Make the most of the Windy City—no booze required.
Across the US , the non - alcoholic landscape painting has evolve well in late years . today , non - alcoholic winesandbeersare a booming patronage , major airlines are offering morebooze - free choice , and the condescending term “ mocktail ” is a affair of the past , reserved for cloying Shirly Temples , while zero - trial impression cocktails have become as telling and innovative as their sottish counterparts . They even come incanned formnow .
All over the land , fromDenvertoBoston , sobriety is n’t just a buzz word or a fleeting flirt with Dry January , it ’s a way of life — and an enriching , execute one at that . Chicago is no elision . While much has been made of the metropolis ’s myriadcraft breweriesand prize - winningcocktail BAR , this is a mankind - class city with a proven taste for hospitality , and truly something for everyone .
No matter how wet or dry your January may be , or where you land on the “ new class , new me ” humour board , there ’s plenty to do , see , and drink in Chicago — without a drib of alcoholic beverage . In bars and beyond , from indoorpickle ballcourts to outdoor gradient , there are endless amusement options to be had beyond a bibulous bar crawl . Here is the ultimate guide to consume play in Chicago while grave .
Courtesy of Park Hyatt Chicago
Non-Alcoholic Food and Drink Things to Do in Chicago
Zero-proof cocktails
Non - alcoholic cocktail have come a farsighted elbow room from tonic urine and juice . Lately , bartenders and bartender have been pouring as much diligent crusade and thought into zero - proof cocktail as they do their alcohol-dependent offerings , enabling customers to enjoy the same craft without the hangover — and often at a lower damage point .
This mean that some of Chicago ’s most revered cocktail legal profession , likeBilly SundayandKumiko , extend elaborated mixed drinks that are well - balanced , flavourful , and Insta - ready , without an ounce of alcohol . At the former , liveliness - free choice include the Lupine Lady , a flowered tipple made with lavender- and thyme - infuse verjus , mint and basil sirup , sparkling water , and black lime salt , and the Cassandra Onda , a garden - to - glass potpourri of Chinese pieplant , sage , Chinotto , juniper , and cane sugar . Kumiko , meanwhile , is the “ Nipponese dining bar ” known for Julia Momosé ’s drinkable smack flight . In plus to delicate martinis , daiquiris , and rice beer , this includes artful spirit - free options like the Umeboshi Swizzle , a tart intermixture of shiso - pickled umé ( Japanese plum tree flush ) , brown rice acetum , lemon tree , and Nipponese seven spicery , and the Time to Shine , a nourishing blending of Jasmine unripened tea , Chinese parsley , green cardamom , lemon , and sparkling grapefruit tonic .
Another Japanese hot spot emphasizing spirit - gratuitous cocktails isMiru , a newcomer in the St. Regis Chicago . Here , diners can taste N / A drinks that are just as passably as the maki — like the Cranberry Mule with cranberry genial , mint , and ginger beer , or the Shiso Fresh with matcha - shiso genial , lime , and Lyre ’s Clasico ( a non - alcohol-dependent scintillate wine ) . For more booze - free scintillation , Sushi - san sport an N.W.A. ( Nothin’ With Alcohol ) menu that sport some of the most colourful beverages in Ithiel Town , like The Last Gift , a strawberry mark - embellish highball with cardamom , mint , and non - alcoholic Chardonnay vinegar . The Glitter Bomb , meanwhile , puts an N / A twisting on a sake bomb , but instead of dropping a slam of sake into Japanese beer , it ’s a shot of edible glitter - infused Cocos nucifera water suspended over a mug of banana pop .
In Lincoln Park , hunky-dory dining stalwartEsmèoffers one of the boldest non - alcoholic cocktail menus in town , useable both a la carte or as sexual union with taste menus . Courtesy of taproom lead Stevan Miller , who does n’t booze outside of work , the queer selection employs wholly housemade syrups , bush , and juices for exciting originals like the Squash Sour with candied butternut squash , citrus fruit , egg Edward D. White , and N / A Seedlip Spice booze . The Cherry Chile Jam is another ravisher — a lustrous juxtaposition of sweet , piquant and tart look , via Michigan cherries , ancho and guajillo chilies , Seedlip Grove , and hibiscus ice .
Heading north , stop off at Andersonville’sNobody ’s Darling , one of the urban center ’s foremostqueer saloon , for spirit - free spritz and CBD - infused champagne , or head toBokehfor sips and snacks in Albany Park . plate to some of the most sensational cocktail on the northwest side , customers have plentifulness of seasonal zero - proof options to mull over , like the Beet Connection with mango puree , beet juice , and lime , or the Velvet Turtle , a striking mixture of orange juice , balsamic reduction , lemon , strawberry mark , egg lily-white , and raspberry dust .
Non-alcoholic bottle shops
The emotional state - loose Renascence has not only rippled through cocktail bar and breweries , but it bring forth the rise of entirely intoxicant - free bars and bottle shop class . LikeIn Fine Spirits , a recent sober entry in West Town that ’s as nerveless and hip as any of its drunken brother . Here , the emphasis is on inclusivity , biotic community , and connexion — in direction that undo the stigma that you need to be hum to socialise . After running some successful sombre soda water - ups , Adriana Gaspar and Hector Diaz launched their own brick and mortar to provide a quad for solemn customers to mingle , and be able to savor craftsmanship drinks without the alcohol . Beer , wine , and flavour are all available for intake on - land site or in to - go bottleful , as are spirit - free cocktail .
In Humboldt Park , Bendición Dry Baris another John Barleycorn - free option . More than a bare bar or bottle shop , though , this is another sanctuary where community is at its core — designed to offer good social abatement for everything from day of the month dark and events to recovery meetings . The effect is an eclectic , bid space that ’s both stocked with all manner of non - alcoholic spirits , wine-colored , beers , bottled cocktail , and seltzer , but also fun events like sober book clubs , journaling classes , and acoustical music nights .
Tea
If there ’s one alcohol - detached drinkable that sports a standardised sleight and creative thinking to cocktails , it ’s tea . And in Chicago , there ’s a batch of it . A newer option , Eli Tea Baris a rainbow - clad tea shop and grave cake in Andersonville that offer more than 100 loose - leafage option , plus tea lattes , kombucha , and bubble tea leaf . repeat as a sober social hub , the shop hosts regular community event , like opened mic night , trivia , book club , and queer sports meeting - ups . With an vehemence on Nepali and Native American offerings , Chiya Chai — with locations in Logan Square and on the business district Riverwalk — extend a wide world of chai , fruity lassis , and all manner of raging and iced teas . The chais , in particular , are the way to go , from traditional masala chai to more esoteric flavors like eucalypt , powdered ginger - fennel , and pinkish Strategic Arms Limitation Talks with almond butter .
Another chic option isBar Pendry , where savory and sweet tea pillar come fill with truffled testis tartlets , Koji beef carpaccio , and s’more macarons , along with teas from Rare Tea Cellar , like Wild Blueberry Noir and Autumn Harvest Cranberry Apple .
Wellness Things to Do in Chicago
Park Hyatt Chicago
If you ’re looking to really address yourself , in a multi - sensory kinda way , spend some time at
Park Hyatt Chicago . It ’s an idyllic way to while away an afternoon , by viewing the “ Not Your Mother ’s Dining Room ” exhibit at NoMI Gallery , drinking a non - alcoholic cocktail atNoMI Gardenoverlooking Michigan Avenue , and enjoying a hydrafacial at the NoMI Spa .
Go vintage shopping
Retail therapy count as health , right ? Right . Chicago is teeming with antiquated ephemeron , found in mismatched shops all over town . Some of the good and brightest , plethoric with everything from second - hand duds to Narnia - floor wardrobes , includeLost girl Vintage , Knee Deep Vintage , Kokorokoko , andRagstock ’s multiple locations .
Forest therapy walk
Nature , in all its healing serenity , is n’t as inaccessible in Chicago as you might think . In addition to a all-inclusive raiment ofparks and unripened spaces , the always - soothing Morton Arboretum offers forest bathing — the practice of “ bathing ” your senses in the all - raw equanimity of the forest . Guidedforest therapy walksare host by certified guides , who take guests to different area of the botanical garden and help them to to the full bury themselves in their quiet environment . It culminate with a ceremony that feature tea made from plant scrounge throughout the arboretum .
Roman baths
There ’s no good way to melt your stresses away than with a soothing soak in a bath inspire by traditional Roman , Greek , and Ottoman health ritual . Aire Ancient Baths , domiciliate within a restored factory in River West , offer a wealth of washup options , from enormous pools to intimate tubs for couples , all within an flowery space delineate with brick and beam . Massages , steam rooms , and aromatherapy are also useable . For the Valentine ’s Day season , the baths are bedecked with Chuck Berry - toned flowered installations and offering extra couple ’s treatments , like the Ultimate Blossom Ritual with floral torso masks on ardent marble beds .
Sports Things to Do in Chicago
Pickle Ball
Pickle nut is all the rage these days , but you need n’t hold back until sunnier spring days to partake in the ( mostly ) outdoor variation . In Algonquin , Pickle Haüsis a new state - of - the - artistic production jam ballock locus and eating place that boasts 41,000 - sq.-ft . of entertainment , including 12 indoor court of law , two golf game simulators , and all - 24-hour interval menus that emphasize shareable snacks like hummus , pizza pie , pretzel bites , and meatballs .
WhirlyBall
The best kinds of sports are those that mix four different sports in one , like the one - of - a - kind spectacle that isWhirlyBall . essentially a commixture of lacrosse , basketball , hockey , and bumper cars , it ’s a playfulness squad activity that involves players scooping up wiffle ball and thrust them into nets , all while dodging each others ’ slow - moving vehicle on a court . The monolithic Bucktown facility also offer a bowling alley and optical maser tag , plus thing like ping - niff , elephantine Jenga , and cornhole .
Big Mini Putt Club
Mini golf is always a sport Americana action , for couples and group likewise , but since Chicago winters are less kind to retro out-of-door courses , likeBunny Hutch , it ’s not typically a year - beat endeavor . That ’s whereBig Mini Putt Clubcomes in , a new indoor mini golf game concept with locations in Wicker Park and Lakeview . Each nine - kettle of fish course of study is quirky and fun , and full bars offer alcohol - free drinks like the Somewhere in the Sand with orange succus , grenadine , coconut , and pineapple succus
Bowling
For some folks , bowling might be an opportunity to engage in a leisurely societal variation while drinking beer ( or , umm , White Russians ) , and while you’re able to sure do that at retro - chicAvondale Bowl(they even have a vegan freeze White Russian ) , the vintage - cheer business organisation also offers an expansive selection of N / A crapulence to match with your strike . This include spirit - free Negronis , N / A beers , and CBD tonic .
Other Things to Do in Chicago
Play Picasso at Shot of Art
AtShot of Artin West Town , attendees can roll up their sleeve and get a little more hand - on with their creations . The unparalleled studio apartment space invites participants to plan their own paintings , using all mode of supplies and resources on - site . One model is the Shooting + Spinning class , wherein guests shoot paint - filled balloons with airsoft guns , and then use a wheel to spin their spill rouge into a one - of - a - variety canvas .
Garfield Park Conservatory
Across two Acre of indoor nursery blank space and 10 land of outdoor gardens , theGarfield Park Conservatoryis among the most impressive and heroic of its kind . Its legion soaring rooms are filled with flora from all over the world , from gnarly cacti and towering palm Tree to fragrant ferns and shining flower . In addition to simply exploring the grounds and soaking it all in , the conservatory hosts periodic event , from fry ’ classes and cooking demos to live euphony nights .
Magic, mysteries, escape rooms
If your preferred method of recreation entails probing your brain for some tier of enigma or intrigue , then Chicago sure as shooting has the outlet for you . For something immersive and thematic , there ’s areal - life game of ‘ Clue’that you’re able to play downtown , whileThe Chicago Murder Mystery Touris equal parts historic walking tour , outdoor safety valve room , and execution enigma party . While pilot Chicago watershed , the hitch explores the city ’s infamous criminal past times while simultaneously enforce a slaying mystery game where attendees become police detective and suspect .
It ’s a different kind of closed book at theChicago Magic Lounge , a speakeasy - style living room in Andersonville , where the whodunnit is less about murder and more about sleight of hand trickery . The adults - only place , comprise of a cabaret theater , carrying into action bar , and phase , is as fun and rummy as it is mind - blowing . There ’s also a full menu of nutrient and drinks , including some spirit - liberal elixirs , like the Hocus Pocus with passion yield cordial , non - alcoholic bitter , and sodium carbonate water supply .
In River North , The Escape Gameis really the gilt standard for escape room in Chicago . Always a quality idea for a Nox out with friends , serious or otherwise , each game entails sleuthing your path through multiple detailed suite , with intricate musical theme like Prison Break , The Heist , Gold Rush , and Mission : Mars . Each one can have up to eight Edgar Guest , and the difficulty range from challenging to downright unsufferable ( but do n’t concern , clues are always available if you need any ) .
Courtesy of In Good Spirits
The 606 Urban Trail
Sometimes , the childlike pursuit can be the best . Like something as pure as a amble by the lake or a drive on an urban trail . Fortunately , Chicago is teeming with all of it , from the 18.5 - mile Lakefront Path track that runs northward and south of business district , andThe 606 , an elevated rail line - turned - trail that stretches nearly three mile from Bucktown to Humboldt Park , offer plenty of landscaped greensward for walk , biking , rollerblading , and trot . Rosa Parks and nature reserves , like LaBagh Woods and the North Park Village Nature Center , provide great deal of solace and DIY forest washup , while places like Northerly Island in the South Loop , or the Nipponese Garden in Hyde Park , are advanced for their own outdoor zen .
Courtesy of Aire Ancient Baths
Courtesy of WhirlyBall
Courtesy of The Escape Game
