Chicago socialises by neighbourhood. If you don't live in one, you don't get in. "Rent a friend Chicago" is the search for someone who does.
What a Chicago Local Friend is for#
| Plan | Why a local matters |
|---|---|
| Pilsen, Logan Square, Hyde Park | The neighbourhoods a visitor never reaches from the Loop |
| A Cubs or Sox game | Bleacher seats, a bar before, a bar after |
| The pizza argument | Deep-dish is for tourists; tavern-style is what the city eats |
| Architecture and the river | The boat tour with someone who can point at where they work |
| Winter | A January weekend is long when you know nobody |
How it works#
Browse Local Friends in Chicago, message one, agree a plan, meet in public. Each sets their own hourly rate; worldwide most charge $15 to $50 an hour, Chicago in the upper half (what moves the price). It's company, not dating, and the rule is the same as everywhere: talk in the app first, meet somewhere busy, pay through the platform. Rent a friend in the USA has the national picture; New York and Los Angeles are the other two big markets.
For Chicagoans: getting paid#
Sign up free on Roavi, add real photos and a short bio, say which neighbourhoods you'll travel to, set a rate and your free evenings. Roavi takes no commission. The demand has two peaks: summer, when the whole city is outside and nobody wants to do it alone, and January to March, when the weekend is cold and empty for anyone new here. Getting paid for your time in Chicago goes deeper, and side hustles in Chicago compares it with the alternatives.
Live in Chicago? Get paid to show people your neighbourhood.
Become a Local FriendFrequently Asked Questions
Can you rent a friend in Chicago?
Yes. On Roavi, Chicago Local Friends offer their time by the hour for the neighbourhoods, the food, a game, the lakefront or just an evening out. Company, not dating.How much does it cost to rent a friend in Chicago?
Each Local Friend sets their rate. Worldwide most charge $15 to $50 an hour; Chicago is in the upper half of that. Food, tickets and transport are agreed beforehand.Who rents a friend in Chicago?
Visitors who've done the Bean and want the city, transplants in their first winter, business travellers with a free night near the convention centre, and anyone who doesn't want to go to a show or a game alone.How do Chicagoans get paid?
Sign up free on Roavi, add real photos and a bio, set a rate and the hours you're free. People message you; you meet in person. Roavi takes no commission. It's self-employment income.