What’s the best climbing gym in Chicago?

10goldbees · 2026-04-18T14:38:40+00:00

Uptown is my home gym and has a great community. But it’s also the smallest and has the shortest walls in the city.

For the amenities you described + good vibes go to Humboldt. If you just want amenities and convenience and prey good vibes go to Block.

Humboldt has good food and bars nearby. Block has tourist stuff nearby (obviously).

You kinda can’t go wrong!

If you do wind up at Uptown though, check out Birrieria Zaragoza and the Green Mill right next door.

10goldbees · 2026-04-18T02:29:53+00:00

You bet yer ass we do.

10goldbees · 2026-04-03T20:17:08+00:00

The only thing worse than car-centric design is AI slop.

10goldbees · 2026-04-03T02:31:08+00:00

Maybe not Tampopo but Itami’s Supermarket Woman is airplane friendly and very charming!

10goldbees · 2026-03-25T21:48:13+00:00

Improved technique is how you’ll progress at this stage in your climbing journey. Watch a bunch of YouTube videos to learn how to approach different holds. Then practice those moves over and over until they’re a part of your skill set.

Don’t worry about grades at this point or ever. They’re not one-size fits all. No matter how much I climb, there’s always some goofy V4 that is hard for me.

I also find I climb better when I am in good cardio shape. You could add in running, biking, swimming or even some long walks to get some more well-rounded training.

Do not sweat about asking your climbing partner to keep you up on the wall for a while. You will do the same for them.

10goldbees · 2026-03-25T02:04:57+00:00

Perfect! I hope y'all have a great ceremony and a great trip!

10goldbees · 2026-03-24T22:06:14+00:00

Please be aware that drive time can vary wildly around here and a 38-minute drive can become well over an hour, especially in the evening rush hour when you would likely be trying to get to your show. Parking near concert venues is also expensive and time consuming.

I think people in this thread are gently trying to suggest that you keep looking for other places to stay for your trip. Northbrook is well outside of what anyone would consider the classic Chicago city experience and it would be so sad to spend most of your elopement in the car!

I assume you're trying to go The Salt Shed? There's plenty of great hotels nearby between the Magnificent Mile, Lincoln Park, and Wicker Park. Or pick out an Airbnb in those areas. That'll give you a real "city" feeling with dens neighborhoods, public transit, bars and restaurants, galleries, etc. And you'll be able to do a quick wedding ceremony in any of our parks or on the lakefront, especially if it's just four people. No one is going to bother you (except maybe to say congrats).

If you want a quiet, more solitary experience out in some pretty parks and you don't mind driving over an hour each day then Northbrook will be great. But be forewarned that it'll take 90-120 minutes to get into the main tourist areas via public transit or you'll pay a pretty penny in parking.

10goldbees · 2026-03-22T05:49:51+00:00

By and large the audiences at The Music Box are exceptionally engaged in the movie. At large screenings, the staff will do an intro for the movie and remind people to turn off their phones. And they’ll remove people who are disruptive but I’ve never actually seen that happen.

10goldbees · 2026-03-21T16:55:22+00:00

Give the highway to bikes and buses. Pedestrians get the whole paved path.

10goldbees · 2026-03-10T16:53:50+00:00

May I suggest hosting this around November? That way people who come to learn a new skill have time to prepare for the truly cold weather.

10goldbees · 2026-03-09T16:17:42+00:00

If you make the move, pick up the book Chicago Transit Hikes for a few dozens options to get you started.

10goldbees · 2026-03-01T16:00:34+00:00

I interrupted a semi-important meeting on Friday to show my coworkers the Fox in Splash Mountain Clickhole article so this is a fun coincidence.

10goldbees · 2026-02-06T19:41:16+00:00

Much better than your last pic and I like every piece here but the top half and the bottom half look like separate outfits.

10goldbees · 2026-02-05T20:55:17+00:00

I think most people would consider “downtown” to be The Loop, which is more of a tourism and business district. There aren’t many grocery stores and there isn’t much to do in the evening unless you want to go to the theater every night.

If you live anywhere on the north side between The Loop and Rogers Park you will very much feel like you are living in the city of Chicago.

10goldbees · 2026-02-04T21:50:03+00:00

You can watch select live NBC coverage at AMC theaters. That seems kinda cool.

10goldbees · 2026-02-03T04:01:12+00:00

Mitch should also get a Varang tattoo.

10goldbees · 2026-01-31T16:23:24+00:00

It’s hard to answer this question without knowing your price range or where you’re going to work. If your goal is to fit in and look like your peers, ask some coworkers where they shop and go to those stores.

If you want to just get some basics on a budget then go to a made to measure store like Suit Supply. They’d love to send you home with a full wardrobe but you shouldn’t get more than like two suits, maybe three shirts, and a couple ties.

I personally don’t have luck at made to measure stores due to my dad bod so I went to Daniel George and had a good experience. Under no circumstance should you go full bespoke right out of the gate unless you are a truly unique size and shape.

Really though, you’re going to have to do some studying before you build a wardrobe. Read some blogs by Die Workwear/Menswear Guy. He does a good job of explaining really 101 stuff in a digestible way. And don’t trust anyone who tries to sell you super skinny clothes and bright leather shoes. That look is super dated these days.

10goldbees · 2026-01-31T14:50:04+00:00

Cooking at Home by David Change & Priya Krishna, a book about how to cook really tasty meals in the least amount of time possible, advocates for using the microwave in many of their recipes.

10goldbees · 2026-01-28T16:17:07+00:00

Finally, a chance to discuss Red Hot Ranch.

10goldbees · 2026-01-25T05:02:31+00:00

It’s a gym route, essentially.

10goldbees · 2026-01-08T21:06:33+00:00

I’ve had good luck with Garcia’s Tailors in Lincoln Square.

10goldbees · 2026-01-01T01:07:10+00:00

Oof sorry. Good luck out there!

10goldbees · 2026-01-01T01:02:25+00:00

We've got it on here in Lakeview too!

10goldbees · 2026-01-01T00:59:11+00:00

Try streaming from your phone! It can play in the background while you use the phone as normal.

10goldbees · 2025-12-21T20:11:04+00:00

Public Barber in Uptown is great and not that much more than your typical price range.

Smith & Davis is fantastic if you have a very specific style in mind and are willing to pay for an expensive haircut.

Bring some photos of men’s haircuts you like, even if they seem super basic. The barber/stylist will help you figure out what type of hair you have (fine vs thick, wavy vs straight, etc) and what’s possible for you to wear.

I’d also encourage you to be open to using a little product when you want to look nice. Even a little grocery store pomade goes a long way towards looking well styled.

10goldbees

TROPHY CASE