It is perhaps the best time of the year when Chicagoans can reach new heights and drink on a rooftop. That time of year, is almost here and we've got you covered on the places to make your elevated Summer 2019 memories.
The Robey Hotel-Cabana Club and The Up Room
The hotel rooftop bar is a concept that every big city is familiar with, but The Robey hotel in Chicago’s Wicker Park/Bucktown neighborhood offers two different rooftop experiences. As the only tall building in the neighborhood, the skyline views are from a perspective that most people are not able to see the city from. With 360-degree views of the city skyline, Cabana Club and The Up Room welcome guests to experience Chicago in a completely new context.
On May 5th, Cabana Club and the outdoor terrace of The Up Room will open for the season. The indoor section of The Up Room is open year-round. Both rooftops offer something for everyone, no matter what you’re feeling - such as a date night at The Up Room or a summer day drinking frozen cocktails by the pool at Cabana Club with friends. No matter what, instaworthy views of the Chicago skyline are guaranteed - and cocktails always taste better with a view.
Cabana Club (6th floor) - open May 5-September
Cabana Club is The Robey’s sixth floor rooftop pool and deck overlooking the entire Wicker Park neighborhood, as well as 360-degree views of the Chicago skyline. Cabana Club is equipped with two full bars—indoor and poolside. Visitors can relax with frozen cocktails and food while soaking up the sun and sunset in the evening. The pool is open to all, not just hotel guests.
The snacks include jalapeño poppers, cucumber salads, popsicles, sandwiches, smoothies and more. The frozen cocktails are back this year, with talks of having a 32 oz glass for a frozen margarita to share with friends in a large gimlet glass. There will also be cabana punch, daiquiris, aperol spritz, beer, wine and more.
Made You Blush (Hangar One Rosé, St Elder, Aperol, Lime)
Cool as a Cucumber (Espolon Reposado Tequila, Grand Marnier, Lime + Cucumber)
Miami Vice(Blend of Colada and Strawberry Daiquiri)
The Up Room (13th Floor) - open all year round, outdoors open May 5-September
Located on The Robey hotel’s 13th floor, the venue offers specialty cocktails, wine, beer and a whiskey selection with indoor seating and a terrace showcasing the Chicago skyline. The Grotto—a secluded, private alcove nestled within The Robey’s bell tower.
Duck Fried Rice(Sesame Infused Aylesbury Duck Vodka, Lemongrass Infused Ford’s Gin, Bitterman’s Tepache) - comes with a fortune cookie in an interactive display.
Is It Summer Yet? (Gin, Elderflower Liquer, Lemon Bitters, Prosecco, Butterfly Pea Tea Ice Spheres) - starts off clear and transforms the taste and color to a beautiful, bright purple as the ice melts
April Showers, Bring May Flowers(Cachaca, Chareau, Lime, Cucumber, Orange Bitters, Absinthe, Soda) - refreshing taste that resembles a spring salad
Etta This year at etta’s rooftop, you’ll never have to worry about summer rainy days. There will be new decor with a new awning that will be fully retractable, with the option of being fully enclosed. The rooftop includes both an indoor and outdoor space where guests can dine and enjoy etta’s full menu or grab a drink and snack at the upstairs indoor bar.
Additionally, etta has announced their new weekend Rooftop brunch happening every Saturday and Sunday this summer beginning this Sunday, May 26th.
Cool as a Cucumber at Cabana Club (Photo Credit to Perry Fish)
Cerise at Virgin Hotel Chicago
Virgin Hotels Chicago marks the arrival of summer and reopening of its seasonal rooftop lounge Cerise on Saturday, May 4 at 2PM with a Cuatro de Caballo Party celebrating both Cinco de Mayo and The Kentucky Derby in one party. Located on the 26th floor of the Loop hotel.
At the free and open-to-the-public event, guests will be greeted at the entrance to Cerise with a Derby debutante and two miniature ponies. All guests will receive surprises from Chandon champagne and other goodies upon entrance. For true Derby fans, a projector will showcase all the racing action.
Greg Corner and Brock Manke will kick off the party with ’80s music from 2 p.m.-8 p.m., followed by Tengo Funk into the late hours of partying.
Cerise will be hosting entertainment programming and day parties as part of its Red Hot Summer series for the whole season, including the following and more:
Tuesdays - Ladies Night with a rotating roster of female DJs playing music ranging from Top 40 and House to Soul and Hip-Hop.
Wednesday - Disco Design with DJ Josh Zeitler puts the spotlight on local design companies with a mix of Disco and Funk House music.
Thursday - Agency After Hours DJ Roster from Leo Burnett (5 p.m.-9 p.m.) and rotating Electro DJs (Kevin Hsia, Nick Massey, 3feetdeep) from 9 p.m.-close
Friday - Sonorama Latin World and House Music (5 p.m.-9 p.m.); DJ Daniel Villarreal and his unique mix of Latin World, Salsa and Cumbia (9 p.m.-close); Rocksteady Disco featuring Peter Croce the first Friday of the month (9 p.m.-close); Super Heavy Salsa Mama every third Friday of the month (9 p.m.-close); and special parties for holidays, festivals and more
Saturday - Monthly Day Parties from 2 p.m.- 8 p.m. featuring Daylight Disco, Sea of Fools (Yacht Rock /Pop/Funk/Soul) and The Lavender Group (House/Electro). A rotating roster of evening events will include sets by Will Galvan, Bizarre Love and Tengo Funk as well as special one-night fetes.
Sunday – Rotating Brighter Daze day parties from 2 p.m.-8 p.m. will include Trance Identity (Downtempo/Chill/Lounge/House), Calm & Collective (House/Deep House/Electro), Luminate Beats (Electro, Underground/Deep House) and special parties for holidays, festivals and more.
Monthly LGBTQ parties in partnership with For All Humans, a queer-owned creative and experiential agency, will also be incorporated into weekend programming with the first event, High Femme, taking place on 5/17.
The Bar at Cerise (Photo Courtesy of Cerise)
VU Rooftop Bar
The rooftop n the city’s South Loop neighborhood at 133 East Cermak, is gearing up for the summer season in Chicago - rooftop season - with the launch of their new brunch program, curated by Executive Chef Nolan Narut. With an array of brunch options for every type of palate, guests will be offered a selection of shareable brunch items paired with specialty cocktails.
The brunch menu, available Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., features a variety of options for guests to choose from, including a Buttermilk Fried Chicken & Belgian Waffle complete with a sweet chile sauce, scallions, and maple whipped butter, $16; Pork Belly Hash with crispy rice cake, poached eggs, togarashi, and hollandaise, $16; Salmon Lox and Everything Bagel with a spiced cream cheese, arugula, onions and orange supremes, $15; VU Brunch Sandwich, with a braised shortrib, fried egg, Texas toast, shallot jam, and provolone, $15; Lobster Chilaquiles, with a salsa verde, roasted corn, Chihuahua cheese, and sunny eggs, $18; and Puff Pastry Doughnuts, complete with a sweet bacon glaze and a guava mousse, $12.
Guests looking to make their brunch a little more boozy can pair their meal with a selection of brunch cocktails, all $14, that include Bubbles #1 mixed with coconut arrack, citrus, pineapple, and cava; Brewed #1 with Sloe Gin, citrus, orange liqueur, and saison; Bloody #1 complete with Classico Mezcal, tomatillo, tomato, cucumber, garlic, and salsa verde; Gin #1 with alpine liqueur, vermouth bianco, citrus, aloe, and cucumber; and Pisco #1 mixed with citrus, blueberry tea, and soda; and Vodka #2 with Door County Cherry, orange liqueur, peach cordial, topped with prosecco, $15.
Brunch is served in VU’s solarium bar, which offers both indoor and outdoor space. Retractable windows give guests a view of Lake Michigan.
It is perhaps the best time of the year when Chicagoans can reach new heights and drink on a rooftop. That time of year, is almost here and we've got you covered on the places to make your elevated Summer 2019 memories.
The Robey Hotel-Cabana Club and The Up Room
The hotel rooftop bar is a concept that every big city is familiar with, but The Robey hotel in Chicago’s Wicker Park/Bucktown neighborhood offers two different rooftop experiences. As the only tall building in the neighborhood, the skyline views are from a perspective that most people are not able to see the city from. With 360-degree views of the city skyline, Cabana Club and The Up Room welcome guests to experience Chicago in a completely new context.
On May 5th, Cabana Club and the outdoor terrace of The Up Room will open for the season. The indoor section of The Up Room is open year-round. Both rooftops offer something for everyone, no matter what you’re feeling - such as a date night at The Up Room or a summer day drinking frozen cocktails by the pool at Cabana Club with friends. No matter what, instaworthy views of the Chicago skyline are guaranteed - and cocktails always taste better with a view.
Cabana Club (6th floor) - open May 5-September
The Up Room (13th Floor) - open all year round, outdoors open May 5-September
Etta
This year at etta’s rooftop, you’ll never have to worry about summer rainy days. There will be new decor with a new awning that will be fully retractable, with the option of being fully enclosed. The rooftop includes both an indoor and outdoor space where guests can dine and enjoy etta’s full menu or grab a drink and snack at the upstairs indoor bar.
Additionally, etta has announced their new weekend Rooftop brunch happening every Saturday and Sunday this summer beginning this Sunday, May 26th.
Cerise at Virgin Hotel Chicago
Virgin Hotels Chicago marks the arrival of summer and reopening of its seasonal rooftop lounge Cerise on Saturday, May 4 at 2PM with a Cuatro de Caballo Party celebrating both Cinco de Mayo and The Kentucky Derby in one party. Located on the 26th floor of the Loop hotel.
At the free and open-to-the-public event, guests will be greeted at the entrance to Cerise with a Derby debutante and two miniature ponies. All guests will receive surprises from Chandon champagne and other goodies upon entrance. For true Derby fans, a projector will showcase all the racing action.
Greg Corner and Brock Manke will kick off the party with ’80s music from 2 p.m.-8 p.m., followed by Tengo Funk into the late hours of partying.
Cerise will be hosting entertainment programming and day parties as part of its Red Hot Summer series for the whole season, including the following and more:
Monthly LGBTQ parties in partnership with For All Humans, a queer-owned creative and experiential agency, will also be incorporated into weekend programming with the first event, High Femme, taking place on 5/17.
VU Rooftop Bar
The rooftop n the city’s South Loop neighborhood at 133 East Cermak, is gearing up for the summer season in Chicago - rooftop season - with the launch of their new brunch program, curated by Executive Chef Nolan Narut. With an array of brunch options for every type of palate, guests will be offered a selection of shareable brunch items paired with specialty cocktails.
The brunch menu, available Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., features a variety of options for guests to choose from, including a Buttermilk Fried Chicken & Belgian Waffle complete with a sweet chile sauce, scallions, and maple whipped butter, $16; Pork Belly Hash with crispy rice cake, poached eggs, togarashi, and hollandaise, $16; Salmon Lox and Everything Bagel with a spiced cream cheese, arugula, onions and orange supremes, $15; VU Brunch Sandwich, with a braised shortrib, fried egg, Texas toast, shallot jam, and provolone, $15; Lobster Chilaquiles, with a salsa verde, roasted corn, Chihuahua cheese, and sunny eggs, $18; and Puff Pastry Doughnuts, complete with a sweet bacon glaze and a guava mousse, $12.
Guests looking to make their brunch a little more boozy can pair their meal with a selection of brunch cocktails, all $14, that include Bubbles #1 mixed with coconut arrack, citrus, pineapple, and cava; Brewed #1 with Sloe Gin, citrus, orange liqueur, and saison; Bloody #1 complete with Classico Mezcal, tomatillo, tomato, cucumber, garlic, and salsa verde; Gin #1 with alpine liqueur, vermouth bianco, citrus, aloe, and cucumber; and Pisco #1 mixed with citrus, blueberry tea, and soda; and Vodka #2 with Door County Cherry, orange liqueur, peach cordial, topped with prosecco, $15.
Brunch is served in VU’s solarium bar, which offers both indoor and outdoor space. Retractable windows give guests a view of Lake Michigan.
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