Classy bachelorette party (Chicago, Naperville, Lincoln: renting, theater, closing)

[LucySpace]

Can you think of places that might be good to have a classy bachelorette party? We are nice girls in our 20s and like to dress up and go out for cocktails.

I think there will be about 7-8 of us on a Saturday night in October. I am thinking about renting a driver because the Bride lives in Naperville, but I can't decide on an itinerary. I was thinking we might do dinner, some sort of activity, and then drinks. Downtown Chicago sounds like a fun place to go but I don't know anything about it. Bride would not like anything sleazy at all! The goal is classy but fun.

I really want to give my sister a nice party.
I hope you have some good recommendations!

[chet everett]

Classy activity might be something like a play -- lots of good "girls night out" stuff Musical Theater and Play Tickets Watch the closing date if you planning for October. Might want o focus on venue. Lot different crowd at Second City vs Oriental Theatre or Goodman...

Drinks are tougher, there is a fine line between classy and Viagra Triangle...

Plenty of nicer resturants in the greater downtown / entertainment areas that stretches from Randolph all the way through Lincoln Park. Price and food preference will be driver.

[grindin]

Dang, and I was going to hire a dancer named "Chocolate Thunder" for ya'll!

[aragx6]

I agree that dinner, a show and drinks after are a great idea!

I'd see Wicked (or Dirty Dancing which will be open by then)

Dinner would depend on your preferences... you like French, Asian, New American etc. and what your price range is (I love to eat out though so I'd be happy to offer suggestions with a few more details)

Drinks would be the same way- do you want to dance, or are you looking for more of a lounge environment? Do you want live music? How trendy are you looking for? I'd be happy to offer up suggestions for that as well!

[LucySpace]

Ooh, those sound like great ideas. A show sounds really nice, I've heard a lot about Wicked, and Dirty Dancing sounds perfect.
I've never been to theaters in Chicago and don't know what kinds of crowds are at each of them.
I don't know how pricey we could get because I don't know a lot about the other 7 bridesmaids' finances. I think $100 each for the whole night is reasonable, and maybe more for people who want to drink more. I am covering the bride's costs.
I think she says she likes to dance, but I never see her do it. It is tough for me to figure out what sort of venue to choose because she likes a lot of types of music. I would stay away from hip hop though. A place with an easily accessible smoking area is always nice.
Another bridesmaid who lives near her suggested Cafe Ba Ba Reeba but I am uncertain whether I want to go someplace she has been to before or if a new place would be more fun.
I know - I am so indecisive and don't know anything! I wish I was better educated about Chicago.

PS - Ha ha at Chocolate Thunder.

[jessiegirl_98]

Originally Posted by LucySpace

Ooh, those sound like great ideas. A show sounds really nice, I've heard a lot about Wicked, and Dirty Dancing sounds perfect.
I've never been to theaters in Chicago and don't know what kinds of crowds are at each of them.
I don't know how pricey we could get because I don't know a lot about the other 7 bridesmaids' finances. I think $100 each for the whole night is reasonable, and maybe more for people who want to drink more. I am covering the bride's costs.
I think she says she likes to dance, but I never see her do it. It is tough for me to figure out what sort of venue to choose because she likes a lot of types of music. I would stay away from hip hop though. A place with an easily accessible smoking area is always nice.
Another bridesmaid who lives near her suggested Cafe Ba Ba Reeba but I am uncertain whether I want to go someplace she has been to before or if a new place would be more fun.
I know - I am so indecisive and don't know anything! I wish I was better educated about Chicago.

PS - Ha ha at Chocolate Thunder.

Have you talked to the bride to see if she would prefer dancing/louging, etc? Also, $100 each for the whole night definitely counts out any sort of show (like Wicked, etc).
We recently went to Cru Wine Bar for a low key bachlorette. They have good wine and food so that may be an option (then went dancing at Le Passage the next night- wouldn't recommend), but you may also want somewhere with a dancing option.............

[aragx6]

Jessiegirl is right - $100 doesn't go as far here as most of us would like. The cheapest seats for Wicked are about $50 with all the ridiculous fees they charge, dinner at anywhere nice will be hard to come by under $20/piece including tax and tip (and that's without drinks) and then of course, drinks at any bar can run very hefty. It could be done, but it'd be very tight.

8 bridesmaids and the bride are a lot - you may have a difficult time procuring that many seats for Wicked even this far in advance... unless you maybe could see the matinee performance (they're a little cheaper too I believe)