First Look: The Club MDW Is Now Open at Chicago’s Midway Airport

Travelers, rejoice! Chicago’s Midway Airport finally has a lounge. The Club MDW is now open, and Upgraded Points was invited to get a first look at this new airport lounge prior to opening day.

The new 3,265-square-foot lounge celebrates Chicago’s vibrant architectural and cultural history through local art, food, and beverages. Art deco and mid-century modern design elements are evident as soon as you step into the fresh and inviting space. This vibrant, modern lounge features neutral tones and curved lines accented with marble and metallics.

While not a massive lounge, this new addition to Chicago’s Midway Airport will be a wonderful place for travelers to relax before their flight.

Here are the details about The Club MDW, including amenities, hours, and, most importantly, how to get in.

The Club MDW [Amenities, Location, and Hours]

The Club MDW at Chicago’s Midway International Airport opened to the public on September 26, 2024.

• Location: Next to gate B1, across from the food court
• Hours: 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
• Access: Via Priority Pass or a day pass

The opening of The Club at MDW is exciting news because it’s the first lounge in the airport’s 96-year history to be open to the general public (there is currently a USO Lounge reserved for military members).

Hot Tip:

Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) serves 85 destinations on over 200 flights daily. Seven airlines operate at Midway, and Southwest Airlines carries a bulk of these passengers

Location of The Club MDW at Midway Airport

The Club MDW is in Midway Airport’s Central Market at the intersection of Concourses A, B, and C. It’s right next to gate B1, across from the food court.

Hours of Operation

The Club MDW is open daily from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Amenities

The first thing you’ll notice when you enter The Club MDW is large black and white photographs just inside the front doors. These photos (and others throughout the lounge), by local artists Mark Hersch and Angie McMonigal, celebrate Chicago’s architecture and landscapes.

There are 76 seats throughout the lounge.

The seating areas have tables and plenty of outlets.

All of the seats, food, and beverage are located in a single open space.

Large windows across the back wall provide lots of natural light and close-up views of the tarmac.

A large work table is near the windows.

Bathrooms

Two all-gender bathrooms are located at the back of the lounge. Each one is spacious, with a single sink, a baby changing area, and a backsplash done in marble with gold accents.

Food and Beverage

The Club at MDW offers a buffet with both hot and cold items. Beverages (coffee, tea, water, canned soda) and snacks were on one side of the buffet.

This area included cookies and a selection of snacks, including trail mix and candies.

There was a selection of teas along with local honey.

A coffee machine was available for espresso and cappuccino. Regular drip coffee and a selection of milk (2%, half and half, soy) were also available.

Hot and cold food items were located on a separate buffet. Each item clearly displayed allergen information.

Items included pasta salad, fruit, couscous, soy-glazed tempeh, andouille sausage with chili lime rice, and strawberry shortcake.

The Bar

The beautiful bar area is the focal point of the lounge.

A combination of black and white marble with gold accents creates a contemporary feel. In addition to traditional bar seating, there’s accessible bar seating.

The menu of wine, beer, and cocktails includes nods to Chicago, including craft beers from Revolutionary Brewing and Two Brothers Brewing, as well as spirits from Chicago-based KOVAL Distillery.

Next to the bar is another small seating area along with the flight information display screens.

How To Access The Club MDW

Any passenger, regardless of class of service or airline, can access The Club MDW with a same-day boarding pass. Access is limited to 3 hours before departure.

Passengers can purchase a day pass to The Club MDW for $50. Alternatively, you can get access through a Priority Pass membership. Priority Pass is an airport lounge membership program that offers access to over 1,500 lounges worldwide. Memberships can be purchased for $99 to $469 per year.

Thankfully, many credit cards include a Priority Pass membership as a benefit, including some of our favorites:

• The Platinum Card^® from American Express
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card*×Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.
• Chase Sapphire Reserve^®
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card

Bottom Line:

Any passenger with a same-day boarding pass can access the new lounge at Chicago’s Midway Airport. The Club MDW is open to Priority Pass members and day pass holders.

Final Thoughts

There’s great news for travelers who frequent Chicago’s Midway International Airport. The Club at MDW, the airport’s first lounge, is now open. Located near gate B1 across from the food court, it’s accessible through a Priority Pass membership or a day pass.