Chicago

blue

A guide to fun things to do in Chicago this weekend.

Axios Chicago Weekender

Weekender

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Chicago with Monica Eng, Justin Kaufmann, and Carrie Shepherd.

Axios Chicago

Standard

Chicago Alerts

Alert

Axios Chicago Partners

Axios Chicago Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Chicago Members

Membership

Pick up an Illinois passport for America's 250th

A new Illinois passport guides visitors to 60 historic sites, from Cahokia Mounds to Pullman.

History

Illinois is putting its own stamp on the country&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="250th birthday." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/07/black-history-250-who-decides" data-vars-content-id="7bb4c31b-b800-458a-b75b-ce75bbca4afe" data-vars-headline="Pick up an Illinois passport for America&#x27;s 250th" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/07/black-history-250-who-decides" target="_self">250th birthday.</a>

Can you identify these iconic Chicago dive bars? Take the quiz

How well do you know the city's favorite watering holes?

This week, I had the distinct pleasure of hosting Axios colleagues who were in town for a conference. Of course, I took them to some of the legendary watering holes in the city.

Illinois pushes back on latest Trump voting order

The Illinois ACLU says it would disenfranchise millions of voters.

Election

Illinois advocates are challenging President Trump&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="latest effort to change voting laws" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/25/trump-elections-executive-order-citizenship-proof" data-vars-content-id="1c207705-be16-4233-a92b-7e6f3a70c53f" data-vars-headline="Illinois pushes back on latest Trump voting order" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/25/trump-elections-executive-order-citizenship-proof" target="_self">latest effort to change voting laws</a>, which would create voter lists that the Postal Service would use to identify who gets a mail-in ballot.Why it matters: The U.S. Constitution <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="places the job of election administration" data-vars-click-url="https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artI-S4-C1-2/ALDE_00013577/" data-vars-content-id="1c207705-be16-4233-a92b-7e6f3a70c53f" data-vars-headline="Illinois pushes back on latest Trump voting order" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artI-S4-C1-2/ALDE_00013577/" target="_blank">places the job of election administration</a> in the hands of the states and Congress.

Kitty's Cosmopolitan Club delivers elevated cocktails

Drinks aren't cheap, but the balance, strength and service make Kitty's a standout.

Food and Drink

I love wine, but as my friend and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Twin Cities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities" data-vars-content-id="07409809-4619-4a00-8740-850296b2747f" data-vars-headline="Kitty&#x27;s Cosmopolitan Club delivers elevated cocktails" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities" target="_self">Twin Cities</a> colleague Torey says, &quot;It doesn&#x27;t always love me back.&quot;The big picture: I&#x27;ve been ordering cocktails when I go out, and a tasty, balanced, strong drink isn&#x27;t always easy to find.

Mike Royko's "Boss" crowned best nonfiction book in Chicago history

Some of the greatest American authors called our city home. You declared one the winner.

Culture

We recently crowned the best <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="novel of all time" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/08/28/best-chicago-book" data-vars-content-id="202a8fa7-77b2-41b9-93ca-98cbcb32b904" data-vars-headline="Mike Royko&#x27;s &quot;Boss&quot; crowned best nonfiction book in Chicago history" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/08/28/best-chicago-book" target="_self">novel of all time</a>. This week, we turned back to the pages of Chicago literature with a tournament to crown the best work of nonfiction.The big picture: Chicago has tremendous literary history. Some of the best American authors called our city home.

Four haunts to visit this Halloween

Let's put aside talk of costumes to dive into the best haunted places you can see this weekend.

Things to Do

With Halloween here, let&#x27;s put aside talk of costumes and candy to dive into primo haunted places to visit this holiday. The Nederlander Theatre: The downtown playhouse was recently named <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="one of the most haunted places in the world" data-vars-click-url="https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/10/25/23932041/iroquois-theater-downtown-chicago-haunted-fire-conde-nast" data-vars-content-id="d10472f3-954a-46eb-8a5a-fee1f88d8f21" data-vars-headline="Four haunts to visit this Halloween" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/10/25/23932041/iroquois-theater-downtown-chicago-haunted-fire-conde-nast" target="_blank">one of the most haunted places in the world</a>. The old theater sits at the site where the famed Iroquois Theater fire happened in 1903, which killed 602 people.Yes, but: Chicagoans actually know that Couch alley, located behind the theatre, is the haunted spot, because that&#x27;s where authorities piled up the bodies after the fire.

A day tripper's guide to Rockford

Where to eat, what to see, riverfront and cultural fun.

If you&#x27;re looking for a day trip outside of Chicago, consider my hometown!Why it matters: Rockford was once the second-largest city in Illinois but now ranks at No. 5. Its nickname is &quot;The Forest City&quot; for its woods and numerous parks; there&#x27;s also a lovely riverfront.

Newcomers share their advice for moving to Chicago

Some recent transplants told us why they're here and offered some tips for newbies.

Newcomers Guide

Chicago lost roughly 3% of its population from 2020-2022, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. Census Bureau estimates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/chicagocityillinois/PST045222" data-vars-content-id="ae9d3497-cd4f-4188-81cb-11714d431d31" data-vars-headline="Newcomers share their advice for moving to Chicago" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/chicagocityillinois/PST045222" target="_blank">U.S. Census Bureau estimates</a>.Yes, but: We&#x27;re still the third-largest U.S. city, and people move here for many reasons.What&#x27;s happening: Some recent transplants told us why they&#x27;re here and offered advice for newbies.<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">Growing family</h2>Who: Ben GarbarekThe story: Garbarek and his wife, Emily, moved right before the pandemic and very soon after that had to find a bigger place when they learned they were expecting.Chi perks: Living in Lakeview with easy access to the lake and Wrigley Field.Advice: Be flexible, and keep an open mind.<ul><li>&quot;We&#x27;re lucky to live in such a large and vibrant city that, chances are, you can find what you&#x27;re looking for; you just might need some patience as you keep looking for it,&quot; Garbarek told Axios.</li></ul><h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">Moved for a job</h2>Who: Babafemi EkundayoThe story: Moved to a &quot;co-living&quot; situation in Bridgeport and relied on &quot;amazing roommates&quot; to learn the city.Chi perks: The great comedy and performance culture, which Ekundayo jumped into, first with lessons; he then started performing at places like the Lincoln Lodge.Advice: &quot;Constantly go out, constantly seek out new opportunities, talk to people, step out of your comfort zone and pursue your dreams; they could just become reality!&quot;<h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">Now or never </h2>Who: Nick Conant The story: Conant had only ever lived in the Twin Cities, but in July 2020, the time felt right for his family to try something new. Chi perks: Welcoming city with a neighborhood feel.Advice: Get out of your neighborhood. Each community has its vibe, and you&#x27;re missing out on a lot if you don&#x27;t explore.<ul><li>Wrigley has great history, but Conant says &quot;Guaranteed Rate Field is the better game day experience,&quot; adding, &quot;I&#x27;m a Twins fan, so I begrudgingly write that.&quot;</li></ul>