Game Room: a practical guide to the hotel's games, hours and reservations
Game Room at Chicago Athletic Association is the hotel's casual, game-filled lounge in the original billiards room offering billiards, bocce, shuffleboard, skeeball, chess, checkers, craft cocktails and American bar bites. Hours: Mon–Thu 1:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m., Fri–Sat 11:00 a.m.–1:00 a.m., Sun 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.; the space is generally walk-in only (no advance reservations listed).
In this guide
What the Game Room is — and where to find it
Game Room occupies the hotel's original billiards room and operates as a casual American lounge serving craft cocktails and bar bites while offering several tabletop and indoor games.
The room lists billiards (pool), bocce, shuffleboard, skeeball, chess and checkers among its playable options; it is open to the public and sits inside the Chicago Athletic Association at 12 South Michigan Avenue.
- Address: 12 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60603
- Located in the hotel's original billiards room (historic setting, game-focused layout)
- Open to guests and non-guests; walk-in access is typical
| Game types | Typical setup |
|---|---|
| Billiards / Pool | Multiple lined-up pool tables |
| Indoor bocce | Short green turf court |
| Shuffleboard & skeeball | Arcade-style lanes and consoles |
Hours and walk-in policy
Regular public hours for Game Room are Monday–Thursday 1:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m., Friday & Saturday 11:00 a.m.–1:00 a.m., and Sunday 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. Kitchen service typically closes earlier (see venue hours below).
The Game Room is described as a walk-in, open-to-the-public lounge; the hotel's materials and venue listings do not show an advance online reservation system for general game play.
- Mon–Thu: 1:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m. (kitchen closes 11:00 p.m.)
- Fri–Sat: 11:00 a.m.–1:00 a.m. (kitchen closes 11:00 p.m.)
- Sun: 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. (kitchen closes 9:00 p.m.)
| Note | Implication for visitors |
|---|---|
| Walk-in only (general policy) | Arrive and join in; there is no published online booking for regular game-play |
| Kitchen hours earlier than bar close | Food service may stop before bar hours end |
| Open to public | Non-hotel guests may enter subject to venue hours and capacity |
Games, equipment and how to play
Available activities listed for the Game Room include billiards (pool), indoor bocce on a turf court, shuffleboard, skeeball and classic tabletop games such as chess and checkers. The room retains a historic billiards-club atmosphere adapted for multiple games.
Staff manage equipment and food/beverage service; if you need cues, bocce balls, or shuffleboard pucks, ask a server or host on arrival. The venue is set up for casual play rather than structured tournaments unless the hotel schedules a specific event.
- Ask staff for cues, balls and scorekeeping supplies
- Games are generally first-come, first-served
- Food and drink service available while you play
| Game | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Billiards / Pool | Multiple tables; cue rentals via staff |
| Bocce | Indoor turf lane with bocce balls provided |
| Shuffleboard / Skeeball | Arcade-style play, family-style scoring |
Reservations, private events and groups
The Game Room is presented as an open, walk-in lounge for general visitors. The hotel's event and sales teams manage private events across multiple venues; the website lists several formal event spaces but does not publish a public reservation link for the Game Room as a private rental.
If you want a private or semi-private group gathering that includes Game Room activities, contact the hotel's events or sales department directly to ask about availability and options.
- General game play: walk-in, first-come, first-served (no public booking shown)
- Private events and buyouts: contact hotel events/sales for details
- For large groups, verify menu, service and space configuration in advance with the hotel
| Type of use | Suggested next step |
|---|---|
| Solo or small group play | Arrive during open hours and check in with host |
| Large group or private event | Contact hotel events/sales to inquire about booking options |
| Food-and-drink service for groups | Confirm kitchen hours and menu availability when booking |
What to know before you go
Chicago Athletic Association enforces a 21+ minimum check-in age hotel-wide for the primary guest on reservations; the Game Room itself is open to the public during posted hours, but hotel-wide policies (including the 21+ check-in rule) remain in effect for overnight stays.
The hotel charges a nightly Destination Fee that covers some benefits such as specialty coffee, premium Wi‑Fi, and seasonal Heritage Bicycle borrowing; confirm current inclusions and amounts with the hotel at booking. The property does not have an on-site pool or spa.
- Primary guest check-in age minimum: 21 (hotel-wide policy)
- Destination Fee applies to rooms (check current amount and inclusions at booking)
- No on-site pool or spa — fitness center is 24-hour and available
| Useful contact | When to call |
|---|---|
| BookResorts agents (24/7) | Questions about reservations and booking support |
| Hotel events/sales | Private event or group inquiries |
| Hotel concierge | Same-day questions about Game Room availability or service |
Nearby dining and how the Game Room fits the hotel
Game Room is one of several on-site dining and bar venues at Chicago Athletic Association. Other options include The Ives (grill room), Midōsuji (8-seat handroll/omakase bar), Cindy’s (rooftop), the Drawing Room (lobby bar), Shake Shack and Fairgrounds Coffee & Tea.
If you plan to arrive early or visit after Game Room kitchen hours, consider Cindy’s or the Drawing Room for extended dining and drink service; check each venue’s posted hours before you go.
- The Ives: dinner service with a Smart Casual dress code (hours vary by day)
- Midōsuji: intimate 8-seat omakase with nightly seatings — reservations required for omakase
- Cindy’s: rooftop dining with daytime and late-night hours
| Venue | Typical hours (example) |
|---|---|
| The Ives | Dinner evening hours (see hotel listings) |
| Midōsuji | Tue–Sat dinner seatings (reservations required for omakase) |
| Drawing Room | Common spaces 5:00 a.m.–2:00 a.m.; food service hours vary |
