Chicago always has it something to prove. When it went up against New York at the 1893 World’s Fair, a New York Sun reporter called it “Windbags”. Illinois ended up hosting the fairs, and Chicago embraced its new identity as a spirited city. That chip-on-shoulders power still defines this metropolis, a city that builds, innovates, and competes as it has all the losses.
Chicago’s Tech scene is a diverse scene that shouldn’t lie there — but you probably know that. Over the past decade, the second city’s economy has grown 18 percent, adding more than 106,000 direct jobs and nearly 150,000 jobs, according to the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. The city’s universities produce more scientific computers than anywhere else in the country. Giants like Google, SalesForce, and meta have expanded here, while starting as Tegus, carrying goods at Uber, and G2 from the Silicon Talent pool, drawn by Chicago’s Talent Pool and the affordable cost of living.
Chicago’s Tech scene isn’t quiet; Almost half of all technical positions are tied to key industries such as health care, finance, and materials. In August, the techchicago conference that sees the quantum computer, efficient data centers, and equal access to the capital, showing how Chicago thinks about how technology can enrich everyday life.
Being in Chicago is work hard, play hard. Dinner at the Fulton Market, drinks on the river, and comedy set the night to a close.
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Where to live
While the Chicago Tech scene has hit the city, chances are your work trip has found you somewhere around the lake, River North and West Loop. Our accommodations keep you close, comfortable, and surrounded by fellow professionals.
Courtesy of The St Regis Chicago
363 E. Wacker Drive, (312) 787-3447
At the confluence of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan, the St. Regis delivers the city’s pinnacle of luxury, complete with a world-class spa, fitness facilities, and amazing dining. The signature Butler service takes care of ironing, suit pressing, shoe shine, and morning coffee (or tea), so you can focus on the business that brought you here. A fun house car can get you to nearby meetings or lunches within a 2 mile radius. Start with a Tokyo breakfast at Japanese Restaurant Mir Suration, return at 5 PM for the hotel’s daily Champagne, then head to Tre Dita for handmade pasta and Tuscan Wood Steaks—be sure to return early.
200 n green st. (312) 761-1700
If you want a hotel that feels like part of the city, it’s the Hoxton in the West Loop. Check in and check out at any time when you book direct. Workspaces are available, from Library Deskis to full animal spaces and meeting rooms. If you are hungry, the defé of the payment area serves baking cakes and coffee, and if you need a break, the daybeds are waiting, perfect for a hangover or a hangover. Weather permitting, their outdoor areas double as another place to get work done. You don’t even have to leave Hoxton to hit the neighborhood’s best bars and restaurants; Cira serves Mediterranean-inspired food throughout the day, Chabra Ceviceria serves Peruvian food on the roof, head down to lazy birds for cocktails and live music during Saturdays, and the Milk bar also sits inside for a sugar fix at night.
Courtesy of Emily Hotel
311 N Morgan St. (312) 764-1919
In the Fulton market, the Emily Hotel is perfect for travelers looking for a local vibe with all the comforts and conveniences of technology. Grab a coffee at the In-House Coup Coffefi, lunch at the fora, cocktails on the Salva rooftop, and dinner at Sushi by Bou. Stay active in the 24/7 fitness center, and if the weather permits, catch a movie in the hotel’s slopeside cinema.
900 in Grand, (872) 710-5700
At SAC, you’ll have everything you need to stay happy. Grab a coffee in the living room at Kisi, where beans from Costa Rica, Kenya and Ethiopia make your mornings always ruined. Lirica, a Spanish- and Iberian-inspired restaurant, is perfect for a solo lunch or a group dinner. The Offshore rooftop has incredible views of the skyline and Lake Michigan, as well as a full service bar. Amenities, there’s a 24-hour fitness center, meeting rooms if you need to get work done, and, of course, Navy Pier to yourself without your doorstep full of shops, restaurants and attractions for you to enjoy. It’s like living in a supermarket.
Courtesy of Intercontinental Chicago
505 n MICHIGAN AVE., (312) 944-4100
In the heart of the magnificent mile, the InterContinental combines the great power of the city’s business with the glamor of the past. That’s thanks in part to the Indoor Pool, its 1929 stunner carved from Spanish Majolica and overlooking a terracotta Neptune fountain, 14 stories above Michigan Avenue. During the week, you will see business travelers, although families often stay here, too. Helpful services are covered, including meeting rooms, printing services, and even a lawyer, if needed. There are two restaurants on site There is also a starbucks in the lounge, but with so many of the best local places nearby, it is worth the wander.
Where to work
You can work from any of the hotels on our list, but if you need a change of location, Chicago has plenty of options to fall in love with. Below are some of our favorites, and Deskpass is a great source for more options.
Photo: Steve Geer / Getty Images
20 N. WACCHER DRIVE, 12th Floor
Inside the Civic Opera building in the city’s business district, this 60,000 square feet of workspace is designed for technology professionals. Fast Wi-Fi, ergonomic setup, meeting rooms, and versoft Terrace and Fitness Center. Save up to $35 a day on Deskpass.
3130 n rockwell st.
In Avondale, the Guild line offers a Sunlit workspace with high ceilings, private Zoom booths, and a cafe and break bar. The Belmont Room hosts workshops, lectures, and events, but the atmosphere is calm and focused on getting work done without distractions. It’s a space to recharge, meet like-minded people, or settle in for a productive day. You can buy a day pass for $28.
1821 W Hubbard St Unit 209
In the West Loop, Art / Work Coaling is a creative lab that draws on City staff, tefies, and freelancers. Open 24/7 with automated access, offering desks and bookable meeting rooms. Drop in with Deskpass, or book a conference room starting at $50 an hour.
Where to get your coffee
112 n green st.
If you need a reliable place to work on site, Sadada Coffee has plenty of seating, strong Wi-Fi, and strong coffee. Founded by Japanese Barista Hiroshi Sawada, Sawada Coffee is famous for military lattes – matta jorpre, espresso, and cortados, but it also has cortados, cappuccinos, and cookies to keep the workflow going. If you always pop in for lunch, you don’t have to go far; Sawada shares its space with Green Street Sheed Meas, known for its central Texas-style barbecue.
714 n Wells St.
Owned by Palestinian American friends, OUD Coffee is a river north favorite for art and bites. The Signature Oud Latte features pistachio syrup, cardamom spices, and fresh mint, while the menu also includes Turkish coffee, tea, and smoothies. Gluttony in the space of manakesh, full dates, or baklava. Indoor seating makes it a solid place to get work done, or sit outside if the weather permits. There is another place in Wicker Park, if you find yourself close to that neighborhood.
5531 n Clark St.
Understudy is a theater-Bookstore-slash-café, with a whirlwind of fruity offerings alongside lavender, rose petal, and hazelnut. Coffee drinkers can indulge in iced Ube, matra lemonades, or roasted goddess tea. Come for the taste, stay for the creative atmosphere, the nooks are full of light that makes it easy to lose the afternoon.
3101 s morgan st.
Bridgeport Coffee has been rolling around on the south side since 2004, and it’s one of the city’s best places for a cup of coffee that actually tastes like where it comes from. Shop Acces Beans directly from the growers, cutting masdlemen better taste and good trade. There are a few counter chairs and a few tables, but it’s a comfortable place to work if you’re snapping a spot.
Where to eat
Chances are, Chicago’s hottest eateries will be booked solid, but we’ve found some really nice places to stay.
With the help of a special chef
2165 n Western Ave.
For a kitschy yet upscale take on American Chinese Takeout he grew up, Chef’s Superials Specials Supers Saucy, Family Style Classics. Think orange chicken, Mongolian beef, and Me Mein Noodles-Fast. Junk comfort food is paired with hot cocktails, from a lemongrass gimlet to an $8 shot and beer combo. Perfect for small groups or clients, the menu encourages sampling, making it less about individual plates and more about the experience.
800 ww randelph st.
At AU Cheval, Burger’s Burger’s fusion, Melty, Cheel-pant-penseburger with flaming eggs lives on its pinnacle. The vibe is low-key, with a diner-mes-modes-speakeasy show, with dim lighting, leather booths, and an open kitchen that’s always full. You have to get the cheese, but the chilaquiles and the fried bone marrow are also worth ordering. No reservations; Shing on a weekday, put your name down, grab a drink at one of Fulton Market street bars while you wait.
