Evanston History Center

Handcrafted pastries, artisan breads, custom cakes, brunch, and our famous cakeballs. West Town Bakery, is a beloved Chicago institution with locations throughout the Chicagoland area.

In 2007, best friends Jonathan Bricklin and Franck Raharinosy had a crazy idea—to practice ping pong night and day and get so good that they could make the USA Olympic Team. So, they got busy doing what any future Olympians would do—throwing a weekly ping pong party! Their parties drew in an eccentric range of artists and actors, musicians and bankers, brokers and broadcasters, and (of course) professional ping pong players and everyone in between. The diversity of the crowd fueled the fun and vibrant energy that remains the essence of SPIN today. Bricklin and Raharinosy joined forces with retired investment banker and former tennis pro, Andrew Gordon, to launch SPIN’s flagship location on Park Avenue in New York City in the summer of 2009. From the moment we opened our doors, we have seen the world-wide growth of an iconic ping pong culture, lifestyle, and movement, which has redefined the game to know no boundaries. It’s all about having fun, not taking life too seriously, making human connections and embracing the contradictions. At SPIN, we come together to socialize and celebrate play. At our core is the drive to connect through ping pong—a game that transcends age, gender, ethnicity, and all physical boundaries. We are the original ping pong social club, your offline social network, a place to call home. We welcome diversity and embrace the unconventional. With venues in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Toronto, Philadelphia, Seattle, Washington DC and Boston we encourage you to participate. Do it together and never alone. #UnitedbyPingPong

Since 1981, iO Theater has inspired and trained generations of America’s greatest comedic talents. Our world-renowned training program has helped thousands of performers develop and hone their skills to launch successful comedy and entertainment careers.

State of Play Hospitality is a highly innovative creator and operator of technology enabled experiential leisure concepts. For a decade since launching its first concept, Bounce, in London in 2012, the State of Play team has gone on to create, launch and operate several more industry leading experiential brands. Flight Club offers a super-charged social gaming experience like no other, with multi-player games set in semi-private playing areas, delicious food, and amazing bespoke cocktails. Come visit Flight Club today and experience unexpected, ridiculous joy.

Encore provides creative, production and event technology services to create events that transform. Encore creates memorable event experiences that engage and transform organizations. As the global leader for event technology and production services, Encore’s team of creators, innovators and experts deliver real results through strategy and creative, advanced technology, digital, environmental, staging, and digital solutions for hybrid, virtual and in-person events of any type.

A Local’s Guide to Chicago Kayaking Founded by two brothers and their life-long friend, Urban Kayaks gives visitors the chance to experience the Windy City from the water. As native Chicagoans and avid adventurers, our goal is to showcase our hometown in a fun and unique way. While kayaking, guests can interact with our knowledgeable and courteous staff members and even say ‘hi’ to the office’s resident pooches. We absolutely love Chicago and can’t wait to share more about the city that raised us. “We’ve always dreamed of having the outdoors as our office. Now, with Urban Kayaks, we’re able to do what we love while being where we love.”

Eataly is an authentic Italian marketplace — an opportunity to eat, shop, and learn.

A new establishment from The Fifty/50 Restaurant Group, Kindling | Downtown Cookout & Cocktails opened at Willis Tower in January 2023. Situated at the corner of Franklin and Adams, the 17,000 SF space boasts a live fire show kitchen, wood-fired plates, and tasty cocktails in the heart of downtown Chicago.

Whether you’re looking to kick back with a Happy Hour beer, a private pizza party, or the best mozzarella sticks in town, you’ll find your place here.

The Alston, an upscale steakhouse blending Midwestern comfort with French-nouvelle cuisine, will debut this May. Our well-appointed, 350-seat steakhouse will be open to the general public. The Alston will also feature an exclusive private member’s club. Guests may also apply to join our private member’s club for those looking to for a truly unique, exclusive experience perched above the heart of Chicago’s Gold Coast.