Where to go in Chicago?
 

Hi,

I'm visiting Chicago on business for 3 nights arriving on the 12th December. What would you recommend I do. I'll be working during the day but out and about in the evenings. I'm into decent music such as The Strokes etc Like really good restaurants/bars and really into sport. Any ideas would be great thanks...
PK, London.

Chicago
 

If you like jazz, you should try to hit the Green Mill on Wednesday 12/14. The place has a great atmosphere and Kurt Elling will be there. There are a few good places to see live music within close proximity of the intersection of North Ave., Damen and Milwaukee. Liquid Soul plays at The Note on Milwaukee every Wednesday. If you'd like a quaint restaurant with good food and very friendly service, you should check out Club Lago at 331 W. Superior St., ask for Giancarlo or Guido and they can give you some direction as well. Enjoy!
Check out:
http://www.subt.net/
http://www.thenotechicago.com/
http://greenmilljazz.com/index.html

There will be others with more specifically apropos suggestions, but this is a good general resource:

http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/

Pick up a copy of that week's TIME OUT magazine at a newsstand. It should list just about everything going on. Also perhaps CHICAGO magazine and any likely looking newspapers.

See Chicago-style electric blues at least once while you are here.

sports in Chicago
 

I will be visiting Chicago during Xmas holidays and have already booked tickets to see Blackhawks (ice-hockey). I'd definitely recommend NHL hockey plus I think this time of year you've got the options of going to see Chicago Bulls or Chicago Wolves (a 'farm' team in ice-hockey, i.e. reserves).

I'm not a basketball fan myself, but I'll probably end up going to see Wolves in hockey - so do consider it although it's not NHL. AFAIK nowadays getting tickets to see Bulls is much easier than it used to be.

Not sure about NFL football and I saw the White Sox' parade so we can assume the baseball season is over.

schedules:
http://www.chicagoblackhawks.com/schedule/
http://www.chicagowolves.com/html/schedule.html
http://www.nba.com/bulls/schedule/

Bulls games are a good time if they are in town. For sure. I completely agree with the first reply - The Green Mill is awesome. It used to be a speakeasy and Al Capone hangout. You can't get much better than that. Add the fact the music is always great and the martinis are the best. For Blues you have a couple of choices (And I agree, see some blues). I say stay away from the usual tourist joints and hit one of two places - Kingston Mines, or almost across the street - B.L.U.E.S. (Don't mistaken this one for Blue Chicago, the tourist blues bar). I prefer B.L.U.E.S. over Kingston Mines because it is small, intimate and dirty. Just like a blues joint should be. Though the women tend to gravitate towards the Mines. Both places are in Lincoln Park.

The Blue Note is also a great place over in Wicker Park. As is House of Blues downtown, depending on the act. Joe's on Weed Street is great for catching a sports game and has live music most nights. Tonic Room is another cool live music venue. I love Iggy's and then there's the famous Double Door. Though Kendall's in Lincoln Park will have the mid-week younger crowd for happy hours and the like.

The W Hotel bar on the Penthouse floor at W Lakeshore is great with awesome views and very attractive waitresses/patrons.