MFreeman72:
Let me begin by stating that most of the information you've received is good, but please ignore the statement "Wrigley is much better than Sox Game." as the author of that statement obviously lives in the suburbs. Without getting into too much detail about which stadium is better, I'd just like to point out that the Cubs are currently sub 500 (12 and 16 = .429) while the
White Sox currently have
THE BEST RECORD IN BASEBALL (22 and 7 = .759). If you do happen to get tickets to the Sunday Cubs/Sox game at Wrigley, please remember to bring a broom for the Cubs.
Secondly - Congratulate your friend for making your job impossible. Not only are the White Sox at Wrigley (making that the one of the hardest tickets the season and impossible for a group), but it's also the weekend before
the restaurant convention. I don't know what happens at a restaurant convention, but apparently ALOT of people come to town and drive up hotel rates. Additionally, since they are in the restaurant business, they flood all the high end restaurants. Unfortunately for you, this is the "perfect storm" for bachelor party planners.
Consider the following:
Ideas for Wrigley:
1) Wrigley is all sold out, and it didn't matter because they're freakin' terrible with groups anyway. If you need the baseball experience, try going to Cubby Bear, Slugger's, Bernie's, High-Tops, Murphy's or Goose Island Wrigleyville --- You'll drink so much that no one will notice you're not actually at the game. Quite frankly, the whole Wrigley experience is really in the neighborhood outside the park, rather than inside. Just to give you an idea how bad things are inside Wrigley - if you do get into Wrigley, you'll be forced to drink "
Old Style". For this, the groom may never forgive you.
2) Try to get reservations to a rooftop - Not sure how rich you are, it may cost you about $200 a person - on the plus side, it usually includes food, beer, and drunk women in halter tops. --
http://www.thecubdom.com/features/wrigleyrooftop_overview.html. Unfortunately, if it rains, you've just wasted $200 a person.
3) Consider abandoning the Wrigley idea- The Preakness Stakes is Saturday - rent a
bus and just go to the Arlington Park (They'll simulcast the race). Of course, the cheaper alternative is the
OTB on State street. Also, if your interested in "gaming", consider the casinos in nearby (30-45min) Indiana.
For a good steak, any of the restaurants mentioned - Chicago Chop House, Gibson's, Gene and Georgetti's, Smith and Wollenskey's, or Morton's would be good. Morton's just opened a new location on East Wacker St. that my have more availability because it's new and unknown. Gibson's and Gene/Gerogetti's would be the choice of the locals and more suited to a bachelor party. Smith and Wollensky's it's not that well known in Chicago, so it's generally not that crowded, and as an added bonus, they have outside seating.
For your entertainment - The
Admiral Theater is in the middle of nowhere ($20-25 cab ride from downtown) - they don't serve liquor, but there is a dive bar next door that has cheap beer a pool table (bring quarters).
Other (non-adult) entertainment near the city center- Second City, Buddy Guy's Legends, Andy's Jazz club, Blue Chicago.
Other things to do to kill time:
The Bodyworlds exhibit at the Museum of Science is excellent and also the
Nazi submarine may be reopened by then. Hey, where else can you see a Nazi submarine?
Hotels: Hotel Intercontinental on Michigan Ave. has a 25Yrd. pool .... Hard Rock Hotel and W are the new "in" hotels - no pools.
The only benefit of the restaurant show is that they sponsor a 10K race on Sunday -
http://www.restaurant.org/show/events/course.cfm - It's downtown, only $20, and they have good food, beer (at 9:00AM?!?!?!), and raffle prizes afterwards. It usually sells out a couple weeks before the race.
Good Luck, enjoy your stay, and dress warm(ly).
Let us know what you end up doing - if you remember any of it.