Windy City Wine+ Meetup

⛪✨ Discover St. Stanislaus Kostka: Chicago’s Polish Cathedral Jewel 🕯️🏛️

Sat, Feb 28 · 1:00 PM CST

St Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church-Main, 1351 W. Evergreen, Chicago, IL, US

⛪✨ Discover St. Stanislaus Kostka: Chicago’s Polish Cathedral Jewel 🕯️🏛️

🌿 A Monumental Polish Cathedral–Style Masterpiece and the Spiritual Heart of Chicago’s Polish Church Tradition ✨

Join us for a special guided visit to St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church, one of the most breathtaking and historically significant Catholic churches in Chicago.

Located in the heart of historic Polish Downtown, St. Stanislaus Kostka is widely recognized as the mother church of Chicago’s Polish Catholic community. Its monumental dome, ornate altars, and extraordinary interior artistry make it one of the finest examples of the famed Polish Cathedral style in America.

It is officially designated as the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy of the Archdiocese of Chicago and is the “mother church” of all Polish churches within the Archdiocese. Since 1999, the church has been open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for Eucharistic Adoration, hosting continuous Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at all times except during the celebration of Holy Mass — a rare and deeply meaningful distinction.

This is a stationary guided church visit — not a walking tour — allowing us to slow down and fully appreciate the church’s architecture, artwork, symbolism, and rich immigrant history in a peaceful, reflective setting.

Expect soaring ceilings, elaborate altars, vibrant stained glass, devotional chapels, and powerful stories connecting Catholic tradition with Chicago’s Polish-American heritage. ✨

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🕰️ Schedule, Meeting Info & Cost
📅 Saturday, February 28, 2026
⏰ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
📍 1351 W. Evergreen Ave., Chicago,
⏱️ Visit length: ~90 minutes
💰 $15 per person
💵 Cash strongly preferred
(Zelle / Venmo / PayPal accepted as I submit one group donation)

⚠️ All attendees must check in with me at the start and submit payment directly to me so I can provide one group donation to the church.

📸 Photography is allowed — please be respectful of the sacred space and follow any guidance from our hosts.

🎤 Private guided experience arranged exclusively for our group.

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🌟 What We’ll Experience
⛪ A grand historic sanctuary crowned by its iconic dome
🎨 Elaborate religious art, murals, and stained glass
🕯️ Side chapels and devotional shrines
📜 The story of Chicago’s Polish Catholic community
🏛️ Architectural highlights of the Polish Cathedral–style tradition
🙏 Insight into its role as the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy and center of perpetual Adoration

This visit takes place entirely inside the church and its immediate grounds.

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📖 About St. Stanislaus Kostka
Founded in 1867, the parish became the spiritual and cultural center of Chicago’s rapidly growing Polish immigrant community. From this parish, numerous Polish Catholic churches were established throughout the city and region — solidifying its role as the mother church of Chicago’s Polish Catholics.

The present church, completed in the late 19th century and expanded in the early 20th century, is a masterpiece of the Polish Cathedral style — characterized by monumental scale, Renaissance and Baroque influences, dramatic ornamentation, and a profound emphasis on sacred beauty.

Inside, you’ll find:
• Majestic main altar and side altars
• Richly painted ceilings and decorative murals
• Sculptural detailing throughout
• Stained glass honoring saints and Polish Catholic heritage

For generations, the parish has served as a spiritual refuge and cultural anchor for immigrant families building new lives in Chicago. Today, it remains an active parish, a designated Sanctuary of Divine Mercy, a center of perpetual Adoration, and one of the city’s most extraordinary sacred landmarks.

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🍽️ Optional Coffee or Late Lunch After
Those interested are welcome to join afterward for coffee or a late lunch at a nearby neighborhood spot in Noble Square or Wicker Park.
🍽️ Specific location will be shared closer to the date.
⚠️ Please bring cash — some venues may not split checks.

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👟 What to Bring
• Camera
• Respectful attire suitable for a sacred space
• $15 tour fee (exact change appreciated)

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🚇 Getting There
Public transportation is highly encouraged.
• Blue Line — Division stop (short walk)
• Multiple CTA bus routes nearby
• CTA Trip Planner: https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/

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🚗 Parking (Noble Square / Wicker Park Area)
• Limited street parking on Evergreen and surrounding residential streets (check permit signage carefully)
• Some metered parking on Division Street
• Area can be tight — arriving early is strongly recommended
• SpotHero or ParkWhiz may be helpful for nearby garages

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📝 RSVP & Courtesy Policy
✔️ Please keep your RSVP updated
✔️ Cancel promptly if plans change
❌ Repeated no-shows may affect future participation

✨⛪ Join us for a meaningful late-February afternoon exploring Catholic faith, Polish immigrant history, and sacred art — all inside one of Chicago’s most awe-inspiring churches. ✨

🧠🏆 NEW Spot + NEW Time! Golden Girls Trivia @ R Public House 👵🍰🌴

Wed, Mar 4 · 6:45 PM CST

R Public House, 1508 W Jarvis Ave, Chicago, IL, US

🧠🏆 NEW Spot + NEW Time! Golden Girls Trivia @ R Public House 👵🍰🌴

Our rescheduled event from 1/28/26 → 3/4/26 is still happening — but now at a new venue with a fabulous new theme twist!

📍 NEW VENUE
⏰ NEW START TIME
📅 Same Date — Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Please read the updated details below!

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🧠🏆 Golden Girls Trivia @ R Public House – Jarvis Square 🍕🎉
📅 Wednesday, March 4, 2026
⏰ 6:45–9:15 PM CST (NEW TIME)
📍 R Public House (NEW LOCATION)
1508 W. Jarvis Ave., Chicago (Jarvis Square – Rogers Park)
🔗 Event Info:
https://www.rpublichouse.com/trivia2024

Let’s head north to charming Jarvis Square for themed Wednesday Night Trivia at R Public House!

I’ve reserved space for 16 people total — 4 tables of 4, perfect for forming four trivia teams 🧠🏆

⚠️ Only 4 people per team, so RSVP early!

This will be a fun, social midweek meetup with great food, drink specials, and friendly competition.

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💬 Host Note 👵🏻👵🏼👵🏽👵🏾
I honestly did not want to switch venues — you all know I love consistency! BUT this Golden Girls trivia only happens once a month at R Public House… and anyone who has been in this group for a while knows how much I love the Golden Girls. 💛

So when I saw the theme, it was officially non-negotiable. We had to pivot. Blanche would expect nothing less. 🍰🛋️ 💄👠🍸

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🎯 March Theme: GOLDEN GIRLS with CHAD!
Picture it… “Rogers Park, 2026.” 💛🌴🏖️
Golden Girls Trivia Night — where Chad’s wisdom & wit collide!
Test your knowledge of Blanche, Dorothy, Rose, and Sophia in a night of themed questions, laughter, and friendly rivalry.

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🍔🍹 Wednesday Specials
🎲 Roll the Dice for Your Slice!
Order any 12-inch wood-fired pizza and roll the dice — whatever number you roll, you save that amount off your pizza.
🍻 Happy Hour: 3–5 PM
🔗 Full Menu:
https://www.rpublichouse.com/menus-1

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🍕 About R Public House
R Public House is a beloved Rogers Park neighborhood gastropub located in the charming, historic Jarvis Square district. Known for its welcoming vibe, creative comfort food, rotating craft beers, and strong community feel, it’s a local favorite for trivia nights and gatherings.

Their wood-fired pizzas, relaxed energy, and neighborhood charm make it a perfect spot for team trivia — whether you’re ultra-competitive or just in it for laughs.

Jarvis Square itself is a cozy, tucked-away pocket of Rogers Park with a plaza feel, small businesses, and easy access to the lake.

🚇 Getting There
• Steps from the Jarvis Red Line Stop
• CTA buses 147 & 151 nearby
• CTA Trip Planner:
https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/

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🚗 Parking
• Limited metered parking on nearby main streets
• Free residential side-street parking (watch posted signs carefully)
• SpotHero or ParkWhiz recommended
Jarvis Square is smaller and more residential than Lakeview — allow extra time to park.

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⚠️ NO-SHOW POLICY — PLEASE READ
• 3 no-shows without updating RSVP = 3-month event freeze
• RSVP cut-off time = event start time
• If running late, message the host directly
• Failure to check in counts as a no-show
• Continued no-shows may result in removal from the group

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🎉 Come test your trivia knowledge, enjoy great food & drink specials, and hang out with a fun group — whether you’re ultra-competitive or just in it for the laughs!
“Thank you for being a friend…” 💛👵🍰✨

🍷🍴 Savor Lincoln Park 2026: The Ultimate Indoor Food Fest! 🥂🌆

Wed, Mar 18 · 5:45 PM CDT

Theater on the Lake, 2401 North Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL, US

🍷🍴 Savor Lincoln Park 2026: The Ultimate Indoor Food Fest! 🥂🌆

✨ Savor Lincoln Park 2026 (We’re going back!)

We did this last 4 years and LOVED it — totally worth it! This one-of-a-kind indoor neighborhood food festival celebrates Lincoln Park’s amazing restaurants, bars, and hospitality scene. Expect tons of bites & sips, great energy, raffles, and a silent auction — plus those unbeatable lakefront + skyline views! Beer & wine included!! 🍽️🍷🎟️

📅 Wednesday, 3/18/26
⏰ 6:00–9:00 PM (Meet at 5:45 PM)
📍 Theater on the Lake – 2401 N. Lake Shore Dr, Chicago
🎫 Buy tickets here:
https://lincolnparkchamber.ticketsauce.com/e/savorlp2026/tickets
More info: https://www.lincolnparkchamber.com/savor/

🐦 EARLY BIRD PRICING ENDS 2/4/26 — price goes UP after that, so buy soon!

💲 Ticket Pricing:
• Early Bird (through 2/4): $60
• General (2/5–3/14): $65
• It’s Not Too Late (3/15–10:30 AM on 3/17): $70
• At the Door (if available): $75

🎟️ BUY TICKETS NOW — THIS EVENT ALWAYS SELLS OUT!

🍺🍷 Ticket includes:
• Sample bites from participating restaurants
• Beer tastings from local breweries
• Complimentary beer, wine, soft drinks
• Silent auction access + vintage photo booth 📸
• Some restaurants also pour signature cocktail samples 🍸

🍽️ 2025 Participating Restaurants (2026 list coming soon!)
27 restaurants included:
• Avli Taverna
• Azul
• The Bad Apple
• Candlelite Chicago Lincoln Park
• Cedar Palace
• Ceiba
• DeNuccis
• Don Pez Fish Tacos
• Firecakes
• Geja’s Cafe
• Gemini
• KINGS Bowl of NEWCITY
• The J. Parker
• The Lakefront Restaurant at Theater on the Lake
• Lunch Heroes
• Old Pueblo Cantina
• Pretty Cool Ice Cream
• Pure Green
• Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
• Roggenart European Bakery, Bistro & Cafe
• Sapori Trattoria
• Suda’s
• Sushi Nova
• Sushi-san
• Tandoor Char House
• Tropical Smoothie Cafe
• Vanille Patisserie

🍺 Participating Drink Partners:
• Eris Brewery & Cider House
• Funkytown Brewery
• Goose Island Beer Co.
• Revolution Brewing
• Sketchbook Brewing Co.
• Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits

🍴 2026 restaurant list coming soon! (I’ll update once finalized.)

🏛️ About the venue: Theater on the Lake
This event takes place inside the iconic Theater on the Lake, a historic lakefront destination with a full restaurant and bar (The Lakefront Restaurant). The space is gorgeous, right on the water, and this year the festival will use more of the building — meaning MORE space, MORE seating, and MORE areas to hang out comfortably! 🌊✨

🚇 CTA Trip Planner: https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
🚗 Parking is limited (lakefront). Valet $30 + meters/nearby lots. Best apps: SpotHero / ParkWhiz

⚠️ NO-SHOW POLICY:
• 3 no-shows (no RSVP update) = 3-month freeze
• RSVP cutoff = event start time
• Must check in with host
• Repeat no-shows may be removed

🍷🍝 Sip Northern Italy for $10 @ Binny’s Lakeview🍇🍾

Thu, Mar 26 · 6:00 PM CDT

Binny's Beverage Depot - Lakeview, 3000 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, US

** Sip Northern Italy for $10 @ Binny’s Lakeview**

$10 Wine Tasting at Binny’s Lakeview – Northern Italian Wines

Explore the flavors of Northern Italy at this relaxed and affordable walk-around tasting featuring wines from Piedmont, Veneto, and beyond. Expect interesting grape varieties, light bites, and great deals on featured bottles.

Thursday, March 26, 2026
⏰ 6:00–8:00 PM
Binny's Beverage Depot – Lakeview
3000 N. Clark St., Chicago
️ $10 Wine Tasting Registration Required (for drinkers):
https://binnys.thundertix.com/events/259043
Event info:
https://www.binnys.com/events/?locations=store_chicago-lakeview

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** Northern Italian Wine Tasting**
Discover Northern Italy's most famous wine regions — from Piedmont to the Veneto — in a casual walk-around tasting.
Charcuterie will be provided.
I have not been to this Binny’s location before, so I’m not 100% sure how they run their tastings. If it’s like other Binny’s events, it should be informal and easygoing.
You must register if you plan to taste wine ($10).
Registration is not required if you just want to come socialize.

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️ About the Location
This Lakeview store occupies the historic site of the former Ivanhoe Theatre, a classic neighborhood movie palace that once served as a major entertainment venue in the area.

Today, Binny’s continues that tradition as a lively gathering place — now dedicated to wine, spirits, and beer. The large open interior makes it ideal for tastings and special events.

Binny's Beverage Depot is one of the Midwest’s best-known wine and spirits retailers, famous for knowledgeable staff, extensive selections, and frequent in-store tastings.

Often there are special discounts on featured wines during tastings, plus additional store sales.

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✨ Event Highlights
• Casual walk-around tasting format
• Light bites / charcuterie included
• Wines often discounted
• Chocolates and snacks available for purchase
• Great for wine newbies and wine nerds
• Relaxed and social atmosphere
• Optional dinner nearby afterward ️

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** Getting There**
CTA Trip Planner:
https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/

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** Parking**
• Metered parking on Clark & Halsted
• Limited side-street parking (check signs)
SpotHero:
https://spothero.com/
ParkWhiz:
https://www.parkwhiz.com/

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⚠️ RSVP & No-Show Policy
• 3 no-shows without updating RSVP = 3-month freeze
• RSVP updates allowed until event start time
• Running late? Message the host
• Repeat no-shows may be removed

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Come solo or bring a friend! Whether you're wine-curious or wine-obsessed, this is a fun and easy way to sip and socialize. Cheers!