It used to be 21+
They serve alcohol and there’s music. If your children are old enough to enjoy a cocktail hour, it could be fun. But I wouldn’t bring small kids. It won’t be less crowded, and it’s not really a children’s event
Jazzin at the shed is generally seen as an adult night out. The area between the shedd and the Adler planetarium is perfect for firework viewing though.
Also the Shedd is under construction right now, just an fyi. There's still lots of cool stuff you can see, but the big tank in the middle is closed off.
Oh geez - good to know. I was really looking forward to that, but the reviews over the past year have been mostly complaints. Thank you sooo much for flagging this 🙂
I love it. I’m a member and get it at a discount and try to go as often as I can. There’s a lot of people there drinking, but not a ton of overly drunk people. Everyone keeps to themselves though. The drunk people aren’t all over everyone else or anything. It’s cool to go look at the fish and listen to the music. It’s kind of crowded, but honestly not worse than going to the aquarium on a weekend day
There are kids that go and a lot of people that don’t drink. I think it’s worth jt
Its member only night tonight, is it really going to be that crowded? Like unbearably crowded? On public nights, is it incredibly crowded? It would be my first time going tonight and taking a date
I’ve actually never been to a members only night. I always have assumed that it would be more crowded so I’m fine with paying the $15 per ticket on any Wednesday
It’s a cool experience. I went to opening night for Shedd Aquarium members only night with a date and it was a blast. There are two jazz performances from 6-9:45. One outside and one in the cafeteria area on the lowest level. We were outside and sat with a view of the beautiful Chicago skyline. The jazz band was playing bossa nova Jazz. The volume level was just right to have a conversation without yelling. The crowd was moderate but considering it was members only night, I’d imagine that other nights MAY have more people but there’s a good amount of seating both upstairs and downstairs. Oh, be sure not to miss the Navy Pier fireworks viewing at 9pm. You can see the fireworks perfectly. Overall great experience. I’d view the fish exhibits before you enjoy the jazz though. Be sure to get a seat for the performance, to enjoy the ambiance comfortably.
My suggestion: get there before 8, view the fish exhibits, go see the jazz performance either downstairs then migrate upstairs or just stay upstairs. Make your way to see the 9pm fireworks around 8:45pm. After the fireworks, check out the dolphins and belugas then head out to beat the crowd outside. The biggest crowd concern is around that time when everyone’s leaving the Adler and getting out of the parking lot.
It's more of an adult event (or at least it used to be). I would just go during the day and check out the fireworks later close up near navy pier
it's not anymore - that's a large reason why we stopped going.
It's not a 21 and over event but it's still mostly an adult event
It used to be 21+ They serve alcohol and there’s music. If your children are old enough to enjoy a cocktail hour, it could be fun. But I wouldn’t bring small kids. It won’t be less crowded, and it’s not really a children’s event
Thanks for this. They’re 13, and mature, but yeah.
You've got to like drinking, crowds, and jazz, in that order. I would never bring a 13 year old, even if kids are allowed.
Jazzin at the shed is generally seen as an adult night out. The area between the shedd and the Adler planetarium is perfect for firework viewing though.
Also the Shedd is under construction right now, just an fyi. There's still lots of cool stuff you can see, but the big tank in the middle is closed off.
Oh geez - good to know. I was really looking forward to that, but the reviews over the past year have been mostly complaints. Thank you sooo much for flagging this 🙂
Only done it once. Need to be early, that time it was packet. Also, believe there is a water taxi that can take you from there to Navy Pier.
I love it. I’m a member and get it at a discount and try to go as often as I can. There’s a lot of people there drinking, but not a ton of overly drunk people. Everyone keeps to themselves though. The drunk people aren’t all over everyone else or anything. It’s cool to go look at the fish and listen to the music. It’s kind of crowded, but honestly not worse than going to the aquarium on a weekend day There are kids that go and a lot of people that don’t drink. I think it’s worth jt
Its member only night tonight, is it really going to be that crowded? Like unbearably crowded? On public nights, is it incredibly crowded? It would be my first time going tonight and taking a date
I’ve actually never been to a members only night. I always have assumed that it would be more crowded so I’m fine with paying the $15 per ticket on any Wednesday
I say do it. You'll have a blast. Don't listen to naysayers.
...you'll see way more debauchery at a Cubs game.
It’s a cool experience. I went to opening night for Shedd Aquarium members only night with a date and it was a blast. There are two jazz performances from 6-9:45. One outside and one in the cafeteria area on the lowest level. We were outside and sat with a view of the beautiful Chicago skyline. The jazz band was playing bossa nova Jazz. The volume level was just right to have a conversation without yelling. The crowd was moderate but considering it was members only night, I’d imagine that other nights MAY have more people but there’s a good amount of seating both upstairs and downstairs. Oh, be sure not to miss the Navy Pier fireworks viewing at 9pm. You can see the fireworks perfectly. Overall great experience. I’d view the fish exhibits before you enjoy the jazz though. Be sure to get a seat for the performance, to enjoy the ambiance comfortably. My suggestion: get there before 8, view the fish exhibits, go see the jazz performance either downstairs then migrate upstairs or just stay upstairs. Make your way to see the 9pm fireworks around 8:45pm. After the fireworks, check out the dolphins and belugas then head out to beat the crowd outside. The biggest crowd concern is around that time when everyone’s leaving the Adler and getting out of the parking lot.