My second trip to the states started out in Chicago where I ended up staying for almost two weeks. Though it was cold, I was pretty amazed with Chicago as a city with beautiful architecture, hiiiiiiiigh skyscrapers and a nice nightlife.

Before I arrived all I knew about Chicago was pretty much that they had the Chicago Bulls, the crazyhigh Sears tower and that you could hear nice jazz and blues in the right bars there. After my stay these three things definetely dissappointed me, but other things made the stay there great.

Watching a Chicago Bulls game was an experience, but I'm not sure I will do it again. Too many breaks, too commercialized and too expensive tickets were the bad factors. The fact that Scottie Pippen who starred at the 90's great Bulls team attended the game was kind of cool though, cause that reminded me why I really wanted to watch a Bulls game. Obviously because I loved them with Jordan, Pippen, Armstrong, Rodman and many other 'oldtimers', but now I have seen my Bulls game, and that's it. If you have a feeling for the Bulls because of the old greats, go watch a game, but don't have too high expectations. Rose is a great player, though, but he didn't play too much in the game, I saw.

About the live music, I just chose the wrong bar. I went to legendary Green Mill, where Al Capone had many nights out in his prime, but the music was far too intelligent for my ears. I think you really have to be a jazz afficionado to enjoy the Green Mill jazz scene, cause to me it sounded like the four musicians were playing four different songs. The jazz was without doubt easier to understand in New Orleans. Added the fact that you were not allowed to talk or whisper when the band played it was quite a flat night out.

Then the Sears Tower wasn't even called the Sears Tower anymore. Apparently the England-based company Willis Group Holdings bought the name, but that was the only dissappointment about that, though. From the top of the tower you have an amazing view of the city and the surrounding states, and it is absolutely worth the entry fee to visit the tower.

Also the Hancock tower is worth a visit. The good thing about Hancock is that you can get up there for free. Almost. If you just take the elevator up to the Signature Bar all you have to do is buy a beer or a drink, and you can enjoy the beautiful view down on Chicago downtown. The prices in the bar are slightly higher than other Chicago bars, but they do have an amazing view to offer, so that's only fair in my point of view.

I specifically reccommend to order one or two of the 15$ Long Island Ice Teas and go there around. That gives you a nice view when the lights in the city changes, and the Ice teas gives you a great buzz.

A great buzz is also an opportunity in the general nightlife in Chicago. Downtown Hubbard Street and especially the bar HUB51 is more than worth a visit. Beautiful people, nice music and splendid beers provide what you need, and if you want dancing too, the nightclub SUB51 in the basement will help you with that. Dress nice, though.

Elsewhere in chicago you'll find plenty of other bars with cheaper prices, and if you do your research well enough you will find some pretty good deals. Me and my friends found a nice bar with Miller High Life on draft for a dollar every tuesday. That's fair for the champagne of beers. :-)

Other than Hubbard Street you might wanna check out Division Street and the Lincoln Park area. Cheers!