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
Wanna print this article out?
Special thanks to Stan Wozniak and Bill Zehme for instilling a love and appreciation in me for Frank Sinatra.
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When #VirginAtlantic invites you to coffee… @VAAintheUSA #BeautyTeam
When you love the idea of international travel (or just love the idea of Richard Branson, for that matter)- you say “yes” when Virgin Atlantic Airlines Beauty Team invites you to coffee.
Sure- they’d love for me to tell you that they are relaunching a seasonal flight to London from Chicago, but that’s just good information for all of us to know. I’ve yet to visit London. How about you? It’s arguably the most expensive city in the world and that is absolutely amazing. So- if you have the scratch, take a jaunt to Europe on the @VAAintheUSA party ship.
Oh and, if you fly in 2014, you’ll get to see the new #VAA uniforms. Virgin Atlantic has just announced that British fashion icon, Vivienne Westwood, will design the airline’s new uniform for not only onboard Cabin Crew, but its staff in the Clubhouses, Spas and airports around the globe. You can bet the new threads support the legacy of style and class that is Virgin Atlantic. The point is, if we met for coffee I might share these two bits of information with you, so that was easy.
I met up with @VAAintheUSA at the Intercontinental Chicago Starbucks and, as they spoke of their previous night out, we became fast friends. The first topic was the differences in men between Chicago and London. They inquired about the very Chicago way to say that a man has an overinflated ego. I told them I would tell them where they should have gone next time they visit The Windy City.
They then laughingly repeated “douchebag” SO loud in Starbucks, I literally covered my face laughing. You could tell by their accents they were just learning the word and that I was the obvious trouble-making teacher. We decided that “tool” was their equivalent. I loved them all instantly.
After we got the important stuff out of the way, we turned to “beauty in the air”. Virgin Atlantic has their own beauty team, beauty program AND beauty magazine for their flight attendants and the team was in town on a promotion tour. I learned so much in the few hours I spent with them. Attention to detail is what these people are all about. I told them it makes me think that they must be this conscientious in other aspects of their business, and thus a safer airline.
That line of thinking doesn’t necessarily translate, but I think most people would agree with me on this one. As a marketer myself, I’m always analyzing why I feel the way I do about brands. #VAA seems super buttoned-up, innovative and classy.
As we drank our coffee, the team asked if I would like a quick makeover before I left. The attached videos are what happened next. Watch to learn the eyebrow comb-over, how to line your lips, why you should wear red lipstick and a few quick and easy updos. You may also follow the team on Twitter for more tips.
PS: Shout out to the #BeautyTeam- I had a blast! –> Rebecca Creer – Chief Beauty Officer, Mim Allgood – make-up manager, Helen Kavanagh – hair manager with Ombi Farr and Jess McGinley – Cabin Crew