City Cast Chicago
😳 Where to pee in Humboldt Park
June 4, 2025 · — Emmi Mack
Hey there Chicago! The studies are in: Chicago is the fifth-fastest-sinking major city in the United States. It’s also No. 3 among America’s top “feel-good summer cities.” Yes, that’s a metric, and we’re going with it. Methodology includes sunshine, concerts, and ice cream shops. (No, really.)
Enjoy it before we crater into Lake Michigan.
Onto non-ranking news 👇
What Chicago's Talking About
Humboldt Park Bathrooms Are Back
After years of inconsistency, two sets of public bathrooms in Humboldt Park are officially opening back up. The restrooms near the eastern basketball courts, south of Luis Munoz Marin Drive, reopen in mid-June. (Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, throughout the summer.) The boathouse bathrooms reopened Monday. (Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.) [Block Club]
- Related: Where To Find Free, Public Bathrooms in Chicago [Hey Chicago 💻]
Fire Owner Building Soccer Stadium in South Loop
The billionaire owner of the Chicago Fire FC, Joe Mansueto, plans to personally bankroll a $650 million, soccer-only stadium on “The 78” site in South Loop. At 62 acres, “The 78” is one of Chicago’s largest undeveloped parcels. Despite Mansueto’s funds, the stadium construction will require tens of millions in public subsidies. [Sun-Times]
The Chicago Roots of Gyros as We Know It
“Yee-ros,” “jai-roh,” “guy-roh” … Chicagoans have many names for the saucy Greek dish. Its ubiquitous form traces back to Chicago rather than the shores of the Mediterranean, with a local engineer masterminding the mass production of premade meat cones. The beefed-up gyros blend (pun intended) is also a Chicago innovation. [WTTW]
This Basement May Be the Best Cocktail Spot in Chicago
Chicago has great bars — we know this. But Chicagoans also know the best parties are house parties, especially in the summer, and especially if you have a home bar like Theresa “Mama T” Ferrell. Her cocktail skills have made the rounds on TikTok thanks to her son, City Cast Chicago’s own Jacoby Cochran. On today’s episode, we’re sharing Mama T’s best basement cocktail tips.
What To Do
Wednesday, June 4
- 🎲 Adult Game Night | 4 p.m. | Free | Wrightwood
- 🍻 Meet New People Chicago Riverwalk Bar Crawl & Fireworks Show | 5:30-9 p.m. | $28 | Riverwalk
- 🎥 “From Hilde, With Love” | 6:30 p.m. | Free | Lincoln Park
- 🍷 Galit X Sphera Wine Dinner | 6:30 p.m. | $238 | Lincoln Park
- 🍹 Bottomless Margaritas & Fireworks on the Riverwalk | 6:30-9 p.m. | $42 | Riverwalk
- 🎥 “Old Heart” | 7:30 p.m. | $23 | West Town
- 🤣 Humpday Comedy | $20 | 8 p.m. | Bucktown
- 🎤 Comedy open mic | Free | 8 p.m. | Logan Square
Thursday, June 5
- 🎉 Juneteenth with Jewel-Osco | 4-7 p.m. | Free | River North
- 📚Cartooning the Medieval | 4:30 p.m. | Free | Streeterville
- 🎷 Record Row Concert Series: 75th Anniversary Kick Off | 6-7:30 p.m. | Free | Motor Row
- ☕️ Int’l Cafe | 6 p.m. | Free | Avondale
- 🎵 Expo 76 | 6-8 p.m. | Free | Riverwalk
- 📖 Power Through | 6-7:30 p.m. | Free | River North
- 🍹 Breaking Sound Chicago | 7 p.m. | $25+ | River North
- 🎵 Thursday Night Sessions | 7-9 p.m. | Free | Mayfair
- 🎸 Chicago Blues Festival Kick Off | 7:30 p.m. | Free | Bridgeport
- 🏳️🌈 Pride Night at “Iraq but Funny” | 7:30 p.m. | $30+ | Loop
- 🩰 “Alice's Adventures in Wonderland” premiere | 7:30 p.m. | $49+ | Joffrey Ballet
- 🤣 The Chicago Comedy Awards | 8 p.m. | $14 | Bucktown
- 🎶 Erthe St. James | 9 p.m. | $20+ | Hyde Park
- 🖼️ ART on the Mart: “Currents” premiere | 9 p.m. | Free | Riverwalk
- 🎶 Winefred RT | 9 p.m. | $20 | Ukrainian Village
Spotted at Do Division. Sadly, my neighborhood was not represented, or I totally would have gotten one.
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