Plan for Seating

Make sure you have enough places in your apartment for your invited guests to sit. This may mean bringing chairs in from your bedroom or den, or grabbing some folding chairs. Also, consider whether you’ll need to rearrange furniture to provide enough space to mix and mingle. Throwing your coffee table into the bedroom for the night isn’t a bad idea if it frees up enough space.

Be Considerate of Neighbors

Since apartment living means close proximity to your neighbors, keep your festivities at a low volume. This is not the place to have a party that involves loud music and dancing. Plan activities that will keep the volume lower, so you do not overly disturb your neighbors.

Plan Food Carefully

Plan your food carefully. Your guests aren’t going to sit at your dining room table to eat, so you’ll want food that is portable, but be careful. Some of it will likely get spilled, so choose items that won’t stain too easily. Consider hosting an “all-white” party with white wine, white cheese, and similar white foods to avoid unwanted carpet stains. Consider finger foods as well to keep spills, and the utensils you need, to a minimum.

Have a Spill Cleaning Caddy

Stock a small caddy with items to clean spills, both on your furniture and floor and on your guest’s clothing. Paper towels, cleaning rags, stain remover, and detergent pens will all come in handy. Keep this close at hand to make quick work of any spills that occur.

Many Chicago, IL apartments are a great place to host a party, with the right planning. Are you looking for a new apartment home? Call our office to see what floor plans are available today!

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Before you set out on your next happy hour adventure, check out these facts that'll help you pick the right appetizers for your drink of choice

#1) Pair beef sliders with a simple cabernet

Red wine and red meat tend to work well together all the time. If you're opting for mini burgers at your go-to spot, a simple Cabernet or Merlot will complement the natural flavors of the meat perfectly.

#2) Rieslings love spicy foods

If you're dying to try that super spicy shrimp cocktail that's on the menu, let that craving guide you toward the brightness of a lovely Riesling. The apple-and-citrus notes will play well against the spice imparted onto seafood and other spicy white meat apps.

#3) Sauvignon blanc bolsters the flavor of vegetarian dishes

The grassy, citrusy nature of Sauvignon Blanc enables it to showcase the flavors of veggie dishes that aren't otherwise empowered by strong proteins. It loves all things cheese, and it's not afraid of asparagus, herbs or raw tomatoes.

#4) Cheese likes whiskey, too

If you're not feeling the grapes today, that's okay! There are plenty of other adult beverage options that go great with common appetizers. Strong cheeses go great with smokey or spicy whiskeys. If you're opting for an appetizer that features a softer cheese like brie, shoot for a sweeter scotch.

#5) Salty food will Make you love your beer even more

That's not necessarily a good thing, so proceed with caution. It's important to know that your body may be tricking you when you suddenly have cravings for all those chips, chicken fingers, and everything else you might not consider eating if you weren't indulging in happy hour. Of course, as you eat, you'll become thirsty, and the thirst mechanism in your brain will want another brew. It's a fun cycle in moderation. Just be wary of the intention of those salty snacks!

There's no shortage of fun to be had around our River North Park apartments. Whether you prefer to stay in and have a quiet dinner alone, or you'd rather be out with a big crowd, we've got you covered. Stop by so we can show you around!

The post 5 Happy Hour Tips to Help You Pair Appetizers appeared first on River North Park Apartments Blog.

Active Outings

Whether you want to enjoy the beauty of winter on a local outside ice skating rink or prefer to learn a new skill inside, the area is perfect for active outings. Consider indoor rock climbing or yoga, go for a jog outside, or even slip on some skates for a romantic evening on ice. 

Pampering Outings

Escape the chill with a couples massage, special meal, or wine tasting. Choose from a huge variety of one-of-a-kind experiences designed to pamper and please. You can both enjoy the luxurious treatment at a spa, head to one of the town's award-winning and renowned restaurants, or try out a wine or beer flight — sampling local and regional offerings in a single fun meal or session. 

Fun and Whimsical

Head to an arcade for grown-ups, play laser tag, or set up a scavenger hunt. Any of these dates will be fun for you both and take a minimal amount of time to set up. If you prefer a night at home in your Chicago apartment, set up a temporary fort and watch a favorite movie, cook a new cuisine together, or sample new desserts from your favorite bakery. 

No matter where you look, there are plenty of amazing winter date night options for couples right in the Chicago area. Thinking ahead and taking some simple steps to plan can help you create a memorable experience for you both and give you a night to remember. When you're ready to come home, you'll love warming up in one of our luxurious Chicago apartments! Stop by soon to see how easy it is to entertain guests or set up a fun winter date at our Chicago location; we'd love to give you a tour and show off all we have to offer. 

The post Winter Date Night Ideas appeared first on River North Park Apartments Blog.

Entertaining Friends in Your Apartment: Here are Some Inspiring Tips

Apartments nurture closeness and a cozy environment. With that in mind, here are a few suggestions to help you entertain with style:

• If a meal is a reason for the get-together, then why not serve it up buffet-style? Showcase your food on the table for everyone to pick and grab what they want, and then offer floor pillows or other spaces in the living area for guests to eat and socialize. 
• Move furniture around. Feel free to move the dining table into the living room and the living room furniture into the dining room. Get creative; that's the key here.
• Pick a theme! Choose something fun. Maybe guests can dress up or down, depending on the theme. Offer games or turn it into a movie night. 
• You could also take your party outdoors and use our community's sundeck to grill outside. 

Entertaining Friends in Your Apartment: Things to Keep in Mind

Here are some tips to ensure that all goes well when you host a party:

• We are in close proximity to the Brown and Red CTA lines, which makes it convenient for guests to travel to your apartment without worrying about traffic or parking.
• Think about specifying an end time when inviting your guests. You don't have to be strict about a departure time, but with everyone having it in the back of their minds, chances are the party will end at a reasonable hour. 

Entertaining in your apartment is a fun time, but remember to be considerate and respectful of your neighbors when you host gatherings. With these tips, you can enjoy entertaining friends throughout the summer. At River North Park, we offer studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. Our floor plans feature ceramic tile baths and free basic cable TV. If you want to know more about the amenities we offer or our available apartments in Chicago, contact us today.

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