The Time Out Chicago blog team

A major piece of Chicago's deep-dish landscape is shifting. After 15 years as a neighborhood cornerstone, the iconic Lou Malnati's Pizzeria flagship restaurant on the Gold Coast is officially closing its doors. While the news is sudden and shocking for local pizza purists and tourists alike, company officials emphasize that this is merely a temporary pause for the beloved establishment, rather than a final curtain call. Why is this Lou Malnati's location closing? The closure stems entirely from a real estate decision rather than a decline in the restaurant's popularity. In September 2025, Convexity Properties acquired the high-profile buildings at 1120 and 1130 N. State St. for $39 million as part of an ongoing district revitalization project. Because the property owner plans to redevelop the site—which is currently zoned for a 345-foot residential tower approved by the Chicago City Council—they declined to renew Lou Malnati’s existing lease. When is it closing? Fans of the famous Malnati's crust have only a short window left to experience the dining room at 1120 N. State St. The final day of operations for the Gold Coast flagship is scheduled for Tuesday, June 30. How many other Lou Malnati's locations are there in Chicago? While losing a flagship hurts, local deep-dish cravings will not go unsatisfied. This specific venue is just one part of a massive regional empire; there are 69 other Lou Malnati's locations operating across the broader footprint. Hungry patrons can...

The Obama Presidential Center hosted a four-day celebration in honor of the campus' highly anticipated public debut on Chicago's South Side. The festivities kicked off on Thursday, June 18, with an invite-only Grand Opening Ceremony. All three other living former presidents, Joe Biden, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, and the former First Ladies joined Barack, Michelle, Malia and Sasha Obama on stage. Photograph: Courtesy The Obama FoundationPresident and Mrs. Obama greet former Presidents and First Ladies in the Presidential Suite of The Obama Presidential Center Museum.     Other high-profile guests included Oprah Winfrey, Stephen Colbert, David Letterman, Dwayne Wade, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Tyler Perry, Tom Hanks and many more. Photograph: Courtesy The Obama FoundationThe Obama family The ceremony was filled with stirring remarks, including Michelle Obama's viral speech, which brought her husband to tears.  Photograph: Courtesy Chuck Kennedy/The Obama FoundationMrs. Michelle Obama gives remarks during the Grand Opening Dedication Ceremony.   In his remarks, President Obama said, "We wanted the center to be a vibrant, living celebration of community, where we can learn together and share the joys of art and music and sport and play, because it’s in those moments that we’re reminded of our common humanity and strengthen the bonds of trust that not only make our lives richer, but make our democracy stronger." Photograph: Courtesy Taylor Glascock/The Obama...

The former Crystal Gardens space at Navy Pier has been the subject of controversy for the past five years, but a new roller skating pop-up opens the space to guests once again.  In 2021, Navy Pier announced it would replace its free indoor botanical garden, which housed more than 80 full-sized palm trees, with a ticketed immersive experience from entertainment company Illuminarium to help offset the financial losses it endured during the pandemic. As soon as they found out, Chicagoans weren’t happy: More than 15,000 people signed a petition to block the move. But despite the community's efforts, Illuminarium’s 10-year lease agreement was inked in late 2021. Photograph: Lauren Brocato for Time OutNavy Pier Summer Skate at night RECOMMENDED: The 50 best things to do in Chicago right now Some might call it karma for trying to replace a free green space with a paid digital experience, but Illuminarium proved to be an instant flop. Navy Pier’s owners filed a lawsuit against the entertainment company, claiming they’d pulled a “bait and switch.” They promised a $30 million, state-of-the-art experience that engaged all five senses, but instead produced a lackluster “run-of-the-mill virtual reality exhibit” due to their own financial decline.   Photograph: Lauren Brocato for Time OutNavy Pier Summer Skate rental Since then, the space has been vacant and remained closed—until now. A temporary roller skating rink has taken over the stunning Crystal Gardens.  The six-story tall...