The latest iteration of the recurring “Mini-Bar” pop-up bar series at the Chicago Athletic Association hotel celebrates Chicago’s beloved dive bar culture
On the Mag Mile, right across the street from Millennium Park, exists the Chicago Athletic Association hotel along with 17,000 square feet of event space and a tremendous view of Lake Michigan, including from the hotel rooftop bar.
Meanwhile, taking over the former pool space on the ground floor is The Dive — the latest installment of the hotel’s “Mini-Bar” series and the summer’s newest watering hole on Michigan Avenue.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BXPD32TgBSk/?hl=en&taken-at=624524774
Starting on Saturday, August 5 and continuing every weekend in August, The Dive offers visitors a variety of complimentary events, ranging from classic to quirky:
Audiotree & LHST Presents: She’s Crafty DJ Set
Saturday 8/5 | 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Ch Ch Check it Out – The Dive is opening its doors for the first time with an evening of intergalactic music curated by Audiotree & LHST. Get it together and make some noise as we pass the mic to She’s Crafty, Chicago’s all-female Beastie Boys tribute! MCAmy (Amy Sumpter), MagRock (Maggie Tomasek), Ken D (Kendra Stevens) and DJ ENRG (Erica Reid) rhyme the rhyme well in honor of the greatest musical group of all time.
Visit http://do312.com/events/2017/8/5/shes-crafty-dj-set to register for this complimentary event.
Audiotree & LHST Presents: DJ Dan Maloney
Sunday 8/6 | 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Known for spinning vinyl records all over Chicago, DJ Dan Maloney make his way to Michigan Ave. for a special appearance at The Dive, curated in partnership with Audiotree & LHST. Before returning to reality after a festival-filled weekend, join us to squeeze in one final show – and a few more drinks.
Visit http://do312.com/events/2017/8/6/dj-dan-maloney to register for this complimentary event.
Big Dummy Bingo & Smiths Night with Bobby Burg & Brian Case
Friday 8/11 | 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. & 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Back by no record of popular demand, Jill Kaye, the Chicago Athletic Association hotel Director of Programming, hosts Big Dummy Bingo at The Dive, wheeling and dealing participants’ happenstance fate with a pickled-egg-and-vinegar attitude. Just don’t call her salty. Following bingo, Chicago musicians Bobby Burg and Brian Case spin Smiths Night, an eclectic mix of Morrissey and everyone else who thinks they are Morrissey. Cards Against Humanity, board games, arcade machines, and a photo booth are available throughout the evening to all attendees.
Seinfeld Trivia & DJs Indiana Waterfalls
Saturday 8/12 | 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. & 8:30 – 10:00 p.m.
*Trivia teams of four or less encouraged.
It’s Seinfeld Trivia Night at The Dive, and it would seem that “Biff wants to be a buff.” Seinfeld buffs themselves, Kevin Warwick and Lindsay Nass, host three rounds of questions ranging from easy, to challenging, to ridiculous, accompanied by a screening of three episodes as selected by your hosts. While winners will be awarded a round of drinks, the real prize will be a block of cheese the size of a car battery—a keystone to any bachelor paradise, of course. Seats are first come, first served with the first episode beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed by the first round of trivia. Cards Against Humanity, board games, arcade machines, and a photo booth are available throughout the evening to all attendees.
Cap off the night with DJs Indiana Waterfalls. Brent Heyl and Leslie Deckard will be selecting rare oh-dang cuts for a unique once in an evening experience. The set will definitely stretch the spectrum but will do so in a way that makes you think they are terrible people.
Big Dummy Bingo & Karaoke Dreams with Rory Lake
Friday 8/18 | 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. & 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Back by no record of popular demand, Jill Kaye the Chicago Athletic Association hotel Director of Programming hosts Big Dummy Bingo at The Dive, wheeling and dealing participants’ happenstance fate with a pickled-egg-and-vinegar attitude. Just don’t call her salty. Following bingo, join Chicago personality Rory Lake for exactly what it sounds like: the stuff karaoke dreams are made of. Cards Against Humanity, board games, arcade machines, and a photo booth are available throughout the evening to all attendees.
Sarah Jane Quillin of fields Magazine Presents Blackout: An Eclipse Celebration
Saturday 8/19 | 5:00 – 10:00 p.m.
In honor of the once-every-other-century and much buzzed-about solar eclipse in August, The Dive transforms into Blackout: An Eclipse Celebration. Performances throughout the evening include fiction readings from Mike Lopez and Halle Butler, acoustic folk by Shaina Hoffman, and comedy with Sarah “Squirm” Sherman. Psychedelic and experimental music performances feature Desert Liminal, Haley Fohr of Circuit Des Yeux, and Emily Kempf as VAIL.
AV Club Presents: Dog-Friendly DJs with Photos by FOTIO
Friday 8/25 | 5:00 – 10:00 p.m.
We’ve teamed up with the AV Club to entertain four-legged family of all shapes and sizes and acquaintances alike with dog friendly DJs – and potentially magicians – throughout the night. Not sure what that means? Dogs hear sound frequencies much higher than humans, AV club ensures music is enjoyable to all ears this evening. Pet (and human) photos are available from Fotio starting at 8 p.m. Leashes are required for all pups please!
Roseanne Trivia & Karaoke Dreams with Rory Lake
Saturday 8/26 | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. & 7:30 – 10:00 p.m.
Actually back by popular demand, Assistant General Manager of Land and Sea Dept. at Chicago Athletic Association hotel, Colisha Campbell, hosts Roseanne Trivia. Following trivia, join Chicago personality Rory Lake for exactly what it sounds like: the stuff karaoke dreams are made of. Cards Against Humanity, board games, arcade machines, and a photo booth are available throughout the evening to all attendees.
The Dive’s liquid offerings for purchase include Bathtub “Bësk” crafted by the team at Cindy’s, a selection of Goose Island beer, JP Wiser’s Rye Old Fashioneds, Jameson and Avion shots accompanied by inventive house made “backs,” and red, white, and sparkling wines from Pernod Ricard. The Dive also offers housemade chips, beet pickled eggs, and tamales available for purchase.
Produced with partner Johalla Projects and designed in collaboration with MegMcMorrow Design, The Dive’s doors open for the first time Saturday, August 5 and Sunday, August 6 at 5 p.m., and reopen every Friday and Saturday thereafter in August from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. (ish), always free of cover.
Visit www.chicagoathleticevents.com/thedive to learn more.
Much of the information provided arrived to APintOfChicago.com via a Press Release written by Brian Chan/Jaclyn Webb of Wagstaff Worldwide.
A Pint of Chicago 