We can’t believe how quickly time flies. Is it really March already!? As spring unfolds, I know you’re ready to get out and about. March is always busy in our lovely windy city: St. Patrick’s Day, the notorious March Madness, and a whole month celebrating women’s history and accomplishments… So, if you’re looking for things to do in Chicago this March, here is a list of, literally, everything for your exploration.
Dining
Raise a Glass for International Women’s Day
Kick-off Women’s History Month with International Women’s Day fundraisers at these Chicago bars and restaurants. These wonderful after-work hangout and nightcap spots are donating a portion of their proceeds to their selected charity organizations in Chicago supporting women’s health, reproductive rights, wellbeing, and safety.
Agave Affair Tasting at Morgan MFG
401 N Morgan St Suite #100, Chicago, IL 60642
Morgan MFG from Atomic Hospitality plays host to Chicago’s first ever Agave Affair tasting event on Thursday, March 9 from 6-9 p.m. The exceptional tasting event features Chicago’s most unique collection of tequilas and mezcals all in one place. Spirits will be poured by experts that know the spirits best, providing attendees an opportunity to have questions answered on all things tequila and mezcal. Diners will get to enjoy as much agave as they would like throughout the duration of the tasting.
To fill diners up between pours, delicious agave-friendly bites will be served throughout the duration of the evening provided by Tabú, one of the newest pan-Latin restaurants to call Chicago’s West Loop home. This is Chicago’s first agave-centric tasting event and sure to be a hit for the tequila lovers located throughout the city.
Taste Women-Crafted Sake at Hinoki Sushiko
1465 W Willow St, Chicago, IL 60642
Throughout the month of March, the esteemed omakase and izakaya outpost near Lincoln Yards will offer a dynamic sake flight (S20) crafted by owner/brewmaster Miho Amada of Imada Brewing Company. Guests will enjoy pours of three of her premium sake varietals. Imada, who is hands down brewing some of the world’s best sake, is operating one of the only 20 female owned/run sake breweries. This very special flight at Hinoki Sushiko will include pours of:
- Forgotten Fortune – Crisp & Refreshing
- Seaside Sparkling – Specialty
- Moon on the Water – Fruity & Floral
Save Water, Drink Whiskey at Union
2202 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Stop into Logan Square’s beer and whiskey destination Union this month to drink whiskey for a cause! This March, the team is rolling out “Save Water, Drink Whiskey” – a month-long fundraiser in honor of World Water Day (3/22) where the team will donate partial proceeds from whiskey sales to Alliance for the Great Lakes.
Aiding the non-profit organization in its efforts to keep the world’s largest fresh surface water system clean, Union will present a weekly whiskey pour for only $4, with $1 going directly to Alliance for the Great Lakes. Bottles to look out for include industry fav Old Granddad and JTS Brown! Then, on Wednesday 3/22, World Water Day, the team is donating $1 of EVERY whiskey pour, cocktail, and flight sold. It’s a great month to Save Water, Drink Whiskey at Union!
Duck Sel Pop-Up
A cross between a dinner party and a fine dining restaurant experience, up to 16 attendees will enjoy 15 courses of MICHELIN-caliber contemporary American cuisine, featuring seasonal ingredients and intriguing preservation and dry-aging techniques during these unique culinary journeys.
This month, food lovers can witness Young’s culinary creativity through surprising multicourse menus served communally during exclusive ticketed pop-up events held in a secret location on the following dates:
- Friday, March 17 at 7 p.m. (15-course)
- Saturday, March 18 at 5:30 p.m. (seven-course)
- Saturday, March 18 at 8:30 p.m. (15-course)
Attendees can feast upon nostalgia-evoking selections created by Young including “Quako” Yaki with katsuobushi, mango habanero and shio komb; Winter Squash Crème Brulee with squash, endive and truffle, Black Cod with carrot, kish mish and blossoms; Memories of Culver’s starring ‘Reeses,’ cookie dough and chocolate and more. This month, Chef Young will festively incorporate some gilded flare and luck of the Irish throughout the dinner’s menu in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.
Grab a Slice at the New Bob’s Hyde Park Location
1518 E Harper Ct, Chicago, IL 60615
Bob’s Pizza – one of Chicago’s top independent pizza chains that specializes in “Pilsen-style pizza” with dough made with Old Style beer from executive chef Matt Wilde, now has a Hyde Park location! The Hyde Park location of Bob’s Pizza is its fourth permanent restaurant. Graffiti artists Won Kim and Ian Harris spray painted the two massive murals inside Bob’s Pizza. There’s also a “Bubble Hockey” table game that’s free for guests to play inside the restaurant. If you haven’t tried their pickle pizza, you really need to see what all the buzz is about!
Chicago Chefs Cook for Earthquake
Chicago’s hospitality community is mobilizing again to organize “Chicago Chefs Cook for Earthquake Relief” and raise funds for World Central Kitchen’s earthquake relief efforts. The benefit takes place on Monday, March 20, 2023, from 5pm to 8pm at Avli on the Park, located at 180 N Field Blvd. In addition to more than 40 chef-curated tasting stations, the evening will offer an upgraded VIP meet-and-greet chef experience from 5pm to 6pm.
General admission is $125, and VIP tickets are $225. This event is made possible by the Chicago Chefs Cook leadership team.
Martin Woods Wine Dinner
Bazaar Meat by Jose Andres, 120 N Wacker Drive, Chicago IL, 60606
Join first-generation winemaker Evan Martin of Martin Woods Winery for an exploration of the noble sites and grapes of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Evan will be guiding guests through 10 different wines, seven vintages, and six grapes all paired to a six course seated dinner at Bazaar Meat by José Andrés. Tickets are available here.
American Whiskey Affair at Untitled Supper Club
111 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654
Untitled Supper Club in Chicago, home to the largest American Whiskey collection in the world, will host the 9th annual American Whiskey Affair on Tuesday, March 29 from 6-9 p.m. The restaurant and entertainment space will bring new spirits, old favorites and also award-winning Bourbons to be poured by the industry’s leading experts. Whiskey-friendly bites will be served throughout the evening, and all guests will receive commemorative tasting glasses with each ticket to admission.
Get Your Lent Fixings in Chicago
It’s fish… Sorry, I mean, Lent season! Get your lent fixings at these Chicago restaurants for dine-in or takeout. Raise your hand if you want double that fish fry order. I mean… why wouldn’t you!? That’s the best part of Lent, is it not?
Activities
Watch the River Turn Green
Nothing speaks more of St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago than watching the river turn green. Secure the best spots to view this year’s river dyeing, and don’t forget to book your St. Paddy’s staycation with all the hotels running specials for the weekend! Also, make sure to check out our list of St. Patrick’s Day parties in Chicago from the best bars and restaurants around. It’s party time!
Planet HER at Chicago Athletic Association
On March 24th, Refine Collective will host its 2nd annual Planet HER, a community-focused night bazaar and marketplace, at the Chicago Athletic Association. The event will feature over 50 Chicago-based women makers, creators, artists, musicians and chefs—like Black Women Are Essential and Chicago for Keeps, whose proceeds will be donated to Black Women essential-workers and to Taste For The Homeless—along with two musical performances by Nyla XO and live art by Alyssa Low, YUES, and Barderies Hampton.
Refine Collection founder IB Majekodunmi aims to bring together and showcase diverse and multi-hyphenated women-in-business who are showing up as their authentic selves to shape an inclusive future this Women’s History Month and beyond.
2d Little Jr. Donut Chef Experience
3155 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657
The 2d Little Jr. Mochi Donut Chef Experience is an incredible opportunity for all the kids with a passion for pastries and design to join in on the fun! Kids of all ages will get the chance to learn basic decorating techniques allowing them to explore their creativity and become little junior chefs! In this experience, young chefs will learn all the steps needed to make delicious mochi donuts with all sorts of colorful toppings and hands-on guidance from the 2d donut decorator.
Tickets are $18 each and each participant will receive
- Two fully decorated donuts to taste at the beginning of the event
- Two plain mochi donuts to decorate
- One glass of fresh squeezed lemonade
The Worst Bar in America at Replay
2833 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
What better way to ring in March than at the “worst bar in America”? The adored Chicago pop-up bar, Replay Lincoln Park, 2833 N. Sheffield Ave., is bringing back the iconic dive bar pop-up “Paddy’s Pub”, from “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”. Beginning Friday, March 3, Replay will transform into your least favorite bar, dotted with all-new photo ops, an extensive drink list, and weekly trivia inspired by the hit FX television show.
Immersive Mozart
Lighthouse Artspace, 108 W Germania Pl, Chicago, IL 60610
Mozart Immersive is a celebration of classical music from the producers of Immersive Van Gogh, featuring legendary ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov and the majestic compositions of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Officially opening on March 10th, the exhibition uses state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence as inspiration to craft astonishing visuals inspired by the 18th-century destinations of Mozart’s world.
For this audio-centric immersive experience, Luca Longobardi re-arranged and recomposed 17 selected works from Mozart’s repertoire. The eclectic soundtrack, also featuring exclusive music from the Italian composer, was recorded by a 45-piece symphonic orchestra and conducted by four-time Grammy-nominated Constantine Orbelian.
Let Your Little Artist Shine at Easel Art Studio
1911 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Easel Art Studio offers a unique variety of themed art classes for kids that explore multiple artistic mediums including, Green Art, a class focused on incorporating recycled materials into art, Animal Art, which focuses on how to paint, draw, and sculpt a variety of different animals and many more! In addition to instructional classes, Easel Art Studio offers open studio time where kids can go on their own time to work on art projects.
Pick a Class at A Fairytale Ballet
2243 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
A Fairytale Ballet offers unique dance classes and camps for toddlers, children, and teens. New dancers in the A Fairytale Ballet program receive an enhanced ballet learning experience using literature, costumes, music and props. Experienced children and teens can enroll in the Academy Program to further progress their skills while exploring classical ballets.
In the Burbs
St. Pat’s Shindig at BCB
360 Historical Lane, Long Grove, IL 60047
All Irish eyes will be smiling when the Lake County destination brewery, Buffalo Creek Brewing, hosts its biggest St. Patrick’s Day event to date – the St. Pat’s Shindig on March 17 & 18. During the weekend, BCB will pay tribute to the Emerald Isle with two days dedicated to partying like the Irish, including
- Irish folk dancing (Mar 18 from 1 pm to 2 pm: McNulty Irish Dancers)
- live music (Mar 17 from 6 pm to 9 pm: Flat Creek Highway, Mar 18 from 5 pm to 9 pm: Peter Warren and guest)
- green craft beer
- deals on pints of Burning Red Irish Ale
- freshly-made Crabcake and Rueben Empanadas from Savory Crust Food Truck
- Green Corn Muffins from Brothers BBQ Food Truck
Brewery and biergarten doors will open early for this multi-day St. Patty’s blowout.
Meet the Easter Bunny at Yorktown Center
203 Yorktown Shopping Center, Lombard, IL 60148
Easter is just around the corner and Yorktown Center is celebrating with a Bunny Bash, Easter Bunny visits, and Pet Photos with the Easter Bunny. On Saturday, March 25th from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm in the Center Court, Yorktown Center will host a Bunny Bash, a free Easter-themed event that will include a live DJ, magic show, balloon artists, face painting, crafts, and more. The magic show will take place from 10:15 am to 11:00 am.
The Easter Bunny will begin its residence at Yorktown Center at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 18th. Pet photos with the Easter Bunny will be available on Tuesdays March 21st and March 28th.
Photo with the Easter Bunny at Southlake Mall
2109 Southlake Mall, Merrillville, IN
The Easter Bunny will be at Southlake Mall for photos beginning on March 25 through April 8. Photos with the Easter Bunny are available Monday through Saturday from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm and Sunday from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. Additionally, on Monday, March 27 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, guests are encouraged to bring their domestic animals on a leash or in a carrier and get some adorable photos with the Easter Bunny.
Cote D’Azur Spring Seafood Fest
La Voute, 2034 Ridge Rd, Homewood, IL 60430
Flavors of the French Riviera will be front and center at La Voute’s inaugural Côte D’Azur Spring Seafood Festival, Wednesday, March 22nd through Sunday, March 26th. In celebration of the new spring season, Executive Chef Robert Burt and Chef du Cuisine Pierre Vega are paying homage to one of the world’s leading seafood capitals. During the five-day Festival, the popular French bistro in historic downtown Homewood will showcase a special menu inspired by the fresh coastal influences of the Côte D’Azur.
Featured Image: Alex Buhrow