Your big day rolls around only once a year, and you want to celebrate it in style. Here are the best places in Chicago to mark the festive occasion. And guess what? Not one of them is a bar.
8 Places to Celebrate Your Birthday in Chicago
Don't blow out the candles just anywhere
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Published Jun 27, 2016
Show Off Your Backhand
Brand new to Chicago, AceBounce is based on the popular London entertainment spot Bounce. It’s got a bar, a restaurant and 16 Ping-Pong tables where your friends can let you win all night. (Come on--it’s your birthday.) There are also private and semi-private event spaces and a lemon-blueberry cake with white-chocolate frosting that’s begging to be topped with candles.
230 N. Clark St.; 773-219-0900 or acebounce.com
Martin Cymmer
Play Some Old-fashioned Laser Tag
You heard us: laser tag. At WhirlyBall, activities also include bowling and the namesake game that mixes lacrosse with bumper cars. (You kind of have to try it.) The spot also has a new executive chef, who’s taken the menu up a few notches. So if your sport is eating crispy shrimp buns and chorizo sliders, well, you’re in luck.
1825 W. Webster; 773-486-7777 or whirlyball.com
Amazing Lash Studio
Get (even More) Gorgeous
Amazing Lash Studio gives lightweight lash extensions that make you look like a million bucks. And good news for you: It hosts parties for up to 15 guests. Gather your pals for a night of fluttering lashes. Then bat your eyes through the next glamorous year of life.
1845 N. Clybourn Ave.; 773-248-5724 or amazinglashstudio.com
Vavaoom Pinups/Facebook
Pose For A Pinup
At Vavoom Pinups, you can get dressed up in vintage outfits with your best friends, then pose for a fun concept shoot. You’ll also get your hair and makeup done and a free digital image to share like crazy. Everyone needs to see how good you look in pin curls.
724 W. Hubbard St.; or vavoompinups.com
Get Your Heart Rate Up
Or start your year off on a (somewhat) healthier kick. The ever-popular Soul Cycle will go all out for your birthday celebration. Just call ahead to reserve a block of bikes for you and your pals. Let the studio manager know it’s your special day, and the class will end with a group chorus of the birthday song. You’ll even get to blow out a candle.
Chicago studio locations here
RELATED: 5 Outdoor Workouts to Take Advantage of This Summer
Cocoa + Co.
Snack On Global Chocolates
You love chocolate, and your birthday party merits lots of it. At Old Town’s Cocoa + Co., owner and “chocolate curator” Kim Hack leads private tastings for up to nine guests. The tastings cover topics like the history of chocolate, but here’s the important part: You and your guests will sample tons of international treats. Yep, drinking chocolate is included.
1651 N. Wells St.; 312-624-8540 or cocoaandco.com
Bar Toma
Become A Pizza Chef For The Night
Just off the Mag Mile, pizza spot Bar Toma hosts pie-tossing classes in which you and your pals will gather in a private dining room for a lesson. Under expert guidance, you’ll learn how to toss pizza dough--while snacking on pizza, of course.
110 E. Pearson St.; 312-266-3110 or bartomachicago.com
Show Off Your Vocal Chops
You know the words to Selena Gomez’s entire oeuvre. And this is the night to celebrate that. At Clark Street Karaoke, you can rent out rooms for your group and order up bottle service to wet your whistle. There’s also an awesome seafood restaurant, Lowcountry, right upstairs.
3343 N. Clark St.; 773-996-9997 or lowcountrychicago.com