John & Lauren
"Tour Chicago"
White Sox Baseball Game
Come into town early for a White Sox game against the Red Sox on Thursday. If you are interested, let "the Groom" know and he can organize a group. Boston fans have to sit by themselves.
Meet the Dogs
Come meet our dogs on Thursday! They will be boarded all weekend so this is your only shot to meet these two in person.
Jarvis Beach
Bring your bathing suit and walk two blocks from the venue to Jarvis Beach. There's no ocean, but they still call it a "beach." False advertising if you ask me, but there's sand and Lake Michigan and fun for the whole family.
Redhot Ranch
You can't come to Chicago without getting a hot dog! Don't succumb to the marketing pressure to buy a 'Chicago dog' either. Overrated. Instead treat yourself to a depression dog. All-beef frank topped with onion, relish, mustard, sport peppers, and hand-cut fries. Yes! You read that right! Fries on the hot dog! The burger is also worth your consideration.
Reckless Records
Come shop for records with the Leverings. We are efficient shoppers and don't believe in small talk. What's not to love. "The Groom's" favorite spots are Reckless and Dusty Groove, which are around the corner from one another.
Roost Chicken & Biscuits
The couple's longest-standing go-to takeout spot. The best hot chicken in Chicago. If you want to feel alive, get 'XXX' and experience a painful meal. For otherwise normal folks, 'Nashville Hot' or 'Spicy' would be more than enough.
YETI Chicago
Come see gentrification up close and personal. In 1997, the Rolling Stones played a surprise club gig at Double Door before their Bridges to Babylon tour kicked off. Keef, Mick, and Charlie playing a 400-person down and dirty rock club -- what could be better? Double Door no longer exists. But hey, you can buy a $500 cooler at the same spot where rock and roll history was made.
Mariano's
Shop like a local at this Kroger-owned subsidiary. Fresh meat and a full-stock deli. Fresh produce. A bakery. Who knows you might even run into "the Bride" and "the Groom" while they do their weekly grocery shopping. (Out of respect to "the Bride" and "the Groom", we request that you do not take photos of them at Mariano's.)
Sleeping Village
Grab a drink at one of our favorite venues in town and see where "the Bride" *almost* blacked out at the Khruangbin after-show in 2018. An incredible night and awful morning.
The Bean
It's real name is 'Cloud Gate,' but let's face it: The thing looks like a bean. Come see what all the buzz is about, and decide for yourself whether it was worth it to trek all the way downtown to see a giant hunk of steel.