It Happened at Birch Road: July 2024 Event Round Up

Birch Road Clubhouse provides more than just a comfortable, well-stocked space to work, relax, and entertain. Membership also gives you access to a vibrant community and a built-in social calendar filled with exclusive events.

Whether it’s a group of business leaders gathering to network over some summer craft beers or wine lovers traveling to Burgundy for a week of wine, food, and culture — there’s always something fun to do when you’re a member at Birch Road. 

These are not your typical social events. At Birch Road we have three different types of gatherings: Birch Road Hosted events, Miniclubs, and Member-Led events. Plus, members who love to travel can join us for Birch Road On The Road, an annual schedule of domestic and international trips that are all about fun, adventure, and community.

Birch Road Hosted Events

Birch Road hosted events are led by industry professionals, whether that’s a winemaker, owner, importer, or expert in their field. Our focus is on giving smaller, lesser known brands a platform to reach a great audience at each clubhouse. 

Members really appreciate the chance to get to know these small batch products and the people behind them. Plus, since we aren’t a retailer, we don’t get sales people. Instead our events are hosted by the owners, the makers, the people truly behind the label rather than someone who learned a script. Unlike other venues that charge $40-$100 for events like these, Birch Road members typically pay $5-$15 for a Birch Road Hosted event. 

Miniclubs

Miniclubs are clubs within the club. They are formed by members who share an interest or passion and meet every month to explore that interest together. That might be a love for chocolate or a desire to learn about travel destinations or really any interest or hobby that a member might have. 

Miniclubs provide the members a great way to meet other people who share their same passion. Each clubhouse has its own set of miniclubs that have been created by the members of that clubhouse including:

• Book clubs

• Wine tasting clubs

• Cheese clubs

• Writer’s clubs

• Travel clubs

• Chocolate clubs

• Bourbon clubs

• and many more!
  

Member-Led Events

Member-Led events are exactly what they sound like, they are one-time events hosted by a member. The member might be showcasing a passion or their profession, but most importantly they are hosting the event to contribute to our community (we have a strict no solicitation policy among members). Member-Led events in the past have included Sushi & Sake night, Coffee Roasting Class, Urban Bike Rides, Pizza Cookouts, and more.

Birch Road On The Road 

A few times a year, we offer a group trip to a wine, food, or spirits destination. Past trips have included the Istrian Peninsula of Croatia, Willamette Valley, Oregon, and glamping in Southwestern Michigan. 

This summer a group of 14 members traveled to France for wine tasting in Champagne, Chablis, and Burgundy! Highlights included making mustard in Dijon, a 4th of July party at a winery barn that we’ll never forget, and some incredible tastings at Chateau Pommard, Domaine Moillard, Morize Pere et Fils, Domaine Ferrari, and many more! 

Take a look below for highlights from the member events at each Birch Road Clubhouse in July 2024:

Lincoln Park Clubhouse Events - (Chicago, IL)

• At our “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Champagne” event, members enjoyed sparkling wines from all over the world.

• Our first “Business & Beer Happy Hour” was hosted by a Birch Road member to bring together business owners and leaders at the club.

• The Book Club really went the extra mile this month for their meet to discuss “The French Ingredient.” Each member brought a French-inspired dish to share, and the author, Jane Bertch, joined the conversation in a Zoom call from Paris.

• A group of members who recently discovered sake at a Birch Road event headed to Chinatown for some dim sum & sake.

• Grant Park Music in the Park Wednesday nights is one of the highlights of summer in Chicago. Birch Road members have been meeting at the park, with the greatest picnic spread ever, and enjoying the music, company, and skyline views.

• The Global Brand Ambassador for Song Cai Distillery visited the Lincoln Park Clubhouse for an evening of printmaking and cocktails.
  

Roscoe Village Clubhouse Events - (Chicago, IL)

• Our cheese lovers at the Roscoe Village Clubhouse have been meeting for a few months now and this month was all about Spanish cheese! There was manchego and Tortilla Española and lots more to taste and learn about. Next month’s Cheese Club will be all about fruit & cheese.

• Heaven’s Door Distillery treated the members to a night of whiskey and cocktail education. Side by side tastings taught us what a difference it made when you shake a cocktail versus stir it - there’s a reason for it and now we know!

• Phil Nickson, Global Ambassador for woman-owned organic whisky distillery Nc’nean, stopped by the clubhouse on his visit to Chicago. 

• Our Chicago members got an insider’s tour of Opening Passages at the Chicago Cultural Center with Jonathan Michael Castillo, one of the participating photographers. It was a great day to appreciate the amazing arts and culture in our city.
  

First Hill Clubhouse Events - (Seattle, WA)

• At the Vino & Vibes Summer Party with our friends at E3 Wines, Birch Road members celebrated the solstice with wine, music and food all in support of E3’s mission to bring equity and equality to the wine industry. Cheers to that!

• Birch Road member and founder of Sahver treated Seattle members to a Cookies & Cocktails pairing.

• We explored the wines of two of the oldest wineries in South Africa one week and the next, we tasted the rich red wines of the Alpine regions through Europe.
  

The Highlands Clubhouse Events - (Denver, CO)

• Our 2nd Annual Rosé Soirée was a big success! Rosé wine, cheese, and more rosé, all in support of ALS United Rocky Mountain. There really isn’t a better way to spend a Saturday afternoon in July!

• Brian Callahan, founder of Crux Wines, stopped at the tasting bar to meet the members and talk about what it takes to start your own winery. 

• Our resident sake expert and Birch Road member presented a 101 on sake with HeavenSake, a premium Junmai sake that combines the French beauty of design with the traditions of Japan.

• Local Colorado winery Ordinary Fellow transformed the Birch Road lounge into a pop-up tasting room! Winemaker Ben Parsons took over the breakroom bar to serve up his small batch wines with members and guests.
  

From exclusive wine tastings and engaging book clubs to dynamic networking events and unforgettable travel adventures, Birch Road Clubhouse offers an unparalleled member experience. 

Join our thriving community and discover a world of connections, knowledge, and enjoyment. Immerse yourself in a vibrant social calendar filled with diverse events, curated by industry experts and passionate members alike. Experience the difference a truly exceptional clubhouse can make in your life — book a hassle-free tour today!