In anticipation of the Nov. 21 premiere of Wicked: For Good, part two of the global smash phenomenon released in 2024, we're all doing our homework and rewatching Wicked. I was lucky enough to enjoy my rewatch at The Gwen Hotel in downtown Chicago as part of their Upstairs at the Gwen programming. Besides offering its full dinner options and a delightful cocktail menu based on themes from the movie, The Gwen provided cozy blankets and firepits to keep guests warm during the unique rooftop screening experience. When the sun went down, we could see the quarter moon just above the screen on the skyline, and the chilly night air had us leaning toward the firepits for warmth, while enjoying the partly cloudy sky and the city lights at night.
The minute we entered Upstairs at the Gwen, we were met by complimentary hot cider with a cinnamon stick. A perfect seasonal experience, right there in the lobby! Outside on the rooftop, there was a group of four men sitting around a fire pit, all on their phones, serving as a worrying example of human evolution. Sports were playing on all the outdoor TVs, but our screen was lit up with green and pink lights, signaling the magic to come.
Once we got to the rooftop, we checked out the drinks menu, which included "Wicked" takes on classic cocktails, like the Ozpresso Martini, with Absolut vanilla vodka, Kahlúa, and cold brew; and an Ozmopolitan, with Absolut vodka, cranberry, and lime. Then there were the specially themed concotions: The Glinda, which included Beefeater gin, lemon, raspberry, honey, and Mumm sparkling rosé; and The Elphaba, which used Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, pineapple, lemon, blue curaçao, Midori, tuve black note amaro, and spicy bitters.
I started with the Ozmopolitan, since I'm typically a Cosmo girl. It was pretty strong in terms of its vodka content, and the blue rim rubbed off on my mouth (though I didn't hate the extra sparkle). My sister went for the Elphaba, which was also strong with the taste of mezcal, but very pretty, with the green salted half rim and an adorable Elphaba hat on it.
Then we got to try the Spellbound Popcorn, which was pink and green kettle corn from Chicago-based Wells Street Popcorn. It was the perfect starter and a sweet and salty movie snack rolled into one, which was so on point for our "Wicked" screening, I squealed.
For our appetizer, we opted for the Brussels Sprouts with sweet chili and fried shallots. They were delish and a little spicy with a creamy sauce. This is one recipe I'd love to try at home, especially as a snackable dish for fall movie nights.
For our second round of drinks, my sister and I both went for The Glinda. This gin-based drink was a great way to continue the evening, and it struck a better balance between the booze and accompanying flavors than my Ozmopolitan (or maybe I just like gin better than vodka). Like the Elphaba featured the iconic witch's hat, Glinda's dedicated drink had a dainty pink crown on top!
For my main, I got the handmade pasta and added steak as my protein. It was decadent and tasted every bit home-cooked, with a tomato sauce enriched by guanciale. The steak was a bit tough for a medium-rare cook, but the textures of the meal balanced well enough, especially with the crisp lemony greens on top.
My sister went with the salmon, which included lemon, capers, wilted greens, and a delightful sauce. It was a slam dunk, providing everything you could want from a protein-forward entrée. With savory butter and lemony flavors, the greens were satisfying and perfectly wilted, warm, and comforting.
And for dessert, we went with the stunning brown butter chocolate chip cookies, with caramel chips, Cacao Barry dark chocolate, Maldon salt, served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. These were crunchy and soft simultaneously, letting the ice cream soak through the cookies' pores to create a harmonious sensory experience.
Promotional material for the evening celebrated the collaboration between Absolut Vodka, Kahlúa, and "Wicked: For Good." It included a "Wicked: For Good" tote bag, a canvas bag with Absolut Vodka and Kahlúa branding (which was a Glinda-approved pink), an Ozpresso Martini t-shirt, and an Absolut x Kahlúa x Wicked baseball cap. Obviously, I will forever remember my Wicked rooftop screening experience at The Gwen, and now I'm fully outfitted in themed swag to see the sequel in theaters!
The themes of the first Wicked film feel more vital than ever in today's political and social climate—over-policing to the point of a surveillance state in Oz, finding a common enemy to advance a political agenda, to name a few. When Elphaba witnesses injustice, she asks her peers, "Are we all just going to sit here in silence?" Just as Elphaba encourages us to speak up, we need to protect each other in our own little Emerald City.
The Gwen is located at 521 N Rush St, Chicago. You can keep up with special events and make reservations on the website.
All photos by Row Light (unless otherwise credited).
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