Chicago is famous for a lot of things: deep dish pizza, insanely dedicated sports fans, and cold winters, to name a few. But without a doubt, one of the best things about the Windy City is the architecture.
Our skyline is one of the best in the world and there are two ways to fully experience it: from the ground (on the architecture boat tours) and from the sky. And the best view from the sky is at Bar 94 at the 360 Chicago Observation Deck.
Unforgettable Views at Bar 94 at 360 Chicago
Top of the Hancock
The 360 Chicago Observation deck is the new name for what used to be known as the John Hancock Observatory at the building formerly known as the Hancock Center. (Let’s be honest: even after it’s renamed no one here will ever call it anything else.) Anyway, at the tippy top of the 100 story building are the Signature Room at the 95th, the Signature Lounge at the 96th, and the 360 Chicago Observation Deck which includes Bar 94.
All three have unforgettable views of Chicago, but the 360 Chicago Observation Deck doesn’t require you to buy food or drinks (although you can if you’d like). Another perk: there are actually activities at the observation deck that change on a daily basis.
Daily Activities at 360 Chicago
The views at the top of the Hancock are unforgettable at any time (as long as fog isn’t hovering around the building) but there are now plenty more reasons to squish into an elevator 94 stories up. (Fun fact: the elevators shoot up to the top at 20 mph!) Trivia nights, Chicago history talks, paint nights, live music, and yoga are some of the activities offered at 360.
Bar 94
No matter what you focus is at the Observation Deck, the best part is the Bar 94. The new bar now offers local liquor, like Revolution Brewing beers and whiskey and gin from Koval Distillery, plus other wines and spirits. There’s lounge-like seating with a perfect view of the sunset to sip on your cocktail and savor the view.
Revolution Brewing is Illinois’ largest independent brewery and makes all kinds of beer, from IPAs to porters. My favorite is the Anti-Hero, an aromatic IPA with a nice balance of citrus and bitterness. Koval Distillery started as a liqueur distillery that evolved to making organic whiskey and gin using the grain-to-bottle mentality. Even though I’m a huge whiskey fan, I actually like their gin better! (Read more on Koval Distillery here.)
The Building Formerly Known as Hancock
Bar 94 sits 1,000 feet in the air, with beautiful views of Lake Michigan to the north and east, the skyscrapers of the Loop to the south, and the endless land stretching out west. The 100 floor building is currently Chicago’s fourth tallest after Sears Tower, Trump Tower, and Aon Center. But that order will change in the next few years once several in-progress buildings are completed (especially Vista Tower, which will become the third tallest in 2020).
Even though some of Chicago’s other skyscrapers have rooftop observatories, I still think 360 Chicago has the best view because it’s so close to the water. Both daytime and nighttime are spectacular but the sunset can’t be beat so time your visit to see it!
Thoughts & Details
Go to Bar 94 at the 360 Chicago Observation Deck for :: the views, of course! They are truly unforgettable… as long as it’s not foggy! Notes :: There is an entrance fee for the observation deck but it’s 50% off for all Chicago residents.
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Disclaimer :: I was graciously invited to a media preview of Bar 94 at the 360 Chicago Observation Deck. As always, all opinions are my own. • Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and I may receive a commission from them. Thank you for supporting the companies that support Whiskied Wanderlust.
