A healthy school-life balance becomes harder and harder to maintain as the quarter progresses. If you’re not studying, you feel guilty about not studying, so you start studying again. Or you drink. And then drink more to forget about not studying. It’s a vicious cycle. What’s a student to do? Maintain that balance with day trips. Spend your days working and nights partying, and get there on the El. Here are a few suggestions for where you can hit the books and then hit the bars.
Adams/Wabash Station, Purple/Brown Line
Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S Michigan Ave.
Russian Tea Time, 77 E Adams St.
The Art Institute has free Wi-Fi and free admission for Northwestern students. If you’re a museum member, there’s also free coffee in the member lounge. Regardless, the cafeteria has perfect study tables and a research library that’s open to the public three days a week. Depending on when you finish working, head to Russian Tea Time for afternoon tea, Russian pancakes called blini and if you’re so inclined, vodka shots.
Diversey Station,Purple/Brown Line
Next Door, 659 W Diversey Pkwy
Kuma’s Too, 666 W Diversey Pkwy
Next Door is a State Farm-run financial advising center that doubles as an open workspace. They’ve got free Wi-Fi and a barista bar with local pastries and coffee. After work, head to Kuma’s Too, the younger sibling of Kuma’s Corner, to enjoy a craft beer and heavy-metal themed burger. Yes, there are burgers named after the likes of Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden and Mastodon.
Northwestern Intercampus Shuttle
Northwestern Law School, Arthur Rubloff Building, 375 E Chicago Ave.
Luxbar, 18 E Bellevue Pl.
Northwestern’s Chicago campus is beautiful, right on Lake Shore Drive with a view of Navy Pier to the southeast. It’s also two blocks from Michigan Avenue, and a short walk away from the restaurants on Rush Street. The district is a nexus for great dining, and you can start your night off with drinks on the second floor of Luxbar overlooking street traffic.