Best of
Active and unusual things to do in the West Loop, Chicago
The West Loop is best known for restaurants, but the neighborhood has a handful of activities for people not centering an evening on a tasting menu. The list below covers indoor activities and unusual venues. Every pick links to its full business page.
Active and recreational
Sports, games, and physical activities open to drop-ins.
- Bad Axe Throwing Indoor hatchet throwing on North Loomis — group-friendly, BYOB at certain hours.165-171 N Loomis St 1, Chicago, IL, 60607
- Puttery Open now Indoor mini-golf bar on West Randolph with three nine-hole courses and a full cocktail program.932 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL, 60607
- Union Padel Open now Indoor padel courts on North Paulina — racket sport between tennis and squash, growing in Chicago since 2023.207 N Paulina St, Chicago, IL, 60612Near the West Loop
- Blackhawk Community Ice Rink, LLC Community ice rink at the Blackhawks Ice Center on West Jackson — public skating sessions and skating lessons.1801 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL, 60612Near the West Loop
- First Ascent Climbing & Fitness Open now Climbing gym at 100 S Morgan (the former BKB West Loop space) — bouldering, top-rope, lead, plus drop-in day passes.100 S Morgan St, Chicago, IL, 60607
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- Emporium Arcade Bar (Fulton Market) Open now Vintage arcade games and pinball machines paired with a full cocktail bar — drop-in any night.839 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL, 60607
- Punch Bowl Social Multi-format entertainment venue — bowling, arcade, karaoke rooms, and a full bar in one building.310 N Green St 1-2, Chicago, IL, 60607
Unusual and experiential
Distillery tours, immersive art, and a restored 1885 cathedral as an event venue.
- Ch Distillery Open now CH Bar on West Randolph — a full cocktail bar pouring CH Distillery's own vodka, gin, and brandy, with a sushi menu alongside.564 W Randolph St 1st&bsmt, Chicago, IL, 60661
- WNDR Museum Interactive light, sound, and digital-art installations on Monroe Street — closer to an immersive experience than a traditional museum.1130 W Monroe St 1 and 2, Chicago, IL, 60607
- Epiphany Center for the Arts Open now Restored 1885 cathedral on South Ashland, now a multi-use event venue with rotating galleries and live performances.201-211 S Ashland Ave 1, Chicago, IL, 60607
- Open Books Open now Independent bookstore + community-programming nonprofit on West Lake — author events, kid workshops, and a curated used-books selection.651 W Lake St First 100, Chicago, IL, 60661
- Randolph Street Market Recurring vintage and antiques market at 1341 W Randolph — Saturdays and Sundays during season, ~150 vendors.1341 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL, 60607
- Cabra Open now Rooftop Peruvian on top of The Hoxton with city skyline views — paired with lounge chairs and a small pool.200 N Green St, 12th Floor, Chicago, IL, 60607
Frequently asked questions
- What are unique things to do in the West Loop besides eating?
- Bad Axe Throwing on Loomis, Puttery on Randolph, and Union Padel on Paulina are our picks for active drop-in options. For more passive experiences, WNDR Museum runs immersive art installations and CH Distillery offers distillery tours. The Blackhawks Ice Center on Jackson opens to public skating outside team-practice hours.
- Is there mini golf in the West Loop?
- Puttery at 932 W Randolph operates an indoor mini-golf bar with three nine-hole courses and a cocktail program — open evenings and late on weekends.
- Where can I throw axes in the West Loop?
- Bad Axe Throwing at 165 N Loomis offers walk-in hatchet throwing with coaches; sessions run roughly 75 minutes and groups can BYOB at certain hours per the operator. Reservations recommended on weekends.
- Can I tour a distillery in the West Loop?
- CH Distillery at 564 W Randolph runs scheduled tours of its on-site distillery alongside its tasting room and cocktail bar. See the operator's site for the current tour schedule.
- Is WNDR Museum worth visiting?
- Visitor reception varies. WNDR is an immersive-art experience — interactive light, sound, and digital installations — rather than a traditional museum with permanent exhibits. The current iteration is at 1130 W Monroe. Plan for roughly 60–90 minutes per the operator's typical visit guidance.
Listings checked against City of Chicago license status and our closure records on 2026-08-09. Most recent individual pick verified 6 days ago.