Posts tagged with "the Underground"

fireworks illustration by Mina Tocalini for use by 360 Magazine

NYE Party At The Mob Museum

THE UNDERGROUND SPEAKEASY TO HOST NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY WITH OPEN BAR, LIVE MUSIC, CHAMPAGNE TOAST AT MIDNIGHT DEC. 31

Toast to a brand new year in a setting dedicated to the bygone era and celebrate like the good ol’ days at The Underground speakeasy and distillery inside The Mob Museum.

Party-goers can count down to the New Year with a 2-hour open bar featuring Prohibition-inspired handcrafted cocktails, live jazz and cabaret entertainment by Amanda King, plus a champagne toast at midnight. The evening begins inside The Underground speakeasy and distillery at 9 p.m. and concludes at 1 a.m.

In addition to the open bar, live entertainment and champagne toast at midnight, VIP tickets at $150 per person also include reserved seating and a bottle of champagne for every two guests. General admission tickets are $100 per person and includes an open bar, live music plus a champagne toast at midnight.

There is also the option to rent out the secret VIP Room in The Underground for up to 10 people at $1500. Reserved seating, five bottles of champagne, 2-hour open bar, champagne toast at midnight and live entertainment in the speakeasy are all inclusive of the VIP Room experience on New Year’s Eve.

Reservations are encouraged, please click here.

ABOUT THE UNDERGROUND

The Underground is an immersive Prohibition history experiential exhibition, featuring a distillery, speakeasy and private VIP room located in the basement of The Mob Museum. Its custom-made, copper-pot still, dubbed “Virginia Still” after mobster Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel’s notorious girlfriend Virginia Hill, has a capacity of 60 gallons and can serve up to 250 750-mL jars of moonshine per week. The Underground also brews and serves craft beer onsite. Artifacts from the 1920s and 1930s on display tell the intriguing story of the Prohibition era, which not only saw a proliferation of bootlegged booze and the meteoric growth of organized crime outfits, but also had a profound, lasting impact on society and culture. Complimentary entrance to The Underground is granted at the secret side entrance to visitors who know the correct password, which is published daily on Instagram Stories.

ABOUT THE MOB MUSEUM

The Mob Museum, the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, provides a world-class journey through true stories—from the birth of the Mob to today’s headlines. The Mob Museum offers a provocative, contemporary look at these topics through hundreds of artifacts and immersive storylines. Numerous interactive exhibits include a Crime Lab, Firearm Training Simulator and Organized Crime Today exhibit. The Museum is also home to The Underground, a Prohibition history exhibition featuring a speakeasy and distillery. The Mob Museum has accumulated numerous accolades, including being named one of TripAdvisor’s “Top 25 U.S. Museums;” one of Las Vegas Weekly’s “Twenty Greatest Attractions in Las Vegas History” and  “Best Museum” by its 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards; one of National Geographic’s “Top 10 Things to Do in Las Vegas;” USA Today’s “Best Museum in Nevada,” 10Best Readers’ Choice travel awards for “Best Las Vegas Attraction” in 2021, “Top Five Best History Museums in the United States” in 2021 and one of its “12 Can’t Miss U.S. Museum Exhibits;” named “A Must for Travelers” by The New York Times and one of “20 Places Every American Should See” by FOX News. The Museum is a two-time winner of the Mayor’s Urban Design Award for Historic Preservation and Adaptive Reuse and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The Museum is open daily; visit the website for admission rates and operating hours.

Chicago illustration by Alex Bogdan for use by 360 Magazine

Chi-Guide

By: Emily Bunn × Armon Hayes × Vaughn Lowery

360 Magazine recently visited The Windy City to sight-see, socialize, and of course, enjoy some classic Chicago deep dish pizza. Below, we’ve complied a guide of our must-see stops in Chi-Town. Whether you’re planning your next vacation or prepping for a day trip into the city, 360 is sure to point you in the right direction.

Hornblower Seadog Cruises

Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

Seadog Speedboat Tours in Chicago provides exciting excursions where tourists can steady their sea legs. Their boat is propelled by two V-12 motors and pushes about 2000 HP. This boat tour venue is a bit cheaper than the other traditional tours in the area. Furthermore, Seadog Cruises are also much more interesting.

Our cruise guide was extremely comical and entertaining, which made for an enthralling trip. He possessed a charismatic and energetic zeal that was infectious to our entire tour group. Yet, the most attractive part of the route was the stunning view of the Chicago skyline. 

Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe

196 E Pearson St, Chicago, IL 60611

Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe (established 2004) is one of the most well-known breakfast spots in The Windy City. Their high-quality level of service and ability to produce an impeccable pancake is unmatched.

We dove into many of their dishes and secondary orders– like their turkey bacon, sausages and muffins, as well as fruit cups. If you visit, Wildberry’s fresh-pressed orange juice is a must-try. This fine eatery is handled like a well-oiled machine. Although it took a while to sit down, once we ordered our food came out right away.

Sidetrack

3349 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657

Sidetrack is a high-energy, alternative discothèque experience. This extremely diversified and non-intrusive venue welcomes all guests. Cheap booze and good music are provided so that customers can get their groove on. The venue hosted a polite doorman and a bartender with access to several rooms.

On Sunday, Sidetrack possessed a highly mixed ratio of men and women of all genders, beliefs and cultures. 360 Magazine strongly recommends this spot for a memorable night of dancing. On the whole, the crowd was friendly, funny and fabulous. Sidetrack is the perfect spot to break the ice.

The Signature Room at the 95th®

875 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

The Signature Room is a premium, fine dining room with 360° views over Chicago’s breathtaking city center. If you’re dressed to impress (since The Signature Room does enforce a dress code), head straight to the restaurant’s living room for an intimate and decadent culinary experience. To pair with your dish, The Signature Room offers many delicious specialty cocktails. As compared to any other top-class steakhouse, The Signature room is moderately prices and provides superior foodie selections. 360 Magazine was waited on by staff who was attentive, professional and amicable.

While their cuisine is amazing, the restaurant’s expansive views take the cake. The elevator pushes you to the building’s 95th floor in minutes–so if you fear heights, think twice. Regardless, The Signature Room is a Windy City staple. A must-visit.

Windy City Nails & Spa

5316 N Milwaukee Ave ste g, Chicago, IL 60630

360 Magazine stayed at nearby Airbnb in this neighborhood and wanted to get a last-minute pedicure. Windy City Nails & Spa saved the day! This nail salon and spa follows all CDC guidelines, and even took our temperature while wearing masks. This no-frills facility offers nail, waxing, and eyebrow services.

When it came time to pay, Windy City’s doting service and pedicure cost us $28. The nail tech took her time to perform the manicure with gentle care and precision. This nail parlor is great option, if you don’t want to go into downtown Chicago and pay the downtown prices.

Gorilla Sushi Jefferson Park

4945 N Milwaukee Ave #2, Chicago, IL 60630

Gorilla Sushi is a hidden gem in Jefferson Park near Merta Station. If you’re looking for Asian cuisine to tantalize your tastebuds, look no further. With tasty selections like gyoza, sushi rolls, and sashimi, even the pickiest eaters are sure to find a dish they love.

For a sushi spot, Gorilla Sushi is very inexpensive. This restaurant provides excellent service paired with picturesque presentation. Fresh, fast, and affordable, this sushi joint is a lesser-known treasure of Chicago.

The Underground

56 W Illinois St, Chicago, IL 60654

The Underground Chicago (15) is one of the most legendary nightclubs in the Midwest. Frequented by A-listers like like Justin BieberUsherLaBron JamesDavid BeckhamWill.I.Am, and Miley Cyrus– The Underground provides unmatched, elevated entertainment experiences. Beats reverberated throughout the energetic club all night, thanks to the state of the art sound system. Paired with pyrotechnics and projections, this nightclub truly knows how to put on a show.

This venue has premium bottle service, welcoming staff, and a fashionable porter. On the day we visited, Lil Jon DJ’d alongside Emmy award-winning TV host, actor and personality, Billy Dec. If you’re ready to party after the pandemic, be sure to visit here.

Beat Kitchen on the Riverwalk

91-95 E Riverwalk, Chicago, IL 60601

Beat Kitchen is the perfect pit stop for a cold can on a hot day. 360 Magazine quickly stopped in at this restaurant, and was impressed by their quick and extremely hospitable service. All of the staff was very welcoming.

While Beat Kitchen is a little expensive, you are paying for quality cooking that is surely worth the price. The restaurant of the atmosphere is lively and hip. Beat Kitchen creates an enjoyable ambience with their eclectic array of Afro Latino music.

H&M

840 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

H&M on Michigan Ave offers a boutique service experience and a plethora of stylish pieces. All of H&M’s clothing at this location is clean and easy to find. The merchandise was well organized and offers fashionable, budget-friendly styles for all sizes and ages.

H&M has a consistent supply of merchandise that is well-outfitted for travel and tourism. For hip adults and teens, H&M has all the trendy styles one could desire. Whether you’re looking for business casual duds or a new swimsuit for vacation, H&M has your back.

Lou Mitchell’s

565 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60661

Lou Mitchell‘s lives up to its prestigious reputation as one of the best diners in Chicago. In 2018, Lou Mitchell’s received a Michelin star. This restaurant and bakery constantly beckons in customers with their excellent service, food and ambience. Lou Mitchell’s does their own baking, so customers can enjoy freshly baked breads and marmalade selections.

360 Magazine loved sitting outside in the sunshine while we enjoyed your meal. However, the inside of Lou Mitchells offers a more retro, vintage diner feel. We recommend their fluffy, delectable flapjacks!

Giordano’s

1340 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605

The legendary Giordano’s is located in Chicago’s South Loop. All other pizza shops pale in comparison when stood next to this iconic pizza shop. Giordano’s stuffed (AKA deep-dish) pizza is truly unbeatable. Layered with fresh cheese, a buttery, flaky rind, mouthwatering tomato sauce and chicken sausage, every bite is meant to be savored. 

Giordano’s offers local craft beer selections to pair with their pizza pies. No matter how hungry you come in, it will be extremely difficult to eat all the pizza. The portion sizes here are very generous. However, Giordano’s pizza makes for delicious leftovers that can easily be reheated in the oven. 360 Magazine will definitely be back to enjoy another tasty slice from this iconic pizza shop.

MCCB Chicago

2138 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616

Modern Chinese Cookbook (MCCB) creates magical dishes that will instantly take you to Beijing. MCCB’s Sichuan and Canton style cuisine is authentic and mouthwatering. This Asian eatery has all the ingredients for a wonderful gastronomic experience: friendly staff, Michelin-starred chefs and carefully designed appetizers. We recommend trying the restaurant’s signature dish, charcoal-grilled whole fish.

Praise for MCCB continues to flow year by year, thanks to their fine food and hospitable service. If we could embrace the owners for creating such a pleasant atmosphere, we would. 360 Magazine will surely come back to MCCB soon!

deep dish pizza image via Alex Bogdan for use by 360 Magazine
Travel illustration by Samantha Miduri for use by 360 Magazine
DJ illustration by Alex Bogdan for use by 360 Magazine
DJ illustration by Alex Bogdan for use by 360 Magazine

The Underground Chicago Review

By: Emily Bunn × Vaughn Lowery

360 Magazine was invited to Chicago’s most-exclusive nightclub for an evening of merrymaking, music and memories. The Underground Chicago recently reopened last weekend after a fifteen-month lockdown and is yet again revitalizing Chicago’s VIP social scene. The choice club for A-listers– including celebrities like Justin Bieber, UsherLaBron James, David BeckhamWill.I.Am, and Miley Cyrus– The Underground consistently delivers elevated experiences surrounding music, cocktails, fashion, art and design. Entrepreneur and owner of The Underground, Billy Dec, comments on the club’s long-awaited re-opening:

The COVID pandemic has wiped out many live music and nightclub venues across the country,” says Dec. “Historically, nightclubs have had a pivotal role in cultural evolution. The Underground family fought to stay alive and reopen because we see it as a major responsibility—it’s our duty to elevate our community platform so people can come together to celebrate music, fashion, dance, art and design. After an unprecedented and impactful run, we look forward to constantly elevating and innovating our industry and The Underground experience fueled with excitement, creativity, service and positive energy.”

The vibrant ambiance of The Underground reflected the colorful diversity of guests inside, all of which were busy unleashing their signature moves on the packed dance floor. The discotheque throbbed with ecstatic energy and heavy bass lines all night long. A state-of-the-art sound system blared trendy music across all corners of the club for all to hear. The ambiance of the tunes was complimented by thrilling pyrotechnics and digital screens that projected artsy flicks.

Upon arriving at the legendary establishment, 360 Magazine was greeted with service from hospitable, welcoming staff members– including security and a stylish porter. On the particular night we visited, Lil Jon made a star appearance. Lil Jon, the musical mastermind behind releases such as Turn Down for What, Get Low, Cyclone, and Alive (with Offset and 2 Chainz), filled the club with energy and exuberance. Soundscapes swelled across every crowded corner of the club as the rapper delivered an incredible performance.

Lil Jon wasn’t the only celebrity guest, as he performed alongside Emmy award-winning TV host, actor and personality, Billy Dec. Dec also is the restaurateur and owner of the iconic nightclub but is best known for his roles in “Chicagoland,” “Mollywood,” “One Small Hitch,” and “Adventures in the Sin Bin,” among others. Dec has also appearance on many national broadcast programs, including NBC’s Today Show and NBC Today in Nashville.

Looking ahead, Dec is set to open The Underground’s sister venue, The Underground Cocktail Club. Scheduled to open over Lollapalooza weekend (July 30-Aug 1), this new establishment will feature a separate entrance to The Underground’s building and emphasize the nostalgic, vintage appeal of the 1920’s. The Underground Cocktail Club will focus on creating innovative cocktails and featuring more live performances. Next time 360 Magazine comes to Chicago, we can’t wait to have another memorable, lively night at the Underground.