Anyone who ’s lived in Chicago long enough has in spades feel the heartache that takes place when a much - loved institution circumstantially close down ( notjustHot Doug ’s ) . For beneficial or for bad , the city is forever evolving , and along the manner we ’ve had to conjure adieu to some pretty damn important situation , including fabled jazz golf-club and the domain ’s biggest outside market . All of which make us wish someone would hurry up and make up a metre motorcar ASAP ( notjustto change the issue of a Blues / Blackhawks serial publication ) .
Chez Paree
The club that epitomized Golden Age entertainment . While many establishments call themselves “ human beings famous , ” Chez Paree in truth was . From 1938 to 1960 , the order attracted both Chicago and Hollywood elite as invitee . Peggy Schatz , married woman of one of the club ’s possessor , describe Chez Pareeas “ filled with the young , the old , the glamorous , the overdone , socialites , [ and ] fresh guys ” don in “ sparkle adornment , stunning couture , beautiful furs draped over the backs of chairs , and gold - and - bejewel cuff tie-in . ” During its 22 - year run , some of the domain ’s big musicians , comedian , and performing artist graced Chez Paree ’s level , let in Frank Sinatra , Louis Armstrong , Bob Hope , and Ella Fitzgerald , to name a few , and many of the appearance were broadcast live across the country via radiocommunication . While Chez Paree conclude its door in 1960 , the construction has remained in the Schatz syndicate . In a nod to its iconic past times , the edifice now houses an event space called Chez and sport an outdoor wall painting show Jimmy Durante performing at Chez Paree .
Chess Records
The legendary record company that shaped sway and roll history . While you ’re doubtless intimate with Rolling Stones song such as " Gimme Shelter " and " Satisfaction , " you may not be intimate with their 1964 song " 2120 South Michigan Avenue , " a computer address to the address of the legendary Chicago - establish record book company Chess Records . The companionship not only launched the career of Muddy Waters , Etta James , and Chuck Berry , but alsoplayed a cardinal rolein shape the speech sound of rock ' n ' coil . In fact , many strain recorded at Chess Records were reproduced by the Beatles , Eric Clapton , and the Beach Boys . In 2008 , the chronicle of Leonard Chess was share in the melodious biopicCadillac Records .
Riverview Park
The monumental entertainment parkland that dominated the Northside for 63 class . If you ’re originally from Chicago , then betting odds are you may have hear a parent or grandparent wax poetical about riding “ The Bobs ” or getting their first buss in “ The Tunnel of Love ” at Riverview Park . The entertainment park dominated the land between Belmont Ave , Addison St , Western Ave , and the Chicago River from 1904 to 1967 and was so popular , it was even featured in the Beach Boys ' song " Amusement Parks U.S.A. " . These days , the site of the parkland is nursing home to things that are decidedly less diverting , like the Chicago Police Department .
Rainbo Rink
The skating rink with some skeleton in the closet in its foundation . While the demolition of Rainbo Rink was sad for patrons , it was peculiarly annihilative to Chicago history buffs . The building at 4812 N. Clark St in Uptown went through several fascinating incarnations over 80 years . Originating as a theater in 1922 , the construction eventually turned into an entertainment locus , went on to became concert venue prognosticate Kinetic Playground that hosted notable artist including the Rolling Stones and Grateful Dead before in conclusion being turned into a skating rink in 1980 . When the building was demolished in 2003 , construction crewsuncovered human bones . Not to direct any digit or anything , but the building did have an hole-and-corner tunnel that connected directly to The Green Mill , which , you know , just so happened to beAl Capone ’s favorite hangout .
The “White City”
Fairgrounds of the 1893 Columbian Exposition . Just two decades after the Chicago Fire , Chicago had the audacity to consider that it could pull off the 1893 World ’s Fair . We went headland - to - head with New York in a play to host the event and , much to their mortification , we won . Against all odds , architects Daniel Burnham , John Root , and Frederick Olmsted helped us live up to our urban center ’s motto of “ I Will ” by erect 200 whitened neoclassical building in disk time , the physical process of which was detail in the book ( and soon - to - be - movie)The Devil in the White City . Today , only two building remain – The Palace of Fine Arts and World ’s Congress Auxiliary Building , which are now play home to the Museum of Science and Industry and the Art Institute .
The Playboy Club
The legendary members - only clubhouse . In 1961 , a newfangled club locate at 116 East Walton St care to become the most popular nightclub in the earthly concern despite being a members - only club that required visitant to present a key for admission . That order , of path , was Hugh Hefner ’s famous Playboy Club . While various incarnations of the Playboy Club were finally opened up in locating around the world , the first – and most fabled – call Chicago its ' home from 1960 until 1986 . While there were rumors that Chicago ’s Playboy Clubwould be revive in 2011 , the plan seems to have survive about as well as NBC ’s short - lived boob tube series of the same name .
The Savoy Ballroom and Regal Theater
A historic , influential Southside amusement complex . Opened in 1928 , the Regal Theater was one of America ’s first theaters build specifically for the African - American residential district . The beautiful knotty - style theater attracted America ’s most famous jazz musicians , include Louis Armstrong , Duke Ellington , and Nat King Cole , who played his first professional gig at the theatre . Next door , The Savoy Ballroom offer dance and live music as well as other attractions , including operation by a basketball squad calledthe Savoy Big Fivewho eventually became known as the Harlem Globetrotters .
Maxwell St
One of the world ’s largest – and most far-out – outdoor market . While Maxwell Street still exists in name , today ’s market is vastly different from what it once was . establish in the late nineteenth century by easterly European immigrants , Maxwell St ’s famed Sunday mart develop into a multi - cultural melting pot where one could buy virtually anything while heed to Chicago Blues player and watching the put-on of performers like the infamousChicken Man . Despite effort to keep open Maxwell St , the grocery was relocated and downsize to make room for the expansion of UIC in 1994 .
Union Stock Yards
The smelly , gory , historic home of Chicago ’s meat-packing business industry . certainly , the stockyards were fundamentally a disgusting nightmare , and we ’re sure many people are beaming they ’ve shut – particularly field occupant who had to put up with the stench emanating from the one thousand . However , we ’ll be honorable – we really just wish we could have witness what actress Sarah Bernhardt referred to as " a atrocious and magnificent spectacle ” first - mitt . For well or for bad ( and in the sheath of fictionalmen named Jurgis , definitely regretful ) , the Union Stockyards not only shaped Chicago ’s history and earned us the now - outdated nickname of “ hog butcher of the world , " they alsoshaped US chronicle .
The Chicagoan
One of the cool – and least know – publication to ever come out of Chicago . From 1926 to 1935,The Chicagoanhighlighted the urban center ’s ethnic fit , publishing the very good writers and artists . According to its editor , the goal of the publication was to correspond " a ethnic , civilized and vivacious " metropolis " which want make no obeisance to Park Avenue , Mayfair , or the Champs Elysees . " The magazine folded during the Depression and was largely forgotten until historiographer Neil Harris stumbled upon copies of the mag in the University of Chicago ’s archives , eventually going on to publishThe Chicagoan : A missed account of the Jazz Agefeaturing 400 page worth of highlights from the clip .
Fritzel’s
If the rampart of this eating place could talk , they would ’ve been quoted in Kup ’s Column . It ’s safe to say that Mike Fritzel was basicallythe Billy Dec of the jazz era , having owned several eating place and clubs that were wildly popular among visiting celebrities , including Friar ’s Inn and the aforementioned night club Chez Paree . extol asone of the best restaurantsin Chicago history , Fritzel ’s namesake restaurant has been trace as “ home of the three - hour tiffin for editorialist , models , and moguls , ” playing server to the the likes of of Joe DiMaggio , Marilyn Monroe , Tony Bennett , and Mickey Mantle . Fritzel ’s was so democratic among celebrities that iconic Chicago rumourmonger columnist Irv Kupcinet prefer to remained stationed there . In fact , he allegedly had his own special stall with its own phone assembly line , so his sources could well contact him with fodder for his newspaper column , natch .
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Although she ’s never in person check him , Lisa Chatroopis now the Chicken Man ’s heavy fan . Read more onDailyUrbanistaor say hi on Twitter:@Chicagoista .
Lisa Chatroop/Thrillist
eBay item/Wikimedia
Flickr/Boston Public Library
Regal Theater | Library of Congress
John Vachon/Wikimedia
