Off topic - Chicago (city) information

I would definitely recommend the loop. It is close to the theaters, shopping and great restaurants. I always tell friends to stay at the Palmer House Hilton. It’s a beautiful hotel and you can usually find great rates. You are just a short bus ride from Michigan Ave shopping.

Yeah, the regional boards on BWW are really sad.

I lived in Chicago for several years. I agree that you are just fine staying in the "loop" - that is the downtown area where all of the attractions are. I would suggest walking up (or down) the "Magnificent Mile" (Michigan Ave.) between Chicago Ave. and the theater district. That will provide you with some really beautiful sights, and you can also stop in at various places along the way.

I live right in the heart of the Loop and there are so many late-night restaurant and bar options, it's hardly a ghost town:

Emerald Loop
Cindy's
The Gage
Roanoke
Rosebud Prime
Italian Village/Vivere/La Cantina
The Berghoff
Tesori Trattoria
312
Seven Lions
Miller's Pub
The Dearborn
The Grill Room
Steadfast
Prime and Provisions
Catch 35
Morton's
Stetson
South Water Kitchen
Atwood Cafe
Tavern at the Park
Giodano's
Elephant and Castle
Petterino's
Lockwood
Prim Bar
Pearl Brasserie
Lloyd's
Townhouse
Franklin Tap
Cactus
Tutto Italiano

If you decide to stay in the Loop, I don't think you'll have ANY problem finding a place to eat or have drinks before or after a show. Wabash ad Michigan in the South Loop around Roosevelt also have many wonderful places to eat and of course, across the river one stop north on the Red Line puts you in River North/Magnificent Mile with more than enough options as well. If you're only in town for a short trip, you will not have to travel to Wrigleyville or Wicker Park just for food or drinks.

While The Loop is not a literal ghost town after hours, it is quite empty compared to other neighborhoods. It can feel a little eerie being alone with the big buildings (though you'll almost always be safe) so be prepared for that if you're staying/haunting in the loop. River North is more crowded and slightly warmer and more welcoming to inhabit after 9.

With few exceptions, the places open after hours in The Loop are not really quality places. They're fine in a pinch but few have any real character and almost all of them are far too expensive for what you get. River North or Fulton Market offer far more interesting dining and drinking options.

All that said... the Loop/River North/Fulton Market are a short walk from one another. If you stay in any of these places, you'll be doing just fine.

I have frequently walked from a hotel in River North to the theater district and back late at night, and never felt afraid. If you stick to the main streets, there will be plenty of other people out and about at all times. I have also stayed in the loop and walked to and from Union Station late at night with no problems. I am not particularly brave, yet have never had any issues walking about in those areas.

Palmer House is okay and the rate is pretty low right now, but that's because the hotel needs refurbishment. If you have a modest budget, I would suggest with the Hampton Hotel at the Majestic Theater if you want to stay in the loop, or any chain hotel with a good rate that is either on or one or two blocks off Michigan Ave. in the River North area. Any of the Kimpton Hotels in the loop are interesting and fun, with the Allegro being well located for theaters and tourist attractions.

KJisgroovy said: "While The Loop is not a literal ghost town after hours, it is quite empty compared to other neighborhoods. It can feel a little eerie being alone with the big buildings (though you'll almost always be safe) so be prepared for that if you're staying/haunting in the loop. River North is more crowded and slightly warmer and more welcoming to inhabit after 9."

I was staying at Hosteling International by Roosevelt University once (maybe in fall of 2014?) and nearly everything was closed around me when i went to get dinner on a Sunday night. I ended up bringing a Subway sandwich back to eat in the common area! Could've been worse, but was still a letdown. Especially when I tried to walk into a delicious-smelling hummus place only to have the door closed on me and being told they were closed.

Beware the red line at night.

Updated On: 1/1/18 at 10:54 PM

You can also purchase some hottix on line the day of the show instead of going to one of the locations: Hottix. Steppenwolf has 20 for $20 tickets available by phone only on the day of the show. And Goodman has half price Mezzanine tickets available online on the day of the show (or $10 tickets for students).

I didn't realize so many people find the Loop to be so scary at night! LOL After living in the Loop for 9 years (I'm within 3 blocks of Goodman, Chicago Theatre, Hamilton and Wicked currently, though I'm moving later this year), I guess I took it for granted that with such a huge concentration of hotels in the area, there are literally thousands of tourists wandering in the Loop and thousands of people leaving the theatres in the Loop every night, many of whom grab a bite or a drink in the area after a show. But in the winter, EVERY neighborhood will seem a bit empty as everyone is trying to stay indoors as much as possible.

It's very safe, but I admit I don't know what the hotel situation is like there, although I'd image not to shabby.

There are very few options in Lincoln Park, most of which are closest to the Diversey Brown Line stop.

Beware the red line at night.

They all have dodgy characters at night except maybe the Brown Line (which usually has obnoxious college drunk kids). Though I don't think any of them are less safe than any Manhattan subway.

I recommend staying in Lakeview.

Wrigleyville should be okay during the off-season (though I'd avoid it like the plague during the entirety of the baseball season). The only problem I have with Lakeview and Wrigleyville in general is the noise at night due to the high concentration of bars in the area. It can get really obnoxious. Personally, I think Mag Mile is optimum if you can get a good deal.

Any of the Kimpton Hotels in the loop are interesting and fun, with the Allegro being well located for theaters and tourist attractions.

I just noticed the Allegro bar (formerly known as Encore) is back open after being refurbished! YAY! That is where I ALWAYS stopped for a pre-show drink or bite when seeing anything at the Palace. I'm curious to see what it's like now.

With few exceptions, the places open after hours in The Loop are not really quality places. They're fine in a pinch but few have any real character and almost all of them are far too expensive for what you get.

Miller's Pub is a Chicago institution and I've hung out with some touring casts there after performances. Emerald Loop is my go-to for reasonably priced decent food.
Cindy's is known for its breathtaking views.

But there actually is a nice selection of places in the Loop if you're willing to do the research in advance. If you're just going to walk around hoping to stumble upon something brilliant, then yeah, River North/Mag Mile or something along the north side El stops around Lincoln Park, Lakeview or even Bucktown, but you'd still have to know which streets to walk along (Halsted, Lincoln, Belmont, etc).

In this weather, Fulton Market/River North are short train rides, taxi rides or Uber/Lyft rides, but do not feel like "short walks" (roughly 30-40 minutes) with wind chills in the negatives.

I'm in Chicago as well, and won't chime in with much as everyone else has already been so helpful! I would recommend Lincoln Park, as it's very accessible to all the best theater in the city, and also just a charming, unique neighborhood.

If you're here over the course of the next month, a smaller production that I'm very excited about is August Wilson's JITNEY at the Athenaeum Theater.