All good things must come to an end… but luckily, not-so-great things do, too. Whether 2018 fell into the former or latter category there is up to you. But whatever your feelings, the year of pop-up bars, Tide pod poisonings, and Kanye decidedly moving to Chicago (but not really) is finally over.
We all know some crazy shit went down this year, so we thought we’d put together a list of everything that happened to remind you of the good (and bad) times.
So here’s our year in review, UrbanMatter-style.
8 Chicago Restaurant Openings We Can’t Wait For In 2018
The restaurants we’ve all been waiting for.
Lyft Branded Beer Will Launch Next Week In Chicago
When Lyft partnered with a Chicago brewery to make the Five Star Lager.
A Juice Bar That Only Hires Attractive Guys Opens Tomorrow In Chicago
They’ve since opened three locations downtown with two more in the works. Yeah, no shit.
Kim And Kanye Named Their Daughter “Chicago West” And We’re Shook
We were like …………..
Big Star Is Opening A GIANT New Location In Wrigleyville
Life has never been the same.
Chicago’s Potential Amazon HQ2 Site Looks Unreal
That moment when Amazon ALMOST came to Chicago and we wrote like 6 articles on it.
Both O’Hare And Midway Now Have Unlimited Free Wi-Fi
FINALLY.
Aurelio’s Pizza Is Opening A Wrigleyville Location This Summer
*casually drools over cheese pull*
10 Inevitable Malort Reactions: Before And After Shots
When our whole office tried Malort and we all died.
Meet The Download Your Social Life’s Been Waiting For
When we launched the new UrbanMatter social app! Download today.
Houston’s New Bean Sculpture Is A Total Chicago Rip-Off
That time Houston tried to be as cool as us and failed.
The Star Wars Celebration Convention Is Coming To Chicago In 2019
“Power. Unlimited power!”
Taco Bell Is Bringing Frosé Slushies To Chicago This Summer
When Taco Bell gave us life this summer.
Chicago O’Hare Is Gonna Be The First Airport In The U.S. To Fly Direct To All 6 Major Continents
Save Antarctica. Because no one really wants an arctic vacation.
Elon Musk Is Gonna Get Chicagoans From The Loop To O’Hare In 12 Minutes
When Elon Musk tried to modernize the whole damn city at once.
Looks Like Union Station Might Be Getting Some New Digs
That time Union Station almost got an upgrade until everyone hated the designs. Twice.
Forbes Names Pilsen One Of The Coolest Neighborhoods In The World
When a South Side neighborhood kicked ass.
Au Cheval Named The Best Burger In America By The Daily Meal
And people loved our food (no surprise there).
Chicago’s Lost Lake Has Been Named The Best Cocktail Bar In America
And our cocktails, of course.
Study Names Chicago The ‘Rat Capital’ Of America
But definitely not our rats…
Chicago’s First Raw Cookie Dough Shop Is Open for Business
We got even more creative with our (un)baked goods.
Chance The Rapper Buys Chicagoist, Announces Purchase In New Song
He bought the Chicagoist just to “run you racist bitches out of business.” Yeah. He said that.
Facebook To Open Massive New Chicago Office
Still not sure when… so that’s awkward.
The U.S. Pizza Museum Is Officially Opening In Chicago This Summer
We beat out New York for the location of the U.S. Pizza Museum (IN YOUR FACE). And, clearly, we’re ~lost in the sauce~ over it.
The Chicago Accent Is The Least Attractive In America, Study Finds
They just don’t like da way we say da Bears.
Chicago’s Merch Mart Is Transforming Into The World’s Largest Digital Art Projection
When our art scene got even cooler.
Chance The Rapper And Zazie Beetz Are Killing It In ‘Slice’ Movie
When Chano played a sexy pizza delivery guy for the second time.
Rock ‘N’ Roll No More: McDonald’s Iconic Flagship Store Reveals Sleek Update On Thursday
Big Macs are here to stay. You just gotta order them on a self-serve screen now.
Chicago Is Finally Getting A Steak ‘N Shake This Month
No more hauling ass to the suburbs for a steakburger.
Amazon Opens Checkout-Less Grocery Store In The Loop Today
No lines. No fuss. No, really.
Kanye And Kim Have Purchased A Home In Chicago
Correction: Naperville, probably.
A Baby Trump Balloon Will Float Over Chicago For March To The Polls
And it. was. awesome.
Logan Square’s Giant Robin Williams Mural Is Our New Favorite Chicago Landmark
When Owen Dippie and Jerkface broke our hearts all over again.
CH Distillery Purchases Chicago’s Most Revolting Drink: Malört
Yup, it’s here to stay.
Chicago Ranked As The Best Big City In America, Again
I mean, can you blame them?
Nisei Lounge Is Hosting A Wake For The Closing Of Wrigleyville’s Taco Bell
Truly a tragedy.
Chicago Ranked Among The 10 Best Cities For Celebrating Halloween In America
Just call us Chicago the Urban Ghost.
The 2018 Christkindlmarket Mugs Are Heart Shaped And People Have Thoughts
When Christkindlmarket switched it up on us and we all freaked out.
What The Fuck Is Going On With These ‘Birds Aren’t Real’ Posters?
When people thought birds were actually government surveillance drones.
Taco Bell Is Giving Away Free Tacos To Everyone In America Today Only
When Taco Bell saved the day.
Miss Ricky’s Diner Recreated Buddy The Elf’s Spaghetti Sundae And It Looks Insane
Syrup and all.
Ludlow Liquors Is Hosting A Very Grinchy Christmas Sucks Pop-Up Bar
When we showed our grinchy side.
Chicago Is America’s New Beer Capital With Record-Breaking 167 Breweries
Take that, Milwaukee.
Portillo’s Is Named Top Dog In TripAdvisor’s 2018 Travelers’ Choice Awards
I mean, we already knew that, but we appreciate the cred.
Chicago’s Newest Luxury Food Hall Is Finally Open For Business
Aster Hall: the businessman’s McDonald’s.
Chicago Ranked As The 5th Best Sports City In America Again
We would have been number one but SOMEBODY kept fucking it up for us (thanks, Hoiberg).
Anything we missed? Let us know your favorite things that happened in Chicago this year!