4 New Ideas for Entertaining in Chicago

Kimpton Gray Hotel's head bartender Jess Lambert and her team recently rolled out a new lineup of sustainable sips at Boleo, the hotel's South American rooftop restaurant and bar. The Crossing Seas cocktail combines a concentrate derived from leftover oranges and orange scraps with Cana Brava rum, Fernet Jelinek, Licor 43, and Appleton Jamaican rum; and the Breakfast at Katsura, a fizzy concoction, includes a syrup made with day-old bread from the hotel's kitchen. The French toast-like syrup is combined with Suntory Toki Japanese whiskey, Rhine Hall La Normande brandy, lemon, egg white, Angostura bitters, and club soda. A portion of the proceeds from these earth-friendly drinks benefits Zero Waste Chicago.

InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile now offers packages to help guests experience the city like a native Chicagoan. As part of its True Chicago: Art Institute Edition package, travelers are immersed in the city's architectural and art history. The package includes two V.I.P. tickets to the renowned Art Institute of Chicago and 10 percent off purchases at the museum's gift shop, along with overnight accommodations with a complimentary upgrade, based on availability, and breakfast for two at the hotel’s Center Court restaurant. For groups requesting 10 or more rooms, the hotel negotiates a rate. For five rooms, the package starts at $179 per room, based on double occupancy.

Chicago Dine-Around specializes in unique dining experiences for corporate groups, including progressive dining tours through Chicago's restaurant scene. The company also offers interactive culinary experiences, where guests learn to cook as a form of teambuilding. New for 2018, guests can learn how to make pizza and pasta from scratch. The session includes an arrival reception, then a hands-on cooking activity, followed by the meal. The interactive culinary experience is priced at $65 per person, including food, beverage, tax, and gratuity.

Bash Party Goods, an independent, design-focused party company based in Chicago, specializes in whimsical tableware and decor. This year, the company will debut colorful new paper plate and napkin designs: "Valley Lace" is inspired by the neon layers of tulle of ’80s prom dresses, while "Lemon Slice" includes bright stripes with holographic pink sparkle foil. The collections are priced at $8 for a pack of 12 large nine-inch plates and $7 for a pack of 12 small seven-inch plates. Matching napkins are $10 for a pack of 20.