What we’re about
"Culture, Cuisine, Cocktails, Coffee & Convos = Community"
http://www.socialfundation.com for the full calendar.
This is a Chicago-Suburban meet-up group designed for people who enjoy the cinema, fine cuisine and more. Most evening events will consist of a movie, dinner, or a combination of both. Others may include a matinee followed by a film discussion afterwards at a local cafe. From time to time there will also be a foreign film, Indie or Classic movie scheduled, or even live theater.
We will have dining venues which will include diverse cuisines from around the world or around the block. In addition, other fun activities such as music venues, bowling, wine tastings, outdoor music fests/concerts, and more! Join us for ongoing dinner events like Porkapalooza, an exploration of area BBQ places; and BurgerTime, the same concept, but with Burgers. Check out the Pages section for where we've been and where we're going. Please let us know if there's some thing/some place you'd like to try, or if you'd like to host an event.
Please note: While all are welcome, consistent no-shows and those who use e-mail/Meetup to disparage other members will be removed from the group.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Exclusive Tour with Guide of St Alphonsus Catholic Church in LakeviewSt Alphonsus Church, Chicago, IL
Join us for a captivating visit to St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, a true masterpiece where history and spirituality blend seamlessly. Discover the beauty and importance of this remarkable place with our exclusive guided tour. Don't miss this unique opportunity!
The church features a striking weathered green copper bell tower, which has stood as a landmark at the intersection of Southport, Lincoln, and Wellington since 1896. Inside, the Gothic Revival design boasts a royal blue ceiling adorned with pointed arches and golden ribwork, complemented by stunning murals, sculptures, stained glass windows, and bas-reliefs.
We will have a private docent-led tour through the church. Before the tour, we are allowed to walk around and take pictures. Since we are getting a private guided tour, there is a $10 fee per person. I will collect $10 from everyone and give it to the Saint Alphonsus Church in appreciation of the tour. Please bring CASH for the donation! If necessary, I can accept Zelle, Venmo & PayPal so I can give one big group donation after the tour. All need to check in with me at the start of the tour & pay me directly~
The tour promises to be an enlightening event on a Saturday morning. It is an event that brings multiple meetup groups together! Although it's not exclusively a photo tour, there will be ample chances to snap pictures!
Note there is a baptism at 1 pm so we will have to take pictures before the tour. Therefore, we will meet at 11:30 am to walk around before 12 pm.
After the tour, some of us will get lunch at one of the many nearby places:
Golden Apple Grille & Breakfast House 2971 N Lincoln Ave, http://www.goldenapplegrill.com/
S&G Restaurant 3000 N Lincoln Ave, http://www.sandg-chicago.com/All are welcome to join! BRING CASH IF JOINING FOR LUNCH, AS SOME VENUES Don't accept separate checks!
St. Alphonsus Parish was established in 1882, before the annexation of the Lakeview area into the City of Chicago. It was created to serve the growing Catholic population in the region, which expanded as people moved beyond the city limits following the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The church primarily catered to the large German community in Lakeview and continues to hold a German mass, in addition to hosting a wonderful Oktoberfest.
St. Alphonsus was a central hub for the city's German community. Its interior features a beautifully restored royal blue ceiling, murals, stained glass, and other stunning elements. The church also owns the Athenaeum Theater, originally a German community center and folk opera venue.
With its towering central bell tower clad in weathered green copper, St. Alphonsus has been a prominent landmark at the six-way intersection of Southport, Lincoln, and Wellington since its completion in 1896. The parish was founded by the Redemptorist Fathers and became a significant center for Chicago's north-side German community. The Gothic Revival interior showcases a striking blue ceiling with pointed arches and golden ribwork in starburst patterns. This ceiling was restored following a fire in 1950. Additional features include murals, statuary, stained glass, and bas-reliefs that enhance the rich interior.
St Alphonsus was designed by Architects: Boos, Bettinghofer, Schrader & Conradi and completed in 1896. A devasting fire in 1950 gutted the church but it was restored and rededicated in 1952.
The Athenaeum Theater next to the church was originally founded by the Redemptorist Fathers of St. Alphonsus, as “a home for the intellectual, physical, and social intercourse” of their parishioners. Since its opening in 1911, the Athenaeum has continually served as a place for beauty, community, and the arts. It is Chicago’s oldest continuously operating Off-Loop theatre.
The Athenaeum was designed by architect, Hermann J. Gaul. Opened for the public and the parishioners of St. Alphonsus in 1911. Built for opera, dance, orchestral, and dramatic productions. Total Size is: 66,000 sqft and total seating: 1,220. In 2021 it was redeveloped with 4 million in renovations. The newly formed Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture (ACTC) is a new unique, state-of-the-art event space in the heart of Chicago for pre and post-show events, conferences, lectures, and other gatherings.
https://www.stalphonsuschicago.org/
https://athenaeumcenter.org/If you are taking public transportation, please check Google Maps for directions or use CTA trip planner. https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/ easily accessible by bus and train
If you are driving, metered street parking is on Southport, Lincoln or Wellington. Some free side street parking. A large parking lot for the church is located on Oakdale Avenue and a smaller lot is located on Southport Avenue. We can park in the lot during the tour!
PLEASE KEEP RSVP UP TO DATE AND DO NOT BE A NO SHOW!
- Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia with Angkor Wat... Ancient Kingdoms of Southeast Asia.O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, IL
We are off on another event. This time to Angkor Wat.
Along the way visiting to Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia.Our meetup event is full.
AND . . .
. . . If you are reading this now . . . it's too late to join.
IF you still wish to see the itinerary . . Click Here and send me a message with "send me the Angkor Wat itinerary." Do include your email as it's a larger file.We will repeat this trip in Dec 2026 (for those that plan ahead). Here is the link (for those that plan ahead) https://4142298.xyz/moretoexplore/events/299959770/
Speaking of planning . . .
. . . . Travel takes planning in advance.
Here are our other upcoming more elaborate/complex meetup events so you can plan to join us.
May 15, 2025 Meetup on Orient Express.
Jun 28, 2025 Spain and Portugal with Running of the Bulls!
Aug 10, 2025 EPIC MACHU PICCHU! vis Short Inca Trail or Train!!
Oct 19, 2025 Petra to the Pyramids. Dead Sea, Sphinx & Nile CruiseFeb 10, 2026 Northern Lights. A Scandinavian Odyssey!
Feb 28, 2026 India's Golden Triangle with HOLI & Dubai Extension
Mar 29, 2026 Cherry Blossoms in Japan
Jun 17, 2026 Serengeti Photo Safari!
And here are our more adventurous or rugged/remote trips & Treks
Mar 7, 2025 Galapagos Islands Expedition
Apr 25, 2025 Everest Base Camp Yoga Trek.
Aug 10, 2025 The Salkantay Trek to MACHU PICCHU!
Oct 12, 2025 Jordan: Dana to Petra Trek with bonus of Wadi Rum
Jun 7, 2026 Mt Kilimanjaro Trek! One of the 7 Summits.
We do a monthly Q & A Zoom on all our overseas events.
Come to the zoom and ask any questions. Great way to get the info you want without all the other fluff. As well as meet us and other attendees.OR
Click Here to Message Direct to Anna with any questions.
We believe in good decent social. This events is cross posted to several other groups and the number of RSVPs on each is not reflective of total attendees. In this case the trip is full.
We have a set of sister groups where we post our local free, local/regional camping, and our overseas events.
Click Here to see and join in on all our other fun events
Live the adventure instead of only dreaming it!
SOT 2000318-10
- Play in an Indoor Coed Rec League! Get placed on a team of others! Save $20!Leagues played at various locations around Chicago. See league specifics for details!, Chicago, IL
When Chicago heads indoors for the winter, be active and social in our Simply Social intramural leagues! All skill levels are welcome! You can join by yourself or with friends and get placed on a coed team for the season.
Starting in January & February, we've got lots of great 5-7 week leagues to play in. Some are actual sports, while others are more of a super fun activity to break up the work week.
All of them are amazing for meeting new people and having fun! There's no better way to build lasting relationships than during a season getting together with the same people week after week.
WE'VE GOT INDOOR VOLLEYBALL, BOWLING, WHIRLYBALL, SINGLES SKEEBALL (FOR SINGLES!), DODGEBALL, FAMILY FEUD TRIVIA & INDOOR KICKBALL!
CHECK OUT THE FULL LEAGUE OPTIONS, DETAILS & REGISTER HERE: https://s3leagues.com/winter-leagues
**GET $20 OFF INDIVIDUAL PLAYER FEES W/ PROMO CODE 'MEETUPHOOKUP'**
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To play, simply register on our website by yourself or with friends and I'll put you on a coed team with others around your age for the season. Then before we start I'll email EVERYTHING you need to know for the season including your teammate info, the full schedule, how/where we play and TONS more!
REGISTER HERE TO JOIN US as we MEETUP for some recreational level sports and activities! There's absolutely nothing better in the city than getting to know new people playing games and then over drinks at your nearby league sponsor bar that all teams hang out at.
*Want to get on a team but can't make it to every game? No problem! We put extra players on every team for this very reason.
****Have questions on how this works? Send me a message and I'll get back to you right away!****
LEAGUES INCLUDE:
- 5-7 Week Season! (varies by league)
- We buy your team some beer each week! (in most leagues)
- Team player shirt in your requested size! (in most leagues)
- Food and drink specials at your sponsor bar!
- Multiple champs win a prize in each league!
NOTE: I'VE GOT A LOT OF DIFFERENT INDOOR LEAGUES THAT RUN FROM JANUARY THROUGH MARCH AND PLAY DIFFERENT DAYS OF THE WEEK ALL OVER THE CITY! THE DATE AND LOCATION SHOWN FOR THIS MEETUP EVENT ARE JUST A PLACEHOLDER.
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GOT A FULL TEAM? EMAIL [email protected] (THAT'S ME!) FOR MORE INFO AND FOR AN EVEN BIGGER DISCOUNT!
FULL DETAILS & REGISTRATION: https://s3leagues.com/winter-leagues
**GET $20 OFF INDIVIDUAL PLAYER FEES W/ PROMO CODE 'MEETUPHOOKUP'**
I hope you let me show you what makes S3 Simply Social Sports Leagues so popular and exciting. I guarantee it'll be a unique experience unlike anything you've ever been a part of :)
Please message me if you have any questions!
Cheers,
Ben
