Can't wait for the middle of summer, when you can party along Chicago's fabulous Riverwalk under the soft glow of the Loop's skyscrapers? City Winery has you covered, quite literally. You can now sign up for "river domes," which are essentially private shelters that allow you and a small group of friends to safely sip wine outdoors during our unpredictable spring weather.
According to Dan Conroe, marketing director at City Winery, this is the first time the company has tried using the domes. The idea came about as the team was discussing how to take advantage of the colder months for the Riverwalk location. "As soon as the weather gets decent, people are itching to do something outdoors," says Conroe. General manager Nathan Holgate mentioned that he noticed the domes being used by bars and restaurants in London along the Thames River.
City Winery tested the concept at its West Loop location. "It was really comfortable," says Conroe. "And a lot more spacious than it looks from the outside."
Whether you think this is an ingenious solution to outdoor imbibing, or some kind of dystopian twist on a Jetsons-style future, you probably have a lot of questions.
Here's what you need to know.
You'll have to pay for the pleasure of guzzling wine under a mini plastic dome. It's $150 per person if you go with two to three friends, $125 per person with four to five, and only $100 if you pack the place with six.
Fortunately, that price does include cheese, charcuterie and a 500-milliliter carafe of wine per person, which roughly equals three glasses.
You'll have 90 minutes to polish off that carafe.
The dome comes outfitted with heaters and a Bluetooth speaker, so you'll stay both warm and entertained.
The inaugural river dome project starts St. Patrick's Day (March 17) and runs until April 30. Reservations can be made here.
City Winery at the Riverwalk, East Upper Wacker Drive between Dearborn and State streets, www.citywinery.com/chicago/riverwalk
nkindelsperger@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @nickdk
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