As a city that loves its skyscrapers almost as much as it loves its alcohol, Chicago has no shortage of rooftop bars. Cindy’s is a consistent favorite among locals and visitors alike. Location-wise, it’s pretty optimally situated, right on Michigan Ave in the loop, overlooking Millennium Park and Lake Michigan beyond.
Perched atop the Chicago Athletic Association with a glass roof and an open terrace, Cindy’s is a picturesque destination for eating and drinking. They serve modern American fare for brunch and dinner, and have a lavish list of cocktails, wine and beer. Plus a bar snacks menu for those looking for lighter bites. But the draw is the view, and everything tastes better with a panorama of the rich blue lake in the horizon.
the details
| Address | 12 S Michigan Ave, Chicago |
| Website | http://www.cindysrooftop.com/ |
| Yelp | https://www.yelp.com/biz/cindys-chicago |
| @cindysrooftop | |
| Hours | 3pm – 10pm Wednesday – Thursday, 12pm – 10pm Friday – Sunday |
| Price | $$$ – you’re paying for the views too |
| Aesthetic | classic rooftop bar vibes (aka v photogenic but Pinterest basic), a little scene-y |
good to know
Go here for: golden hour drinks and bites
Order this: can’t go wrong with anything from their seasonally changing cocktail list
Amount of time to spend: probably an hour or two before it gets too scene-y
When to come: early-ish is better, it gets crowded out on that terrace
Getting here: the closest CTA stations are Washington/Wabash (green, orange, pink, brown, purple) and Monroe (red), also easily accessible via one of the many bus lines that go up and down Michigan.
Other things to note:
- Their brunch and dinners are served family-style, and priced at half (1-2 person) and full (3-4 person) portions.
- Enter through the main hotel, and take the dedicated elevator up to Cindy’s.
Last visited: August 2019
Last updated: December 2020
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