yacht club chicago menu

• Vacation Rentals
• Restaurants
• Things to do
• Chicago Tourism
• Chicago Hotels
• Chicago Bed and Breakfast
• Chicago Vacation Rentals
• Flights to Chicago
• Chicago Restaurants
• Things to Do in Chicago
• Chicago Travel Forum
• Chicago Photos
• Chicago Map
• All Chicago Hotels
• Chicago Hotel Deals
• Last Minute Hotels in Chicago
• Chicago Motels
• Chicago Hostels
• Chicago Business Hotels
• Chicago Green Hotels
• Chicago Family Hotels
• Romantic Hotels in Chicago
• Chicago Luxury Hotels
• Chicago Spa Resorts
• Chicago Resorts
• Chicago Beach Hotels
• 5-stars Hotels in Chicago
• 4-stars Hotels in Chicago
• 3-stars Hotels in Chicago
• Rodeway Inns in Chicago
• Best Western Plus Hotels in Chicago
• Hyatt House Hotels in Chicago
• Residence Inns (Marriott Bonvoy) in Chicago
• Hilton Garden Inns in Chicago
• Kimpton Hotels in Chicago
• Home2 Suites by Hilton in Chicago
• Marriott Hotels in Chicago
• Hyatt Hotels in Chicago
• Best Western Hotels in Chicago
• SpringHill Suites (Marriott Bonvoy) in Chicago
• Hyatt Centric Hotels in Chicago
• Pet Friendly Hotels in Chicago
• Chicago Hotels with Pools
• Chicago Hotels with Free Parking
• Central Hotels
• Near North Side Hotels
• Downtown / The Loop Hotels
• Magnificent Mile Hotels
• Theater District Hotels
• Streeterville Hotels
• West Side Hotels
• New East Side Hotels
• Far North Side Hotels
• Gold Coast Hotels
• Boutique Hotels in Chicago
• Cheap Accommodations in Chicago
• Suite Hotels in Chicago
• Hotels on the Lake in Chicago
• Chicago City Center Hotels
• Chicago Hotels with Hot Tubs
• Luxury Family Hotels in Chicago
• Luxury Bed and Breakfast in Chicago
• Chicago Resorts with Boats
• Chicago Hiking Resorts
• Hotels near Millennium Park
• Hotels near The Art Institute of Chicago
• Hotels near Cloud Gate
• Hotels near Skydeck Chicago - Willis Tower
• Hotels near The Magnificent Mile
• Hotels near Navy Pier
• Hotels near Museum of Science and Industry
• Hotels near 360 Chicago Observation Deck
• Hotels near Wrigley Field
• Hotels near Shedd Aquarium
• Hotels near Field Museum
• Hotels near Lincoln Park Zoo
• Hotels near Buckingham Fountain
• Hotels near Chicago Architecture Center
• Hotels near (ORD) O'Hare Intl Airport
• Hotels near (MDW) Midway Airport
• Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana
• Mohonk Mountain House
• Ibludan Hotel
• Excalibur Hotel & Casino
• Grand Hyatt Baha Mar
• The Mirage Hotel & Casino
• Moon Palace The Grand - Cancun
• Ocean Casino Resort
• Giraffe Manor
• The LINQ Hotel + Experience
• The Town's Inn
• Horseshoe Las Vegas
• Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun
• Disney's All-Star Movies Resort
• Popular All-Inclusive Resorts
• Popular Beach Resorts
• Popular Family Resorts
• Popular All-Inclusive Hotels
• Popular Hotels With Waterparks
• Popular Honeymoon Resorts
• Popular Luxury Resorts
• Popular All-Inclusive Family Resorts
• Popular Golf Resorts
• Popular Spa Resorts
• Popular Cheap Resorts
• All Chicago Restaurants
• Cafés in Chicago
• Chinese Restaurants in Chicago
• Fast Food Restaurants in Chicago
• Fusion Restaurants for Families in Chicago
• Gluten Free Restaurants in Chicago
• Italian Restaurants in Chicago
• Japanese Restaurants for Lunch in Chicago
• Mexican Restaurants in Chicago
• Middle Eastern Restaurants for Large Groups in Chicago
• Pizza in Chicago
• Seafood Restaurants in Chicago
• Vegan Restaurants in Chicago
• Vegetarian Restaurants in Chicago
• Best Frog Legs in Chicago
• Best Tapas in Chicago
• Best Schnitzel in Chicago
• Best Bananas Foster in Chicago
• Best Acai Bowls in Chicago
• Best Peking Duck in Chicago
• Best Surf And Turf in Chicago
• Best Pork Tenderloin in Chicago
• Best Poutine in Chicago
• Best Dumplings in Chicago
• Best Ice Cream in Chicago
• Best Clams in Chicago
• Best Tortelloni in Chicago
• Best Risotto in Chicago
• Best Tortellini in Chicago
• Breakfast Restaurants in Chicago
• Lunch Restaurants in Chicago
• Dinner Restaurants in Chicago
• Bakeries in Chicago
• Coffee & Tea in Chicago
• Desserts in Chicago
• Food Delivery Restaurants in Chicago
• Kid Friendly Restaurants in Chicago
• Late Night Restaurants in Chicago
• Restaurants for Group Dining in Chicago
• Restaurants for Special Occasions in Chicago
• Restaurants with Outdoor Seating in Chicago
• Romantic Restaurants in Chicago
• Bakeries in Streeterville
• Downtown / The Loop Restaurants
• Gold Coast Restaurants
• Hamburgers in Portage Park
• Lincoln Park Restaurants
• Magnificent Mile Restaurants
• Near North Side Restaurants
• Outdoor Seating Restaurants in Southwest Side
• Portage Park Restaurants
• Seafood Restaurants in Downtown / The Loop
• Soup Restaurants for Families in Magnificent Mile
• Southwest Side Restaurants
• Streeterville Restaurants
• West Loop Restaurants
• Wrigleyville Restaurants
• GreenLeaders
• Things to Do
• Travel Stories
• Rental Cars
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travelers' Choice
• Help Center
• United States    
• Illinois (IL)    
• Chicago    
• Chicago Restaurants    

Columbia Yacht Club

Ratings and reviews, location and contact.

Here's a case of a once very good restaurant slipping over the past two or three years. Nowadays there is not a lot of scratch cooking going on the kitchen. Diners enjoy good service, and still have a fabulous view of the shoreline. I suppose... that helps offset disappointment with the food. Also in Columbia's favor the bar now pays serious attention to craft beers. More

The restaurant at Columbia Yacht Club is a great option for lunch, dinner, or just a cocktail with friends. The bar and restaurant, located within a now-permanently-docked freighter, is as unique a setting as I think you'll find in Chicago. Located at the end of... Randolph, it is easily accessible by foot, bike, or ride-share. It's an especially fun space for events, such as weddings, receptions, or celebrations. Getting in can be difficult, however, as the yacht club is typically only open to members and their guests. More

Our group of 7 met here for brunch in late August in the outdoor seating area. We enjoyed a couple of their Mimosas and Bloody Mary's while taking in the gorgeous view of the marina, Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. I wish I had... taken a picture of the Bloody Mary...they were delicious looking. More

I parked my boat at the club as a visitor from another reciprocal club. I was falsely accused of not paying by a member (LK), but I did and had the receipt. This really, sets the tone for the club.

As participants of the annual Open House Chicago, we visited the Columbia Yacht Club. Anyone can see the boats docked in the Lake Michigan harbor. The neat thing about this visit is the opportunity to walk through parts of the ABEGWEIT (a-beg-wit) ship that is... permanently moored there and serves as the 'club house'. The ship has a very interesting history having been a passenger ship, icebreaker and a train car ferry. There is a sign on the dock that outlines some of the the history of the ship. We were unable to enter or tour the restaurant and bar or the 'wheel house'. The balance of the ship that we were able to tour exhibited wonderful woodwork and the opulence of the ship when it was at its' best. More

No I don't own a yacht, nor do I belong to a yacht club; however, a friend invited us, and we had a fun time. Sat outside, enjoyed dinner and wine, and watching the comings and goings. Very pleasant indeed.

We went here with family. What a wonderful experience. A real boat that has been de-commissioned and now used as an activity and leisure centre, with most of the original decor and features still intact. We went to the cozy bar and had drinks and... food. All served by a brilliant waiter who is so committed to his job. Brilliant. And I loved the cocktails!. A small shop selling Columbia Yacht Club goods. There is also a formal restaurant and this looks beautiful. I understand they have lots of events going on here all year round. A splendid place! More

Bar is friendly and the decor is old time nautical.Great bartenders. We ate outside with great views. Food was very good and reasonably priced. It tends to be with a great Mexican flare.

Being a private club we were able to gain access being a reciprocal yacht club member from another yacht club. The facility is a 1946 Canadian built ice breaker permanently moored in the harbor in Chicago. The staff was very friendly and greeted us warmly.... Downhill from here. Rather than bore you...the drinks were weak, the oyster Rockefeller were under cooked, the Bookbinder soup was okay, the beef stroganoff noodles had a weird flavor. To top it off we were seated outside in a covered seating area...and at dusk the spiders came out. We counted at least ten spiders crawling around light fixtures a foot or less from our table in the overhead. Being sailors we are very familiar with spiders at dusk...but precautions can be taken. If you visit we hope your visit is better but we will not return. More

As a visiting yachts-person of another yacht club, we get visiting privileges of this private club and recently stopped by for an afternoon glass of wine. Their excellent bartender remembered us from our last visit about a year ago! He is so friendly and we... were shocked that he remembered us. Other members are very welcoming and friendly as well. This yacht club is a former very large ice-breaker vessel and has a very classic interior ship lobby with a piano and with all the shiny wood finishes and unique retro fitted ladies room in this former old ship. We love the views from here and the drink prices are so reasonable given the location but again, this is a private club and access only as a visiting member or as a guest of the club. More

It is a private club. It is a huge boat that turned into a Yacht Club. It has a excellent menu for having lunch or dinner. On Wednesday an Saturday you have fireworks at 9.30pm, you have to go to te top to see them.... You have a spectacular view from de Chicago More

FYI: This is a private club and one must come with a member or be invited to a party to enter. The view is great, being a docked ship on the lake, one can see the action on Lake Michigan. We both had the deconstructed... Paella. Don't get the deconstructed Paella it's not that good and borders on tasteless. Coincidentally, two weeks before this visit we were at a party where the hostess served Paella. Her dish was outstanding. The on-site sommelier is awesome! Make sure to ask for his assistance when choosing a beverage. Service is second to none at this location. Expect exellence, but don't order the Paella More

The Columbia Yacht Club is members only, but as members of a yacht club in Canada, we were welcomed at Columbia Yacht Club as reciprocal members. We stopped in for breakfast and couldn't have been more pleased. First off, the place is a retired passenger... ferry that you can explore which is really cool by itself, but our breakfast was outstanding. If there is one must-try item it is the French Toast. It's crispy on the outside and tastes of nutmeg and cinnamon, but soft, almost marshmallow soft inside. It's topped with maple syrup that has been aged in bourbon barrels and is simply too good. The service was prompt, friendly and attentive. I would love to visit again on a summer Sunday morning. More

We sailed from Milwaukee to Chicago and spent several nights moored at Columbia Yacht Club. What a great place. It's so cool docked in downtown Chicago. The club has all the amenities you could want. The staff was amazing and so helpful. The bar and... restaurant were well run. We loved our time in Chicago. The club is in walking distance to the Navy Pier and lots of other great places in downtown. More

Always enjoy visiting the columbia yacht club on eir ship in the marina. Nice inside bar and great outdoor seating. Just had 12 people walk in and had an outside table in minutes. The meal was good and the biew was incredible.

COLUMBIA YACHT CLUB, Chicago - Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone Number - Tripadvisor

Inside the Chicago Yacht Club: A Comprehensive Guide

• Recent Posts

• Coolife Luggage Review: The Ultimate Travel Companion – February 5, 2024
• Monos Luggage Review: Is the Hype Worth It for Monos Carry-On Suitcases? – February 2, 2024
• Montage Laguna Beach: Luxurious Retreat by the Sea – February 1, 2024

The Application Process

Prospective members usually need to fill out an application form detailing their personal information, boating experience, and reasons for wishing to join. This is often followed by an interview and a tour of the club’s facilities.

Sponsorship

Most yacht clubs require applicants to be sponsored by current members. This helps ensure that new members are a good fit for the club’s community and values.

Fees and Dues

There are usually initiation fees and annual dues to be paid. These costs can vary depending on the level of membership and services provided by the club.

Life at the Club: What Do People Do in a Yacht Club?

Life at the Chicago Yacht Club, and yacht clubs in general, revolves around a love for boating and a sense of community.

Sailing Events

Yacht clubs often host a variety of sailing events, including races, regattas, and training sessions. These provide opportunities for members to hone their skills, compete, and enjoy time on the water.

Social Activities

Yacht clubs are also social hubs, hosting events like dinners, parties, and themed nights. These events allow members to mingle, network, and form lasting friendships.

Community Involvement

Many yacht clubs, including the Chicago Yacht Club, are involved in community service and environmental conservation efforts. Members often have the opportunity to participate in these initiatives.

Evaluating the Benefits: Are Yacht Clubs Worth It?

The question “Are yacht clubs worth it?” is subjective and depends on your interests and lifestyle.

Access to Facilities and Services

Yacht clubs provide access to facilities like marinas, boat storage, and repair services. They also offer amenities like dining facilities, fitness centers, and event spaces.

Community and Networking

Yacht clubs offer a sense of community and opportunities for networking. They bring together like-minded individuals who share a passion for sailing.

Sailing Opportunities

For avid sailors, the sailing opportunities provided by yacht clubs – from races to leisurely cruises – can be invaluable.

Dress Code: Can You Wear Jeans to a Yacht Club?

Dress codes vary from one yacht club to another. While some clubs maintain a formal dress code, others are more relaxed.

At the Chicago Yacht Club, the dress code is generally casual, but members are expected to dress appropriately for specific events. While jeans may be acceptable for casual occasions, more formal events may require dressier attire.

Demographics: What is the Average Age of Yacht Club Members?

The average age of yacht club members can vary significantly depending on the club. However, many yacht clubs, including the Chicago Yacht Club, are seeing a trend towards younger members as they implement programs to attract a more diverse age group.

The Essence of Membership: What Does It Mean to Be Part of a Yacht Club?

Being part of a yacht club means being part of a community that shares a love for the sea and sailing. It provides opportunities for sailing, socializing, networking, and contributing to the local community.

Conclusion: The Point of a Yacht Club

So, what is the point of a yacht club? A yacht club offers more than just a place to dock your boat. It provides a community of fellow boating enthusiasts, opportunities for sailing and social events, and access to facilities and services. Whether you’re an experienced sailor or a novice, being a member of a yacht club like the Chicago Yacht Club can enhance your enjoyment of the sailing lifestyle.

Related posts

Coolife Luggage Review: The Ultimate Travel Companion

Monos Luggage Review: Is the Hype Worth It for Monos Carry-On Suitcases?

Montage Laguna Beach: Luxurious Retreat by the Sea

Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun Explored: Journey to Coastal Bliss

Paradise Showdown: Maui vs Kauai – Which Hawaiian Paradise Wins Your Heart?

Bora Bora vs Maldives: The Ultimate Paradise Showdown!

Unveiling Santorini’s Top 10 Beach Clubs: Where Luxury Meets Coastal Bliss

Brics Luggage Review: The Perfect Travel Companion for the Jetsetter!

Recommended.

The Ultimate Showdown: Travelpro vs London Fog – Which Luggage Reigns Supreme?

Travelpro vs Delsey: Battle of the Titans – Which Luggage Brand Reigns Supreme?

Sunny Escapes: San Juan Water and Beach Club Unveiled

Unveiling Miami’s Finest: The Top 10 Beach Clubs for Ultimate Coastal Escapes

Hello, I'm Sian Sadlier

I serve as the driving force behind Ample Journey, bringing with me a blend of skills as a website blogger and author fueled by my ambition and creativity. My profound love for travel propels me towards the goal of enlightening readers about making informed choices while traversing the globe. With a natural eye for detail and a flair for inventive ideas, I continuously strive to provide captivating content to the blogosphere. Whether embarking on an adventurous journey or leisurely exploring local streets, my aim is to inspire others to savor every moment of their travels.

Get Connected

Follow Ample Journey on social media for travel tips, packing hacks, and latest updates!

Sub To Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest travel tips, packing hacks, gear reviews, and bargain deals straight to your inbox. We hate spam, so we’ll send only the most important stuff.

Ample Journey is a dedicated team of passionate travel enthusiasts who are committed to enriching the travel experiences of tourists, adventure seekers, and travelers of all kinds in a heartwarming and professional manner.

2 Burton Rd, Wool, Wareham BH20 6EY, UK

• Buccaneer Island
• Carysfort Kitchen
• Cultural Center
• Marina, Fishing, Diving
• Member Fitness Center
• Private Airport
• Tennis & Games Center
• Accommodations
• Real Estate
• Affiliate Clubs
• Members Only Login
• Membership Opportunities
• Membership Team
• Member Guest Services

Chicago Yacht Club

•  Print This Page
•  Text Size
•  Scroll To Top

• History of CCYC
• We are Corinthians
• Visitor Info
• Membership Info
• Event Calendar
• Event Request
• Vanguard 15
• Power Fleet
• Crew Finder
• Volunteering
• Learn To Sail
• Crew School
• Adult Sailing
• Safety At Sea
• Youth Sailing
• Education Contact

Chicago Corinthian Yacht Club

Summer at ccyc.

Welcome to Chicago Yacht Club's registration portal

Choose your program from the event menu

More From Forbes

A look inside manhattan’s most exclusive club.

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

Your reservation to wonder awaits.

Private clubs such as Soho House, Zero Bond and Casa Cipriani cemented a long-held Manhattan tradition of the city’s elite clamoring for exclusive spaces. Of course, there will always be the old vanguard — like the Yale Club, Harvard Club and New York Yacht Club — but freshly unwrapped Centurion New York towers over many high-end hideaways from its lavish perch on the 55th floor of the One Vanderbilt building.

The elusive, invitation-only American Express Centurion card (commonly called “the Black Card”) has become a status symbol for the modern day, much like a membership to one of the aforementioned clubs was some years ago. Unlike many of those discreet dens, though, anyone can make a dinner reservation for the Centurion club — no Black Card necessary (but availability is scarce, so you will have to check often).

When Centurion New York made its grand debut in the spring of 2023, it marked a significant shift for American Express in that it was a space that ventured beyond the brand’s ballyhooed airport lounges. The company chose a remarkable venue for the unveiling, too. The One Vanderbilt, a 1,400-foot skyscraper, is the tallest commercial building in Midtown Manhattan. Daniel Boulud’s Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Le Pavillion resides on the second floor. And SUMMIT, an immersive, four-story observation deck, provides breathtaking vistas from the top three floors.

Getting up to the Centurion club is the first bit of secretive fun you have at the address. You check in with security before swiping your QR code — you’ll get this once you make your difficult-to-come-by dinner reservation on Resy — through the turnstile that directs you to elevators. As you’re whisked up to the 55th floor, the windowless lift heightens anticipation. Once the doors open, all of Manhattan is at your feet — or at least as much as can be captured in the club’s floor-to-ceiling windows.

Why Is Chief Boden Leaving Chicago Fire Eamonn Walker s Exit Explained

Here are the major allegations against sean ‘diddy’ combs—as cassie ventura breaks silence on attack video, nvidia are splitting 10 for 1 here s what it means and how to profit.

It’s impossible to underscore the million-dollar view. The club’s positioning affords vistas of all five boroughs. Two Manhattan icons, the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building, flank the right and left sides of the club, with windows running along the perimeter wall.

Once you finish gasping, get comfortable in the Yabu Pushelberg-designed club’s reception area, The Salon. Members or guests with reservations can relax before or after their meal with drinks, desserts and light bites. The artwork helps facilitate the living-room atmosphere with a collection of iconic New York photographs of famous faces as easily recognizable as any family photo album.

A cozy corner booth.

The other half of the space contains ultra-modern art, as if the home’s owner had a change of design heart mid-renovation. A black Rothko-esque painting and black cloth cocktail napkins cleverly call the Black Card to your subconscious. Comfortable modular furniture ensures the space feels cohesive and inviting. You can as easily imagine lingering here over after-dinner drinks or a between-emails Perrier.

After your time at The Salon is over, enter Boulud’s delicious world. Both The Studio and The Gallery’s epicurean experiences are overseen by the iconic chef. The Studio serves a casual but unmistakably elegant ambiance to guests. It’s 100 percent Boulud, but à la carte.

Tempting starters from the most recent spring menu included the pan-fried fairy-tale eggplant served with maple lemon labneh, crispy shallots and scallion oil and a decadent wagyu sirloin tartare done with waffle chips.

A Boulud-approved treat.

Amid The Studio’s black tabletops and the window-side banquette, a sleek, long, silver-topped bar runs along the interior. The cocktails alone are worth the cost of turning your back on the Empire State Building, if only for a little while. For a complete sensory serenade, stop by for live jazz on Fridays.

As you round the corner, a transition to the more formal Gallery can be felt. The Studio’s abstract art gives way to more concrete works. Immaculate white tablecloths draping over the tables further illustrate a change in mood and menu.

The Gallery.

But don’t be mistaken; The Gallery is far from fussy. This is an impressive feat, considering how a trio of Ossetra caviar is an optional starter and elaborate dishes such as Argentine red prawns served with a buttermilk, horseradish and pine medley or mint-flavored lamb highlight the five-course tasting menu.

In addition to the Boulud-stamped cuisine, The Gallery cooks up one of the city’s most impressive peeks at the Chrysler Building. When you’re standing at the hallway’s entrance, at the table nearest The Studio, the Chrysler Building almost seems within touching distance, but as you walk closer to the landmark, it actually appears to get farther away. It is a clever optical illusion and a subtle reminder that, even from Manhattan’s top, there will always be something just out of reach.

Some of the best views in the city.

In this case, if you don’t have a membership, it’s the Centurion club’s other half of the floor that proves just beyond your fingertips. This private portion features a member’s bar, a wine cellar, an event space and an ultra-exclusive pink-hued bar that’s rumored to be reserved for the Centurion club’s top-tier members.

But Black Card holder or not, the dining experience is the same and the staff offers everyone impeccable service. So, even if it takes you a few extra times to secure a reservation because you’re not in American Express’ upper echelon, seek comfort knowing that this club rewards the determined.

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions

Join The Conversation

One Community. Many Voices. Create a free account to share your thoughts. 

Forbes Community Guidelines

Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas and facts in a safe space.

In order to do so, please follow the posting rules in our site's  Terms of Service.   We've summarized some of those key rules below. Simply put, keep it civil.

Your post will be rejected if we notice that it seems to contain:

• False or intentionally out-of-context or misleading information
• Insults, profanity, incoherent, obscene or inflammatory language or threats of any kind
• Attacks on the identity of other commenters or the article's author
• Content that otherwise violates our site's  terms.

User accounts will be blocked if we notice or believe that users are engaged in:

• Continuous attempts to re-post comments that have been previously moderated/rejected
• Racist, sexist, homophobic or other discriminatory comments
• Attempts or tactics that put the site security at risk
• Actions that otherwise violate our site's  terms.

So, how can you be a power user?

• Stay on topic and share your insights
• Feel free to be clear and thoughtful to get your point across
• ‘Like’ or ‘Dislike’ to show your point of view.
• Protect your community.
• Use the report tool to alert us when someone breaks the rules.

Thanks for reading our community guidelines. Please read the full list of posting rules found in our site's  Terms of Service.

Follow Eater Vegas online:

• Follow Eater Vegas on Twitter
• Follow Eater Vegas on Facebook
• Follow Eater Vegas on Youtube
• Follow Eater Vegas on Instagram

Site search

• Los Angeles
• New Orleans
• Philadelphia
• Portland, OR
• San Francisco
• Twin Cities
• Washington DC
• Neighborhoods

Filed under:

A Nightlife Veteran Is Opening a High-Energy Party Bar Just Right for the EDC Crowd

Come for the electronic dance music, stay for the party brunch

Share this story

• Share this on Facebook
• Share this on Twitter
• Share All sharing options

Share All sharing options for: A Nightlife Veteran Is Opening a High-Energy Party Bar Just Right for the EDC Crowd

Since he was a teenager, Vincent Do has been immersed in the rave and nightlife scenes. Across the southwestern U.S., Do has promoted and even produced yacht parties, raves, and DJ shows. For him, these events are more than just fun — they’re ways for him to socialize and meet like-minded audiophiles, people who want to talk about music as much as they want to dance to it. He’s been working as a promoter in Las Vegas for more than a decade, but he says the city is still missing a proper party bar for lovers of electronic dance music — a concept he says that Scottsdale, Arizona has nailed but that Vegas still finds elusive.

When it opens later this year at 1021 S. Main Street, Do’s Audio Bar will lean into the EDM theme. Do plans to have memorabilia on the walls — much of it autographed by DJs and hip-hop artists. He’s planning a rotating gallery, populated by the paraphernalia and mementos of event photographers and stagehands. And even the bathrooms will pay homage to events like Coachella and Burning Man.

“Audio Bar is what we call a high-energy party bar,” says Do, who is a managing partner in the business. “It’s a party where the energy inside will permeate to outside.” People can dress casually, he says, which is an important element for cities that still reach 90 degrees at night during the summer season. And although the concept may seem on its face like a cross between a club and a bar, Audio Bar is “definitely not a lounge,” Do says.

By day, Audio Bar will function as a listening bar , with record players and headphones available for visitors to peruse through the bar’s collection of EDM vinyl. “We’re trying to recreate that feel from back in the day with record stores, or even Blockbuster,” says Do. “You used to go to stores and be able to meet people that really love music, where you can chat with the person behind the counter.” Do says that nightclubs are too loud to have that kind of conversation with other music lovers, so Audio Bar will function as a way to achieve that social element — at least until the music gets pumping after dark. And on Saturday and Sunday mornings, it will host brunch, much in the spirit of the raucous midday bacchanalia that is Lavo’s party brunch.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Audio Bar - Las Vegas (@audiobarlv)

Audio Bar joins other Vegas nightlife destinations that straddle that line between nightclub and lounge. Bruno Mars’s Pinky Ring opened last fall with live jazz music, a packed dance floor, and no-phones-allowed policy. And Jing in Downtown Summerlin threads the needle between restaurant and ultra lounge — even if it commands a more effortful dress code than Audio Bar requires. That’s not to mention the Fremont East block, with its barhop-ready high-energy bars. Its closest approximation may be the now-closed Artifice Bar , just across the street. Corner Bar Management is currently transforming that space into the private membership Doberman bar.

Do worked for years as a club promoter in Southern California and Scottsdale, Arizona, and he says it’s the Scottsdale vibe he wants to bring to downtown Las Vegas. The secret, he says, will be actually good EDM music and a dress code that doesn’t require visitors to think twice about what they’re wearing. “Truthfully, one thing Scottsdale has going for them is they really do have a lot of attractive people that go out,” says Do. Game, set, match, Las Vegas.

More From Eater Vegas

Sign up for the newsletter eater vegas.

Sign up for our newsletter.

Thanks for signing up!

Check your inbox for a welcome email.

Oops. Something went wrong. Please enter a valid email and try again.

A Las Vegas Ice Cream Shop Closes Just as Temperatures Heat Up

A Las Vegas Hot Dog Restaurant’s ‘Bluey’ Event Became a Toddler Fyre Fest

A Mediterranean Wood-Fire Grill Readies to Heat Up Green Valley Ranch

Brunch, ‘Puppy Hour,’ and Pretty Cocktails Are Coming to a New Downtown Restaurant

A Henderson Neighborhood Hangout, a Cult-Favorite Sandwich Stand, and More New Restaurants

Legendary Las Vegas Strip Restaurant Is Closing as Chef Julian Serrano Steps Down

Business | Fort Monroe’s Paradise Ocean Club reopens after…

Share this:.

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on X (Opens in new window)

e-Pilot Evening Edition

• Inside Business
• Ports and Shipyards

Business | Fort Monroe’s Paradise Ocean Club reopens after 2-year hiatus

The club had been a staple in the Hampton community for 10 years, often drawing thousands of people on the weekends. However, it also created some controversy in part because of rowdy crowd behavior. Club owner Baxter Simmons was working on renewing his lease in 2022 when the club was forced to shut down after the park service, which owns the property, abruptly ended negotiations.

Park service officials raised concerns about “public disturbances” and safety problems at Fort Monroe’s North Beach area. One person was shot and injured in a parking area adjacent to the beach. Simmons said the park service also complained about crowd behavior and skimpy swimwear.

Eventually, the park service opened bidding to any business that might want to lease the property. Simmons reentered lease negotiations hoping to reopen his club. Although last year’s beach season came and went with no agreement, Simmons finally signed a 10-year lease in March.

He noted that with the new lease, the club has undergone some changes to tone down the crowds and make it more of a place for the whole family.

Some of the more notable changes: The club’s capacity is now limited to 1,000 people and boat access will be discontinued, as the park service doesn’t want anyone entering the venue from the water.

Simmons said the club will also ditch DJs in favor of live music, with numerous performances already booked .

“What we decided was we need to bring the energy back down at the end of the night on Sundays,” Simmons said. “We used to do DJs on Sundays. And that would keep the energy kind of ramped up all the way through the night. And it’s better to have the energy with the band, and then we’ll do acoustical after that, or steel drum after that, to kind of bring the energy back down.”

He also said the club will try to emphasize the pool and beach more than other types of entertainment and ask that people “watch their attire.”

“We’ve got a sign up at the front gate, about no thongs and G-strings,” Simmons said. “And we’re going to do our best to make sure that if people are walking around with clothing or attire that’s very small and not appropriate for kids that they at least cover up.”

Simmons previously said the new lease started March 1 and will continue until Dec. 31, 2033.

Simmons notes that while the past two years have been “very challenging,” he is happy the National Park Service was willing to work with the club. He also said the time off gave him a chance to refresh the venue.

“We can take it in whatever direction we want because we’ve had a little bit of a break,” he said.

Leo Patrick, 2, plays on the beach at Paradise Ocean Club on Fort Monroe in Hampton during their first day open on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot)

A lifeguard walks through the pool area as seen from inside the snack bar at Paradise Ocean Club on Fort Monroe in Hampton on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot)

Patrons gear up to spend time in the sun at Paradise Ocean Club on Fort Monroe in Hampton on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot)

Patrons walk in the shaded dining area at Paradise Ocean Club on Fort Monroe in Hampton on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot)

Mariah Blunt enjoys the water with her son Leo Patrick, 2, at Paradise Ocean Club on Fort Monroe in Hampton on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot)

Seen reflected in windows, patrons eat in the covered dining area at Paradise Ocean Club on Fort Monroe in Hampton on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot)

The club’s head of security, Dave Taylor, said the shift from a nightclub scene to a more family-friendly environment, as well as the reduction in crowd size, should assuage concerns about safety at the club. He said entering the club is like “walking into paradise.”

“This should be like a retreat area, something like the Bahamas, where you can come, just relax and escape from Hampton,” he said.

Simmons said about 80 restaurant and lifeguard staff and about 30 security positions have been hired for the reopening.

Doors opened at 11 a.m. Wednesday, and visitors steadily trickled in throughout the day. The club offers food, drinks, a beach area with chairs, cabanas, a stage, indoor and outdoor dining areas, a pool and volleyball courts.

Many guests at the club opening day were ecstatic about its return. Married couple C.J. and Mike Kyle said they were daily visitors before the club’s closure and thought the concerns about crowd behavior and safety at the club were blown out of proportion and based on misconceptions.

They said they loved the overall atmosphere of the club and found it to be friendly and safe.

Nicole Ulrich, relaxing on a beach chair in sunny, 80-degree weather, said she and her family had loved the club and were “very upset” when it abruptly closed.

“I actually cried,” she said.

Ulrich said she would take her kids to the club three to four times a week and never noticed any issues. She enjoyed “the vibe,” the staff, the cleanliness, and the fact that the club provided beach chairs and umbrellas.

“I’m really happy it’s reopened, as we’ll be here all summer long,” she said. “This is our plan all summer.”

Josh Janney, [email protected]

More in Business

Business | Virginia Beach offshore wind farm construction begins

Business | Fast-food prices have skyrocketed. Here’s a look at how much they’ve climbed.

News | The number of births continues to fall, despite abortion bans

Business | How to use credit cards to save money on gas

Trending nationally.

• After American Airlines blamed 9-year-old girl for being secretly filmed, airline calls court filing ‘an error’
• Doctor gets prison for health care fraud. He sold $1M+ in drugs, wanted to ‘hire a hitman’
• Couple stranded in Brazil with premature newborn finally ‘able to get our little guy home’
• City councilmembers urge Eric Adams to rescind Diddy’s key to the city
• 4 epic waterfall road trip itineraries in Colorado

36 Hours in Traverse City, Mich.

By Stacey Nield Brugeman May 23, 2024

• Share full article

By Stacey Nield Brugeman Photographs by Michelle Litvin

Stacey Nield Brugeman writes about food and travel from a 19th-century farmhouse north of Traverse City.

The tranquil beauty of northern Michigan — turquoise freshwater lakes bordered by thousands of miles of sandy, dune-grass-studded coastline and towering white pines — has lured visitors Up North, as the region is known, since the late 19th century. Many flock to Traverse City, at the head of Grand Traverse Bay on Lake Michigan, for the city’s annual cherry festival , vistas that have inspired artists and writers for generations and a seasonally driven culinary scene. Lately, some visitors are staying. Pandemic-era transplants are bringing a new, creative energy: renovating cafes and hotels, selling prints of watercolors at area markets and championing biodynamic winemaking. Thanks to a runway expansion, visitors can now fly nonstop into Cherry Capital Airport from 20 U.S. cities during the summer, when this still blissfully unspoiled and laid-back destination shimmers.

Recommendations

• Compass Rose Sailing Co. takes visitors for an elegant sail on Grand Traverse Bay aboard its historic yacht, Althea.
• Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore offers protected, unencumbered vistas of Lake Michigan, facing west.
• Farm Club , a market, restaurant and brewery, shows the close relationships between farms and kitchens in this region. (It’s also a scenic bike ride from town.)
• Paddle TC rents kayaks and stand-up paddle boards to take out onto Grand Traverse Bay.
• Glen Haven Village , within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, features historic buildings, a dune hike and access to Lake Michigan.
• Traverse Area Recreation Trail (TART) is a paved path for walking, running, biking and skating throughout Traverse City and beyond.
• Brick Wheels Bike Shop rents road bikes, electric bikes and accessories such as trailers.
• Dennos Museum Center is a small museum that houses contemporary Inuit art and rotating works by Great Lakes artists.
• Modern Bird is an informal but elevated restaurant where a husband-and-wife team, recently relocated from Chicago, scours area farmers’ markets to cook with the seasons.
• The Little Fleet is an open-air spot with multiple food trucks, seasonal cocktails and late hours.
• Bubbie’s Bagels not only boils and bakes its own bagels in-house, it also makes its own seasonal cream cheese.
• The Mill is a recently restored grist mill in Glen Arbor that houses a cafe and restaurant, and displays local art and antiques.
• Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate sells ethically sourced Ecuadorean chocolate and, in the summer, small-batch gelato.
• The Cooks’ House serves five- and seven-course tasting menus that showcase northern Michigan’s agricultural diversity.
• Crocodile Palace offers Sichuan takeout dishes like lip-numbing chicken wings and dan dan noodles.
• NoBo Mrkt serves breakfast sandwiches and coffee in a community cooperative overlooking the Boardman River.
• M22 inks apparel and home goods with the logo of the highway that traces the waterside edges of Leelanau County, a peninsula.
• Becky Thatcher Designs sells jewelry made with a local treasure known as Leland bluestones.
• Sara Hardy Farmers Market gathers farmers and ranchers from all over the region on Saturday mornings.
• Lake District Wine Co offers a thoughtful selection of the best bottles from the Old Mission Peninsula and Leelanau County wine regions.
• Delamar Traverse City , a waterside hotel, recently changed hands and benefited from an impressive remodel. It offers both an indoor and outdoor pool, and its restaurant, Artisan, open for dinner and Sunday brunch, has a sprawling patio overlooking the boat traffic on the west side of Grand Traverse Bay. Rooms start at $290 in June.
• Hotel Indigo Traverse City set off a lodging boom in the area when it opened in 2016. In the Warehouse District and just across Route 31 from the water, the property has 107 rooms, many facing West Bay. In the summer, a rooftop patio is open to all and can be a great place to catch the sunset, which happens late this far north. Rooms start at $270 in June.
• Alexandra Inn , run by second- and third-generation members of a Traverse City hotelier family, is a new property with Nantucket-meets-northern-Michigan vibes. A welcome respite from the hustle of the East Bay Beach District, the hotel offers elevated views of the bay’s ombré blues and convenient beach access at an affordable price point. Rooms start at $175 in June.
• For short-term rentals , Traverse City and its surrounding area are home to many Airbnbs that provide a modern Up North vibe. Many such rentals, however, require a three-night minimum stay (or more) during peak season.
• A rental car is the easiest way to explore the region. While you can take taxis and use ride-hailing apps like Uber at the airport and within Traverse City proper, both can be spotty farther afield. In town, you can ride the BATA bus ($4.50 daily, city loop routes) or rent bicycles to get around.

Kayak rentals from Paddle TC.

Many first-time visitors marvel at how clean and clear the water is in Grand Traverse Bay, which is split into East Bay and West Bay by Old Mission Peninsula. Take a two-hour sunset sail with Compass Rose Sailing Co. aboard a 46-foot racing yacht built by the decorated yachtsman and naval architect Ted Hood in 1963. Once you’re under sail power, listen as the crystalline West Bay waves slap against the navy hull and exhale as the sun sets behind Leelanau County, another peninsula to the west. The private sail costs $430 and accommodates up to six guests. Looking for something that burns more calories and less cash? Rent kayaks ($30, one hour) from Paddle TC and paddle around the sailboats moored in front of the Grand Traverse Yacht Club.

For dinner, reserve seats at the bar at Modern Bird , an informal but elevated restaurant open since 2022 on Traverse City’s west side. Its chefs and owners, a husband-and-wife team, represent a talented new cohort pushing the culinary traditions of the Great Lakes region beyond its fried-fish roots. Try dishes like cold-smoked local carrots with arugula, labneh and spiced almond crunch ($16), and trout crudo with Suttons Bay Shiro plums, pickled serrano chiles and smoked soy sauce ($18). In season, don’t miss the dark chocolate cake served with whipped almond mascarpone and cherry jam ($13), akin to Black Forest gâteau, which is also a nod to the area’s cherry production. (Michigan produces some 70 percent of the country’s tart cherries.)

Locals love the open-air spot the Little Fleet not only for its food trucks (like Juicy Oistre , a traveling fish shack from Ann Arbor), but also for staying open until midnight on weekends. Have a nightcap at the indoor bar, where the drinks change with the seasons. Order whatever sounds as if it was conceived at a roadside farm stand: The All Good, Sweet Pea ($12) is as bright and fresh as snap-pea tendrils, while the dusty purple Concord Negroni ($13) is infused with local grapes. There’s live music on Fridays, so it can be crowded as people first roll into town that evening, but as things cool down, huddle around the outdoor fire pit and see which constellations you can spot this close to the 45th parallel, where you are as close to the North Pole as you are to the Equator.

Lining up at Farm Club’s outside bar on a sunny Sunday.

The Midwest isn’t exactly known for banner bagels, but the ones at Bubbie’s Bagels are the real deal: fermented over two days, boiled and baked in an unassuming strip mall at the foot of Old Mission Peninsula across from Civic Center park. Skip the lines and place an online order for pickup. This summer, select the caraway rye or whole wheat bagel, both of which are now made with locally grown and milled flour. Be sure to ask for a schmear of seasonal cream cheese, which is appropriately generous and made with foraged ramps or area-grown strawberries, depending on the week ($6).

Hit Front Street, Traverse City’s main drag and home to the State Theater , programmed by the filmmaker Michael Moore. Join the crowds at M22 , a store that sells hoodies, water bottles, even candles inked with the name of the highway that nearly circumnavigates the pinkie finger of Michigan’s mitten-like shape. Seek out a more artisanal keepsake at Becky Thatcher Designs , a jeweler known for using Leland bluestones (a byproduct of the iron ore furnaces that operated in the nearby fishing village of Leland until the mid-1880s, which can still be found on area beaches). Ogle a bluestone necklace, bracelet or ring (from $75 to $800). Those who prefer edible purchases can wander over to the Sara Hardy Farmers Market , a few blocks away. You betcha you can grab a pint of wild black raspberries or other micro-seasonal treasures there.

Hop in the car and head northwest toward Glen Arbor, a small resort community of fewer than 1,000 residents when the snow flies. Bob up and down the region’s drumlins (rolling glacial hills), meander past cherry farms and vineyards, and see the boat tie-ups beginning to swell on Leelanau County’s inland lakes. Stop in at the cafe within the Mill , a former grist mill from 1879 on the Crystal River. It reopened last year after a painstaking restoration and features behemoth oak posts and beams and original milling equipment, as well as artwork (check out the giant gherkin pickles painted onto local coffee bags by the Northport artist Jesse Hickman). Order a simple lunch of panzanella salad ($12) and wander out to the back deck, seemingly suspended above the river.

Continue west to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore , a 70,000-acre stretch of protected forests, sand dunes and shoreline named for a legend of the Anishinaabek (a collective of Native American peoples that live in the Great Lakes region, and beyond); one-day pass, $25. Many tourists flock to the steepest sand dune, known as the Dune Climb, and a seven-mile auto loop called Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. But Glen Haven , a restored 1920s village north of both, offers history, dune hiking and vistas of Mama Lake, as some locals call the open waters of Lake Michigan, all in one stop. See Glen Haven’s vintage cannery building, boat museum, blacksmith shop and general store before proceeding to the Sleeping Bear Point trailhead to hike about 15 minutes across rolling dunes to the water’s edge. Spot Petoskey stones, fossilized coral unique to the region; take a quick (brisk!) dip; and skip stones toward North and South Manitou Islands in the distance.

Instead of doubling back to Traverse City the way you came, make a loop by continuing south to the town of Empire, stopping in at Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate , a confectionary shop in a Granny Smith green building that hugs the side of the road. The co-owner Jody Hayden, who sells ethically sourced chocolate that is molded into bars, barks and even sleeping bears, added a gelato shop next door in 2022 (opens for the summer on May 25). Ask for a scoop of Ecuadorean milk chocolate or the olive-oil gelato that is made with oil from Fustini’s , a Traverse City importer ($5.50, one scoop). Those who are dairy-free should try the seasonal sorbets, like peach or saskatoon (also known as serviceberry).

The Cooks' House

Back in town, settle into the good care of the hospitality wizards at the Cooks’ House , a 26-seat gem. Respect for ingredients shines in each dish by the chefs, Jennifer Blakeslee and Eric Patterson, who have unmatched relationships with regional farmers and winemakers. The two tasting menus (five or seven courses, $87 or $104) change daily and have inventive, globally inspired touches: A recent asparagus dish came with lentils, smoked whitefish, chive and an aioli made using fried eggs. Didn’t score a seat? Place a to-go order of lip-numbing Sichuan chicken wings ($12) from Crocodile Palace . Grab a bottle of any of the area wines sold at Lake District Wine Co (ask about BOS , by a biodynamic winemaker who recently moved to Michigan from Napa) and throw down a picnic blanket near, but not too near, the beach volleyball nets at Clinch Park.

Music lovers and locals don’t let summer pass without catching a recital or performance at Interlochen Center for the Arts , a boarding school and performance campus 15 miles southwest of Traverse City that attracts teenage prodigies from all over the globe. Travelers tight on time can find world-class music in Traverse City proper as well. Inside Commongrounds Cooperative, a new community-owned development , see a show at the Alluvion , an intimate 150-person performance space with stellar acoustics that hosts funk acts, jazz bands, piano trios, guitar ensembles and more, from Interlochen and well beyond. This summer, its Alluvial Nights series brings together D.J. sets and projections to guarantee dancing well after the late northern Michigan sunset.

Members of a cold-water swim club gathering in Lake Michigan at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

Commongrounds Cooperative

Revisit the Commongrounds building for a completely different experience during daylight hours. Inside is a coffee bar and market in one, NoBo Mrkt , a gathering place where the community conversation is as exciting as the food. Order a cortado and an eggy breakfast sandwich made with 9 Bean Rows ciabatta ($12), settle into a plush stool that overlooks the Boardman River and the north end of Boardman Lake, and eavesdrop as Michiganders compare notes on everything from kitesurfing and freshwater fishing to regenerative farming and Line 5 (the oil and gas pipeline, opposed by environmentalists and tribal nations , that runs under the Straits of Mackinac).

Benjamin Maier Ceramics at Farm Club

Rent a bike from Brick Wheels ($35, four hours) and ride north on the Traverse Area Recreation Trail (TART) . Pedal past the Leelanau Conservancy ’s 191-acre DeYoung Natural Area, a historic farmstead. At Lake Leelanau Drive, take a right on the boardwalk, downshift and push up the gravel path to Farm Club , equal parts produce market, restaurant and brewery, to be first in line for lunch at noon. Hit the onsite market for ceramic tableware by the area artist Benjamin Maier before cruising back to town. A 14-mile round-trip bike ride not in your wheelhouse? Stop at the Dennos Museum Center , which has a permanent collection of contemporary Inuit art, as well as rotating installations: See the colorful, often-floral paintings of the Detroit-based Chinese American painter Louise Jones, also known as Ouizi , from June 21 through Sept. 1.

Because of an editing error, an earlier version of this article misstated the name of a trail. It is the Traverse Area Recreation Trail, not the Traverse City Recreation Trail.

Have a weekend to explore a destination? We’ve got the perfect travel itinerary.

Colorado Springs: ​​Colorado’s second-largest city, which brims with outdoor activities , is enticing visitors with a new museum and revamped hotels.

Minneapolis: Springtime is best for exploring this Midwestern city’s lakeside trails, robust arts scene and top-notch restaurants .

Maui: The beauty and hospitality of this Hawaiian island, still recovering from last year’s wildfires, remain as vibrant as ever .

Toronto: Savor the diversity of this lakefront city through its hidden bars, small-but-fascinating museums and vibrant restaurants .

Cape Town: Take a food and storytelling tour, cruise one of the world’s most beautiful coastal drives and see contemporary African art in this city with stunning views in every direction .

Advertisement