Tipsy Tea and Upstairs at The Gwen: the inside story
Tipsy Tea is the weekend boozy afternoon tea experience held at Upstairs at The Gwen on Saturdays and Sundays, featuring unlimited tea, themed towers, a DJ and tea-inspired cocktails. Upstairs at The Gwen is the hotel’s rooftop American restaurant and bar offering skyline views, fire pits, and service from breakfast through late-night hours on weekends.
In this guide
Overview & location
The Gwen, Michigan Avenue Chicago is at 521 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611, set in the landmark 1929 McGraw-Hill Building on the Magnificent Mile. The hotel has direct lobby access into The Shops at North Bridge and is within easy walking distance of the Chicago Riverwalk, Millennium Park and Oak Street Beach.
The property is family-welcoming (the booking guest must be at least 21 to check in) and lists complimentary basic Wi‑Fi and a 24-hour fitness center among its standard amenities. The Gwen does not have an on-site swimming pool or a full-service spa; in-room massage treatments can be arranged instead.
- Address: 521 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
- Historic building: 1929 McGraw-Hill facade; named for sculptor Gwen Lux
- No on-site pool; no full-service spa
- Complimentary basic Wi‑Fi (conditions may vary by booking channel)
| Nearby highlight | Approximate walk |
|---|---|
| Michigan Avenue / Magnificent Mile | 1 minute |
| Chicago Riverwalk | About 8 minutes |
| Navy Pier | About 15–20 minutes |
Rooms & suites — what to expect
The Gwen offers a range of room types and suites; room categories include Superior Room, Deluxe Room, Grand Room, 1 King Bed, Grand Room, 2 Queen Beds, Junior Suite, and multiple suite types that may include sofa beds and terraces. The property lists 311 rooms including 34 suites.
Rooms typically feature city-facing windows on many floors; accessible rooms and barrier-free facilities are available. Standard in-room services include housekeeping on request and express check-out.
- Room types use the exact names: Superior Room; Deluxe Room; Grand Room, 1 King Bed; Grand Room, 2 Queen Beds; Junior Suite; Superior Suite, with Sofa bed; Deluxe Suite, with Sofa bed; Junior Suite, Terrace; Superior Suite, with Sofa bed, Terrace
- 34 suites among 311 total rooms
- Accessible rooms and wheelchair-accessible public areas
| Typical in-room amenity | Notes |
|---|---|
| Complimentary basic Wi‑Fi | Standard amenity; some booking channels may show different conditions |
| Housekeeping on request | Towel and linen change available on request |
| Pet‑friendly rooms | Pets allowed up to 40 lbs with fees (hotel policy lists fees) |
Upstairs at The Gwen — rooftop dining and hours
Upstairs at The Gwen is the hotel’s rooftop American restaurant and bar, offering skyline views, fire pits, signature cocktails and a menu of American dishes. The venue serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the rooftop terrace and bar have separate hours.
Reservations are accepted (OpenTable is one booking channel noted). The restaurant operates across breakfast, lunch and dinner; weekend hours extend later into the night.
- Service highlights: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (sunrise-to-sundown rooftop service)
- Official overall hours (Mon–Thu & Sun 7:00 AM–11:00 PM; Fri–Sat 7:00 AM–1:00 AM) — see the hotel for current daily hours
- Terrace and Bar have specific open/close times that can differ from main dining hours
- Happy hour and live-music nights (e.g., Wine Wednesdays & Live Jazz and a weekday Lux Happy Hour) are recurring offerings
| Offer | Notes |
|---|---|
| Lux Happy Hour | Monday–Thursday (late afternoon) — craft cocktails, wine, beer and light bites |
| Live music | Wine Wednesdays & Live Jazz 6:00–8:00 PM (subject to schedule changes) |
| Reservations | Accepted via OpenTable; recommended for weekends and peak times |
Tipsy Tea — weekend afternoon tea with a twist
Tipsy Tea is the hotel’s weekend afternoon tea experience held at Upstairs at The Gwen on Saturdays and Sundays, typically 12:00 PM–4:00 PM. It’s described as a lively, themed tea service featuring unlimited tea, themed towers, a DJ and tea-inspired cocktails as well as nonalcoholic options.
Tipsy Tea is marketed as a celebratory offering suitable for groups and special occasions. Reservations are recommended for weekend tea service; menus and pricing can be seasonal and change by event.
- Days/hours: Saturdays and Sundays, 12:00 PM–4:00 PM (seasonal programming possible)
- Includes themed tea towers, unlimited tea, and cocktail or alcohol‑free beverage options
- A DJ typically performs during the service to create a lively atmosphere
- Bookings and special packages (seasonal) may be prepaid or have set prices on third‑party platforms
| Feature | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Music | DJ during service |
| Beverages | Unlimited tea plus themed cocktails or alcohol-free options |
| Booking | Recommended; seasonal packages may require prepayment |
Facilities, fitness and fees to know
The Gwen maintains a 24-hour fitness center with treadmills, a Tonal, two Peloton bikes and free weights. The hotel does not operate a full-service spa or a swimming pool; in-room massage services can be arranged via outside providers.
Expect ancillary charges that may be added to your room rate: a daily destination/resort fee is charged (amounts vary by channel), valet parking (listed by the hotel with a daily fee), and pet and Wi‑Fi conditions that can differ by booking method.
- 24‑hour fitness center equipment: treadmills, Tonal, two Peloton bikes, free weights
- No on-site pool; no full-service spa
- Valet parking is available (hotel posts a daily fee); electric-vehicle self-parking noted
- Daily destination/resort fee applies (amount varies by source and booking channel)
- Pet fees: hotel lists a $120 non-refundable cleaning fee plus $25 per day per pet (up to 2 pets) — verify current policy at booking
| Fee type | What to check |
|---|---|
| Destination/resort fee | Included services and exact nightly amount vary by channel |
| Valet parking | Daily fee; rates vary by date and booking |
| Wi‑Fi | Complimentary basic Wi‑Fi listed; payment terms may differ by booking channel |
Events and weddings
The Gwen offers extensive event space across multiple ballrooms, meeting rooms and terraces. The Gallery Ballroom and Grand Salon are two large indoor venues; several terraces and rooftop areas are available for outdoor ceremonies and receptions.
Wedding packages typically include reception space, tables, chairs and linens, a plated dinner and hors d'oeuvres, a toast, a menu tasting for up to four guests, and a Terrace Suite for the newlyweds. Food-and-beverage minimums and service charges apply; the hotel publishes minimums and venue rental details that vary by event.
- Total event space listed in sources: up to roughly 15,901 sq ft across multiple rooms
- The Gallery Ballroom is 3,388 sq ft, with reception capacities and theater-style options (see hotel for exact capacities)
- Rooftop terrace options exist (The Gwen Lux Terrace, Gallery Terrace), with terrace capacities noted in hotel materials
| Venue | Noted capacity / detail |
|---|---|
| The Gallery Ballroom | 3,388 sq ft; reception capacity figures vary by configuration |
| The Gwen Lux Terrace / Gallery Terrace | Outdoor terrace options typically listed with capacities around 70; combined configurations increase capacity |
| Maximum event capacity (various sources) | Sources list totals around 300 for cocktail receptions or combined spaces |
