I’m traveling with some friends to Chicago for New Year’s, and I’m trying to find a good place for us to celebrate. We’d like to find a place where we can pay a $100 (or so) cover and have access to an open bar, food, etc. all night. We’ve found a few places that do that type of thing, but they sound like they’re going to have a dance club type of atmosphere, which is not what we want.
So, is it even possible to find a bar that will do this, but doesn’t come with loud, pumping dance music that makes all conversation impossible?
Some other things to consider:
Attire - So long as it’s more casual than a suit, it’s cool. We’re all fine with some slacks and a nice shirt/tie, but a few of us are suitless at present.
Crowd - We’re all early-mid 20s, so anything comparable would be fine. Basically anything where a bunch of kids like us won’t feel out of place. A college bar perhaps?
Location - We’re staying about a block west of the Lincoln Park Zoo. We’d like to find someplace relatively close. Also, are we anywhere near the L train?
Perhaps no bar exists that will satisfy all of my requests. That’s fine. Just looking for any helpful suggestions. Also, any information about the neighborhood we’re staying in would be appreciated. We’re all from out of town.