So it’s Friday morning before the festival and you and your friends have some time to kill… why not take advantage of Chicago while you’re in town for the festival? We’ll introduce some exciting places for exploration, from thrilling nightlife venues and unique activities to delicious dining options – so let’s dive in!
So back to Friday morning:
Let’s grab some breakfast (plus caffeine we’re gonna need it lol) & head to some last minute shopping to finish up the final touches for our festival fit.
Lula Cafe
If you’re looking for quick and affordable bite, we recommend grabbing breakfast at Lula Cafe. This cozy cafe offers delicious brunch dishes from pancakes and avo toast to salads and sandwiches! Another great perk about this spot is majority of their dishes can be made gluten + dairy free, and vegan upon request. Check out their menu HERE.
Cindy’s Rooftop
If you’re looking for somewhere a little more upscale with a view of the city, Cindy’s Rooftop is the place for you! Cindy’s open-air terrace is the perfect place for brunch with enchanting views of Lake Michigan and Millennium Park (where the famous Chicago Bean is!!). The views, ambiance, and the food at Cindy’s will give you the ultimate Chicago experience! To get a sneak peak, check out their menu and don’t forget to lock in your spot by making a reservation.
Ok now for the last minute festival shopping! We know how stressful it is to pick out the perfect festival look so we broke it down for you into categories depending on your needs.
Specific outfit pieces:
Gemini has many bold and colorful pieces as well as great menswear.
Penelope’s has a groovy floral vibe that is perfect for festival outfits.
Life of Vintage is curated thrift shop with hundreds of unique graphic tees.
Oakbrook center is a luxury outdoor mall featuring 160 stores. Some of our favorites include Aritzia, Anthropology, Express, Levi’s, Urban outfitters, Free people, and many more. If you’re not quite sure what you’re looking for the Oakbrook Center has plenty of options and you’re guaranteed to leave with a killer festival fit.
Shoes: No outfit is perfect without the right shoes. Stop by a few of our favorite sneaker shops below to find your perfect kicks for the show!
and Endless Supply.
Makeup:
Glossier, The Cosmetics Company Store, and Sams Beauty Warehouse
*To find unique pieces I love thrifting over anything else, so here’s our top picks*
Best Thrifting in town:
Village Discount, Mount Sinai Resale Shop, Out of the Closet, Brown Elephant, and Vintage Frills.
Friday / Saturday night:
Still have some energy after the festival? Let’s go explore some Chicago nightlife. Top dance clubs we recommend are Tunnel, Electric Hotel, Prysm Nightclub and LiqrBox Nightclub.
Looking for a more laid back vibe? Definitely head to a Rooftop Lounge: Z Bar, I|O @ Godfrey Hotel, or Nobu Hotel.
More of an underground type of place? Booze Box (speakeasy), The Whistler (hidden dance bar), Chicago Magic Lounge (speakeasy), Architectural Artifacts (mid century schoolhouse converted into a bar/ antique shop).
Sunday Morning:
It’s been a longgg weekend of going hard and partying so let’s grab some yummy brunch before heading to the last day of the festival! (Trust it’ll help you get out of bed in the morning.)
If you’re starving from running around all weekend bottomless brunch is def the way to go. 80 Proof offers $40 for all you can eat.
Lost Never Found Chicago brunch is the cutest place and offers perfect backgrounds where you and your friends can take photos as well as eat!
Honeybear Cafe, a little more laid back (still a vibey atmosphere inside) amazing french toast and pancakes (plus coffee with little teddy grahams in them!)
Sunday Night:
Ayy you have survived the festival, you deserve a medal at this point whew! If you still want to explore more Chicago nightlife (but looking for some more laid back activities) we got you covered.
Emily Hotel offers a magical movie experience under the stars. Unwind comfortably while taking in classic films or contemporary favorites in its charming rooftop ambience.
Zanies Comedy Club, known for hosting talented comedians who provide side-splitting performances. Relax, unwind, and let their comic brilliance entertain you.
Puttery Mini Golf, an innovative and whimsical miniature course! Take on imaginative obstacles while having fun exploring its playfully charming layout!
Monday:
Now that Lyrical Lemonade is over you can really spend all your time exploring Chicago, depending on your interests here’s a perfect day spent in Chicago you can use as your guide:
Once checked out of your hotel let’s head into the city to start our day. First things first let’s go to Londonhouse Rooftop for brunch and some amazing views of the city! They have chicken and waffles, french toast, and cocktails as well. Best of all you will be able to see the gorgeous skyline of the city.
Now that we have a food baby, let’s walk around Chicago and do some local shopping and people watching (my two favorite things).
Ruby Room is top on our list, it’s a perfect store to buy unique gifts for your friends, along with a variety of crystals and books, plus (you can get a tarot reading as well).
Now let’s grab a coffee around the corner at Wake N Bakery and head to The Green at 320 (gorgeous park with a farmers market and live music).
Finally it’s dinner time- Head underground into a 10,000 square foot old bank to enter The Cauldron– a magic themed bar, restaurant, and potion making experience!
I love to finally end the day with some live music. Cocktail Club at Underground in River North offers a variety of drinks and a live music stage behind the bar. With dark lit red lighting it’s a perfect picture opportunity as well!
*Taking a bow*
So there you have it, a super fun weekend in Chicago for Lyrical Lemonade!