You can't really miss it. If you’re walking north on Michigan Avenue, past the high-end boutiques and the swarm of tourists taking selfies, your eyes eventually hit that massive, glowing red sign. "Tip Top Tap." It’s iconic. The Warwick Allerton—officially located at allerton hotel 701 n michigan ave chicago il 60611—isn't just another place to sleep in the Windy City. It’s a literal landmark. This brick-and-mortar giant has been hanging out on the corner of Michigan and Huron since 1924, and honestly, it’s seen some things.
Most people see the Northern Italian Renaissance architecture and think "fancy old hotel." And they aren't wrong. But there’s a grit and a history here that goes way beyond the velvet curtains and the marble lobby. When it first opened, the Allerton wasn't even a hotel in the way we think of them now. It was a "club hotel" for men. It was basically high-end bachelor housing for the jazz age. Eventually, they let women in, but for a long time, it was the spot for the upwardly mobile to hang their hats while they tried to make it big in Chicago.
What Actually Happened to the Tip Top Tap?
Let's address the elephant in the room. Or rather, the sign on the roof. Every traveler who looks up at the allerton hotel 701 n michigan ave chicago il 60611 asks the same thing: "Can I go up there and get a drink?"
The short answer is: not exactly.
The Tip Top Tap was the place to be in the 1940s and 50s. It was a legendary cocktail lounge. Don McNeill’s Breakfast Club, a massive radio show back in the day, used to broadcast right from the hotel. It was a vibe. But for decades, the lounge itself has been closed to the general public as a nightly bar. Today, it’s mostly used for private events and weddings. It’s a bit of a letdown if you were hoping to stumble in for a martini at midnight, but the sign stays lit because it's a protected part of Chicago's skyline. It’s a ghost of a party that never really ended, just moved behind a "Private Event" sign.
Staying at 701 N Michigan Ave: The Reality Check
Look, if you're booking a room here, you need to know what you’re getting into. This is a historic building. That means the walls are thick, the elevators have character (which is code for "they can be slow"), and the room layouts are... unique. You aren’t staying at a cookie-cutter Marriott built in 2019.
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Some rooms are cozy. Very cozy. Like, "I hope you really like the person you’re traveling with" cozy. But that’s the trade-off for staying in a skyscraper that was erected before the Great Depression. The Warwick Allerton has done a lot of work to modernize the interiors, so you get the flat-screen TVs and the decent Wi-Fi, but you can still feel the 1920s bones of the place.
The location? Unbeatable. Seriously. You step out the front door and you are immediately in the thick of the Magnificent Mile. You’ve got Water Tower Place a few blocks north, the Chicago River a short walk south, and enough shopping to bankrupt a small nation within a three-block radius. If you want to be where the action is, allerton hotel 701 n michigan ave chicago il 60611 is basically Ground Zero.
A Quick Layout of the Neighborhood
- North: The John Hancock Center (now 875 North Michigan Avenue) and the high-end shops of Oak Street.
- South: The DuSable Bridge, the Chicago Tribune Tower, and the Loop.
- East: Two blocks over and you're at Northwestern Memorial Hospital or wandering toward Navy Pier.
- West: The vibe gets a little more "local" once you hit State Street and the Gold Coast backstreets.
The Architecture is More Than Just Pretty Brick
The Allerton was designed by Murgatroyd & Ogden. They were big-time architects out of New York, and they brought that "club hotel" concept with them. Notice the dark brick and the limestone trim. It’s meant to look sturdy. It’s Northern Italian Renaissance style, which sounds fancy, but in reality, it just means it has those cool arches, decorative carvings, and a silhouette that looks like a fortress.
In 1998, the city finally got around to making it an official Chicago Landmark. That’s a big deal. It means the owners can’t just tear it down or change the exterior on a whim. That "Tip Top Tap" sign is part of that designation. When the hotel underwent a massive $60 million renovation around that time, they had to be careful to preserve the soul of the building while fixing the plumbing.
Is it Worth the Price Tag?
Chicago hotel prices are all over the place. One week a room at the Allerton is $150, the next week there’s a convention at McCormick Place and it’s $450.
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Honestly, you’re paying for the history and the zip code. If you’re a business traveler who needs a massive desk and a silent, sterile environment, you might find the Allerton a bit too "quirky." But if you love the idea of walking the same halls where 1940s radio stars hung out, it’s worth every penny.
The M Avenue Restaurant and Lounge on the second floor is actually a solid spot for people-watching. You can sit there with a coffee and watch the chaos of Michigan Avenue through the big windows without actually having to deal with the wind or the crowds. It’s a great "middle ground" for people who want the city experience without the city stress.
Dealing with the Logistics
Parking. Let’s talk about parking at allerton hotel 701 n michigan ave chicago il 60611.
Don’t do it.
Unless you have a company expense account that covers $70+ a night for valet, find another way. The Allerton, like most hotels on the Mag Mile, charges a premium for cars. If you must drive, use an app like SpotHero to find a garage a few blocks away. Better yet? Take the "L." The Red Line stop at Chicago Avenue is just a few blocks west. It’s faster, cheaper, and you don’t have to deal with the soul-crushing traffic on Michigan Avenue.
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Weird Facts You Can Use to Impress Your Travel Partner
- The Radio Connection: As mentioned, the hotel was a hub for radio. People would line up around the block to get into the broadcasts.
- The "Club" Life: For years, it was one of the few places where you could get a "residential" feel in the heart of the business district.
- The Height: When it was built, it was one of the tallest buildings in the neighborhood. Now, it’s dwarfed by the towers around it, but it still holds its own.
- The Sign: The Tip Top Tap sign actually faces south, catching the eyes of everyone coming up from the Loop. It’s one of the most photographed signs in the city.
Strategic Tips for Your Visit
If you’re planning a stay or just stopping by to gawk at the architecture, keep these things in mind. Ask for a room on a higher floor. The street noise on Michigan Avenue is real—sirens, buses, and the general hum of thousands of people don't stop just because it's 2:00 AM. A higher floor doesn't eliminate the sound, but it definitely muffles it.
Also, check the event calendar. If there’s a big gala in the Tip Top Tap space, the elevators get crowded. Give yourself an extra ten minutes to get down to the lobby.
Finally, don't just stay in the hotel. The Allerton is a great home base, but the real magic of 701 N Michigan Ave is what’s within walking distance. Cross the street and look at the Fourth Presbyterian Church—it’s a stunning gothic contrast to the brick of the Allerton. Walk two blocks east to see the lake.
The Warwick Allerton isn't trying to be the flashiest hotel in Chicago anymore. It doesn't have the rooftop pool of the newer spots or the ultra-modern minimalism of the West Loop boutiques. What it has is staying power. It’s a survivor. In a city that loves to tear things down and build them bigger, the Allerton remains a stubborn, beautiful reminder of what Chicago looked like when it was first asserting itself as a world-class city.
Practical Next Steps for Travelers
- Check the Warwick Website Directly: Sometimes they have "historic stay" packages that include breakfast at M Avenue, which is usually cheaper than paying a la carte.
- Download a Parking App: If you are driving, do not wait until you arrive at the door to think about your car. Pre-book a spot at the Huron St. or Erie St. garages.
- Walk the Hallways: Even if you aren't staying there, the lobby and the mezzanine level are worth a quick walk-through just to see the detail in the plasterwork and the vintage light fixtures.
- Verify the View: If you’re booking a room, specifically ask if you have a Michigan Avenue view. Some "interior" rooms look out into a light well, which is great for sleeping (it's quiet!) but terrible for vibes.
Whether you're there for the history, the shopping, or just to see that red neon sign up close, the allerton hotel 701 n michigan ave chicago il 60611 remains an essential piece of the Chicago puzzle. It’s not just a place to sleep; it’s a place that tells the story of the city itself.