THE LOOP — The Loop's regular alley parties are moving on up to a new rooftop.
The Chicago Loop Alliance's "Activate" event Sept. 15 will occupy "cow path alley," 100 W. Monroe St., as well as the Aire rooftop bar and Boleo, a bar atop the new Kimpton Gray hotel, nearby.
The group's "Activate" parties feature live music, drinks and public art in a different alley each month throughout the summer. The Loop Alliance says more than 30,000 people have attended the parties in the past two years, delivering nearly $900,000 to Loop businesses.
Next month's party will run from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 15. Those who RSVP in advance will receive a free drink ticket upon entry. Admission is free, and the Loop Alliance says 20 percent of drink proceeds will benefit Snow City Arts, a non-profit that runs arts programs for youth in local hospitals.
Normally closed to the public, "cow path alley" is a vintage cattle path Downtown still lined with wood blocks instead of pavement. The path is accessible through a service door at the Hyatt Centric The Loop hotel, which runs the Aire rooftop upstairs.
Boleo, once called Lola Braza, opened last week in the new Kimpton Gray hotel, a conversion of the landmarked New York Life Building at Monroe and LaSalle streets.
RELATED STORIES:
The Loop Is Getting Another Rooftop Bar
Here's a First Look at AIRE, the Loop's New 24th-Floor Rooftop Bar (PHOTOS)
Chicago Loop Alliance Seeks Art for Downtown Alleys
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here: