The Fortnightly club of Chicago is the city's oldest women's organization. Founded in 1873 the…read moreFortnightly club is located in the Bryan Lathrop mansion on Bellevue Place in Chicago's gold coast and has hosted early club members including Jane Addams and Bertha (Mrs. Potter) Palmer. Today with over four hundred members the Fortnightly club focuses on education and over the years, the Club has hosted prominent speakers including Mark Twain, Henry James, Robert Frost, Isaac Stern and William Butler Yeats. More recently, guest speakers include Daniel Barenboim, Frank McCourt, Gwendolyn Brooks, Ed Pashke, Arne Duncan, Patrick Fitzgerald and Mayor Richard M. Daley. Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend the Fortnightly performance of the Chicago Bar Associations annual comedic revue which included songs and piano music satirizing current events and politics. Before the event the Fortnightly kitchen put on a very nice three course dinner starting with a chilled shrimp asian inspired salad followed by juicy roasted pork chop and finished with a chocolate dessert that capped off the dinner in style. For Chicago women seeking a place to be exposed to learning and memorable events look into the Fortnightly Club of Chicago.

The calm before the storm. Annual Community Association meeting. Being on the board, we're hoping…read morefor a docile crowd this year. Next year we need to serve cocktails BEFORE the meeting.

Had the opportunity to stay @ ULCC for a weekend. Very much enjoyed it!…read more FOOD: I enjoyed every single item I ordered (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) with one exception - the Caesar salad. The dressing is very bland, which makes the salad forgettable. Everything else was delicious! [I inhaled the club sandwich and fries at lunch!] ROOM: As some have noted, this is not a new/modern décor room. [If that's what you are seeking, then this isn't the place for you.]. I found the room on-par with an older Ritz-Carlton room. Everything has been well-maintained, and the bedding was lovely. Some have complained about room size. Well, I booked a basic room...and my room was anything but small. In fact, it was quite large! The bathroom size was also perfectly adequate - the shower was nice. Some have also complained about noise from other rooms. Well, my room had an adjoining door (obviously, locked!)...and I did notice that I could hear my neighbor when he spoke loudly. [Rather than coming through the wall, the sound seemed to be coming through the adjoining door.] Traveling alone, I spent little time in my room and used my white noise machine to sleep...so my neighbor wasn't a problem. SERVICE: Now this is what ULCC does particularly well. Most of the staff members have been there a very long time, and their love for the place shows. One server just retired after having worked there for 50 years! (Can you imagine?!) Every staff member was super kind and welcoming. I'm so glad that I got to spend a weekend at ULCC. It's a special place!

Normally, the Union League Club wouldn't be available to us because we aren't members. However,…read morebecause the conference my wife was attending was held in one of its conference halls, we were able to book a room there. The club is an interesting place to stay, even if the security is a bit hardcore--no, there weren't full cavity searches or anything similar, but you better have your key card ready if you enter from outside and want to use the coffee house outside the perimeter. We'll start with the pluses (or whatever comes to my mind first). The building has its historic charm, being that it was built in 1926 with 23 floors, including four that comprise the health club and spa, at least two for conference halls and gatherings, an historic library, and a bar and restaurant that offers a breakfast buffet in the mornings -- so long as you have tickets. The grand wood-paneled hallways and chandeliers, combined with the craftsmanship of the designs in the doorway, the elevator exterior, and the stairwell etchings, make you feel like you are touring a museum. Combined with the extensive artwork, you would feel that way. The Union League Club holds one of the largest private art collections in the country, second only to the Art Institute of Chicago in the number of artworks on display (about a 10 to 15-minute walk away). The collection is impressive, especially in the Presidential Hall on the third floor, where many American Impressionist paintings are located, including a presidential portrait of George Washington. For an historic building, they do have really good fitness facilities, including a gym, a lap pool, steam rooms, and a whirlpool. They also offer a spa if you need a massage or other pampering, which I thought was cool. For food and beverage, the first-floor coffee house has convenient workspaces with Wi-Fi that works better on the lower floors than the higher ones. While the coffee house offers quick, ready-made breakfast and sandwich items, along with solid espresso drinks, the fourth-floor bar and lounge offers more conventional meals and cocktails, with a respectable spirit shelf selection. For breakfast, a buffet is offered that can be either included if you're staying there, or if you have vouchers based on whether you're attending a conference. Otherwise, there is a surcharge. If you are staying at the Club, note that Wi-Fi is incredibly unreliable in the guest rooms, especially on the higher floors, such as the eighth. If you're working remotely, you will need to access either the third-floor presidential hall or adjacent bar room, or go down to the first-floor coffee house. That can be a challenge if you're looking for a private area without people walking in and out or there being a scheduled event. You could try the vacant telephone stalls on the third floor as well (remember those if you're a Gen X or older?), since the lighting and sliding doors work and can provide a quiet, isolated space--but there are no outlets for plugging in laptops or cell phones. The Union League Club also has a strictly enforced dress code throughout most of the building, except on the top four floors for the fitness and health center and when you're heading to the coffee house or outside. If you're perusing the hotel, colored shirts with pants, dresses, blouses, or pressed jeans without holes, with closed-toe shoes, will be required, as security will call you out if you're not dressed appropriately. And speaking of security... this is a Club that strictly enforces membership or granted access, with a highly vigilant front desk and security staff tracking every single person that comes and goes from the building. While this makes the building incredibly safe and keeps those without access or unwelcome persons from entering, it can be burdensome for those staying there who forget their keycard or identification. You will be asked to provide an appropriate hotel key card or ID upon entering, unless you are recognized by security personnel. If you don't have it, you won't be allowed to enter. This can be burdensome, especially if you're coming from outside and want to use the coffee house, and the guards think you're trying to steal a painting, even though you came through 30 minutes earlier with your access. If you're trying to use the coffee house after coming down the escalator and it's before their 7 AM opening, they will physically come after you, and it will look like they're going to frisk you. They may not, but the constant vigilance is tiresome. The building has a lot of history, and if you do have the chance to stay there, it can be fun. But the security measures are a challenge if you do.

You have to have a membership to get in there. I went in a guest and it was okay. The drinks were…read morereally overpriced, but the view and pool were a nice service.

A Good place to connect with pple. slow table service for a large group though. Comfortable seating…read moreand atmosphere.

Excellent service and friendly staff. Food was very good. Rooms are nice, expected for a private…read moresocial club. Location is excellent. Within a block of Millennium Park and the Art Institute Museum. Overall has been a brilliant stay.

I'm blown away with the old vintage charm and detailed architecture! Not a detail was missed in…read morethis elegant place. Very fortunate to have been an invited guest and able to see the grandure of the Club's ammenities. They literally thought of everything! Almost as if we stepped into a Harry Potter novel, but with the added bonus of great food and service. It may be one of the best kept secrets of the city!

Soho House Chicago is a fantastic place for dinner or drinks with friends, with real character and…read morea design that feels perfectly suited to the West Loop. I've always admired how the brand creates spaces that are polished and distinctive while still feeling genuinely social.

Great food, beautiful facility, great service, and an elegant feel. The has browns were so yummyread more

I have many years of wonderful memories at The Cliff Dwellers. This wonderful and historic Chicago…read moreclub has been a place where I have made new friends, learned many new things about Chicago architecture and art, and enjoyed many excellent meals. Thank you to The Cliff Dwellers for being a wonderful part of Chicago and Illinois history! God bless.

Nice venue space. Food was okay. Loved the vinegarette on the salmon. Drinks were basic. Nice wine…read morethough. It's a private club, it caters to its crowd. Nice quality amazing view. Worth my money for the event.

Very fun social group!! I have been going to Joel's LPYP events for a long time and I enjoy seeing…read moreold and new friends at these events. Very inviting atmosphere plus it is at a new and different place every time. Try to keep up and enjoy! LOL P.S: Biggest party of the year is coming up: 12/9 (Peppermint Party 2021!) Ruben

The LPYP and Joel are a scam. Joel ploys everyone into thinking this is a legitimate networking…read moregroup. He is an extremely good liar. They get serious vendors to show up to these events and free pour booze and provide a ton of food. That sounds fun, right? The vendors are generally told that they will get exposure to triple what actually shows to the event. The crowd is generally not as "young, rich and fabulous as he sells either. Next problem, the venue normally front a subscription to be a part of LPYP and Joel offers to split the door fee. He'll throw the event, smiles and says, "I'll swing by next week with a check." For months he disappears, his story is weak and he starts dodging phone calls. It's funny that the only way to be paid is to bring up a lawyer. And here is some more great stuff. I recently had people show up to my venue for a LPYP event. We have not allowed that group or the weezel owner on premise for nearly a year. He was selling tickets to a fake event. ALL NEW LOW. It is a shame that there are people like Joel, it is a shame that I even have to give 1 star to write a review and it is a shame the Better Business Bureau only gave him a "D-" when he epically fails to live up to a single word he says.

Historic, exclusive, very classy. It's a members only club, with a long history. If you have the…read moresort of money, wealth, connections, and pedigree that you are a member, you're probably not reading the YELP reviews. If, on the other hand, you've been invited by a member for something going on here, don't hesitate to take advantage of the opportunity, but dress appropriately.

It was an interesting visit to the Chicago Club. I stayed during a summer weekend, and the club…read morewas virtually empty. Staff members were very attentive. My room was lovely and comfortable -- with wonderful snacks and water, which were nice touches. The Terrace (rooftop) restaurant and bar was nice. And the club is in a great location. During my stay, I toured the large rooms on the second level. One of the rooms was so grand and gorgeous that it literally took my breath away! Stunning!!! (see pics) I was advised in advance that there would be no meal service over the weekend, save for Saturday night. That was fine for me, but I note it because others may prefer to stay at a club where they can eat all of their meals.

Such a vibe! I recommend Saturdays for their hip hop night! Fridays and Sundays are dope too. Lots…read moreof celebrities

They prevent people from entering, having them stand outside as if to appear packed, when in…read morereality it was as empty as a ghost town. Also there is no free seating, you have to pay to sit down. Waitresses on their phones instead of serving. Actually what about this place is actually good?