ORIGINAL POST AT JenTravels.com
He immortalized the song “My Kind Of Town” and it was… his kind of town. So much so that it often feels like Frank Sinatra is still hanging around Chicago. As if he always just left but could pop up back up almost anywhere. From the faded framed pictures in bars and restaurants to the urban legends and hearsay of walking tours, here is your guide to enjoying Chicago, Sinatra-style.
SING
Well, if you are Frank, you always want to be asked to sing. But, because you are not Frank, your best bet for belting out your rendition of Chicago, Chicago is at karaoke. Blue Frog Bar & Grill downtown is affectionately known for it’s raucous but friendly crowd. Expect a wait on busy nights or reserve your own private karaoke room at Lincoln Karaoke.
If you’d rather perform at an outdoor venue, why not sing Sinatra’s Love and Marriage at Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park? The fountain was in the opening credits of the 90′s sitcom “Married with Children” while Sinatra’s Love and Marriage was its theme song.
DRINK, DANCE & GIVE A TOAST
It was well known that Sinatra only wanted to hang at a bar that had Jack Daniels and a piano. “This is a gentlemen’s drink.”, he’d say. He could be so easy to please… at times. The Joynt in River North is where I met Stan Wozniak, who had been Frank Sinatra’s road manager for 9 years, when Frank was older and Stan was… em, younger. This is one of my absolute favorite spots in Chicago, not only because I get to see my friends, but because they have LIVE music every night of the week. And I’m a sucker for live music and a dance floor. The Joynt attracts a professional, down-to-earth crowd of locals and travelers- Frank woulda liked it. If you are craving to hear some Sinatra-type crooning call to see which nights “Dakota” sings. He sang for Ol’ Blue Eyes as a child star and got Sinatra’s blessing, “You got it, Kid.” [Watch my video of The Joynt here!]
With all this music and drinking a celebratory Rat Pack toast seems apropos, but what to say? The toast below is worth memorizing from “The Voice” himself via The Way You Wear Your Hat by Bill Zehme
“I wish you an abundance of health and goodness and sweet things and sweet dreams, no nightmares, and I wish you lemonade in the shade in July and all that other jazz, and huggin’ and kissin’ and peace forever in your time, and for your children, and their children, and their children and God bless us all! Cheers! Salud! Cent’anni!”
SHOP
Depending on your budget, you can buy lots of gifts for you and friends just like Francis would have. If you, like Frank, don’t concern yourself with little things like money, you can surprise your best friends (like Sammy Davis Jr.) with a Cartier watch from Michigan Avenue’s Magnificent Mile.
Not qu
ite there yet? Spend time looking for the perfect orange (Frank’s favorite color) handkerchief to tuck in your suit pocket. Hermes in Gold Coast is known for their exquisite scarfs and accessories while boutiques like Mr. & Mrs. Digz carries both new and vintage designer options.
Another fun option is soap shopping. Yep. Never one to like copious amounts of cologne or perfume, Blue Eyes simply enjoyed the smell of soap. Yardley’s English Lavender to be specific. Sniff away and find your favorite soap flavor at Sabon in Gold Coast or Merz Apothecary in Lincoln Square.
EAT
Hey. You’re Frank Sinatra. You’re Italian. You love food. You specifically love Italian food made by Joey and Armando at La Scarola near Grand and Halstead. One step inside and you “get it”. [Watch my video review of La Scarola here!]
In a rush? Want something more casual? How about some barbecue ribs? Twin Anchors in Lincoln Park has been serving up some of the best for decades now.
And of course, like any man’s man, this gentleman enjoys a prime cut of beef, grilled to perfection at one of Chicago’s famed steakhouses. Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse has a Sinatra-esque ambiance in Gold Coast and Mastro’s Chicago bar has long been my “go-to” spot when I want to get dressed up, and meet interesting people.
HANG WITH MOBSTERS, FIGHT & PRAY
Not only did he break hearts, he broke legs. Even at 5’7″ tall, Frank was never one to back down from a fight. ”When a guy bothers me, I belt him” he’d say. Whoa. Brush up on your jab and duck at a boxing gym like LA Boxing in Wrigleyville and go out feeling like you have Security, but you don’t need Security.
Besides, it’s not like you don’t know people. You know a guy if things get… er… sticky. This is, after all, Chicago. Oh, and speaking of The Family- don’t forget about Johnny Boy’s Graduation this weekend. Capeesh? Ok, ok… maybe they won’t be real mobsters, but the actors of this interactive dinner theater, will have you laughing so hard you won’t care. [Watch my video for Johnny Boy's Graduation here!]
When you and/or Frank get enough carousing and are ready to return to alter boy roots, Holy Name Cathedral is a beautiful Catholic church Near North Side. Mr. Sinatra played hard and prayed hard.
BUFF, POOL & SLEEP
He’s been known to give the advice of slipping your Mary Janes (shoes) in between couch cushions for one final buff, but I couldn’t find a venue in Chicago that wants to promote cushion shoe buffing, so you are on your own finding a willing couch.
Fortunately, you don’t need shoes at all, at the pool. Sinatra would say that his idea of a vacation is to put the watch in a drawer and sit by the pool for a few days. Not a bad idea, Frank. East Bank Club in downtown Chicago is known for both its indoor and outdoor pools and sells guest passes for visitor access. However, you may not need to pay extra for a guest pass elswhere, if you choose to sleep at a swanky hotel, the way Sinatra did.
Though very often out all night, Frank still appreciated the value and customer service of a fine hotel. Though many of the originals have been replaced or upgraded, Public Chicago, Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel Chicago, The Drake and Palmer House all claim Ol’ Blue Eyes as a valued guest.
So. He sleeps after all.
Do you use Foursquare? Check out the list I made: Things Frank Sinatra Would Do In Chicago
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Special thanks to Stan Wozniak and Bill Zehme for instilling a love and appreciation in me for Frank Sinatra.
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Chicago Film Critics Awards Honoring Jane Lynch & Paul Sorvino
Though my life is most certainly not all glitz and glamour… sometimes it is. Check out the event coverage video hosted by “moi” and produced by Jumpmasters. The #CFCA show award winners can be found on the Chicago Sun Times blog. It was a FABULOUS night, and I look forward to next year.
What I think is lasting or “evergreen” (as we say in the biz) about this video, therefore worthy of watching again and again- are the numerous comments and insights about Chicago from celebrities and party-goers alike. It makes me proud to live here every time I watch it.
When it’s cold in February and there’s no sun in sight… we still love this city. !Viva Chicago!