Chicago Pub Crawl History: A Special Offer This Week

So many fun things to do in Chicago for summertime, and tourism in Chicago is booming. How about a Historic Bar Pub Crawl of Chicago entertainment history? We’ve been offering this Chicago pub crawl tour on Thursdays and Saturdays and the big news is that we just added on Fridays, too. To celebrate we are running a special promotion this week, so keep reading below. I will warn you – this post is a rare moment for us to talk about what we do with Chicago Detours rather than the usual explorations of architecture and history on this blog.

unique tours of chicago historic bar crawlNida, an “Elite Yelper,” came on the Historic Bar Tour and here is what she said in her five-star Yelp Review: “I don’t want to spoil the details for you, but this tour is well worth your money…I love learning about history and Amanda really put things into perspective for us when she showed us pieces of Chicago’s past. This tour digs a little deeper by showing details from Chicago’s past and tying it together with how the city is in present day. The architecture in and on these buildings is incredible and I love how we learned the back story for each. I doubt the locals even know most of the information she told us…Words cannot describe how great this tour is and you wouldn’t know what I was talking about unless you experience it for yourself.” I don’t mean to brag. Really these kinds of comments bring joy to my day, especially when deep in the infinite black hole of managing email!

tours of chicago historic bars pubsThis historic pub crawl tour is of course not an excuse to get drunk – that just wouldn’t be our style. Instead this walking tour creates an educational dynamic, as we actively engage with some stunning works of architecture and hear forgotten stories of the many ways that Chicagoans have had fun in the city over time. Guests share iPads with historic photos and video clips while the tour guide shares the commentary, as pictured above. We drink and eat while learning about both iconic and overlooked places just off the Mag Mile. Despite that we tour around this very flashy and fancy area of the Chicago, we uncover some pretty unexpected places and stories.

Reservations are required for the Good Times Historic Bar Tour, and guess what?! We are offering a special promotion this week. Get together a group of 4 or more and take 30% off your tour tickets. You have to reserve by this Friday, June 28th and use this honor system code of 4GUESTS30 to get your discount. With four guests that is a savings of $40, equal to more than a tour ticket. You must book all guests in one reservation to be eligible. Hope to see you!

— Amanda Scotese, Executive Director

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Ellen

Private Tour Coordinator and Tour Guide

There is no shortage of things to discover in Chicago—I love being an urban explorer and uncovering its hidden places. I have an MA in Public History from Loyola University Chicago, and I have worked as a museum educator and kindergarten teacher. My desire to learn new things fuels my passion for educating others, which I get to experience every day as a Chicago tour guide. I live in the northern neighborhood of Rogers Park.

“Our guide Ellen was exceptional and gifted with a great personal touch.”
Robert
GetYourGuide

Jen

Tour Guide

Whether you are a first-time visitor or a lifelong resident, the vibrant history and modern majesty of Chicago never ceases to amaze. I’m a graduate of Columbia College with an M.A. in Interdisciplinary Art. I’ve worked for many years as an educator at City Colleges of Chicago. As tour guide at Chicago Detours, I integrate my enthusiasm for culture and architecture with my passion as an educator. West Town/Noble Square area is home for me.

“Jen was a perfect storyteller and kept us spellbound for hours.”
Heather
TripAdvisor

Elyse

Tour Guide

With our Chicago neighborhoods, vibrant cultural institutions and nearly two centuries of larger-than-life stories, there’s never a dull moment here! I’m a fifth generation Chicagoan and a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis. In addition to guiding tours, I’m a creative writer and amateur genealogist. I also enjoy the city’s dynamic theater scene. You can also read overlooked stories from 19th-century newspapers on my “Second Glance History” blog. I live in River North.

Anthony

Tour Guide

Chicago is unique as it always evolves into the future while holding on to the past. I’m fascinated by how people latch on to old architecture but happily pave over others. My background is in theater and performance and I’ve been a tour guide here for more than 10 years. Currently I’m finishing my Master’s in Public History at Loyola University because I love to teach the history of this scrappy city. I’m in the Edgewater neighborhood.

Marie

Operations Coordinator and Tour Guide

Chicago’s history is so fascinating, you could spend a lifetime uncovering its secrets…I’m willing to give it a try! I have an M.A. in US History from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and then pursued doctoral studies in Urban History at the University of Illinois at Chicago. I love to learn new aspects of Chicago’s rich history and then share my knowledge as a tour guide with Chicago Detours. I live in Ravenswood.

“Marie was a bubbling fountain of information and contagious enthusiasm.”
Lorit
TripAdvisor

Sonny

Operations Coordinator and Tour Guide

As a fourth generation Chicagoan, I have been living and loving Chicago by bike, on foot, public transit or automobile. I am a graduate of UIC where through the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs, began my eagerness to understand the nature, history and impacts of urban planning and development. It is incredibly rewarding to give back to this wonderful city by helping out in the office of Chicago Detours. I live in the incredibly diverse neighborhood of Albany Park.
“Sonny was extremely knowledgeable about all things Chi-town.”
Wade K
TripAdvisor

Alex

Content Manager and Tour Guide

Chicago has so many neighborhoods, buildings, and by-ways that it’s hard to go long without seeing something new, or something familiar from a new angle. I studied Cinema History for my M.A. from the University of Chicago. I’ve worked as a culture writer for various publications and as an educator of the humanities at the City Colleges of Chicago. I’m thrilled to share my love of this city’s busy past and unique architectural spaces with Chicago Detours. I live in the Chicago neighborhood of Lincoln Park.

“Alex was fascinating to listen to. He clearly knows his history and it shows.”
Katie K
Yelp

Amanda Scotese

Executive Director and Tour Guide

I’m an interpreter of personal stories from the past and the city’s landscape. I love to imagine what originally happened inside old unmarked buildings, and what forces have shaped their design. I studied Chicago history, architectural history, and anything Chicago-related through my M.A. in the Humanities at the University of Chicago. My love for stories was enriched by my B.A. in Literature from the University of Michigan. I’ve written travel articles for publications like Rick Steves’ Italy best-selling travel guides, the San Francisco Bay Guardian, and The Chicago Food Encyclopedia. I live in the Chicago neighborhood of West Avondale.
“You can TELL Amanda is hyper-passionate about doing the research and getting the story that nobody’s heard before.”
Shelby F
Yelp

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