How to find celebrity hot spots in the area
If you're like most Chicagoans, you probably won't end up married to Jessica Alba or co-starring in a movie with Shia LaBeouf. However, just because you live in the Windy City and aren't BFFs with celebrities doesn't mean you can't party like one - or at least stalk the hot ones when they're in town.
Believe it or not, Chicago gets its fair share of famous visitors. At one point or another, every celeb seems to end up at Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse, a popular fixture on the Gold Coast. Located at 1048 N. Rush St., the restaurant is known for its swank cocktails and super-size steaks, and it generates a constant rotation of famous clientele.
"Anyone you can think of, we've had in here," said Roxanne Atkins, public relations manager for Gibsons Restaurant Group. Notable restaurant patrons include Johnny Depp, Aaron Eckhart, Russell Crowe, Christian Bale, Beyoncé, Brian Urlacher, President Bush, former President Bill Clinton and the cast of the film "Ocean's Eleven."
While most celebrities are content to sit in the main dining area, many of them have special requests regarding their servers. According to Atkins, Depp always requests the same waiter whenever he visits Gibsons. Many celebrities are also on a first-name basis with Gibsons' maitre d', and ask to speak directly with her when making reservations.
Another celebrity hangout on the Gold Coast is the upscale Le Passage nightclub at 937 N. Rush St. Jen Gordon, a public relations spokeswoman, said that celebrities often dine at Le Passage's attached restaurant, The Drawing Room, before heading over to the club for drinks and dancing.
"Our location makes Le Passage a prime hangout for both local celebrities and out-of-towners," Gordon said. Recent patrons include Jim Belushi, Gavin Rossdale, Jesse Jackson and Marion Cotillard. Many players for the Chicago Blackhawks and Cubs are Le Passage regulars.
Although celebrities occasionally set up private parties at restaurants when they want a little time to themselves, fans have a pretty decent chance of spotting their favorite stars mingling with the rest of the customers.
"They're actors. They come in here like everybody else, and most of them want to be seen," Atkins said. "They also know that we won't let anyone go up and bother them during their meal."
Gordon agreed.
"Celebrities come in here and party with the rest of the people. They know that, in this type of atmosphere, people won't be coming up to them all the time, although a lot of them wouldn't mind that at all. Belushi came here after the Air and Water Show, and he was playing his harmonica, signing autographs and having a great time," Gordon said.
To catch a glimpse of a celeb away from the bar and restaurant scene, you may want to check out the Peninsula Hotel. Situated at 108 E. Superior St. in the heart of Chicago's Magnificent Mile, this hotel has received numerous awards and is frequented by many Hollywood celebrities.
The cast of "Ocean's 13" stayed at the Peninsula when their movie premiered here in 2007. Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and their many children camped out at the Peninsula for about a month when Jolie was in town filming the movie "Wanted." Vince Vaughn is another fan of the Peninsula Hotel, as is Jennifer Aniston (although you can bet she'd find another place to stay if Jolie was in Chicago, too!).
With such luxury comes a hefty price tag, however. Basic rooms at the Peninsula start at $535 per night, which is nothing compared to the grand deluxe suites. Offering more than 1,000 square feet of living space, two large flat-screen televisions and romantic "mood lighting," the Peninsula's snazziest digs cost a whopping $1,750 per night. If that's a bit out of your price range, stick to the hotel's several restaurants and bars to do your star gazing.
If you're lucky, you may also catch a glimpse of a celebrity doing a little shopping in town. When the Jolie-Pitts are in the area, stake out all the local toy stores to catch a glimpse of them and their brood. Last year, Jolie took her daughter Zahara to Timeless Toys at 4749 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago's famous Oak Street stores, which feature top designer labels and unique boutiques, have attracted the likes of Julia Roberts, Lara Flynn Boyle and even Ringo Starr. Jake, a shop at 939 Rush St., features labels from new and emerging designers and boasts famous clientele including Jessica Simpson, Kanye West, John Stamos, Gary Oldman, Vanessa Hudgens, LeAnn Rimes and Jeremy Piven.
Amanda Puck, a public relations spokeswoman for Jake, said that celebrity shoppers are likely to visit stores during normal business hours.
"I don't think Jake has ever closed for a celebrity," she said. "I don't think they've ever been asked to do so, although they may do it if someone requested it. Usually the celebrities just come in like anyone else."
Perhaps the best places to see celebrities in Chicago are at major sporting events. Paris Hilton has been spotted at Soldier Field cheering on the Bears, and you can always count on seeing at least one star at Wrigley Field during every home game to sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."
So what do you do if you have the good fortune of running into your favorite celeb? My advice is to play it cool. You can always fawn all over them and beg them for an autograph or photo, but then chances are they'll want to get away from you as soon as possible. If you treat them like they're normal people, they may actually dig you, want to hang out with you and agree to give you George Clooney's phone number to pass along to your favorite celebrity blogger (yes, that would be me!).