All Access

All-Access Weekly Digest

Standard

Chicago

blue

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Chicago. Written by Monica Eng, Justin Kaufmann and Carrie Shepherd.

Axios Chicago Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Chicago Alerts

Alert

Axios Chicago

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

Axios Chicago Weekender

Weekender

Chicago Members

Membership

Lyric Opera's new SoundShirts let deaf patrons feel the music

The high-tech shirts create vibrations in tune with live performances.

News

Chicago moves closer to ending tipped wages

Will tipping become a thing of the past in Chicago?

Business

Chicago faces backlash over Mexican Independence Day street closings

The city's decision to block access to the Loop over the weekend created chaos on expressways, off-ramps and streets.

What to expect at Chicago's temporary casino at Medinah Temple

We break down the gambling and food options, plus the overall vibe.

Esprit pop-up coming to Chicago's Michigan Avenue

Gen Xers can relive their youth with the return of this iconic brand.

Things to Do

Gen Xers are getting a chance to relive their youth with a new pop-up store on the Magnificent Mile.Driving the news: Chicago is one of three U.S. cities where the fashion company <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Esprit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.esprit.us/" data-vars-content-id="73508b85-160d-4982-9b12-bb6fb3a4392e" data-vars-headline="Esprit pop-up coming to Chicago&#x27;s Michigan Avenue" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.esprit.us/" target="_blank">Esprit</a> is opening a pop-up shop. It&#x27;ll open Sunday at 900 N. Michigan Ave.

Chicago weekend guide: CXW, Taylor Swift Bar Crawl and more

Explore Chicago's art scene during the inaugural Chicago Exhibition Weekend.

Explore Chicago&#x27;s many art venues, meet fellow Swifties in Wrigleyville or take a bite out of an apple festival in Lincoln Square.

Illustration of famous paintings riding the subway. The destination says "weekend." 

Chicago's new Guinness brewery is officially open

The West Loop location features the first-ever Guinness bakery.

Stout fans, rejoice. Guinness&#x27; new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Open Gate Brewery" data-vars-click-url="https://www.guinnessbrewerychicago.com/" data-vars-content-id="bf9a2ab7-30d6-4ae6-ae3a-a3186f2e13f2" data-vars-headline="Chicago&#x27;s new Guinness brewery is officially open" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.guinnessbrewerychicago.com/" target="_blank">Open Gate Brewery</a> opens Thursday in Fulton Market.Why it matters: Guinness die-hards don&#x27;t have to travel to Dublin to experience the perfect 119-second pour.

Nightmare on Clark Street is one of Chicago's scariest haunted houses

Plus, spooky Halloween drinks and Jell-O shots.

I recently checked out the revived <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nightmare on Clark Street" data-vars-click-url="https://nightmareonclarkst.com/tickets" data-vars-content-id="ef1b7046-e2e7-4efa-8ae6-7a78cbeef800" data-vars-headline="Nightmare on Clark Street is one of Chicago&#x27;s scariest haunted houses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://nightmareonclarkst.com/tickets" target="_blank">Nightmare on Clark Street</a> at the Bamboo Club in Wrigleyville — alone.What happened: After my son, my partner and my &quot;friend&quot; all backed out of helping me test this three-story scarefest, I said to myself, &quot;Buck up; it&#x27;s not real, and you&#x27;ll be fine by yourself.&quot;

A zombie figure with a woman in glasses next to it.

Line Report: When to visit Chicago's Starbucks Roastery to avoid waits

We asked an employee how to avoid long lines at the largest Starbucks in the world.

Welcome to &quot;Line Report,&quot; our new occasional series about some of the longest lines in the city, and whether the spots are actually worth the hype.Why it matters: Your time is valuable. Let us help you decide when to hit the hottest spots around town — or to skip them altogether!

Chicago&#x27;s Lyric Opera is introducing state-of-the-art technology that will enable patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing to experience the power of the music in a new way.Driving the news: Lyric will be the first opera company ever to offer the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="SoundShirt" data-vars-click-url="https://cutecircuit.com/soundshirt/" data-vars-content-id="a123e990-52a0-4a4f-b84f-3b900d66f797" data-vars-headline="Lyric Opera&#x27;s new SoundShirts let deaf patrons feel the music" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cutecircuit.com/soundshirt/" target="_blank">SoundShirt</a> — which audience members can wear to literally feel the music — for live performances.

Thompson Center transformed for Chicago Architecture Biennial

Artists are turning an abandoned store into an art gallery, and draping natural materials over the building's structure.

Artistic directors of this year&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chicago Architecture Biennial" data-vars-click-url="https://chicagoarchitecturebiennial.org/" data-vars-content-id="02d52ccc-20bb-4f10-b38e-fd2b44c84a51" data-vars-headline="Thompson Center transformed for Chicago Architecture Biennial" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://chicagoarchitecturebiennial.org/" target="_blank">Chicago Architecture Biennial</a> (CAB) say they&#x27;re disrupting the traditional way art and architecture are presented.Why it matters: Though the Biennial celebrates Chicago&#x27;s global reputation for architecture, the event&#x27;s main goal is to highlight creativity in our neighborhoods and reimagine well-known spaces.

V-shaped light-colored wood structure in front of red beams.

AmazingCo plans mystery picnics in metro Chicago

I&#x27;m a sucker for Instagram pop-up ads, and when I saw one for a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mystery Picnic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.amazingco.me/us" data-vars-content-id="10d80534-e3b4-4dc1-b948-5949e11e6045" data-vars-headline="AmazingCo plans mystery picnics in metro Chicago" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.amazingco.me/us" target="_blank">Mystery Picnic</a>, I decided to take it for a spin last Sunday.How it works: We signed up for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AmazingCo experience" data-vars-click-url="https://www.amazingco.me/us/experiences/mystery-picnics/dates/evanston" data-vars-content-id="10d80534-e3b4-4dc1-b948-5949e11e6045" data-vars-headline="AmazingCo plans mystery picnics in metro Chicago" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.amazingco.me/us/experiences/mystery-picnics/dates/evanston" target="_blank">AmazingCo experience</a> online and chose Evanston as our destination, but Lincoln Park and Naperville are also available. A day before the picnic, you receive an email that takes you to your itinerary, which allows you to click through each step&#x27;s clues.

Woman in front of a restaurant window, leaning against a black patio table.

It's time again for Chicagohenge

Here are the best times to catch the magic.

Saturday marks the autumnal equinox, when day and night are equally long and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="local photographers geek out" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/chicagohenge/" data-vars-content-id="11411c2c-9bc1-493e-9299-b3a4747b32bb" data-vars-headline="It&#x27;s time again for Chicagohenge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/chicagohenge/" target="_blank">local photographers geek out</a> over the semiannual <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chicagohenge" data-vars-click-url="https://secretchicago.com/chicagohenge/" data-vars-content-id="11411c2c-9bc1-493e-9299-b3a4747b32bb" data-vars-headline="It&#x27;s time again for Chicagohenge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://secretchicago.com/chicagohenge/" target="_blank">Chicagohenge</a>.How it works: On spring and fall equinox days, the sun shoots straight east or west during sunrise and sunset, making for striking pictures down our perfectly gridded streets.

Honey Butter Fried Chicken owners' Best Day Ever in Chicago

Farmers markets, Lula Cafe, and the Cubs.

Food and Drink

This summer, two of Chicago&#x27;s grooviest chefs and most <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="staff-friendly restaurateurs" data-vars-click-url="https://interactive.wttw.com/playlist/2023/06/12/honey-butter-fried-chicken-ten-years" data-vars-content-id="7f7ade58-762b-4abc-8605-57a0ace1d37f" data-vars-headline="Honey Butter Fried Chicken owners&#x27; Best Day Ever in Chicago" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://interactive.wttw.com/playlist/2023/06/12/honey-butter-fried-chicken-ten-years" target="_blank">staff-friendly restaurateurs</a> celebrated the 10th anniversary of their beloved Avondale eatery <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Honey Butter Fried Chicken" data-vars-click-url="https://www.honeybutter.com/" data-vars-content-id="7f7ade58-762b-4abc-8605-57a0ace1d37f" data-vars-headline="Honey Butter Fried Chicken owners&#x27; Best Day Ever in Chicago" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.honeybutter.com/" target="_blank">Honey Butter Fried Chicken</a>.Driving the news: Co-owners Christine Cikowski and Josh Kulp threw special events and announced they&#x27;re opening a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="branch in Glencoe this fall" data-vars-click-url="https://chicago.eater.com/2023/6/12/23758012/honey-butter-fried-chicken-glencoe-suburbs-new-location-north-shore-chicago" data-vars-content-id="7f7ade58-762b-4abc-8605-57a0ace1d37f" data-vars-headline="Honey Butter Fried Chicken owners&#x27; Best Day Ever in Chicago" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://chicago.eater.com/2023/6/12/23758012/honey-butter-fried-chicken-glencoe-suburbs-new-location-north-shore-chicago" target="_blank">branch in Glencoe this fall</a>.

Things to Do 🗓