You’ll start your evening downtown right on the Chicago River. Located beneath the city’s iconic Marina Towers, Chicago Electric Boat Company offers rentals of various-sized boats for riders to peruse the sights. Starting at the downtown location will remind you of the iconic feats of architecture displayed in the Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, Trump Tower and more.
Get ready to appoint someone in your friend group or family to captain the ship.
Depending on your group size, choose from these options:
– An 18-foot Duffy boat that fits eight passengers for $194/hour
– A pontoon boat that fits 10 passengers for $240/hour
– A 22-foot luxury Duffy boat that fits 12 passengers for $242/hour
– Other boat sizes may be available at other Chicago Electric Boat locations.
You’ll choose a designated driver who must be 21 years or older, have a valid driver’s license and refrain from drinking while driving. If you’d rather have a trained captain, the company will provide one for an extra $75/hour. Captains must be scheduled in advance.
If you’re looking to sip on a beverage during your ride, bring some with you because all boats are BYOB. Hard alcohol is prohibited, and glass bottles are discouraged (you’ll be charged a clean-up fee if they break).
Once you’re settled on the boat, cruise north on the river to the company’s Rockwell on the River location. On your way there, wave to other river-dwellers, observe kayakers paddling their way through the water and absorb the sights from a new vantage point below ground level.
Leaving downtown, you’ll pass through neighborhoods like Goose Island, the Fulton River District and Bucktown.
It’s a good idea to reserve the boats in advance, and reservations can be made online. Rentals are available from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays.
Make sure to arrive 20-25 minutes ahead of your reservation time to maximize time on the boat. The length of your ride will depend on the size of your boat, how fast you’re driving and if you’re taking time to stop and admire certain sights, but try to yourself at least an hour and a half to two hours so you’re not rushed.
After you drive the boat through much of the north branch of the Chicago River, you’ll land at Rockwell on the River, a district with breweries, restaurants and event spaces. There, you’ll return your boat and keys before following signs toward Judson and Moore Distillery, where you’ll enjoy some locally made whiskey ahead of dinner.
Warm lights and high ceilings surround you as you walk into the open space. Grab a seat at the bar or ask for a table, then peruse the menu for the right libation.
Recommendations include the Mr. Pharmacist, an earthy cocktail made with Judson and Moore whiskey, tobacco bitters and a peppery olive oil wash. The unique drink is smoother than it sounds, a play on the classic penicillin cocktail.
If you’re looking for a more traditional whiskey-tasting experience, the distillery makes rye, bourbon, red corn bourbon and single malt whiskeys, some of which have won awards, as medals hanging on the necks of displayed bottles show.
At Judson and Moore, you’ll get “true Chicago whiskey” that’s not trying to be anything it’s not, bartender Ziyad Asrar said.
Looking around the space, unique knick-knacks like cookbooks on display and a record player behind the bar greet you. Alternative and engaging music fills the room. Several nights a week, live performers will fill the space with music for whiskey lovers to bop along to as they sip.
The distillery is open Thursday through Sunday, and a calendar of performances can be found on its website.
From Judson and Moore, you’ll take a short walk north to Thattu, a southwest India-inspired restaurant drawing on the traditional dishes of the Indian state of Kerala.
Coming up the street, a dark sign with vibrant red and yellow reads “Thattu,” letting you know you’ve found the right place. You’ll enter an open space, buzzing with conversation and background music. Bright murals on the walls contrast the exposed brick and light wood decor.
Once you’re seated, a host will run you through some of the restaurant’s FAQs: The menu and all ordering will take place via the QR code placed on your table. You won’t have a traditional server, but you can ask any staff member any questions, and they’ll be attentive when you have dirty dishes, your water glasses are low or you need anything else.
From there, tackle the menu with an open mind. Kerala dishes range from a beet puff to classic chicken biriyani, and cocktails riff off some traditional Indian refreshers.
To start off, consider the Sarbath to drink. Derivative of a Kerala classic, it includes Rangpur lime Tanqueray gin, fino sherry, lime, nannari or Indian sarsaparilla. Light and refreshing, it’s a great way to bounce back from the heavier whiskey drink you had down the street.
Now for the tough part: Narrowing down which delicacies you’ll get for dinner. Sharing is the way to go at this joint; you’ll want to sample a bunch of different dishes instead of settling on one.
The aforementioned beet puff and kallumakaya, or spiced pan-seared mussels, are great starters to get you ready for the main event.
The Malabar chicken biriyani and chemmeen and kappa prawns will provide you the balanced range of flavors you’re looking for from an Indian restaurant. The chicken biriyani has a spicy kick that is tempered by a cooling yogurt sauce accompanying it, and the basmati rice is the perfect vehicle for the meat.
Meanwhile, the prawns are cooked flawlessly and served with coconut milk, yucca mash and fried okra, which takes the dish to the next level.
This is a place where you won’t want to skip dessert. Chocolate lovers, this is the time to step outside your comfort zone and try something new. Perhaps the bread pudding a la mode — complete with a mango caramel sauce, plantain and date bread pudding and coconut ice cream silkier than you could ever imagine — could expand your horizons.