Freehand Chicago

Freehand Chicago occupies a converted historic building at 19 East Ohio Street in River North, one of Chicago's most vibrant neighborhoods for dining, nightlife, and gallery culture. The property operates simultaneously as a hostel and a boutique hotel, offering dormitory beds alongside private guest rooms — an approach that creates an energetic, socially connected atmosphere distinguishing it from either a purely conventional hotel or a traditional hostel. The building, formerly the Hotel Lincoln, retains its 1920s architectural character with decorative plasterwork, original wood floors, and high ceilings. Designer firm Roman and Williams brought a sophisticated interior vision to Freehand's common spaces, mixing vintage furniture, curated art, and warm lighting in the Ground Floor bar, the Broken Shaker cocktail lounge, and the integrated Café Integral coffee program. The Broken Shaker Chicago is widely regarded as one of the city's best cocktail bars and draws visitors independent of the hostel offering. Dorm rooms sleep four to eight guests in bunk configurations with individual reading lights, power outlets, and privacy curtains. Private rooms range from standard doubles to larger suites. The hotel is steps from Lake Shore Drive, a short walk from the Grand CTA station on the Red Line, and convenient for the Chicago Riverwalk and architectural boat tours on the Chicago River. River North's concentration of galleries, restaurants, and entertainment venues extends for blocks in every direction, with the Magnificent Mile and Millennium Park both accessible within 20 minutes on foot.