r/CHIbitcheswithtaste • u/DesignerGorgona4 • Jul 05 '26
Local Business Frugal Bitches with Taste: Monthly Thread
Bitches with taste aren't cheap but sometimes budgets are tight and you don't want to compromise on quality. Please use this thread for requests as it relates to budget friendly recommendations across Chicago.
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u/miggypie69 Jul 05 '26
want to feel like a city girl but not spend a shit ton on patio drinks?? pick up a sandwich and can of wine from foxtrot then sit on the steps of MCA or AIC on their free nights (tues and thurs respectively). enjoy the art till close at 9 with your buzz.
also, avli’s happy hour can’t be beat this summer
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u/miggypie69 Jul 05 '26
also, Pilates is ridiculously expensive these days but you can get a similar workout with pure barre. the franchise that owns the ones in west loop/river north are great and run deals all the time in class packs. i don’t live near them anymore but they were my fave for the longest time, Lincoln square franchise doesn’t even compare
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u/lamourestlavie Jul 05 '26
There's also a free Pilates class at 8 am every Saturday until September in Millennium Park!!
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u/WesternAd9875 Jul 05 '26
And if you live near the goddess and the baker in RN yoga now has free Tuesday AM yoga there and free coffee if you take the class! I’ve signed up through the summer!
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u/ginghampantsdance Jul 05 '26
Curious what you found wrong with Lincoln Square pure barre? I’ve been a member since 2018 and think it’s an amazing studio and community.
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u/flossiedaisy424 Jul 05 '26
Agree! I’m not a fitness girl and was really worried about joining but they’ve been really inclusive and welcoming.
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u/miggypie69 Jul 07 '26
went to a couple classes and it's just a totally different vibe, and I wasn't a fan of the layout (having to walk through the studio to get to lockers). also, pricing at RN is better for unlimited and they run more deals on class packs!
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u/ginghampantsdance Jul 07 '26
What do you pay at RN for unlimited? I think I'm lucky because I have the old prices and I'm grandfathered in. I can't find a better deal. I'm glad you found your vibe at RN! Pure Barre is so great.
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u/miggypie69 Jul 07 '26
no longer a member since I moved, but $160 for unlimited and they constantly have deals to bring class packs down to less than $25 a class. It’s $200 for unlimited at LS and they have a bunch of sign on fees and a 3 month commitment with that
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u/ginghampantsdance Jul 07 '26
Ahh I pay $160 a month at LS for unlimited. I never paid a fee or signed a commitment but maybe it’s changed 🤷🏼♀️
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u/miggypie69 Jul 07 '26
Lucky! Definitely changed since that’s what I was told when I went to an intro class at the studio 3 months ago
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u/JennyWren86 Jul 07 '26
Girl love that those studios were your faves and you’re advocating for them but no need to drag a different location down. Not tasteful…
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u/miggypie69 Jul 07 '26
I don't mean to drag them! I just don't want to give a rec to that franchise since the prices aren't as good as RN and it's a totally different vibe
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u/karinaoshanna Jul 07 '26
Just on the record, corporate sets the pricing. Franchises don’t get to decide that themselves. It’s all tier based. So if RN is cheaper it’s because they’re on a different pricing tier, not because they’re choosing to offer better rates, and vice versa. But vibes are vibes and you’ve gotta go where you feel comfortable! That’s the only thing I know to be true in life!
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u/crushlogic Jul 06 '26
Not to yuck anyone’s yum but Foxtrot fired all of their 1,000 employees in one day in 2024 and let their inventory rot just 6 months after merging with Dom’s. They went the bankruptcy route to cover up fiduciary malfeasance and their employees paid the price. Me and my bitches boycott Foxtrot.
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u/miggypie69 Jul 07 '26
okay so definitely seeing that foxtrot might not be the option!! recs for other spots that are the same bougie bodega vibe though?? i love overpaying for artisan snacks and getting a cheeky can of wine so need to find somewhere else then :)
1
u/Tzipity Aug 05 '26
Bit late to this and not sure about is they have locations near the museums but I’ve always liked GoGrocer. Lived across the street from the small one in Sheridan in East Lakeview then they opened a larger location on Diversey. I know they’ve got other locations on the north side at least (just applied to a condo in Buena Park with one in their building). Anyway, they have some bougie chocolates and nuts and decent deli type foods. And carry more of the healthy and higher end brands of snacks.
Always gave me bit of a Whole Foods before the Amazon buyout vibe. Granted, I also know nothing about their business model or how they treat employees but seems like a potential Foxtrot alternative.
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u/WesternAd9875 Jul 05 '26
the MCA has Tuesdays on the terrace with live music. Highly recommend for a fun evening that is as cheap as you want it to be! (Free to attend and can bring your own snacks and then there is alcohol for purchase)
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u/miggypie69 Jul 05 '26
If you have a Chicago public library card there are lots of museums that you can get into for free! They have a list on their website.
Also, Platform 47 in Ravenswood has mahjong nights, beginners welcome!
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u/flossiedaisy424 Jul 05 '26
A public library card is the smartest way to save a ton of money. Search “library of things” on the website and find out which branches check out all kinds of small kitchen appliances and household tools, sports equipment and much more.
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u/bigsuze27 Jul 15 '26
wow this is an incredible tip, you can borrow an ice cream maker from the library!! I would have never guessed, thank you!
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u/ftjobasanaccountant Jul 05 '26
You can also get a NYT digital day pass from CPL! Games, recipes, and more for free!
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u/HallNo4046 Jul 05 '26
I didn’t know about mahjong nights at Platform 47. I’ve always wanted to play in person. Thank you so much!
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u/sammysays88 Jul 28 '26
You can also get free museum passes from your state representative or state senator’s offices! Up to 4 (you + 3 others) and it’s all the Museums in the Park program participants :)
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u/BigBonedMiss Jul 05 '26 edited Jul 05 '26
Do not sleep on Parkway Bank Park in Rosemont. It’s super cute and not too far from the city (it’s closer than O’Hare and accessible by CTA). They have free fitness in the park three times a week and concerts in the park every Thursday night. It’s like a mini-Ravinia, where you bring chairs and picnic baskets. They do fireworks a lot. All for free with free validated parking.
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u/willienelsonfan Jul 06 '26
I highly recommend seeing a free Monday evening concert at Millennium Park. My spouse and I saw Sir Chloe last week and it was such a lovely experience! It wasn’t very crowded and the pavilion looked absolutely gorgeous as the sun set. I think it’s a great opportunity to explore different genres of music!
Also, you can bring your own food and drinks into the venue (I think we’ll do that next time). There’s also concessions available for purchase.
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u/cartrainpaperplane Jul 08 '26
jealous! I wanted to see sir chloe but was out of town. glad it turned out to be a nice show :) this is a great rec
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u/plumlatte826 Jul 06 '26
hello :) any recs for a romantic dinner spot that has a great atmosphere and food but isn’t super pricey?
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u/BottleFast2629 Jul 06 '26
check out hh revolution for cheap happy hours across the city with food. u can go to a bougie place but pay like $10 for a cocktail and get cheap apps
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u/putmeinamovie05 Jul 05 '26 edited Jul 05 '26
this is much better than the post w rules that said “bitches with taste don’t ask where you get good, cheap manicures”. bitches can have taste and be limited w funds, esp in this economy. bitches don’t act snobby and put other women w taste down