Whisper it quietly, but this clandestine cabaret extravaganza might just be Chicago’s best speakeasy.
After a year of frustrating limitations, Chicago is finally opening back up and our vibrant metropolis is once again abuzz with events and experiences. The rules and regulations that have so awkwardly restricted evening activities for months are now quickly disintegrating which means the rest of the year is a time to fill with the fun, the bizarre, and the spectacular. Of all events taking place across Chicago, there are few that provide the same spectacle as West Loop’s enigmatic speakeasy, The Grand Cabaret After Dark.
As most Chicagoans know, speakeasies are deep-rooted in the city’s history. These hidden gems harken back to prohibition-era Chicago when the jazz was hot, the burlesque hotter, and bootlegger booze was bountiful. While modern speakeasies aren’t nearly as secret, they’re still a fun throwback to the clandestine hideouts of days gone by and always ensure an exhilarating evening experience.
Every week Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays an eclectic mix of speakeasy shenanigans can be found palpitating beneath 1132 West Grand Avenue for The Grand Cabaret After Dark. West Loop’s newest speakeasy, hosted in Porkchop’s secret basement, offers a night that will roll back the years to when these secret venues were the most vibrant of places and before you know it you’ll be forgetting all about the world above.
At The Grand Cabaret After Dark guests are invited to feast on a delectable pre-fixe dinner while live jazz courtesy of E-Line Organ Trio resonates around the room. Once you’re well-fed Mr. Jim Bergstrom will snap you out of your jazz-induced dreams with an acclaimed magic show. A full bar offering a wide array of drinks will clench your thirst all night long but BYOB rules also offer you the option to come equipped with your favorite concoctions.
Reservations include private table seating for patrons from 18:00 – 22:00. The evening starts with your meal and two hours of accompanying musical masterpieces before the clatter of cutlery and crockery calms, all sounds settle, and magic takes over the room.
A Covid-19 health and safety policy remains in place to ensure the safety of all. Surfaces are consistently sanitized, tables have been spaciously separated from one another, and hand sanitizer stations are positions around the venue.
More information and tickets can be found here.Tickets to The Grand Cabaret After Dark are selling fast, grab them while you can.
[Featured image from Shutterstock]