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Gold Coast
Good for Groups

Good for Groups in the Gold Coast, Chicago, IL

McFadden's Restaurant and Saloon

ATM / Bar Food / Brunch / Burgers / DJ

Reviewed by Sarah N.

"The Chicago edition of New York McFadden’s, it offers all the comforts of an Irish bar within the convenience of a Gold Coast location. Perfect for s ..." more

1206 North State Parkway
Chicago, IL 60610

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P.J. Clarke's

20s / 30s / 40s / Affluent / Ambient

Party Earth Review A classic tavern where the typical dad would hang out with his buds to watch the Bears, P.J. Clarke’s offers a chill vibe and plentiful comfort food, two ingredients that have made it a casual mainstay in the competitive – and ritzy – Gold Coast neighborhood. A halo of neon over large open windows lights up the front door ... more

1204 North State Parkway
Chicago, IL 60610

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The Hangge-Uppe

30s / 40s / 50s Music / 80s Music

Party Earth Review Marked by a sign with the image of a happy man hugging records and a tagline promising “the most fun you won’t remember,” The Hangge Uppe has been a prime Gold Coast spot for drinking, dancing – and more drinking – since 1973. A few stumbling steps from the wild bar scene of Division Street, the mostly 80s-themed bi-level ... more

14 West Elm Street
Chicago, IL 60611

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The Cedar Hotel

Bar / Bar Food / Baseball Caps / DJ

Party Earth Review Set between the swanky shops of Rush Street and the wild bar scene of Division Street, The Cedar Hotel – a crime-riddled boarding house in the 1920s – now provides a bit of both worlds with its unique combination of historical architecture and energetic sports vibe. Popular with a party crowd of post-grads and sports fans ... more

1112 North State Street
Chicago, IL 60610

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Rush & Division

20s / 30s / Bachelor Parties / Bars

Party Earth Review Set in the swanky area of Chicago known as the Gold Coast, Rush and Division is an odd mix of flashy, loud, and slightly seedy that features a range of venues from the rowdy bars along Division to the fat-cat steakhouses on Rush. The addition of State Street to the west – along with the infamous supply of older men on the ... more

Intersection of Rush Street and Division Street
Chicago, IL 60611

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The Lodge Tavern

30s / ATM / After Work / Blouses / Pub

Party Earth Review Opened in 1957, The Lodge Tavern is the oldest purveyor of drunken revelry on the infamous Rush and Division strip, and late-night hours ensure that anyone in the market for a rowdy 3am booze fest need look no further than this venue’s shingled façade and peanut-encrusted floors. Reminiscent of an old English pub, the ... more

21 West Division Street
Chicago, IL 60610

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Lou Malnati's (Gold Coast)

After Work / All Ages / Beer / TVs

Reviewed by Brooke M.

"I'm quite familiar with the pizza. In fact, I think I'm more in tune with pizza than I am with members of my own family. That being said, I'm most fam ..." more

1120 North State Street
Chicago, IL 60610

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Pizano's Pizza & Pasta

All Ages / All Types / Casual / TVs

Reviewed by Nick T.

"In a city known for its deep dish pizza, Pizano's definitely competes for best deep dish in the city. (Second only to Lou Malnati's in my book) Before ..." more

864 North State Street
Chicago, IL 60610

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Le Bar

30s / Absinthe / Ambient / Blazers

Party Earth Review Tucked inside the ultramodern Sofitel Hotel, Le Bar is a stylish and intimate lounge best known for its French fusion snacks, intricate cocktails, and assortment of gourmet cheeses. Early in the evening, upscale hotel guests and fashion-conscious couples sink into warm velvet chairs by a roaring fire to work their way through ... more

Sofitel Chicago Water Tower
20 East Chestnut Street
Chicago, IL 60611

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Gibson's Bar & Steakhouse

30s / 40s / Affluent / After Work

Party Earth Review Located at the north end of the swanky Rush Street shopping district, Gibson’s Bar & Steakhouse is a Gold Coast neighborhood institution that has been alienating the basic tenets of vegetarianism – and recommended portion size – since 1989. Boasting ice-cold martinis, massive cuts of beef, and desserts that could double ... more

1028 North Rush Street
Chicago, IL 60611

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Map of Gold Coast Good for Groups

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Good for Groups in the Gold Coast Overview

McFadden's Restaurant and Saloon - Irish Pub | Irish Restaurant | Sports Bar in Gold Coast, Chicago

Any night of the week on the Gold Coast presents hordes of 20-somethings pulling each other along to bars and restaurants. Because of the needs of countless bachelor/bachelorette parties, birthday celebrations, conventioneers, and post-work colleague drunken time, places that are good for groups on the Gold Coast number higher than in the average neighborhood.

Most of the bars along Rush and Division Streets are used to, and welcome, big groups…though a big group of girls will probably get faster access than a gang of dudes. “Singles” spots like The Hangge-Uppe and The Original Mother’s have crowds consisting of big groups, all arguing about which person is serving as wing(wo)man for the night. Some bars, like dueling-piano karaoke spot Howl at the Moon, actively encourage big groups. Belting out songs is better in a crowd, after all.

Gold Coast restaurants tend to also be great for groups, as their dining rooms are used for parties of a dozen or so crowding in at once. From expensive steakhouses like Morton’s to tourist standbys for pizza like Lou Malnati’s, most area restaurants won’t balk at a party of ten, or fifteen, or twenty close friends.

Many of the area’s hotel bars are also perfect for big groups, as their spacious layouts equal fewer elbows in the face. Unlike Rush and Division bars, however, these spots, like Le Bar in the Sofitel Hotel, are reserved and elegant, better for a big group of mellow friends than a bachelorette party covered in boas.