let's do fun thingsupcoming events
hosted experiences by lets do fun things chicago
hosted experiences by lets do fun things chicago
join us for game night every Monday at Duffy's! must rsvp on pie using the link below for entry. we've got a curated collection of fun easy-to-learn games that allow you to make friends over friendly competition coming solo? we've got you covered! we'll set you up with games and fun players to enjoy the night with. see you there!
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cinco de mayo, we're getting pinatas happy hour salsa is a relaxed after-work social designed to help you unwind, move your body, and do something fun without committing your whole night. we’ll start with a beginner-friendly salsa lesson from 5–5:45pm . no experience or partner needed. after the lesson, the space opens into an open social dance for anyone and everyone. the event is free to attend and hosted at the iconic Old Post Office , featuring beautiful flooring, soaring ceilings, a riverside patio, and food and drinks available from Snorkelbox . come solo, bring coworkers, or meet friends there.
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**weather permitting** sun, sand, good people, and a grill going. what more do you need? we take over the north courts at north avenue beach every saturday morning for pickup volleyball, food, and a whole lot of fun. show up whenever. courts are marked by skill level so you can jump in wherever feels right. 2s and 4s. rotate in, meet someone new, grab a plate, repeat. we bring the nets and the grill. you just bring yourself.
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looking for your game night crew? this is the place to start. we're kicking the night off with a low-pressure icebreaker. from there, you’ll rotate through a selection of easy-to-learn, fun-to-play party games, playing two different games with two different groups to keep things social, active, and engaging. then open play begins, and the night transitions into our classic game night experience. mix, match, and play whatever you’d like from our curated collection of approachable games designed to spark friendly competition and conversation. whether you’re new to board games or just new to chicago, this night is built for meeting new people and making friends. check-in begins at 6:15 pm, speed friending starts at 6:30 pm. open play kicks off at 7:30. see you there 🎲
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join us for game night every Monday at Duffy's! must rsvp at link below. we've got a curated collection of fun easy-to-learn games that allow you to make friends over friendly competition coming solo? we've got you covered! we'll set you up with games and fun players to enjoy the night with. see you there! this game night follows our speed friending game night! mix and match with new people before our usual open play game night begins. check out speed friending in our event feed for more details.
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one of depaul's best professors walks into a bar and teaches you something that'll change how you see everything. drew miller breaks down how three of history's most iconic figures shaped the way we think about masculinity today. vikings, witches, and knights. each one a myth, each one a mirror. and the real story behind all three is way more interesting than anything you learned in school. here's how the night goes: drew kicks things off with a lecture, then opens it up for q&a, and then you break into small groups to keep the conversation going over drinks. it's part class, part dialogue, part really good night out. come solo or bring a friend. either way you're leaving with something to think about.
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Overview 3 part salsa workshop (+ a 4th event that's a dance social) for people who are serious about learning how to dance salsa Workshop Series — PLEASE READ 💃 Your ticket includes: • All 3 parts of our progressive salsa workshop • 1 social dance night at Epiphany • A full month of dancing, practice, community, and real progress • One ticket covers everything — no add-ons needed This is a true progressive series — each class intentionally builds on the last so you actually grow week to week. Classes are advanced-beginner to low-intermediate friendly. (If you're brand-new, our regular socials are beginner-friendly!) SCHEDULE Tuesday 5/12 Tuesday 5/19 Tuesday 5/26 WHY THIS WORKSHOP IS WORTH IT • You actually improve. Most classes teach random patterns each week. This workshop is intentionally structured so you build rhythm, timing, connection, and usable partnerwork. • You won’t feel lost. We keep the level consistent and the pacing supportive. Everyone’s here to learn — not judge. • You build a dance crew. Three classes + a social = a built-in community. People make real friends in these workshops. • You get real-world practice. The included Epiphany social gives you a perfect chance to try your skills in a welcoming, lively environment. • It’s an insane value. Three classes + one social + multiple instructors + structured progression… This would normally run $150–$250 elsewhere. We keep it accessible so Chicago can dance. WHO THIS IS FOR • People who want to level up their salsa • Anyone who can keep a beat and wants structure + real progress • Dancers who want confidence for salsa on a School Night WHO THIS IS NOT FOR • Someone looking for a one-time “try it once” class — this is a progressive workshop
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we're teaming up with the compress and shock foundation for a night that could literally save a life. they're a nonprofit dedicated to bringing equitable cpr and aed education to all communities, and they're bringing the training to us. how it works first, an icebreaker. we'll ask you a simple question: "what would you do in an emergency?" then you'll go stand by your answer. "i'd stay calm." "i'd panic but figure it out." "i'd yell for someone more experienced." just like that, you've found your first group. then you'll rotate partners every few minutes, speed friending style. you'll practice chest compressions, learn how to use an aed, and work through real life scenarios on adult, child, and infant mannequins. conversation prompts and partner activities keep things moving. nothing bonds people faster than saving a fake life side by side. for someone you love at the start of the night, we'll ask you to write down who you'd want to save. a parent. a friend. a niece. that's your why. you'll learn why cpr matters, how common cardiac arrest really is, and what to do when it happens. you'll leave with real skills that could make the difference for someone you love. and at the end, we'll bring it back. you came here thinking about someone you'd want to save. maybe you met someone worth keeping around too. good to know this is not a certification course. but here's the thing: you don't need a certification to save a life. you need the knowledge, the confidence, and the willingness to act. that's exactly what you'll walk away with, plus a certificate of completion from the compress and shock foundation. details no experience needed. just show up ready to learn something real alongside someone new. this event is designed for anyone, singles, couples, anyone and everyone. we're working on events for other communities too, so stay tuned.
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your workout just got a lot more fun. this is a high energy cardio class set to hip hop that'll have you sweating before you even realize you're exercising. a certified instructor leads you through the whole thing, so all you have to do is show up, follow along, and keep up if you can. no dance background needed. just bring water, wear something you can move in, and be ready to go hard.
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lace up. run two miles. then dance it out. we're taking over sakrid coffee for a morning that starts with a two mile run and ends with a dj, good coffee, and even better company. think finish line energy meets coffee shop vibes. you don't have to be a runner. you just have to show up. walk it, jog it, race it, whatever feels good. the party at the end is for everyone. this is what mornings are supposed to feel like. coffee shop we're meeting at 11:00am is sakrid coffee: 2060 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614
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join us for game night every Monday at Duffy's! must rsvp on pie at link below for entry. we've got a curated collection of fun easy-to-learn games that allow you to make friends over friendly competition coming solo? we've got you covered! we'll set you up with games and fun players to enjoy the night with. see you there!
more info →
every bad decision you've ever made? dopamine had something to do with it. dr. ignacio keller sarmiento, neurologist at northwestern memorial hospital and movement disorders specialist at northwestern's feinberg school of medicine, breaks down the brain chemical that drives everything from your morning coffee craving to your worst impulse buys to why you can't stop scrolling at 1am. here's how the night goes: dr. keller sarmiento kicks things off with a lecture, then opens it up for q&a, and then you break into small groups to keep the conversation going over drinks. part neuroscience class, part therapy session, part really good night out. come ready to learn a lot about your brain and feel slightly less guilty about your life choices.
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cultured is a language-exchange mixer built around curiosity, culture, and conversation. when you arrive, you’ll get a passport and lanyard to customize with flags representing the languages you speak, the places you’ve been, and the ones you’re excited to learn more about. around the room, tables are marked by country, creating natural gathering points based on shared interest. this isn’t a class and it’s not about being fluent. say it wrong, that’s the point. the goal is to start conversations, learn through connection and games, and meet people who are genuinely curious about the world and each other. come curious. leave cultured.
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cocktail hour from 6-7, night starts at 7 step into a world of elegance and deception. dress to impress in your finest cocktail attire as you take on the role of a glamorous guest at an exclusive gathering where nothing is as it seems. over the course of the evening, you'll uncover secrets, forge alliances, and piece together clues to solve a shocking crime. one of you is the killer. everyone has a motive. trust no one. prizes will be awarded for best dressed, best character, and best detective. this is part social experiment, part theatrical experience, and entirely unforgettable. come ready to play a character, sip on cocktails, and lose yourself in a night of mystery and mischief.
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chicago, we’re dancing bollywood. let’s learn bollywood is a beginner-friendly afternoon dance class filled with high energy, expressive storytelling, and vibrant music. think bold moves, dramatic flair, and feel-good choreography you can actually pick up in one session. no experience needed. no partners required. just come ready to move, learn step by step, and leave glowing. joyful. powerful. unforgettable. let’s dance.
more info →lace up. run two miles. then dance it out. we're taking over sakrid coffee for a morning that starts with a two mile run and ends with a dj, good coffee, and even better company. think finish line energy meets coffee shop vibes. you don't have to be a runner. you just have to show up. walk it, jog it, race it, whatever feels good. the party at the end is for everyone. this is what mornings are supposed to feel like. coffee shop we're meeting at 11:00am is sakrid coffee: 2060 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614
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jiu jitsu class for women you've probably thought about it before. maybe you, or someone close to you, has been in a moment that felt unsafe and wondered what you would do if things became physical. knowing how to respond can make all the difference. this one is for the ladies. we're bringing in dr. ignacio juan keller sarmiento to the downtown jiu-jitsu club for a introductory self-defense class rooted in brazilian jiu-jitsu. techniques designed to work even against a larger, stronger attacker. no prior experience necessary. what you'll learn the session is split into two parts. first, you'll learn escapes from common standing situations: wrist grabs, hair pulls, and chokes. in the second half, you'll work on how to respond if taken to the ground. the focus is escape-based, not striking. break free, manage distance, get out safely. what to expect you'll partner up and take turns as attacker and defender in a safe, controlled environment. want an extra challenge? you'll have the option to test your skills against ignacio with increased resistance. time permitting, ignacio will close with a q&a on real-life situations. what to wear comfortable workout clothes, hair tied back, barefoot or socks. contact lenses recommended over glasses.
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liar's night is back. we're switching up game night. every game on the table will focus on social deduction, deception, bluffing, and reading the room. spend the night trying to catch someone else in a lie, or convincing the group you’re totally innocent (even when you’re definitely not). coming solo? we’ve got you covered. we’ll help match you with a group and walk everyone through the rules so you can jump right in and start playing. whether you’re a master manipulator or a terrible liar, this is a game night where everyone wins.
more info →one night. one fire. and somehow, chicago came out of it more ambitious than ever. david dewane, chicago architect, IIT professor, journalist, and one of the most interesting thinkers in the city, takes you inside the great chicago fire of 1871 and more importantly, what happened after. the city that burned down gave birth to the skyscraper, rewrote the rules of urban planning, and set the blueprint for modern architecture as we know it. here's how the night goes: david kicks things off with a lecture, then opens it up for q&a, and then you break into small groups to keep the conversation going over drinks. part history class, part architecture deep dive, part really good night out. if you've ever looked up at this city and wondered how it got here, this is the night for you.
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SOS Latin Dance Fest Two-Day Latin Dance Festival Night One — Wednesday, May 27 @ Epiphany Center for the Arts Night Two — Thursday, May 28 @ Castaways a school night has never felt like this. we're kicking off summer with a two-day latin dance festival across the two best venues in Chicago. night one, we take over Epiphany Center for the Arts, the best indoor dance venue in the city. a historic West Loop church with vaulted ceilings, stained glass, and cathedral acoustics, transformed into the city's largest latin dance floor. night two, we're back at Castaways. first day back at the beach. dancing on the lakefront as summer officially begins. both nights: doors at 6:30pm beginner-friendly latin dance lesson at 7pm (no partner needed) open floor with bachata, salsa, and latin beats until late DJ sets, guest instructors, performances, and local vendors no experience needed. whether you've been dancing all winter or this is your very first time, the first hour is for you. two-day passes and single night tickets available. school's out. summer starts here.
more info →SOS Latin Dance Fest Two-Day Latin Dance Festival Night One — Wednesday, May 27 @ Epiphany Center for the Arts Night Two — Thursday, May 28 @ Castaways a school night has never felt like this. we're kicking off summer with a two-day latin dance festival across the two best venues in Chicago. night one, we take over Epiphany Center for the Arts, the best indoor dance venue in the city. a historic West Loop church with vaulted ceilings, stained glass, and cathedral acoustics, transformed into the city's largest latin dance floor. night two, we're back at Castaways. first day back at the beach. dancing on the lakefront as summer officially begins. both nights: doors at 6:30pm beginner-friendly latin dance lesson at 7pm (no partner needed) open floor with bachata, salsa, and latin beats until late DJ sets, guest instructors, performances, and local vendors no experience needed. whether you've been dancing all winter or this is your very first time, the first hour is for you. two-day passes and single night tickets available. school's out. summer starts here.
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lets do fun things chicago x the pottery loop get your hands dirty. bring your own drinks. leave with something you actually made. we're partnering with the pottery loop for a night of wheel throwing, glazing, and good company. two ways to join depending on how deep you want to go. click the link below to lock in your spot, this was a highly asked for event that is going to sell out very quickly. option a: the full experience — wheel + glazing social ($70) start on the wheel on may 29, learn to throw a piece from scratch, then come back june 9 for the glazing social to paint and finish what you made. byob at both sessions, instruction included the whole way through. option b: mug glazing only ($40) june 9 only. you get a premade ceramic mug and a table full of food-safe glazes. add your own designs, your own patterns, your own vibe. byob and paint the night away. both options are 21+ byob. studio instruction is included. pickup is typically a couple weeks after the glazing class. this is the kind of night you'll actually remember.
more info →your workout just got a lot more fun. this is a high energy cardio class set to hip hop that'll have you sweating before you even realize you're exercising. a certified instructor leads you through the whole thing, so all you have to do is show up, follow along, and keep up if you can. no dance background needed. just bring water, wear something you can move in, and be ready to go hard.
more info →