The Show Doesn’t Stop. Keep Up if You Can.

The NRA Show experience extends beyond the halls of McCormick Place. Follow us around our favorite local hot spots and industry events to network and connect.

Just send us a message to meet up: (708) 932-1835

Just send us a message to meet up:
(708) 932-1835

(PS: Don’t forget to sign up to receive our post-show recap, The Esrocky Awards.)

See You Soon!

Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds

Where We Are Now

FRIDAY

6–7pm

IFMA
Foundation Party

University Club of Chicago

Text us to meet up:
(708) 932-1835

FRIDAY

7:30–8pm

DMA’s Party at the Post Office

The Old Post Office

Text us to meet up:
(708) 932-1835

FRIDAY

9–10:30pm

Arbella

Text us to meet up:
(708) 932-1835

SATURDAY

10am–12pm

North Hall,
NRA Show

Text us to meet up:
(708) 932-1835

SATURDAY

12–2pm

South Hall,
NRA Show

Text us to meet up:
(708) 932-1835

SATURDAY

5:30-8pm

IFMA Gold & Silver Plate Awards Celebration

Chicago Union Station, Great Hall

Text us to meet up:
(708) 932-1835

SATURDAY

9:15–11pm

Pops for Champagne

Text us to meet up:
(708) 932-1835

SUNDAY

10am–12pm

Lakeside Center, NRA Show

Text us to meet up:
(708) 932-1835

SUNDAY

12–2pm

North Hall, NRA Show

Text us to meet up:
(708) 932-1835

SUNDAY

4–6pm

Flavor Forays Championship BBQ & Cook-Off

Galleria Marchetti

Text us to meet up:
(708) 932-1835

SUNDAY

6-8:30pm

The Pearl Club

Text us to meet up:
(708) 932-1835

SUNDAY

9–10pm

Middleby Celebration

Text us to meet up:
(708) 932-1835

SUNDAY

10pm–12am

Howl at the Moon

Text us to meet up:
(708) 932-1835

MONDAY

10–11am

South Hall,
NRA Show

Text us to meet up:
(708) 932-1835

MONDAY

11am–12pm

Lakeside Center, NRA Show

Text us to meet up:
(708) 932-1835

Where We'll Be Next

FRIDAY

6–7pm

IFMA Foundation Party

University Club of Chicago

A celebration of the annual winners of the IFMA Silver Plate Awards. Hosted inside the historic University Club where professionals of every industry come together to learn, celebrate and connect.

7:30–8pm

DMA’s Party at the Post Office

The Old Post Office

Our friends at Distribution Market Advantage are kicking off NRA with a rooftop party at the Old Post Office. It’s an iconic, 13-story Art Deco structure that’s making use of its second lease on life—to party.

9–10:30pm

The world is your oyster, or rather cocktail, at Arbella. This River North spot serves globally inspired drinks—from smoky mezcal to spicey Old Fashioneds—alongside shareable bites like Thai Fried Chicken Sliders and Spinach Cauliflower Fondue. Be sure to check their site to see what DJ is performing at their intimate listening space, The B-Side.

SATURDAY

10am–12pm

North Hall, NRA Show

Text us to meet up: (708) 932-1835

12–2pm

South Hall, NRA Show

Text us to meet up: (708) 932-1835

5:30-8pm

IFMA Gold & Silver Plate Awards Celebration

Chicago Union Station, Great Hall

The annual tribute to the most outstanding and innovative talents in foodservice. It’s the historic and heralded event where distinguished industry peers mix, mingle and lavish praise on the most notable operators.

9:15–11pm

At Pops for Champagne, bubbles aren’t reserved for special occasions, because every day is worth celebrating. This local staple pairs one of the city’s deepest Champagne lists with oysters, caviar and other luxe bites. It’s all set in a polished-but-easy-going environment often set to live jazz.

SUNDAY

10am–12pm

Lakeside Center, NRA Show

Text us to meet up: (708) 932-1835

12–2pm

North Hall, NRA Show

Text us to meet up: (708) 932-1835

4–6pm

Flavor Forays Championship BBQ & Cook-Off

Galleria Marchetti

The competition is on at this cook-off. It’s a high-energy showdown, where some of best chefs go head-to-head and grill over live fire. Expect the unexpected—stunning bites, plenty of smoke and a crowd packed with industry insiders. It’s as much a tasting event as it is a scene.

6-8:30pm

We’re going to the club—The Pearl Club. The blue velvet couches and curtains and lively electronic music make this an upbeat speakeasy with plenty of sophisticated cocktails.

9–10pm

Cocktails, confections and connections at the Middleby Residential Showroom in the Chicago Merchandise Mart. Need we say more?

10pm–12am

We hope you brought your singing voice, because we’re keeping the hits going at this karaoke joint. Howl At The Moon is a total entertainment experience with a live piano. Please have a plan in advance for song requests.

MONDAY

10–11am

South Hall, NRA Show

Text us to meet up: (708) 932-1835

11am–12pm

Lakeside Center, NRA Show

Details to come.

Where We've Been

Friday
6–7pm

IFMA Foundation Party

University Club of Chicago

A celebration of the annual winners of the IFMA Silver Plate Awards. Hosted inside the historic University Club where professionals of every industry come together to learn, celebrate and connect.

7–8pm

DMA’s Party at the Post Office

The Old Post Office

Our friends at Distribution Market Advantage are kicking off NRA with a rooftop party at the Old Post Office. It’s an iconic, 13-story Art Deco structure that’s making use of its second lease on life—to party.

9–10:30pm

The world is your oyster, or rather cocktail, at Arbella. This River North spot serves globally inspired drinks—from smoky mezcal to spicey Old Fashioneds—alongside shareable bites like Thai Fried Chicken Sliders and Spinach Cauliflower Fondue. Be sure to check their site to see what DJ is performing at their intimate listening space, The B-Side.

Saturday
10am–12pm

North Hall, NRA Show

Text us to meet up: (708) 932-1835

12–2pm

South Hall, NRA Show

Text us to meet up: (708) 932-1835

5:30-8pm

IFMA Gold & Silver Plate Awards Celebration

Chicago Union Station, Great Hall

The annual tribute to the most outstanding and innovative talents in foodservice. It’s the historic and heralded event where distinguished industry peers mix, mingle and lavish praise on the most notable operators.

9:15–11pm

At Pops for Champagne, bubbles aren’t reserved for special occasions, because every day is worth celebrating. This local staple pairs one of the city’s deepest Champagne lists with oysters, caviar and other luxe bites. It’s all set in a polished-but-easy-going environment often set to live jazz.

Sunday
10am–12pm

Lakeside Center, NRA Show

Text us to meet up: (708) 932-1835

12–2pm

North Hall, NRA Show

Text us to meet up: (708) 932-1835

4–6pm

Flavor Forays Championship BBQ & Cook-Off

Galleria Marchetti

The competition is on at this cook-off. It’s a high-energy showdown, where some of best chefs go head-to-head and grill over live fire. Expect the unexpected—stunning bites, plenty of smoke and a crowd packed with industry insiders. It’s as much a tasting event as it is a scene.

6-8:30pm

We’re going to the club—The Pearl Club. The blue velvet couches and curtains and lively electronic music make this an upbeat speakeasy with plenty of sophisticated cocktails.

9–10pm

Cocktails, confections and connections at the Middleby Residential Showroom in the Chicago Merchandise Mart. Need we say more?

10pm–12am

We hope you brought your singing voice, because we’re keeping the hits going at this karaoke joint. Howl At The Moon is a total entertainment experience with a live piano. Please have a plan in advance for song requests.

Monday
10–11am

South Hall, NRA Show

Text us to meet up: (708) 932-1835

11am–12pm

Lakeside Center, NRA Show

Text us to meet up: (708) 932-1835

Want to wine, dine and have a good time? Looking for hot spots? We’ve got you covered in our Chicago Dining Guide.

Get Can’t-Miss,
Post-Show Analysis

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Esrock Partners is a food marketing agency located near Chicago, Illinois that specializes in the food, beverage and foodservice industries and their current market trends. For a close-up of our capabilities, see our services.