taco specials
✅ Drinks, friends, fun vibes
✅ A supportive crowd from multiple Meetup groups
✅ Outstanding food & a full bar
✅ Even if you don't sing, it's a great show!***
⚠️ OUR NO-SHOW POLICY:
✅ Please update your RSVP if you can’t make it!
❗ 3 no-shows without updating = 3-month hold from events.
✔️ Cut-off to update is the event start time.
✔️ Message the host if you’re running late.
✔️ Always check in with the host when you arrive.***
✨ Come sing your heart out, try some delicious tacos, cheer on your friends, and have an unforgettable Tuesday night with great people. Whether you’re the next Beyoncé or just want to laugh and clap along, this event is for you.
See you there! 🎤🌮🍻
- 🎶✨ Weekly Wednesday Concerts at Millennium Park – Summer 2025! ✨🎶Millennium Park, Chicago, IL
🎶✨ Weekly Wednesday Concerts at Millennium Park – Summer 2025! ✨🎶
Multi-Group Event
Hosted by Giovina, Tom, Susan & Nelson!Join us all summer long for the Grant Park Music Festival Wednesday night concerts! This has become a beloved tradition for our Meetup groups—great music, good company, and plenty of shared food and wine.
Whether you’ve been coming for years or it’s your first time, you’ll feel right at home.
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📅 WHEN:
Every Wednesday (weather permitting)
🎵 Music begins at 6:30 PM
⏰ We start gathering around 5:45 PMNote: Giovina won’t be hosting every week. When she isn’t there, Tom, Susan, or Nelson will be your hosts. Look for any of us—either way, we’re always in the same spot every week.
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📍 WHERE:
Millennium Park – Great Lawn
We meet way at the back of the lawn near the sidewalk.
You can’t miss us!
📌 Map Pin & Visual Guide: Group Spot Map
🎟️ Gates open 90 minutes before the concert.
Please allow extra time for bag checks & security screening.***
🍷 WHAT TO BRING:
✅ Wine, beer, or your favorite beverages
✅ Snacks & food to share—think cheese, crackers, fruit, dips, baked goodies
✅ Blanket or low lawn chairs
✅ Bottle opener or corkscrew
✅ Cups, napkins, plates, or toothpicks (if you can)
✅ Dress for the weather (bring layers!)✨ If anyone has a small folding table, please bring it! I have 2, but we always need more for all the food and drinks.
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🛍️ Food Nearby:
Running late or don’t want to cook?
Grab something at:
• Mariano’s (Randolph St.)
• Macy’s Food Court (State St.)***
📍 WHERE TO FIND US:
We always sit way at the back of the Great Lawn near the sidewalk.
✔️ It’s easy to spot us—we’re the big group with blankets, chairs, wine, and food!
✔️ If you’re early, just grab a bench nearby and wait for the group.
✔️ See our spot here: Map Link
🎼 Concert Schedule:
Every week features a different performance!
✅ See the full 2025 season lineup:
Grant Park Music Festival Schedule
✅ Know before you go – security details:
Millennium Park Security Info
✅ Venue map & seating:
Venue Map***
🚗 PARKING & TRANSPORTATION:
Public Transit:
• Easy access via CTA trains & buses
• Plan your trip: CTA Trip Planner
Parking:
• Grant Park North Garage or Harris Theater Garage recommended
• Limited metered parking nearby—arrive early if driving
• Use SpotHero or ParkWhiz for deals***
🙌 RSVP & NO SHOW POLICY:
✅ Please update your RSVP if your plans change!
✅ The cutoff to change your RSVP is the event start time.
✅ If you’re running late, message your host directly.
❗ 3 no-shows without updating = 3-month RSVP freeze.***
🌟 Ready to unwind midweek with great music, good food, and fun people?
Bring your friends, a bottle of wine, and a blanket—and let’s make the 2025 season the best yet!
See you on the lawn! 🎶🍷🌿✨
- 🎶 Summer Concert Series in Lincoln Square – The Beaus Live! 🎤Giddings Plaza, Chicago, IL
🎶 Summer Concert Series in Lincoln Square – The Beaus Live! 🎤
📅 Date: Thursday, July 17, 2025
🕔 Time: Meet at 5:50 PM · Concert 6–8:30 PM · Optional Hangout After
📍 Location: Giddings Plaza, Lincoln Square (4731 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago)
🎟️ FREE Admission | Family-Friendly | Outdoors
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The summer outdoor music season keeps rolling—and we’re heading back to Lincoln Square to check out a fun new band: The Beaus! If you joined us last time, you know this one’s a blast—but heads up: this is a very family-friendly event, so it can get crowded. Arrive early to grab a good lawn chair spot!
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📅 Tentative Itinerary:- 5:50–6:00 PM: Meet & greet at Giddings Plaza (bring your lawn chair!)
- 6:00–8:30 PM: Enjoy live music by The Beaus
- 8:30–10:00 PM: Optional hangout after—grab food or a drink nearby
🎷 The Summer Concert Series is a beloved Lincoln Square tradition, featuring Chicago's best local talent in a laid-back plaza setting with beer & wine from Ricochet’s Tavern.
🪑 Bring your own lawn chair! No reserved seating.
🍻 Food & drinks available for purchase (no BYOB).
***### 🎶 About The Band – The Beaus
Chicago’s favorite “MAN-band” brings tight harmonies, Broadway flair, pop covers, and musical parody to life with piano-driven energy and audience interaction. Their blend of showmanship, humor, and musical talent guarantees an unforgettable night of fun.
More info:
👉 https://www.lincolnsquare.org/summer-concert-series
***### 🍽️ Optional Dinner/Drinks After the Show
We’ll likely head to a nearby spot like Jerry’s, Garcia’s, Barba Yianni, Essence of India, or Daily Bar & Grill.
Bring CASH—many places don’t split checks for large groups!
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### 🚇 Getting There- By CTA: Brown Line to Western, or Lawrence/Western buses
- By Car: Metered parking on Lincoln, Lawrence, and Western; free street parking on side streets (watch for permit signs!)
- Trip planner: CTA Planner
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✅ RSVP & Attendance Policy
❌ 3 no-shows without notice = 3-month RSVP suspension
⏰ Please update your RSVP by the event start time
📲 If you arrive late or can’t find us, message the host
✔️ Be sure to check in with the event host at the start
***
Come enjoy live music, warm summer vibes, and great company—Lincoln Square style! 🎶🌆
