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Chicago Hot Spots, and Bars
CenterstageChicago.com Presents: Bars + Clubs
Chicago Bars + Clubs: Original Content from Centerstage Chicago
Lockdown Bar & Grill Need another reason to drink? How about a full roster of them? Just when you thought you had tabs on all the places to get a wet one, another Golden Tee machine is ordered, more Tanqueray is stocked and a new bar opens it doors. Here are some recent scene-joiners to add to your to-drink list, plus some that are on the way. More:Find new restaurants \| Daily deals Chicago Bars A to Z \| Write your own review Bottoms Up! Get some down-home hospitality at The Southern The Southern has replaced Wicker Park's Chaise Lounge with a more laid-back atmosphere, albeit with the same management and chef. Georgia native Cary Taylor keeps the see-and-be-scene vibe, but with a touch of southern charm. Join in the cause at Revolution Brewing Revolution Brewing may not be summoning the most productive members to its cause - outside of the logo, the only raised fists here are of folks trying to get the bartender's attention - but with beer made on site accompanied by good, uncomplicated food, it's hard to see the Logan Square brewery not effecting positive change. The Exchange trades up from the old Lava Lounge The old Lava Lounge has continued its metamorphosis to become the Exchange. Longtime Wicker Parkers may be disappointed, but fans of intricate cocktails rejoice. Do time at Lockdown Bar & Grill This heavy-metal burger bar in Ukrainian Village also has a prison theme. "Live" concerts are shown nightly on the big screen, highlighting an "earth-trembling" sound system. Stay a while at Longman & Eagle The folks behind Empty Bottle have opened a new "Chicago inn" type of place in Logan Square that is a bar, but also has sleeping accommodations in the tradition of old-time Chicago inns. Late Bar goes all night long The Planet Earth people bring eclectic music, themed music nights and specialty cocktails to the Avondale party crowd. Lobby Lounge takes date night to another level The new Kerasotes movie theater in the South Loop adds a little something extra with this Jerry Kleiner-designed lounge. Grab a drink before or after the show in this upscale 150-seat lounge that is attached to the theater. There is also a menu made up mostly of pizza and sandwiches. Touch gets interactive If the last decade taught us anything, it's that when it comes to electronics, companies best make it touchable. That is the crux of this new Lakeview lounge's "mixology meets technology" philosophy; it offers 100,000-and-counting ways to get a drink without the need for a server. Stay fabulous at Scarlet Closed in February after a fire, this Boystown bar opens its doors again and is ready to please. Themed nights keep the party lively, although with an air of sophistication missing from the previous incarnate. Country and tacos rule Big Star Grab some tacos and beer (or whiskey) while you listen to country music in the old Pontiac Cafe spot in Wicker Park. The place gets packed, so try to get there early. But the wait for a table is pleasant, as the drinks and honky tonk flow like water. Learn a little at Beckett's Public House Ever wonder what a library stocked with specialty beers would be like? Owner Martin Cournane certainly did, and the result is this friendly Lakeview spot. While the opening of yet another Irish-style pub in Chicago might not make headlines, the decent prices and restaurant-cum-study atmosphere at Beckett's is certainly worthy of attention. Keep it friendly at Queens Tavern & Bistro The former Cornelia's in Lakeview gets a quick makeover and opens a more casual back bar with a less expensive menu. Primebar classes up the Loop happy hour scene Grab a quick lunch or after-work drinks at this Loop bar/restaurant on the Chicago River. The food is bar fare with a touch of class, and the place comes from the owners of Bar Louie. Lively up yourself at Mr. Brown's Lounge Named after a Bob Marley song, this raggae lounge serves authentic Jamaican food with a laid-back, island vibe. Cheer on the Wildcats at Purple Haze The former Purgatory Pizza has morphed into Purple Haze, a Wrigleyville burger-and-beer joint with a Northwestern theme. Dine, drink and dance at Cabalo This modern-looking club and restaurant takes over the former Cat's Meow space in Humboldt Park, with quality German food, an extensive drink list and even a dance club in the basement. Barely Buzzed Harry Caray's Tavern (Navy Pier) It's a meeting of the minds for two of the biggest tourist attractions in the city, as the venerable bar opens up shop along the boardwalk at Navy Pier. Gilt Bar Brendan Sodikoff's simple, fun restaurant in the old Aigre Doux space opens in River North. Chandelier lighting gives the place an old-timey feel, and compliments the cocktail and martini list. Small Bar (Lincoln Park) The third outpost of popular bar hits Lincoln Park. Rehab The old martini lounge connected to Circuit in Boystown re-opens with a fresh new look and cocktail-heavy menu. The Money Shot Try to overlook the, um, descriptive name of the place and focus on the sleek look of this Rogers Park restaurant/lounge. A homey menu during the day (spaghetti and meatballs, steak and potatoes, various sandwiches) gives way to DJs and a lounge atmosphere at night. The Cellar Small plates and fine wine in Evanston. Sweetwater This Loop bar and grill in former Bennigan's spot comes from the folks at Boundary. Cuna This contemporary restaurant/bar opens in Lakeview with a casual, Mediterranean-inspired menu. Cuvee This swank River North party spot comes from the owners of Enclave. Still Sober Dos Gringos Trailer Park The party scene in Wrigleyville gets a Mexican flavor at this new bar in the old Houndstooth Saloon spot, opening March 11. Expect the shots of tequila to flow before and after the Cubs game, as this bar's motto is "Where Wrigleyville meets Cancun." Club Blujazz Nightly performances highlight this Wicker Park music lounge, set to open in mid-March. The place is run by the same people behind the Blujazz record label. Wolcott's Grab a local beer or martini and order up from the menu full of comfort food favorites at this quaint Lincoln Square bar, opening in mid-March. There will be TVs to watch the game and a patio coming in the summer. Fountainhead This gastropub on the border of Lincoln Square and North Center is set to open sometime this spring. Expect better-than-bar food options from the menu, and a quality beer list headed by Phil Kuhl, of Sheffield's "Beer School" fame. Sports Corner The previously torn down Sports Corner gets new life on Addison and Sheffield, just steps from Wrigley Field. Expect it up and running by Opening Day (April). Nice Slice Pizza Bar It's all about beer and pizza at this spot from the folks behind Simone's Bar, opening in Logan Square in May. Moe's Cantina (River North) The popular Wrigleyville bar plans to open a River North outpost this spring. Haymarket Pub & Brewery Rock Bottom brewmaster Pete Crowley is leaving his post to open this West Loop brewpub sometime this summer. Tantrik Get sensual at this new River West club, opening later this year. The folks behind Bull & Bear and Stone Lotus will be opening a similar spot in the former Redfish space at 400 N. State St., sometime in the summer. Share Check out Centerstage Chicago food and drink deals! Looking to cheer on your favorite Big Ten team during the upcoming conference tournament with fellow fans? Check out our guide to school affiliations for bars around town, and you'll finally find someone to high-five after the next big basket. Illinois Kendall's: Eight 10-foot screens and 15 HD plasma TVs will get you in a rooting mood real quick. Joe's Bar: You can pretty much be a fan of anyone and watch your game on a big screen here, but special consideration is paid to Illini faithful. Schoolyard Tavern: It's hard to find a bar the Schoolyard isn't affiliated with, but still a good option for Lakeview Illini. More Illini bars: Kroll's South Loop, Mickey's Indiana Kirkwood Bar & Grill: Hoosier fans can indulge a blast from the past and order The General, named after former coach/bully Bob Knight. Finley Dunne's Tavern: We don't know of many Irish Hoosiers, but we try not to worry too much about these things. More Hoosier bars:Joe's Bar, Buffalo Wild Wings, Sluggers Iowa Merkle's Bar and Grill: Some bars are affiliated in name only, but Merkle's sponsors many trips to see the Hawkeyes play and offers specials on game days. More Hawkeye bars: Four Shadows, Gamekeepers, Gaslight Bar and Grille, Ravenswood Pub, Sedgwick's Bar & Grill, Witt's Michigan Duffy's Tavern: If you don't get chills when you hear a live version of The Victors during a Wolverines game here...then you're probably a State fan. Mad River Bar & Grille: This Lakeview hot spot is also an unofficial Philadelphia Phillies bar. Go figure. More Wolverine bars: Dark Horse Tap and Grille, Matilda Michigan State Hi-Tops: The former Gin Mill was about as green-and-white as you can get, but its new inhabitants (transplanted from Wrigleyville) have embraced Sparty's ideals just fine. Grand River Bar & Grill: State alums know Grand River as the main drag along campus. But it's also the name of this Lincoln Avenue bar (where Lennox Lounge used to reside) which smatters Spartan references throughout the menu, such as the bacon-laden Breslin Center burger. More Spartan bars: Higgins' Tavern, O'Malley's West, Plan B Bar and Kitchen Minnesota Redmond's: The Minnesota alumni club must be quite powerful, as we've seen them refuse to turn on other games because they had to fulfill their quota of TV screens on the Gopher game in order to remain affiliated. While that's not cool, the multitude of screens, especially the big screens in the back, make this a comfortable viewing experience. More Gopher bars: Red Ivy Northwestern Tommy Nevin's Pub: It's the next best thing to being at the Wildcats game ... actually, probably better, since they serve booze here. Lion Head Pub: Get $7 Miller Lite pitchers during all tournament games. And if you're a Northwestern fan, you're probably gonna need a lot of 'em. Other Wildcat bars: Trinity Bar, Goose Island Brewery, Mullen's on Clark, Purple Haze Ohio State Casey Moran's: As their fans would say, this is THE place to watch THE Ohio State University. And you wonder why nobody likes Buckeye fans. Other Buckeye bars:Gaslight Bar and Grille, McGee's, Mickey's, Mystic Celt, Players Grill, Redmond's, Vaughan's Pub Penn State Flounder's: As if the 15 flat screens and $4 burger and fries deal (every day before 6 p.m.) aren't enough, the place also has free ping pong! Also, look for a few Nittany Lion-themed menu items, like the Happy Valley hummus. More Nittany Lion bars:Dark Horse Tap and Grille, Gamekeepers Purdue Smoke Daddy: Owner Josh Rutherford is a former Boilermaker mascot, so you know the place will be decked out in black-and-gold. Enjoy $4 Bud Light mugs and $7 imported mugs (22 ounces)during all tournament games, along with a Purdue-themed menu that includes Purdue Pete's Pulled Pork Sandwich. More Boiler bars: Durkin's Wisconsin Will's Northwoods Inn: You'd be crazy if you thought this Badger State tribute bar would root for anybody else (except for Marquette, of course). More Badger bars: Waterhouse, Redmond's More:March Madness specials Check out Centerstage Chicago food and drink deals! Catch all the NCAA Tournament action at these bars and restaurants. It's called the most exciting three weeks in sports. Every year, the 65 best college basketball teams are whittled down to one national champion. It's a smorgasbord of TV watching, and these bars have specials to make the action even better. Just want to watch the games with fellow alums? Check out this comprehensive list of NCAA-affiliated bars. Grand Central Watch all the games while sampling $15 domestic buckets, $20 import buckets and $5 select bombs. The Lincoln Park bar also features an all-you-can-eat $5.99 burger bar during all games. 10pin Bowling Lounge Need a real spring break? The Grand Prize winner of 10Pin's NCAA bracket contest will get a trip to the Bahamas (other prizes include a Wii, an iPod Touch and Cubs tickets). Tournament drink specials include $5 Svedka and Cruzan rum cocktails and $3 bottles of Bud and Bud Light. Arrowhead Restaurant and Bar Throughout the tournament, this Wheaton bar offers $5 22-ounce drafts, $5 bombs, 50-cent wings (during games only, minimum 5) and $5 Jump Shot cocktails (which you can learn to make during a mixology class at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 18 for $10 per person). The Coach House You may wonder why you want to go to a living room-themed sports bar when you can just sit in your own living room. Well, in addition to the $1 bottles of Miller High Life and $4 Jim Beam, there's this: submit a ballot with the names of four NCAA coaches during the first weekend of the tournament. Every time one of those coaches wins, you'll get a $10 gift certificate for use at a later date (the only catch is that you've got to be present to take the prize). You'll be able to submit another ballot once the Sweet 16 begins. Dawali It pays to represent your favorite team at this Middle Eastern eatery. Wear some college clothing here during the first four rounds of the tourney, and you'll get a card good for a free appetizer on your next visit. Duke's Alehouse and Kitchen Wear college-team apparel to this Crystal Lake bar anytime during the tournament and you'll get 35-cent wings and $3 pints of Sam Adams. Durty Nellie's Do you feel lucky? If so, enter the random bracket contest at this Palatine bar. The first 64 guests who enter will each be randomly paired with a different tournament team. The person who lucks out and gets the national champion will win a 40-inch flat-screen TV. There will also be a traditional bracket contest, with the winnertaking home a $500 travel voucher. Durty Nellie's will offer $2.50 stadium cup beer specials and 35-cent wings during the tournament. Harry Caray's Leave it to a Cubs-centric bar to make the NCAA Tournament about...the Cubs. The winners in Harry's Ultimate NCAA Bracket Challenge (enter at harrycarays.com) will get to fly on a private jet to see the Cubs take on the Cardinals in St. Louis - from seats behind home plate, of course. The owner of the worst bracket will get a Barry Bonds Bobble Head and an autographed photo of former governor Rod Blagojevich. Tournament specials include a $20 buffet-and-domestic drafts package on March 18 and 19, plus $15 buckets of Miller Lite and Coors Light on every tournament game day at Harry Caray's Tavern in Wrigleyville. The Lombard location will offer $2 drafts of Bud and Bud Light in commemorative pint glasses all tournament long. The Fifty/50 Food and drink specials abound during the tourney at this Wicker Park hotspot, with a $6 specialty cocktail list including the Dick Vitale-ity (Absolut Berri Acai and wild berry lemonade), the Cinderella Story (Absolut Ruby Red and grapefruit juice), the Airball (Jameson & ginger ale) and the "No, I Didn't Kill My Wife" (Absolut Mandarin and OJ), plus $3 Coors Light bottles, $5 Absolut, $5 Malibu, $6 Jameson and $6 Absolut flavored bombs. Food specials include a $15 appetizer combo with fried chicken wings and nachos. Don't feel like going in? The bar's bracket contest will be available online beginning on Monday, March 15 (with submitted brackets due by Wednesday). Prizes include a free party for up to 30 people featuring a two-hour Absolut hosted bar, an autographed Derrek Lee jersey and free individual registration for a Chicago Sport and Social summer team. J Bar Every Wednesday and Thursday during the tournament, stop into this hotel bar for Meat Madness: a 55-day dry-aged ribeye from David Burke's Primehouse, an order of truffle asiago french fries and a beer for $30. John Barleycorn Both the Lincoln Park and Wrigleyville locations will be open for all tournament games, serving specials like $1 sliders (burgers, ham & cheese, pulled pork), $15 Bud Light buckets and $18 buckets of Bud Light bottles with a shareable foot-long sub sandwich. The Lucky Monk Face it, your bracket is likely to be busted by the time the Sweet 16 rolls around. That's when you should head to this South Barrington bar, where the Beer Bracket will pair the top 16 of the draft and house-brewed beers with each remaining team. Whenever that team plays, the paired beer will be $3 all day. You can also win Monk Money during every tournament game - just tell your bartender who you pick to win and if they do (and you're still there), you'll get $5 to use on a future visit. Luxbar You'll get a prize just for filling out a bracket here - all entrants receive a $20 gift certificate to use during any NCAA game (specials include $3 Sam Adams and Peak Organic IPA drafts). It pays to win, though, as the top game-picker will get a $250 cocktail card and four tickets to a Cubs game. The runner-up gets six tickets to see Nickelback at Allstate Arena - no word on whether you can trade that in for a lifetime supply of pickles. Merkle's Bar and Grill What do sports fans want? We're guessing that $4 22-ounce drafts, $5 bombs and 25-cent wings are high on the list, and you can get all these specials throughout the tournament at this Wrigleyville bar. You can also enter to win two free tickets to the Final Four - that might be something else that sports fans desire, right? O'Donovan's Get a range of beer specials ($10 Miller Lite/Coors Light pitchers, $5.50 22-ounce stadium cups of Coors Light with limited $1 refills) and basketball inspired snacks (including $1.50 tacos) at this North Center bar, which will open at the start of tournament play each day. Pinstripes Support your team (or any college team) at this entertainment complex's Northbrook and South Barrington locations and you'll get a free game of bowling or bocce. If you really like those games, enter the bracket contest; the winner will enjoy a full year of free fun. Draft beers will be available for $3 on game days. Small Bar (Lincoln Park) The latest entry to the sports-bar-happy 'hood submits its bid for NCAA dominance by offering $4 Metropolitan drafts and $3 Coors Light bottles throughout the tournament. Want to make it even more interesting? Stop by before the tourney starts to get a bracket from a bartender and submit it before 7 p.m. on Monday, March 15. The person with the best picks gets $100, and even losers can be winners, as the person with the worst bracket will get a consolation burger and brew on the house. Stretch Run Throughout the tournament, NCAA fans can enjoy $5 20-ounce drafts of Miller Lite and Coors Light, plus a special March Madness menu including mini-crabcakes and an Italian beef sandwich. Don't forget to fill out a bracket between March 14 and March 17. The Venue at Horseshoe Casino At this casino, you can bet for free! Winners on the first two days of the tourney (March 18-19) will take home $5,000, but even if you don't win, you can enjoy $2 drafts, a free breakfast buffet (10 a.m.-noon), poker all day and visits from the Chicago Bliss Lingerie Football team and Hooters girls. See the website for more information. Share Check out Centerstage Chicago food and drink deals! Get your acceptance speech ready at one of these Chicago Oscars parties. Even if you're not walking the red carpet, the Oscars (March 7) can still be a special night. Whether you want to get all dressed up for a benefit event, or enjoy a low-key party with fellow film fanatics, we've found some parties that are well worth the ticket price. 10pin Bowling Lounge 7 p.m.-1 a.m. Bowl a strike when the special Oscar pin is in the headpin spot and you'll win an Oscar DVD from the past or present at this viewing party, which features a 128-foot high-def video wall. There will also be $8 themed cocktails like the Avatar (Van Gogh Black Cherry, blue curacao, pineapple and Sprite) and The Blind Side (Cuervo Gold, Triple Sec, sour mix, salt rim, lime garnish). 33 Club Enjoy an evening of VIP-style cocktails and dining at this Old Town spot. The celebration includes a cash bar cocktail reception from 6-7 p.m., a ballot contest (grand prize: night for two at the Elysian Hotel) and an optional four-course $50 prix-fixe menu including choices like steamed mussels, roasted chicken and red velvet cake. Cityscape Bar If the ceremony gets a little too long and predictable, there's always something else to stare at in this downtown bar. Located off the 15th floor lobby of the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza, Cityscape Bar boasts one of the best views of the city. While there, enjoy sipping on "drink like the stars" martinis such as the "Red Carpet" ($7) and "The Envelope Please..." martini ($7). Cuna Dress up as your favorite celebrity or character and you could win a prize in one of the costume/performance contests at this new Lakeview bar. Categories include Best Dressed Female/Male/Couple, Best Monologue, Best Acceptance Speech, Best Jack Nicholson Impression, Best Marilyn Monroe impression and a Zoolander walk-off. You'll also enjoy half-price bottles of wine. Gene Siskel Film Center $100 The Siskel Center hosts the only offical Oscar party in town; it's sanctioned by the Academy of Motion Pictures and requires "business attire or awards glam" for all its patrons, which means come right from work or feel free to get decked out to the nines. Hollywood would be proud. The broadcast, which will be shown in full HD glory at the center, starts at 7 p.m., but the gala kicks off at 6 p.m. and goes all the way to midnight. A silent auction will run through the evening and prizes will be raffled. The price of admission ($100) gets you food (from MJ Catering) and drinks (including a complimentary glass of Moet & Chandon to start the evening). Co-chairs include Amanda Puck, Bob Balaban, Harold Ramis and more. Halsted's Bar & Grill From the pre-show through to the final award presentation, Halsted's will be a great place to watch. There'll be a red carpet on the premises, giveaways to all attendees and specials like $3 glasses and $15 bottles of champagne, $4 22-ounce drafts of Miller Lite and $10 pitchers of Miller Lite. Hilton Chicago/Indian Lakes Resort Get a specialty themed cocktail for just $3.50 all weekend long at this Bloomingdale resort's Cave Bar. Drinks include the AvatarTini (raspberry vodka, blue curacao, pineapple juice and orange juice), the Hurt Locker Cherry Bomb (grenadine, Goldschlager, cherry curacao, vanilla vodka, club soda or Sierra Mist) and the Inglorious Jager Monster (Jager, grenadine, orange juice, splash sweet and sour). Izakaya Hapa Watch the show in this new lounge/restaurant above Sushi Taiyo while sipping on drinks like the Oscar-tini (Absolut Mandarin, sparkling sake, mandarin oranges) and Avatar Lemonade (Absolut Citron, fresh raspberries, lemonade, blue curacao, sparkling sake) and enjoying two sushi specials: the Red Carpet (namasake, avocado and spicy mayo topped with marinated tuna) and the Up in the Air (ebi and tempura banana, topped with a special ume sauce and sprinkled iwth wasabi tobiko). Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club 5:30 p.m.-2 a.m.; no cover Walk the blue carpet into this "Avatar"-inspired party, featuring half-price ($5) cocktails (including the Avatar Princess martini with Effen vodka, Hpnotiq liqueur, pineapple juice and rock candy) and an Oscars ballot contest, with the winner taking home a $500 grand prize including the "Avatar" video game for PlayStation 3 and a Swarovski crystal-studded Hpnotiq bottle. The first 50 guests will receive gift bags. Lobby Lounge (ShowPlace Icon Theatre) Where better to watch the Academy Awards action than at a movie theater? Enjoy the special "Oscar Crab" pizza ($15) while watching the winners on five 50-inch HD TVs. Luxbar 6-10:30 p.m.; $65 Do some good while watching the stars, as Luxbar teams up with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation for this red-carpet party featuring Goose Island beers, Belvedere vodka cocktails, samples of Glenmorangie scotch and 10Cane rum, bite-size menu items like sliders, tuna tartare, chicken empanadas, quesadillas and mini crab cakes. The awards will be shown on 17 flatscreen TVs, and NBC Chicago's Ginger Zee will make an appearance. Moonshine Specials at this Wicker Park party include mussels with house blonde ale ($11), grilled BBQ chicken skewers with apple hash browns and charred scallions ($10) and $6 for Moonshine house brews and a shot of Jim Beam. There will also be an Oscar pool. Palm Court Not only can you watch the Oscars at this elegant space in the Drake Hotel, but your $20 admission fee goes to Project Save the World, an organization with a pretty lofty goal. You'll also get a glass of champagne for your trouble. Rock Bottom Brewery There will be themed menu items available throughout the day at this restaurant and brewery, including "Up in the Air" wings, "The Blind Side" ballpark pretzels, "District 9" firecracker shrimp, a "Crazy Heart-tini" (pomegranate liqueur and Absolut Citron with a lemon twist), "A Single Man" (Rob Roy with scotch, sweet vermouth and bitters) and "Inglourious Basterds" brew ($3 pint of the day). Ballot contest participants will compete for growlers of beer as well as the grand prize of dinner for two. Check out Centerstage Chicago food and drink deals! photo: J. Adam Josh Deth doesn't necessarily want to change the world. He'd probably be happy if his new brewpub, Revolution, can make an impact on Logan Square. Three years in the making, the operation is finally underway, and the community-minded Deth ? a former Goose Island employee, current Handlebar Bar & Grill owner and UIC Urban Planning alum ? shares how he raised the fist. Can you explain the evolution of the name Revolution? It means a lot of different things to different people, which is why we chose it. It's a tribute to the nature of Chicago and activism, social unrest and organizing, like the lager beer riots that happened because of bars being closed on Sundays. It's also a tribute to what's going on in craft beer; revolution-wise, [the industry has had] nothing short of that over the last 20 years in terms of changing what has been available. Also, here, as a brewpub, it's a place you can visit, a community center place. Has anybody compared the likeness of your emblem to Hunter S. Thompson's gonzo fist? They haven't, no (laughs). More dildo-based references. We're also lefties, so it's a leftist fist. What about the brews ? who gets credits on those? Jim Cibak [the brewmaster] and I worked together at the Fulton Street [Goose Island] brewery. He was a brewer, I was a cellarman. We worked together, on almost all the recipes, brewing everything a couple times. The golden ale, we brewed four times to get it right. It's such a light beer, there's not a lot of room for error. We wanted it to be really balanced. But the recipes are becoming more and more part of [Jim's] job. I still poke my head in and say, "I want to brew a couple of these," and he says, "great." We get along real well. And how do they tie into the revolution? Well, there's a porter on right now called Eugene, which is named after Eugene V. Debs, who was involved with the Pullman railroad strike around the turn of the century. I'm kind of a historian. The Workingman is a mild, luncheon beer you can have a couple of and it won't blow you down. And the Anti-Hero, my kid's a Star Wars fan. But all of our beers aren't the most extreme beers in the world, like Dogfish or Three Floyds. The number-one intent is for them to be balanced, tasty, drinkable beers that go well with the food. I really think we accomplished that. That's cool that Jason Petrie was brought on from your first restaurant, Handlebar. How is that side of the accomplishment going? Yeah, he's had the strongest role in developing the menu. I kind of set the direction as a classier joint than Handlebar. It's almost like a steakhouse sometimes, the way the dark wood comes out at night. And we've got a steak on the menu. But, people are buying our mussels, our pulled pork, our burgers. We're selling way more burgers than we expected. We're having a little fun with that right now. It's kind of like the Kuma's Corner effect. I kind of wish we had a bigger grill. The story goes that you spent upwards of millions of dollars constructing Revolution into the classy space that it is, gutting the century-old building, refurbishing its tin ceiling and such. Being the historian that you are, any other curiosities of the building? If you go in the basement there's the foundation from the old printing press that's still there. Like two-inch thick concrete walls that supported the press that was in the middle of the room. We call it the crypt. Eventually we're going to do a series of crypt-aged beers, hand-carried into the crypt. The bar is probably the most significant piece, though. That's a new piece Aaron Heineman built. I think he's building the greatest bars in Chicago. He's very busy right now building lots of bars around town. And this one we were able to give him a fair amount of artistic freedom to have fun with. He found a way to create our fist, and of course our tap handles. photo: J. Adam Those are great taps, the six brews represented with six stars nodding to the city's flag. What other taps are you including in the revolution? We're trying to feature the best of regional craft brews, as well. We've got Half Acre's Baume on, their chocolate rye stout. The Metropolitan doppelbock. The Goose Island Green Line. We?ve got the Founder's double IPA. Revolution, the project, began in 2007 with a day-one blog credo of sorts on how you plan to "bring fresh, local beer to the masses," while promoting "community and activism," citing the desire to challenge "good ol' American capitalism." How goes it three years later? Check and check on the masses and the fresh beer. Just getting open was a huge struggle. But there was a big community effort getting us going ? investors, neighbors, good friends, people from the beer community, all stepped forward. A lot of people have given a lot and we're in debt to many. A lot of free beers are being given away, let's put it that way. Now that we're at the point where we're open and we can give back, I think we're going to see weekly fundraisers, coming out in groups. I'd like to put something forward like, "What's your revolution?" We want to support the other people that are doing great things. Love the local beer scene? Vote for your favorite Chicago brewery in our Facebook poll. Share Check out Centerstage Chicago food and drink deals! Visit our St. Patrick's Day Guide for info on more Irish fun. Though Chicago probably boasts more ?Irish? pubs than Starbucks locations, drinking spots that actually remain true to the homeland can prove as difficult to locate as that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Keeping a few key elements in mind (a two-pour Guinness, Irish staff and regional grub), we worked our way through draft after draft of stout until we found the authentic Irish pubs that put those other shamrock-toting shacks to shame. photo: courtesy of Bridget Montgomery They know how to pour a Guinness at Johnny O'Hagan's. Johnny O'Hagan's To create a more authentic Irish feel, Johnny O'Hagan's (named after two Irishmen related to the owners) handcrafted bar was imported directly from the ol' Emerald Isle. In addition to this eye-catching piece, the pub also features a giant fireplace below a mural depicting the story of the Claddagh Ring. As for food, we recommend sticking with the traditional Irish breakfast including rashers, sausages, eggs, black and white pudding, beans, grilled tomato, spuds and toast, $8 for a half order and $9.95 for a full. If you're just looking for something to snack on, the curry chips are also a pub favorite, $6. Atlantic Bar & Grill In addition to its Irish owner, this one gets bonus points for having a fireplace and classy photos of the Atlantic Ocean and Ireland. The Atlantic's sleek mahogany bar provides an inviting space to watch the game (rugby, football or soccer) from one of the pub's flat-screens and the kitchen serves up all the usual suspects. Highlights include the beef and Guinness pie, bangers and mash and traditional bread pudding for dessert; entrees range from $8.95-$13.95. Cork & Kerry There's no place like the South Side when it comes to Irish pubs and Cork & Kerry stands amongst the best of ?em. With its woodwork and green trim interior, low-slung chandeliers and all the imported beer your Irish roots can handle, you'll feel like you're right back in the homeland. But before you get too cozy, take heed of the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd. This place is nearly always packed and it?s bound to be at max capacity during St. Paddy's Day weekend, with or without the South Side Parade. Cullen's Bar & Grill If you're looking for a place where the staff is just as authentic as the Irish cuisine, head over to Cullen's. These Brogue-spewing servers have perfected the pour of a pint of Guinness and they?ve got an entire list of hearty entrees to boot. Staples like Shepherd's pie and Cornish pasties (seasoned ground beef wrapped pastry-style) are house favorites and the bar's Mother?s Meatloaf, served with mashed potatoes and gravy, is a must. If you're looking for something a little lighter (and we use that term loosely), try the Bass Ale-battered onion rings or the popular curry chips. The average entree here will cost you about $12, and it's worth every bit o' green. Cullen's also hosts live Irish music on Tuesday evenings, and makes room for less traditional tunes Wednesday through Sunday. Ginger's Ale House The Irish and English owners of Ginger's Ale House know just how to please their green-lovin' patrons - with a jukebox full of Irish hits and classic rock tunes. The guys also stock essential Irish staples like Boddington's, Caffrey's Irish Ale and Magner's Cider. American brews are available, too, but let's not forget why you're here. When you're looking for something hearty to soak up all that stout, try the pub's "homeland" Shepherd's pie, beer-battered fish 'n' chips (all-you-can-eat on Fridays) or the traditional Irish breakfast offered during Ginger?s weekend brunch. photo: courtesy of The Kerryman The Kerryman draws a ready-to-party crowd on St. Patrick's Day. The Kerryman The Kerryman seems anything but authentic with its modern digs and upscale dining, but the brothers behind it are as Irish as can be. Mick and Trevor O'Donoghue, originally from Castleisland, Co. Kerry, voyaged across the Atlantic in hopes of bringing modern Irish nightlife to Chicago. They've accomplished just that with a regular lineup of local DJs, nightly drink deals and a clientele consisting of young professionals. While the venue's non-traditional decor may throw you for a loop, the menu, prepared by Chef Damien Maloney, is just as authentic as the brothers themselves. Salads like the Grecian chicken and steamy bowls of Galway seafood chowder provide a little something to nibble on, while hearty entrees like Shepherd's pie and the Irish breakfast offer more sustenance. Irish Oak Located next to Wrigley Field, the Irish Oak is often just as crowded as you might expect. But no matter how rowdy it gets inside, the pub won't lose its warm and welcoming Irish roots. Everything about the place, from its floors and frames to its hand-crafted bar and Galway native owners, came straight from the Emerald Isle. In addition to its authentic interior, you'll find plenty of Irish brews on tap and a full menu featuring both Irish and American cuisine. Stop in on a Friday when the pub offers its all-you-can-eat Claddagh-style fish 'n' chips with homemade coleslaw for $10.75. Shinnick's At first glance, it seems that this family-owned Bridgeport pub could've been plucked straight from the Emerald Isle itself. Shinnick's late 19th-century interior ? complete with an authentic mahogany Brunswick bar (circa 1890) ? and familial charm are enough to make you forget all those other Irish joints on your list. And if we haven't convinced you yet, just check out the pub?s extensive list of Irish whiskies, bourbons and scotches. photo: courtesy of Chief O'Neill's The good chief watches over all. Chief O'Neill's If you've got a hankering for real Irish music, this Northwest Side pub should be your first stop. Owned by All-Irish musicians Brendan and Siobhan McKinney, the bar and restaurant has a commitment to traditional tunes, with bands playing jigs and reels throughout the night. The food is not to be outdone, though, as the menu includes "Emerald Isle Favorites" like fish 'n' chips, Irish stew, corned beef and more. Don't miss the popular Sunday brunch buffet; for $15.95, you'll get your fill of everything from made-to-order omelets to poached Wild Atlantic salmon. The bar is named after former Chicago Police Chief Francis O'Neill, who was known for both his toughness on the job and his love for music. Celtic Knot Public House Sometimes you've got to leave city limits to find a worthwhile Irish pub. Such is the case with Evanston's Celtic Knot, where the food and brews are just as authentic as the Irish folks who run the joint. The friendly staff is trained in the art of the infamous Guinness two-pour and the stone-walled room and warm atmosphere are enough to make you feel like you're slingin' 'em back in the homeland. Once you've had your fill of booze, you can belly up to the bar and order up some traditional grub like fish 'n' chips, Shepherd's pie or the pub's popular Guinness pasties. Or, head over to the venue's dining room and choose from a more upscale menu, featuring dishes like lemon-infused sole, pecan-crusted salmon and steak with black peppercorn sauce. Visit our St. Patrick's Day Guide for info on more Irish fun. Check out Centerstage Chicago food and drink deals! Visit our St. Patrick's Day Guide for info on more Irish fun. photo: courtesy of Bridget Cicenia Just how many dyed green beers and leprechaun bendy straws can a person take? We all know that the novelty cocktails served in pubs across town on St. Patrick's Day are lacking authenticity, so why do we keep guzzling them down? Why pay to drink something that looks like it was ladled out of the Chicago River? Probably because the Irish haven't given us many better options. Words like "appletini" and "cosmopolitan" simply don't translate to Ireland's pub dialect. Most public houses have two kinds of glasses?pint and shot?and the patrons like it that way, thank you very much. But you can sample some real Irish cocktails if you step away from the fair-weather fakers and raise a glass at some of Chicago's best pubs. "May the dust of your carriage wheels blind the eyes of your foes." Irish Car Bomb at Celtic Crossings Sure, it's been co-opted by frat guys from coast to coast, but the Irish Car Bomb also happens to be one of the few cocktails enjoyed back in the homeland. Of course, by 'enjoyed' we mean pounded in rapid succession with little regard for liver function. For the real thing, nix the college bars for U2's preferred digs: Celtic Crossings. Not only does the authentic pub forgo all the cartoonish Irish pageantry, but it also has a jukebox full of The Pogues. Even Bono would agree that nothing sets the mood for excessive drinking quite like a little Shane Macgowan. As for the Crossings' Car Bomb, simplicity is key: A shot of Baileys-spiked Jameson plunked inside a frothy pint of Guinness. In fact, the only thing complicated about this beloved Irish tipple is figuring out how not to crack a tooth. "May you be in heaven a full half hour before the devil knows you're dead." Grafton Zinger at Grafton Pub & Grill If your mamma always told you not to drink on Sunday, she probably wasn't Irish. Uisce beatha, the Gaelic term for whiskey, literally translates to "water of life," a common phrase for "holy water." The name was given by the pioneering Irish monks of the Kilbeggan ("little church" in Gaelic) village; early holy men used barley from nearby fields and drew water from the river Brosna to brew the very first batch. The smooth, oaky flavor of Irish whiskey has just a touch of sweetness, but is full-bodied enough to not be overshadowed by the ginger ale used in the cocktail. Add lemon to the mix, and you've got the Grafton Zinger ($6.50), a little cocktail with a big heart?and a bigger backstory. "May the doctor never earn a pound out of you." Black Stallion at Galway Arms If ever there was a whiskey that lives up to the "holy water" standard, it's without a doubt Bushmill's Black Bush Irish Whiskey. Strong enough to knock the devil right out of you, this 80-proof blend is ideal for a pharmaceutical-grade Hot Toddy. Next time you have the sniffles, belly up to the bar at Galway Arms and request a Black Stallion ($7). The dark, malted whiskey owes its unique profile to sherry-seasoned oak caskets, the absence of peat in the drying process and aging for up to seven years. The resulting nectar produces a clean, full flavor that marries well with the clove, lemon and sugars of Galway Arm's magic, custom-made tonic water in the Stallion. "May you live as long as you want and never want as long as you live." Nutty Irishman at The Kerryman While a true Irishman rarely foregoes the comforts of whiskey and beer, there is one glaring exception: Not even the toughest man in the bar can turn down the sweet kiss of Baileys. Chicago's favorite coffee creamer flies off grocery shelves from November through March, but one Irish cocktail takes the java-boosting to the next level. At Kerryman Bar, you can order up a Nutty Irishman ($7, $5 on Wednesdays) or just shout out, "Manager on Duty!" This exclamation will, for some inexplicable reason, prompt the bartender to make you this winter-busting concoction. Frangelico is added to the time-tested foundation of Baileys and coffee, adding a nutty kick to a classic. As if this velvety blend wasn't sweet enough, a dollop of freshly whipped cream crowns the whole affair. Care to give home-bartending the old college try? Keep the St. Paddy's spirit going year-round with these easy drinks: Irish Black Russian To equal parts Kahlua and vodka, add cola and a float of Guinness. Irish Eyes If you've developed a creme de menthe habit from all the green-tinted pomp of this week's specialty cocktails, just add Kilbeggan whiskey, heavy cream and ice. Now shake and sip your Irish Eyes. Dublin Handshake If you subscribe to the "give peace a chance" sect, trade in that Car Bomb for a Dublin Handshake. Start with equal parts Baileys and Irish whiskey, and then fill with sloe gin. Visit our St. Patrick's Day Guide for info on more Irish fun. Check out Centerstage Chicago food and drink deals! Mmm...feijoada. Mardi Gras is a great day for partying, but that's just the problem: It's only one day. Get the party started early with Carnaval (or Carnival, or Carnivale), the four-day period (February 13-16) that, like Fat Tuesday, is a way to say goodbye to all those naughty habits before Lent begins. Morseland Friday, February 12, 10 p.m.; $5 Part of the club's regular Fusion mash-up series, this Carnival/Bacchanal celebration features live performances by Nguzo, music by guest DJs, masks and more. Rio D caipirinhas are just $5. Chicago Samba Saturday, February 13 at Logan Square Auditorium, 10 p.m.; $15 If you're looking to party with Brazilians and true appreciators of Carnaval, head to the official Chicago Samba event, which will make up for what it lacks in fancy decor with sheer authenticity. This fete features the popular Chicago Samba dance troupe, capoeiristas and so much more. A DJ provides the tunes, while Chicago Samba instructor/MC for the evening Edilson Lima will teach samba dance steps. Expect dancers in full, extravagant costumes, $5 caipirinhas and more. The party is 18-plus. Club Mambo Saturday, February 13, 9 p.m.-3 a.m.; $20 in advance, $25 at the door Swing Brasileiro, a collection of local Brazilian musicians, provides the tunes and the Tropicalia Dance Group and Gingarte Capoeira offer visual stimuli at this festive celebration at this Northwest Side cafe/club. Carnivale Monday, February 15 - Tuesday, February 16 Jerry Kleiner's West Loop spot is a no-brainer for celebrating this festival, and this year the restaurant hosts two days of celebrations. It starts with the regular winter offering of $5 mojitos on Monday night (with choices including classic and raspberry). Then, on Tuesday, enjoy live music from Carpacio y su Combo Sexy, Samba dancing from Shirley Vieira of Brasil via Chicago, Bacardi Girls, complimentary masks and beads and a menu including bacalao (salt cod fritters with habanero aioli, $9), feijoada (roasted pork shoulder, chorizo, black beans, collard greens, yuca, orange, $25), fried banana with cinnamon ice cream and coconut macaroon ($8) and more. Check out Centerstage Chicago food and drink deals! Celebrate Fat Tuesday at one of these spots in Chicago. Can't get down to New Orleans for Mardi Gras (February 16)? You'll find all the beads and bashes you need to celebrate Fat Tuesday right here in Chicago. Brasserie Jo You might not immediately think of this River North French restaurant when considering where to dine on Fat Tuesday, but you should, because all guests will get a complimentary Alsatian Apple beignet along with their meals. Crobar Saturday, February 13 Tuesday's not the best night to party for some, so stop by Crobar on Saturday for a celebration worthy of the French Quarter. B96 will broadcast live beginning at 11 p.m., with Dougie Stylz and DJ Tony Arzadon hosting the evening. Arrive early for a complimentary Hurricane, beads and masks. The CrossRoads Bar & Grill Party in the West Loop with $2 cans of beer, $5 Hurri-KANES (a twist on the classic drink inspired by Chicago Blackhawk Patrick Kane) and $2 sliders (pulled pork with BBQ sauce, carved turkey BLT, prime rib with caramelized onions, horseradish and au jus, or crab cake with corn salsa and creamy lemon sauce). Cuna Who needs Hurricanes when you can get $5 Bayou Witch's Brew (coconut rum, vanilla vodka, amaretto, creme de banana, Blue Curacao, pineapple juice) and $5 Kilo Kai rum drinks? Well, you decide at this Mediterranean-inspired Lakeview restaurant. Dick's Last Resort Join the "Habitat for Insanity" fest at Dick's, where prizes are all the rage. The best-dressed reveler will win $250, the guest with the most outlandish bra will score a $50 bar tab, and the person who finds the baby in the Kings Cake (no hands allowed) gets dinner on Dick's. The VooDoo Krewe begins playing at 7 p.m., with contest judging beginning at 8. Dick's New Orleans menu (available February 12-18) includes spicy gator tail, jambalaya, drunk Cajun shrimp and a bucket o' beignets. Wash it down with $3 SoCo Hurricanes on the rocks or $20 buckets of Corona and Company Beer. Division Street Turns Into Bourbon Street If there were one place in Chicago that could come close to replicating the no-holds-barred party atmosphere of New Orleans during Mardi Gras, it'd probably be this stretch of Division. So it's not surprising that the area will be overrun with beads and alcohol. Start at Bootlegger's for the New Orleans Dance Off and Malibu Hurricanes (keep the cup for $3 refills), then head over to see Treaty of Paris play at 9 p.m. at The Original Mother's ($10) while enjoying $4.50 Heineken, Heineken Light and Amstel Light. Finish off the night at She-nannigans, where they'll be spinning '80s, '90s and current dance music and giving away prizes all night long. Watch out for the BS Brass Band and various street freaks between stops. Dunlays on Clark Get into a Mardi Gras mood at this Lincoln Park bar with N'awlins-style food and drink specials, including $9 crispy catfish bites, $7 beignets, $12 shrimp po' boys, $4 Abita Turbodog and Purple Haze, $5 Hurricanes and $3 Hand Grenade shots. Durty Nellie's Why limit your celebration to one day? You can get Cajun specials all month long at this Palatine bar and restaurant, including traditional-style gumbo, fried catifish and the Bayou Pasta Bowl with alligator, shrimp and crawfish. Prices range from $6.29-$14.37. We're not sure why, but just go with it. Faith & Whiskey You've heard of the Hurricane, but what about the "Rock You Like A Hurricane"? Faith & Whiskey's variation on the classic includes Jim Beam Red Stage cherry-flavored bourbon, light rum and fruit juices. You can also get $2 domestic bottles during this Fat Tuesday party. The Fifty/50 The Wicker Park bar's second annual Fat Tuesday party features $9 22-ounce Rum Runners (Malibu Banana, Captain Morgan Spiced Rum 100, pineapple juice, orange juice, cranberry juice), $5 Malibu, $5 Absolut and $6 Jameson. Goose Island Brewery 6:30 p.m.; $40 Chef Andrew Hroza will prepare a Cajun-inspired dinner with beer pairings by, you guessed it, Goose Island. Start off with an amuse of mini muffalettas (sourdough crostini topped with olive spread and cured meats), paired with Golden Goose Pilsner. Then comes the first course, crawfish bisque and crawfish beignets, with Lincoln Park Lager, followed by pompano en papillote with seasonal vegetables and the new Green Line Pale Ale. The third course is a Cajun surf 'n' turf with crabmeat-stuffed beef tenderloin medallions served with crispy okra, bearnaise sauce and Lake Effect Imperial Red Ale. Dessert is bourbon bread pudding souffle with caramel sauce and whiskey gelato, paired with Rind Grind Espresso Stout. Call for reservations. Grand Central See Bourbon Street-themed entertainment such as a burlesque performance, body painting and a fortune-teller. New Orleans inspired dishes augment the regular menu. Fat Tuesday drink deals include $10 Hurricane and sangria pitchers and $15 buckets of Corona and Dos Equis bottles. Additional food deals include 50-cent wings (Cajun, barbecue and Buffalo), $1 tacos and a complimentary taco with every Patron tequila purchase. Heaven on Seven No matter which location of this Cajun-themed chain you choose, you'll find a party goin' on. In Naperville, the Pat Smilie Band performs live from 5-11 p.m., to go along with special cocktails and dinner specials. On Rush Street, Professor John takes the stage from 5-11 p.m. to preside over a party full of beads and Hurricanes. And the original location on Wabash parties all day, from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Hunt Club Get fat on Fat Tuesday with a pairing of immense proportions: a pint of Fat tire and a "Walk of Shame" burger (topped with a fried over-easy egg, bacon and cheddar and served on a pretzel roll) for just $10 total. Other specials include half-price bottles of wine and $5 orders of sliders. John Barleycorn (Lincoln Park and Wrigleyville) Munch on New Orleans-inspired dishes like jambalaya, andouille sausage quesadillas, king cake, red beans and rice and a selection of mini po' boys such as shrimp, chicken and andouille sausage. Drink deals include $3 Southern Comfort Hurricanes, Scarlett O'Hara shots and Bud Light cans and $4 Hand Grenades. Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club The Mardi Gras Masquerade soiree features a ton of specials, including half-price Cruzan rum mojitos and specialty martinis. Don a mask and some beads and enjoy the festivities, which include a viewing of "RuPaul's Drag Race Rewind" at 8 p.m. (Jade, a contestant on the first season, will make an appearance. No cover. Knew $35 It's not often that you can pair a prix-fixe meal with your own booze, but that's exactly what you can do at chef Omar Rodriguez's Logan Square restaurant. The Fat Tuesday menu here includes four courses of classic Cajun cuisine, including choices like crawfish tail bisque; sweet potato duck chowder with andouille sausage; caldo riojano with alligator, rabbit, venison, fava beans, tomato, onion, prosciutto, spinach and crusty bread; rabbit loin gumbo; Creole pasta with chicken, allligator and mixed peppers; and blackened halibut with Creole rice and blackened jumbo shrimp. Mac's American Pub Mac's offers Mardi Gras favorites such as andouille sausage and chicken gumbo ($7) and shrimp etouffe ($8). Drink deals include $5 hurricanes and $3 beers from the Big Easy. Expect New Orleans music and complimentary beads, too. Lagniappe Where better to celebrate a New Orleans holiday than at this authentic Cajun-Creole restaurant? For $20, you'll enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet, live music from the Phil Fornett Jazz Group, free masks, beads and more. Register online and you'll get a free Hurricane. Lottie's Pub Why limit your partying to one day? You can celebrate Mardi Gras throughout the weekend at Lottie's. From Friday, February 12 - Tuesday, February 16, enjoy $6 hand grenades (in a souvenir cup) and hurricanes, $6 jambalaya and po' boys. Expect beads. Martyrs' 8 p.m.; $12 in advance, $15 at the door New Orleans singer Theryl "Houseman" DeClouet (former lead singer of Galactic) returns to the stage with his new, Chicago-based band, The Housewreckers, for a special show at Martyrs'. The venue will also serve up hurricanes, etouffee, jambalaya and red beans and rice, along with other N'awlins favorites for the occasion. Local funk band Crystal Gravy supports. Meson Sabika (Naperville) The Spanish restaurant will offer a number of special cocktails for $8.95 from February 9-16, including Voodoo (coconut rum, vodka, gin, triple sec, chambord, orange juice) and Spanish Lava (rum, coconut cream, pineapple juice, strawberry puree). It will also offer Spanish fish dishes throughout Lent, Feburary 17 - April 2. Moonshine Did you know the chef at this Wicker Park favorite is from Louisiana? You will after you try his authentic New Orleans Muffaletta sandwich with hand-cut fries ($11), or his shrimp and andouille sausage gumbo ($13). Wash it all down with SoCo Hurricanes ($5) or SoCo Lime shots ($3), and you might just feel ready to participate in the Cajun karaoke session beginning at 9 p.m. O'Donovan's It's all about the Cajun-inspired food and drink at this North Center bar and grill, with featured items including gumbo, jalapeno cord bread, po' boy sandwiches, crab cakes, $5 Hurricans and more. Beads will be given away in abundance, and zydeco music will be played all day long. Additional specials include 30-cent wings and trivia beginning at 8:30 p.m. The Pony Beginning at 4 p.m., this Lakeview bar offers $5 Bayou Hurricanes, $6 jambalaya and free beads in honor of the big day. Pace yourself; the bar's open 'til 2 a.m. Rock Bottom Brewery Live it up at this brewery chain with $4 Hurricanes and $3 drafts of Big Easy Ale all day long, as well as $5 appetizers between 3-6 p.m. Rockit Bar & Grill (Wrigleyville) Indulge in a New Orleans-inspired meal courtesy of executive chef James Gottwald, with items including seafood gumbo ($4/cup, $6/bowl) and soft shell crab po' boys ($12). Pair 'em with $6 Hurricanes and Mardi Gras bombs and you'll be in the spirit pretty quickly. Schoolyard Tavern The SoCo girls will be on hand at this Southport Corridor bar, which hosts a wild Mardi Gras party featuring a 'best mask' contest and plenty of beads. Sheffield's Not only will you get homemade gumbo ($5), Hurricanes ($5), Fat Shots ($3), and Fat Tire ($6 large bottles) at this Lakeview favorite on Fat Tuesday, but you'll also have the chance to get in on a Two Brothers beer tasting hosted by the brothers themselves, Jim and Jason Ebel. The event, which also includes appetizers, takes place in Sheffield's backroom Beer School bar, and costs $20. Smoke Daddy The Wicker Park BBQ spot turns its weekly beer-tasting series into a Mardi Gras party, with Louisiana brewery Abita offering samples from 7-10 p.m. (as well as $6 pints and $10 beer flights). In addition to the regular menu (featuring a special of $6 pulled-meat nachos on Tuesdays, you can enjoy Cajun items like gumbo and boiled crawfish. Carpetbaggers Local 606, a popular local Cajun zydeco band, will play beginning at 9 p.m. Sushi Taiyo Even sushi spots are getting into the Fat Tuesday spirit. Enjoy specials like the Voodoo Roll (steamed lobster, spicy mayo, cucumber, jalapeno, tobiko and wasabi tobiko, $10) and Rainbow on the Bayou (toasted salmon, tempura crunch wrapped with pieces of maguro, namasake, hamachi and unagi, $15), with a Big Easy Breeze martini (Ketel One vodka, mango puree, Cointreau, fresh lime) on the side. Tapas Valencia The Spanish restaurant will offer a number of special cocktails for $8.95 from February 9-16, including Dulce y Picante (St. Germain, Spanish brandy, fresh strawberries, lime juice and cayenne pepper) and a pomegranate caipirinha (Pama, Cabana cachaca, fresh lime juice and sugar). It will also offer Spanish fish dishes throughout Lent, Feburary 17 - April 2. Timothy O'Toole's This Streeterville pub is doing things big on Mardi Gras with the "Big Cans" party, with $3 big cans of PBR, Miller High Life and Old Style and $5 big cans of Heineken, Red Stripe and Foster's. Don't worry, you can get your Hurricanes ($6), too, plus a complimentary buffet of Cajun-inspired appetizers from 6-7 p.m. and a number of New Orleans foot specials on the menu If you go to the Gurnee location, you won't get the big cans specials, but you will get everything else (app buffet is 5:30-6:30 p.m.) Trader Vic's Celebrate Mardi Gras with a Hawaiian twist at this classic bar, where you'll get $5 Mai Tais and $5 Fat Tire. All customers will get "lei'd" with any purchase. Share Check out Centerstage Chicago food and drink deals! Amid the many reports about the many fatalities and still-dangerous conditions in Haiti after a devastating earthquake Tuesday, one question has been constant: How can we help? Well, if you don't decide to use the text-donation service vouched for on the U.S. Department of State Blog, there are many ways you can have an impact in Chicago. Here are the upcoming events: Martini Park Friday, February 26, 5:30-9 p.m.; $40 in advance, $50 at the door Erie-LaSalle Body Shop, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, hosts this party featuring an open bar and complimentary appetizers. The admission fee will go to Partners in Health, which has been working in Haiti for more than 20 years. People's Church of Chicago, 941 W. Lawrence 6:30 p.m.; free The "Helpin' Haiti's Children" concert event features performances by Joe Jencks, Sam Williams and other local musicians. Bring along donations of clothes, baby formula, diapers and anything else you think might help - it'll all be given to the Haitian American Community Association. Cash donations will be given to Doctors Without Borders. Call (773) 784-6633 for more info. Threadless Purchase a "Many Hands Make the Load Lighter" t-shirt from the locally based designer ($10); all proceeds up to $100,000 will be donated to the Red Cross. Share Check out Centerstage Chicago food and drink deals! It's fitting that the final game on the football schedule is the biggest. You can always watch the Super Bowl with Cheetos and cheap beer, but where's the fun in that? Check out these Chicago restaurant and bar deals to make the most of the football finale. Parties Brownstone Tavern & Grill If you're feeling like a big celebration, head to this North Center bar, where for just $20 you'll get unlimited drafts and well drinks from kickoff to the end of the game. Other specials include $5 orders of mini-burgers and boneless wings. The Spot Chicago may not be in the Super Bowl, but it will be part of the Super Bowl buffet here. The all-you-can-eat spread ($15) includes Vienna hot dogs and Polish sausage, Maxwell Street pork chops, Tom Tom tamales, Scala Italian beef and Italian sausage, Jay's potato chips, Tootsie Rolls and more. Add on unlimited drafts of Miller Lite, Bitburger, Leinenkugel's Red Lager and Shiner Bock for $10 (draft package not available separately). HC We're not sure what the "Walk of Shame" burger has to do with the Super Bowl, but when you get the beast of a patty topped with a fried over-easy egg, bacon and cheddar on a pretzel roll for $5, you won't quibble. Other Super specials including $4 import and domestic drafts and $5 bloody marys. Merkle's Bar and Grill Reserve a table at this Wrigleyville bar for free and you'll be in line for complimentary wings and pizza (3:30-4:30 p.m.), $5 bombs and $15 buckets - plus a chance to win a three-day, two-night trip to Las Vegas. O'Donovan's 4-11 p.m. The "Super Super Bowl Party" here includes $6.50 Tito's Fat Marys with Shiner Bock beer chasers, $6 White Trash Mimosas and a bunch of game-ready food like sloppy joes, mac and cheese bites, and BBQ baby back ribs with fries (only $9.95). The Northcenter bar has 20 54-inch plasmas to watch the game on. The Hunt Club Food and drink specials at this upscale Gold Coast bar include $4 import and domestic draft beers, $5 bloody Marys and a $5 "Walk of Shame Burger" topped with a fried egg, bacon and cheddar and served on a pretzel roll. LaSalle Power Co. Watch the game on a one-of-a-kind 167-inch plasma video wall and 10 50-inch flat-screen TVs. LaSalle also offers a $15 all-you-can-handle tailgate buffet from 4 p.m. to the end of game, featuring Angus beef sliders, turkey sliders, sloppy joe?s, tater tots and both Buffalo-style and traditional boneless chicken strips. All-night drink deals include $4 domestic bottles, $5 bomb shots and $15 mix-and-match buckets (five bottles each, includes both domestic and imported). 10pin Bowling Lounge 10pin will offer guests a $25 bowling special which includes bowling from 5 p.m. to the end of the game and a halftime buffet with mini cheeseburgers, Vienna all-beef hot dogs, tater tots, and cheese and pepperoni pizza. The first 100 guests will get a Super Bowl square with a chance to win a trip to Jamaica. Brasserie Jo Watch the Super Bowl with a French twist with a special three-course Super Bowl menu ($14.95), which includes a classic French style hot dog, served with pommes frites and Dijon mustard, a classic onion soup gratinee (made with Gruyere), and chocolate mousse. You can also enjoy a selection of beers from the newly enhanced beer menu, such as the "biere de la brasserie" or house brew, Hopla!, by Two Brothers ($5). Cityscape Bar Enjoy a complimentary half-time appetizer buffet including wings, poppers, hot dogs and $4 domestic bottled beers and $4 house wines all day. Cityscape is also offering Football Flights which features a choice of three 4-ounce beers for $6. La Madia The River North pizza place is offering $7 carry-out pies on Super Bowl Sunday. Luxbar Guests can join LuxLounge upstairs at Luxbar for a Super Bowl squares party featuring a complimentary appetizer buffet and a cash bar. The first 100 people will receive entry plus a complimentary square for a chance to win prizes. Luxbar will offer $3 Miller Lite bottles both upstairs and down. Stretch Run Grab $4 Coors Light drafts and join a raffle with specialty Coors Light Super Bowl items. In addition, Stretch Run will feature a Super Bowl menu with specials like the Forget About It NY Giants Turkey Pastrami Sandwich for $9.95 and John Madden's BBQ Pulled Pork for $8.95. English Enjoy $3 domestic bottles, $4 drafts and $6 premium cocktails while watching the game on nearly a dozen 50- and 65-inch flat screens. Uncle Fatty's Rum Resort Lakeview's island-themed hotspot hosts a "Super Fish Bowl Party" featuring discounted specialty 32-ounce fishbowls and an optional food and drink private party package. Two specialty fishbowls will be discounted to $10: The New Orleans Saints -inspired "Hurricane" (Bacardi Superior Rum, Myers Dark Rum, passion fruit juice, orange juice, grenadine) and the Indianapolis Colts-inspired "Blue Horseshoe" (Absolut Mango, Blue Curacao, lemonade, 7 Up). You can also enjoy a premium alcohol, domestic beers and food buffet for $30 that will start at 5 p.m. and run until the end of the game. Grand Central The Lincoln Park bar features a $10 all-you-can-eat stadium buffet from 3 p.m. through end of game, including wings, a selection of sliders and quesadillas, plus a hot dog and nacho bar. All-day drink specials include $15 domestic beer buckets, $20 import beer buckets, $5 Bacardi bombs, $3 mimosas and $4 Jameson and Jagermeister shots. Halftime raffles and prizes include a fully-stocked official Miller Lite cooler, Bears gear and an autographed Chicago Bears poster. Rockwood Place Rockwood offers an inclusive $35 party package, which includes select appetizers, beer, wine and call liquor from 5 p.m. to the end of the game. A portion of the proceeds benefits the 20/30 Club of Chicago, a local nonprofit dedicated to helping underprivileged children. Mac's American Pub Selections on the special $7 menu include ale-steamed veal brats with bacon, apple and sauerkraut; spicy green chili with pork; a monster Italian sub with red wine-herb vinaigrette; and a giant ham and cheese melt with Gruyere cheese and caramelized onions. All-day drink deals include $3 import and domestic drafts; $3 Jameson shots, $8 PBR pitchers and $5 bloody marys. An optional $40 inclusive package, which includes all beers and call liquor, is also offered. People Lounge People features football-inspired specials with a Spanish twist in addition to the regular tapas menu, including $6 Spanish nachos, crispy wontons with tomato relish, aged manchego cheese, chopped chicken and olives; and $6 spicy smoked paprika Buffalo wings with house-made blue cheese dressing (10 wings per order). $2 PBR cans and $3 Jameson shots are on special all night. Sushi Taiyo Guest can treat themselves to themed signature maki rolls and half off any bottle of wine all day. Carryout and catering are also available. Duke's Alehouse and Kitchen Duke's offers guests who dine-in on Super Bowl Sunday 35¢ wings all day. Guests who plan on watching the game from home can order Duke's carry out at least one week before to receive a pound of free wings. John Barleycorn Watch the game on three oversized projection screens and a dozen flat-screen TVs. Specials include $15 Bud Light buckets and $1 sliders. John Barleycorn Wrigleyville Barleycorn features a $25 inclusive package offered from kickoff to the end of the game. The package includes an all-you-can-eat tailgate buffet featuring hot dogs, Maxwell Street-style pork chop sandwiches, wings, Chicago-style chili and mac and cheese. The package also includes Bud Light cans and 4 Rebels Premium and Dragonfruit vodka cocktails. John Barleycorn (Schaumburg) Watch the game on 40 TVs throughout the two-story venue and take advantage of a $12.95 all-you-can-eat tailgate buffet offered from kickoff to end of game. The buffet features boneless Buffalo-style chicken wings, hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches and mini-sized burgers, corn dogs and sub sandwiches. The bar offers complimentary chips and salsa during the game. All-day drink specials include $7 pitchers of Miller Lite and $15 domestic buckets. Pinstripes (Northbrook and South Barrington) Enjoy $2 Premium Bloody Mary?s and $2 draft beer all day. Birch River Grill The Arlington Heights restaurant offers $3 dining and drink deals all day long, including draft beer, BRG wild game chili, hot dog and fries, half-dozen chicken wings, chicken fingers and cheese sticks. Free chips and salsa are available for everyone. Durty Nellie's Guests will enjoy a $10 halftime all-you-can-eat buffet featuring chef's choice menu items. Drink specials include $5 Svedka Bloody Mary's, $10 domestic buckets, and $4 Jameson and Jager shots. Fans are encouraged to make table reservations early by calling (847) 358-9150. Pink Monkey Starts at 3 p.m.; $40 Add some extra ... entertainment to your game watching with the ladies at this South Loop gentleman's club. Tickets include a food buffet, two drink tickets, a halftime raffle and giveaways all day. Dine Sample a complimentary appetizer buffet to go along with numerous drink specials. Win prizes during the raffle drawing each quarter of the game. The Pony Why stop at one big game? This Lakeview bar invites sports nuts to watch the Kentucky Wildcats play hoops at noon, followed by the Blackhawks game at 3 p.m., followed by hours of pre-game coverage, followed by the Super Bowl. If you manage to make it through, you'll be rewarded with $5 20-ounce drafts and $4 Jameson during the game and a free halftime buffet. Division Ale House The Ale House offers an optional inclusive tailgate package from kickoff until the end of the game. The $35 package includes an all-you-can-eat hard shell taco bar, stocked with traditional fixings. The package includes PBR cans and domestic bottles such as Bud, Bud Light, Miller Lite and Coors Light. All-day drinks specials include $4 Burning River Pale Ale drafts and a can of PBR with shot of Jameson for $5. Lottie's Pub If you've always thought you could kick a field goal, this Bucktown bar is the place to be on Super Bowl Sunday. At halftime, it'll host the Jameson Bowl, with kicking contestants given the chance to win up to $250 in prizes. Specials include $3 domestic drafts and $4 Jameson, and it helps to have friends; tables of four or more will get access to a free halftime buffet. Glen Prairie During the game, all Miller and Budweiser bottles are half price. During halftime, enjoy complimentary appetizers in the lounge, including buffalo wings, quesadillas and mini eggrolls. Zella $30 Bring the tailgate indoors at this Lincoln Park bar, where you'll be able to watch the game while enjoying a buffet of burgers, chicken sandwiches, wings, potato salad and more, plus open bar for the whole game. The Fifty/50 Like to drink? You can do a lot of it at this Wicker Park favorite, which offers $16-$20 buckets and $5 shots of Jameson and Cazadores. Buy a $1 ticket to the "Fifty/50 Raffle" and you could win prizes like a gym membership or a gift certificate to the bar - along with 50 percent of the pot (the other 50 percent will go to the Red Cross). Want to have your party at home? All delivery and carryout orders of 100 wings or more will be discounted by 15 percent. Blue Bayou 5 p.m.; $35-$60 Chicago's sole New Orleans bar should be rocking during Super Bowl Sunday, and you can be a part of the party. For $35, you'll get complimentary gumbo and jambalaya, plus unlimited domestic drafts and well drinks. Bump up to the $60 ticket, and you'll get all beers and call drinks. Reservations recommended. Moonshine $25 in advance, $30 at the door It's all about the pork at Moonshine's first-annual Pigskin Super Bowl Party, featuring a buffet with items like pork sausage (w/ housemade giardinera), braised pork shoulder, Cuban sandwices, pulled-pork sliders and even a carving station. There will also be drink specials throughout the game. The Firkin & Pheasant Head to this British-style pub in Lincoln Park for $3 import and domestic drafts, $15 buckets of select domestic bottles and half-price wings and Cajun chips. Since we all know the British love the Colts (?), anyone in an Indy jersey will be eligible to win a $500 VIP party from the bar. Catering Smoke Daddy Make your viewing party a hit with food from Wicker Park's favorite BBQ spot. Order up some jumbo chicken wings (95 cents each) and build-your-own nachos ($4), or go all out with pulled meat and rib dinners ($7.50-$19.75 per person) or the Ultimate Tailgater Package (spare or baby back ribs with choice of two pulled meats and two sides, $14.75-$17.25 per person). Place your order by Friday, January 29 for a 10-percent discount (all orders must be made by February 5, and are available for pickup and delivery). When ordering, be sure to put in your guess for the final score of the game; you could win a $100 gift card. Shaw's Crab House (Chicago and Schaumburg) Make it a Seafood Bowl with a sushi platter from Shaw's; choices include shellfish ($3), tuna and salmon ($52) and the Grand Sushi Platter ($70) with lobster, California, spicy tuna and Acapulco maki, BBQ eel and shrimp nigiri and tuna, salmon and yellowtail sashimi. You can also enjoy lobster bisque, New England clam chowder and seafood gumbo by the gallon (serves 10-12 people, $50-$55). Koi and Chen's Choose from a variety of party trays to cater Super Bowl events. From spicy chicken wings to maki rolls and lo mein, guests can select their favorite menu items to bring home for the game. Both restaurants are offering $1 Sapporo drafts and $1 chicken wings appetizers (eight pieces, limit one wing order per customer) for diners who venture to the restaurants to watch the game. Il Poggiolo Let Executive Chef Jim Kilberg do the cooking with a festive Super Bowl Tailgate Party Menu. Il Poggiolo will have half trays that serve 10 people or full trays that serve 20, ranging from $25-$70. The party menu features an anitpasti tray, Italian meatballs, football-sized sub sandwiches and tiramisu. All orders must be placed 48 hours before the start of the game. ESPN Zone So, you've got the multiple TVs and blaring sound system. All you need to complete your apartment's transformation into a sports bar is the food. ESPN's got you covered with a catering spread that includes buffalo wings (boneless or bone-in), BBQ Baby-Back Ribs, caesar salad, brownies and more. Choose individual orders or put it all together in the Big Game Package ($109.99). Details and pricing here. Anti-Super Bowl specials Geja's Cafe Instead of sitting in front of the TV, head to this romantic fondue spot with your loved one. You'll be rewarded with two Premiere dinners for the price of one. Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre Wear a jersey, sweatshirt or other football item to the February 7 performance (1 p.m. or 5 p.m.) of "My Fair Lady," and you could win two free tickets to see "The Drowsy Chaperone," opening May 5. Share Check out Centerstage Chicago food and drink deals! At some bars, darts is more than just a game; it's a way of life. The players at these spots don't need to leave an ID at the bar for collateral, because they've brought their own equipment. All they need are opponents - are you up to the challenge? Sidekicks offers more than your average dart room. Sidekicks Sidekicks is popular for two reasons: karaoke and darts. The amateur singing begins the moment you walk through the door, but the dartboards, thankfully, reside in their own private sanctuary. The dart room features six boards to choose from and makes for an ideal practice space. Once you've worked up an appetite, order up some standard pub grub like a foot of onion rings (served with three different dipping sauces), breaded mushrooms or mozzarella cheese sticks. On tap you'll find favorites like Honker's Ale, Guinness and Stella Artois, while bottles make room for your typical domestic lineup. Mulligan's Public House In the Windy City Cup of "Best Dart Bars," this one would surely take first place. Not only does the place have lockers for its league players, but it's got all the accoutrements: a glass case with replacement flights and shafts for sale, a throwback whetstone for sharpening darts (instead of those minuscule cylindrical sharpening contraptions). In fact, Mulligan's is so serious about darts, that you'll notice the focus remains on the sport, rather than the actual bar area. Consider it Chicago's mecca for darts. Leagues play here on Monday and Tuesday evenings, and even the patrons put serious stock into the game. Play it safe and practice at one of the other joints and then put your best foot, er, dart, forward at Mulligan's. Six Penny Bit If there's one thing we love with a game of darts, it's Irish folk songs, thick accents and pints of Guinness. And that's exactly what you get at this North Side neighborhood pub. Rather than the expected lot of frat boys found in most Irish bars, this one is home to a select group of regulars, most of them natives of the old country. You may feel a bit out of context at first, but after a round or two, you'll fit right in. The lads here mean business when it comes to darts and billiards (both located in a separate party room), so you'd better have some serious skills. Blarney Stone Aside from its large bar crowd (standard for Wrigleyville), the Blarney Stone has all of our favorite things including cheap booze, a kitchen that stays open late, friendly staff and plenty of dartboards. The cramped playing area is less than ideal, but that doesn?t seem to bother professional leagues like the Windy City Darters, who play here regularly. And when you need a break from the board, you can throw one down at the billiards or foosball table. Claddagh Ring If there's one thing we've learned from our excursion, it's that Irish pubs are a surefire bet when it comes to a serious game of darts, and Claddagh Ring is no exception. It's no coincidence, either, that the majority of these places are plotted on the North Side, as that's where the largest population of Chicago's league players resides. Claddagh Ring keeps the guys comin' back with its spacious playing area, cheap bar food and its regular lineup of imported brews on tap. Just in it for fun? Play for free at these dart-friendly bars: Burke's Web Pub Will's Northwoods Inn Brisku's Bistro Parrots Check out Centerstage Chicago food and drink deals! photo: Alicia Eler Wildcats are bound to go wild at Nevin's. So, you didn't make the trip to Tampa to watch Northwestern battle Auburn in the Outback Bowl on New Year's Day, preferring to save your cash for a New Year's Eve bash. That's ok. Because you can still find all the rabid energy of a typical NU game (yes, that was a little bit of a joke) right here in the Chicago area. Here's where the alums are likely to gather come kickoff at 10 a.m. Lion Head Pub Like last year (when the 'Cats lost a close one to Missouri), the Northwestern Club of Chicago will host its official bowl watch party at this Lincoln Park bar. Specials include $10 buckets of Bud products, though you may want to go straight for the three-foot-tall table-tappers. A full breakfast menu will be available, so get there early and secure a table. Purple Haze This recently opened Wrigleyville spot (whose name pays homage to an acapella group on campus) may be too new to draw a huge purple-wearing crowd, which makes it likely you can snag a seat for the big game. And with $5 burgers and $7 pitchers of Miller Lite on the menu, you'll likely want to hang out all day. Trinity Bar If the website at this Lincoln Park "Irish" bar is up to date (which is risky to assume, considering the promo for St. Patrick's Day), you can get $2.50 domestic pints and bottles, plus $3 Stoli Peach cocktails on Friday. But regardless of what you're drinking, you're likely to find a few fellow fans to drink it with; this has been a popular gathering spot for NU alums for some time. Tommy Nevin's Pub If there are any students around campus, this is where they'll be. We're guessing the banquet room at this Evanston pub will be decked out in NU colors, and the fight song will be heard several times. Fridays feature $5 shots of Jack Daniels and SoCo Lime - if you can handle them before noon. Mullen's on Clark This Wrigleyville bar may advertise an affiliation with Michigan State, but you can bet that there's still some remaining NU love here (the owners also run Wildcat favorite Mark II Lounge, aka the Deuce, in Rogers Park). Friday specials include $3 bottles of Miller Lite, $3.50 drafts of Shiner Bock, $5 grape bombs, $5 fish and chips and $6 fish tacos. Check out Centerstage Chicago food and drink deals! Castaways is closed, kids. Beaches from Evanston to 63rd Street are nothing but a distant memory by now, or at best a hope for months from now. Your summer glow has transitioned into the aura of winter fluorescents and you're finally shaking the last of that sand out of your shoes and undershorts. Face it - you need some sun! You need a beach, you need something spiced with jerk sauce and you need a drink with an umbrella in it - stat. Worry not! Centerstage is here to drop a little citrus zest into your comfort-food rotation. photo: Gavin Paul Trader Vic's Okay, so this one is kind of a gimme. So let's get it out of the way quickly here. For the months when Trader Vic's was not a part of the Chicago tiki scene (small as it is, and even smaller without Vic's) there was a gaping hole in the collective tropical psyche of the city. With the reopening of the newer, improved Vic's in the Viagra Triangle, things were made right with the world once again. Naturally, you'd be remiss not to dive headfirst into one of the signature Mai Tais, but given the chilly temps, were you aware that Vic's features hot drinks as well? At just under $10 the prices are recession-ignoringly stiff, but between the location and the necessity you might be willing to drop the coin for a Black Stripe made with rum and crushed cherries, or a Coffee Grog which features java mixed with Grand Marnier and coconut. Pair those with a pupu platter (a tray of appetizers that'll make the inner six-year-old in all of us giggle just a bit) and an entree from the wood-fired oven, and relax in the knowledge that if the tropical interior won't help you through the winter, the layer of body fat you just added to your midsection will. Uncle Fatty's Rum Resort Visions of sand sifting through your toes may be nothing more than a dream at this point in the year, but it can be a reality if you choose to camp your wintry ass out at Uncle Fatty's. Crash out on one of the wooden crates in the indoor sandbox or relax in a lounge chair, bury your feet into the white sand beneath you and grab a bottle of Bohemia from the cooler. If you were to try the same thing on any of Chicago's beaches during January, you'd be a lot less comfortable, not to mention far more lonely. Uncle Fatty's is a hypercolor version of a tropical getaway, complete with bamboo, thatched roofs, pastels and neon, a stuffed marlin over the bar and stuffed parrots mounted on the walls, and of course tropical drinks a-plenty. What it's not is a place for restraint, as is any locale that offers you cocktails in 30-ounce "fishtanks." Tastefully named concoctions called the Bitchy Blonde and the truth-in-advertising Booze Cruz will run you $15 and $20 respectively for almost a full quart of alcoholic fluid. Still not enough? If you've got a party of four, you can belly up to the bucket for a Tini Bikini, a mix of rums and fruit juices that will put you back $60 - but Fatty's will only serve it until 8 p.m., presumably to keep its mop budget to a minimum. Admittedly the website, laden with the bar's wacky cartoon mascot uncle, reminds us more of the lamentable Dick's Last Resort, but any place that will just fill a cooler with beers and let you hang out and drink them at your leisure while kicking back in the sand is at least worth a shot. Depending on your demographic, the Thursday beer pong tournaments will get you out of your dorm room, or let you relive those magical college days; after a few fishbowls you'll all be slurring the same way anyway. Calypso Cafe While most of the destinations in this tropical-themed guide are admittedly geared more toward the Jimmy Buffet/Kenny Chesney duet that lives inside all of us (read: alcohol is the name of the game), it's worth taking a few minutes to recognize the fact that people actually eat in the Bahamas and Jamaica and Tahiti and such. Hard to believe, but it's true. Hyde Park's Calypso Cafe recently had to retool its menu in order to accommodate a few selections from its now-closed neighbor, the Dixie Kitchen - which will surely thrill noted fan President Obama. But the Calypso side is still plenty stocked, and the restaurant will happily serve you a true "island feast"; entrees like jerk chicken or wings, seafood cakes and a pineapple-glazed tilapia will put you in an equatorial state of mind. Desserts like pineapple jump-up cake and sweet potato pie will help finish you off, and lest you think that Calypso Cafe can't pour a drink, offerings like the Funky Monkey, the Marley and the Bahama Mama will certainly challenge those conventions. Trader Todd's Adventure Bar For some reason, many a tropical joint seems to find its home in Lakeview. While there doesn't appear to be any definitive tie between equatorial climes and the Belmont and Clark corridor, could it be that the average Lakeview denizen is part of the same general demographic that flies to Cancun for Spring Break every March? Correlation doesn't imply causation, but the reason for Trader Todd's to exist just steps from the heart of the 'View is clear: karaoke. After a half-dozen $8 tiki drinks at Todd's, all singing gets far more palatable, and the music pours out of this karaoke destination seven nights a week, rain or shine. The rooftop "Little Grass Shack" bar won't do you any good in the winter months, nor will the sailboat bar in the back patio, but hopefully the thatched roof indoors - along with dangling stuffed monkeys and bright colors - will boost your internal melatonin levels enough to get you feeling slightly tropical. The Monday-night slashing of everything to half-price will at least make your wallet feel a little more breezy. Drinks stick to rum- and tequila-soaked mugs of booze mixed with fresh-squeezed fruit juices, with names like the Pain Killer, the Hurricane and the Coconut Lime Rickey. The menu sticks to bar/grill standards like buffalo wings, jalapeno poppers, burgers and chicken sandwiches. We suggest dining elsewhere first, throwing on the Tommy Bahama second and, thirdly, singing and drinking all night long. photo: courtesy of Bridget Cicenia Crabbby Kim's Bikini Sports Bar Nothing screams summer like women in skimpy bikinis. And nothing exemplifies a rebellious, upraised middle finger to the unfriendly elements of winter like a bikini'd barstaff in the middle of winter. Sleet-filled November evening? Bikinis at Crabbby Kim's. February blizzard? Bikinis at Crabbby Kim's. Late April freak snowstorm? Bikinis at Crabbby Kim's. Which is not to say that the only appeal of Kim's is what the staff is or isn't wearing. The beers are cheap, the chow is frill-free but better than it has to be, and if you want the "lost in the middle of nowhere" appeal of a tropical vacation, the Crabbby Kim location on a fairly lonesome stretch of Western Avenue will fit the bill - and the never-packed interior will give you all the space you need. Crabbby Kim's has been doing the "chestauraunt" thing since the Tilted Kilt was nothing more than an askew set of footy pajamas. Admittedly the joint is blue-collar to the core, and the other tropical touches are basically just the palm trees on the sign, the wooden shack interior and the surfboard dangling above. But more often than not, the tropics are a state of mind, and the daily drink specials, ranging from cheap well drinks to buckets of domestics, will certainly help you on your way. Check out Centerstage Chicago food and drink deals! Just because you don't have much cash, it doesn't mean you can't celebrate in style on New Year's Eve. We've found some reasonably priced ($40 or less) events that you can go to and still be able to pay your rent on January 1. photo: Vera Gavrilovic DANK Haus 9 p.m.; $4.99 for the first 200 people; $9.99 afterward You can't really put a price on the color-coordinated, punk-polka wackiness that Chicago's The Polkaholics provide. Add in a cash bar and this night is one you'll remember - if fuzzily. Hyatt Regency O'Hare 8 p.m.-1 a.m.; $39 Ok, so it's not necessarily in the thick of things, but you won't care once you're inside this ridiculously affordable bash, which includes entertainment by Modern Day Romeos, C-Factor, JakTripper, DJ-SPIN, Tony Ocean and the Lori Brittin Jazz Quartet. Your party ticket gets you access to five hours of open bar, a champagne toast, party favors and a fantasy casino. If you're feeling spendy, you can add on a chef-inspired dinner buffet with prime rib, lobster bisque and more for $30 (this can be done alone, as well). Neo-Futurarium 11 p.m.; $40 Yeah, you've probably seen "Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind" before. But you know the Neo-Futs will pull out all the stops for this special, all-ages NYE performance of the Chicago favorite. Doors open at 9:30 p.m. for non-alcoholic refreshments and hors d'oeuvres provided by Whole Foods. After the show, there'll be a toast and pizza. If the kids are old enough to stay up 'til 2010, this is your answer. Red Kiva 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m.; $25-$35 How much would you pay for a well-told story? At the second annual "Stories and Bubbly," you'll pay about $7 for each of the four tales told by the folks from 2nd Story. Not only that, but you'll get live music from Seeking Wonderland, a champagne toast, snacks and a dessert bar. Small Bar (Wicker Park) There's no cover for the New Year's party at this Wicker Park mainstay, but you'll get way more than you pay for. It's DJ Pickel's birthday, and he's celebrating with his good buddy Intel; the two will spin hip-hop, funk, soul and '80s all night. Still holding onto your wallet? Check out more Chicago New Year's Eve events in our guide. More picks: Kid-Friendly \| Best Splurges Dinners \| Concerts \| Theater Check out Centerstage Chicago food and drink deals! If you're going to choose one night of the year to go all out and not think about how much money you're spending, New Year's Eve is it. But we don't want to see you drop huge amounts of cash without getting something in return. Here are the top five events that should be worth their high price tags. Bull & Bear 8 p.m.-2 a.m.; $115 We can't promise that you'll see "Bachelorette" stars Ed Swiderski and Jillian Harris here, but it's probably your best bet to spot them - or other Chicago celebs. Chances are that heavy hitters will go for the $1200 VIP package, which includes eight tickets plus a VIP booth with one of the famed table taps and a bottle each of premium vodka and champagne. If you're not prepared to drop that kind of cash, the regular admission price still gets you six hours of premium open bar, heavy passed appetizers and entertainment from Jesse Seeley, and free admission to Stone Lotus afterward. Cuvee 9 p.m.-1 a.m.; $125 If you're going to spend like you're high-class, you might as well look like it, too. Semi-formal attire is required at this James Bond-themed bash at one of the city's newest nightclubs, but we say go black tie. It'll put this party, featuring four hours of open bar and "butler passed" hors d'oeuvres, over the top. Drake Hotel 9 p.m.-2 a.m.; $135-$195 9 p.m.-2 a.m.; regular admission $135-$195, VIP $200-$275 We picked this bash over all the other pricey hotel parties because, let's face it, you're not going to have too many chances to spend an evening at the famed Drake Hotel. And Chicago Scene also knows a thing or two about throwing parties - this one will include premium open bar 'til 1 a.m., gourmet hors d'oeuvres, a live cover band AND DJs (including DJ JEM) and more. Le Passage Discotheque 9 p.m.-1 a.m.; $120 We know what you're thinking - you spent New Year's here in 2002. But the place has changed its image since then, growing along with its clientele. Its mature party includes a gourmet dinner buffet from Drawing Room chef Nick Lacasse to go along with the four-hour premium open bar and champagne splits at midnight. If you're still young at heart, the ticket price also includes free admission to the after-party, which goes 'til 4 a.m. Pops for Champagne Should we really have to explain the reason for going to a bubbly bar for New Year's Eve? Ok, fine. The bash here includes premium open bar from 9 p.m.-12:30 a.m., heavy hors d'oeuvres from the acclaimed kitchen, dessert and party favors for $130 ($150 if you want a table or booth). The Ava Logan Quartet performs in the jazz club for $60 a ticket. Looking for more bang for your buck? Check out more lavish New Year's Eve events. More picks: Kid-Friendly \| Cheap Choices Dinners \| Concerts \| Theater Check out Centerstage Chicago food and drink deals! There's something oddly appealing about underground (below street level, that is) lounges. Perhaps it's because the hidden locales us feel like we're part of some elite clique, or that we've gone back in time to the age of speakeasies. Or maybe it's because the dark, cavernous interiors and lack of windows allow us to kick our inhibitions to the curb. Whatever the reason, if you love subterranean spots, you have to check out these Chicago classics. Smartbar Like any good underground club, this one hosts a reputable slew of DJs nightly. The space offers a number of booths for cozying up, but carrying a conversation over the loud beats here is just bad form. Chances are that no one will hear you anyway, as most of Smartbar's crowd comes straight from the Metro (the music venue located upstairs). And while it's not as punk as it was in is heyday when notorious artists like Iggy Pop held the stage, Smartbar still pulls in a unique mix of music-obsessed night owls. photo: courtesy of Suite Lounge Suite Lounge It doesn't matter what designer label you wear to Suite Lounge, you will never look as good as the venue's posh interior. Unlike its underground counterparts, this lush locale has turned a dark cave into a dim-lit haven, reminiscent of many a sleek New York destination. That big-city vibe shines with the lounge's private "suites"-curtained-off sections available for bottle service. Sitting at the bar here is just as fun, especially with a drink list that boasts the city's sweetest mixers (think carrot cake, peach cobbler and banana split martinis). If you're still experiencing wardrobe woes, let the young, well-to-do crowd that hangs here be a clue. Debonair Social Club If Debonair Social Club isn't already on your nightlife radar, you should probably make it a point to get out more. This hip Wicker Park spot offers ample space for drinking, dancing and DJing (and is also right next door to The Flat Iron, where you can fuel up on cheap beers and kitschy artwork beforehand). Debonair's first floor is exactly what you'd expect with a raised stage, video projection screens and plenty of twenty-somethings dancing like no one is watching. A quick trip downstairs will lead you to more awkward dancing in the club's basement room, complete with red lighting, black mirrors and a DJ booth. Be forewarned though, if your plan is to escape the main floor's overwhelming crowd, you won't have much luck in this sweatbox (capacity down here maxes out at about 100). Enclave The lounge here might be underground, but Enclave's atmosphere is a notch above its competitors. The trickling waterfall wall behind the DJ booth (upstairs on the bar's main floor) serves as a focal point, while plush sofas and sleek cocktail tables provide seating for some of Chicago's sexiest clientele, including the occasional celebrity. Be prepared to throw down some serious cash, but not before throwing on some serious labels. Underground Wonder Bar While this Gold Coast misfit bills itself as a jazz/blues club, you're likely to hear anything from reggae and rock to blues and jazz, all in the same night. Besides the bevy of locals and visiting musicians who fill the weekly roster (notice the wall of signed celebrity headshots), owner Lonie Walker and her "Big Bad Ass Company Band" perform at least half of the weeknights. There's no room for shyness in this corridor-shape bar, where guests weave through the center of the band to reach the restroom in back. Should you and your friend or lover prefer a candlelit table for two, arrive before the music starts. Otherwise, you'll find yourself squeezed between two rows of bar stools, soaking up the red light and squirming for a view of the voice behind the baby grand. On top of a cover charge (around ten bucks), you'll spend between $4-$10 on a beer, wine or your cocktail of choice. photo: courtesy of Ravens Ravens While this dive-y Lincoln Park pub is not completely below street level, the bar's lack of windows and low ceilings make it feel just as underground as the rest of these subterranean spots. Another thing that separates Ravens from the others is its old-school interior. Rather than flashy lights, Lucite stools and DJ booths, you'll find simple chandeliers, standard wood-frame chairs and a jukebox. Framed vintage maps of the city adorn the red walls and a handful of tables provide extra seating. Check out Centerstage Chicago food and drink deals! When the weather outside gets frightful...well, you can sing the rest of the tune yourself. But singing alone isn't going to get you through those cold, windy winter nights in Chicago; you need the comfort that comes with an open flame and a soothing drink. Since there's nothing too romantic - or safe - about chugging whiskey in front of the stove, Centerstage offers a list of the best Chicago bars that offer fireplaces among their many amenities. Read on, shivering reader, and learn where to warm your weary bones: Fireside Restaurant & Lounge This one might seem somewhat obvious just based on the name, but the Fireside is actually pretty well hidden in the northern wilds of Ravenswood, stuck over by Rosehill Cemetary and the northbound Metra line. During the summer, the Fireside is a destination for its multi-tiered outdoor patio, which stays open rain or shine thanks to a retractable roof system. But as winter grows ever nearer, the fireplace in the dining room becomes the main attraction. The Fireside rolls out its comfort-food menu when the weather cools off, so if you feel a need for staples like beef stroganoff and pot roast, you're in luck. The weekend-morning bloody mary bar featuring over 200 ingredients is enough of a reason to get out the door early in the AM, and makes a perfect base for an afternoon of football enjoyment. Need a late-night heating session? Fireside is open and serving chow until 3 a.m. Sheffield's You won't find it up front, but if you snake your way past the snow-covered beer garden and into Sheffield's Beer School bar, you can find a roaring blaze nightly as you settle in to a meal of barbecue and some of the finest selections of beer that the city has to offer. Sheffield's "beer guy" Phil Kuhl works to bring in unique selections from breweries around the country and organizes special evenings featuring beer styles like cask-conditioned brews, wet-hopped beers, barrel-aged beers and more. And with selections from hard-to-find brewers like Surly and Southern Tier, even if you can't grab a table by the fireplace, chances are that friendly glow of alcohol will keep you plenty warm. Duke of Perth Chicago is chock full of Irish and faux-Irish places where you can get your fill of Chicken McFingers and JalapenO'poppers, but local Scots have options that start at "few" and head over to "far between." Thankfully, there's the Duke of Perth. A 20-year-old outpost of Scottish tartan cheer on Clark in Lakeview, the Duke has carved out a place where you can camp by the fire, power back any number of peaty scotches (flights of the smoky liquor are on hand for the scotch novice and single-malt aficionado alike) and enjoy a hearty shepherd's pie. While much of the menu isn't terribly authentic (see: burgers named after famed Scots Sean Connery and Robert the Bruce & the James Watt chicken breast sandwich) the fish and chips, all-you-can-eat on Wednesdays for $9.50, are stellar. Unfortunately, there's no haggis on hand, but you can drown your sorrows with authentic and tough to find UK beers like Tennent's, Bellhaven and Craigmills. Moody's Pub The vibe at Moody's can best be described as "medieval," despite the fact that its website claims to be going for a ski chalet setting. It's so dark that it seems like the two roaring fireplaces throw out the only light in the room (not true, but close), and the famed burgers are classic lo-frills meatbombs. Beams of lumber cross the ceiling and stained glass accents the walls just as history oozes out of them; Moody's has been churning out chow since 1959 and in a city where gourmet burgers are the rule, the menu is refreshingly restrained. Some burgers, some chicken and fish, some steaks, some salads. Take it or leave it, but take some complimentary peanuts while you're at it. A handful of beers and wine are on hand, but Moody's has kindly assembled a pro-hearth "Fireside Fantasies" menu of toddies and nogs. Warm cocktails like the Grand Tea (Grand Marnier & hot tea) and the Cinnamon Toast (Amaretto, hot cider, whipped cream, sprinkled cinnamon) are all $4.50. During the summer, Moody's beer garden is a hidden treasure, but for a winter experience in Edgewater, a fireside meal at Moody's has to be high on the list. Roof At any other time in human history, if we had told you to stand outside on the roof of a hotel 27 stories in the air during winter, we'd be guilty of putting you in extremely harmful circumstances (not to mention certifiably insane). Thanks to technological advances in outdoor heating and patio construction, as well as the presence of some roaring firepits, though, this summer's hotel bar hot spot is set to continue its rooftop dominance all the way into the colder months. Time will tell how the food and drinks translate to a cooler outside experience, but if people can build outdoor patios with propane heaters to stay open year-round at ground level, why not nearly 300 feet in the air? If the outdoor patios prove too cold to tolerate with an icy drink in your hand, make some space for yourself in the indoor side, stare down at State street and the Chicago Theatre sign, and get your heat via the fireplace at the southwest corner of the room, or with a fire-baked pizza fresh out of the superheated oven. Want to find more places to get flame-kissed or fire-heated? Check out our expanded list of fireplace'd bars and restaurants. Check out Centerstage Chicago food and drink deals! photo: courtesy of Bridget Cicenia So, it's been a rough year for many Chicagoans. The murder rate is rising. The economy is tanking. The Cubs choked, again. But you know, there's always one place you can go to get away from all that, a place you know you'll feel safe and secure: home. Of course, home usually comes with its own set of problems - annoying parents, socially awkward cousins, repressed childhood memories. So before you make that trip back, you might want to loosen up by partying on Thanksgiving Eve (aka Black Wednesday), the biggest bar and club night of the year. District Bar What's better than three hours of vodka drinks and Miller Lite on Black Wednesday? How about gourmet food and a celebrity sighting or two? Ok, we can't promise the star power, but this bar has been known to host some prominent local athletes. It could be worth $25 a ticket to see for yourself what the fuss is all about. The open bar package runs from 6-9 p.m., and there will be specials ($6 Absolut cocktails, $4 Jameson shots, $3 Lemon Drops) all night long. Menu includes deep-fried herbed turkey with Grand Marnier cranberry sauce, hot corn pudding with white goat cheddar cheese, mini bourbon and brown sugar sweet potato pies and more. Get tickets at ChicagoBlackWednesday.com. Lottie's Pub Head to Bucktown for a Black Wednesday Beer Fest featuring $5 24-ounce domestic drafts and, of course, $5 turkey legs with sweet potato fries. The Pony Thanksgiving is usually about old traditions, but how about a new one? The Pony picked a fine time to launch its "Honky Tonk Wednesdays" series, which features country tunes all night long courtesy of Slamabama, plus specials including half-price burgers and wings, $3 SoCo & Lime, $3 Jim Beam Black and $3 16-ounce Coors Light cans. There's no cover for the launch event. Rockwood Place What's better than pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving? Pumpkin pie shots the night before. Rockwood Place features all-night drink deals such as $4 pumpkin pie shots, $3 drafts, $4 Jameson and $4 Absoult cocktails. Or go for an inclusive $25 package that includes wine, select beers and spirits. There is no cover. LaSalle Power Co. The main floor is open from 4 p.m.-2 a.m. featuring the full regular menu until 1 a.m., including LPC's Thanksgiving Leftovers Sandwich, with roasted turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce on a ciabatta roll with a side of home-style gravy. Doors open on the second floor at 8 p.m. where LPC's resident DJ spins rock, pop and more. Doors open on the third floor at 8 p.m. where the 11th Hour Band plays hip-hop, disco and electro dance starting at 9 p.m. Martini Park Work out some of your familial frustrations with live band karaoke at Martini Park. From 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. cover band Rendition will host live band karaoke. Get up your courage with $6 Absolut specialty cocktails. Division Ale House Dance your calories away ahead of time with DJ Mister S. and guest DJs spinning new wave, 80s, electro and funk from 9 p.m. on. There's no cover and $3 all drafts and $2.50 chili. O'Donovan's Get your pre-turkey turkey on at O'Donovan's. Bartenders will be serving up special Wild Turkey bourbon cocktails for $4 and Wild Turkey shots for $4. Also available will be a huge jardinière filled with Wild Turkey Balls (maraschino cherries marinated in Wild Turkey bourbon). Other drink specials include $1 off all domestic beer bottles, $5 Grape or Cherry bombs and half-price for most wine bottles. Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club There's turkey legs--and then there's Tina Turner's legs. Celebrate those gorgeous gams as Diva Traci Ross performs throughout the evening as Tina Turner. 10pin Bowling Lounge The first 10 guests who bowl a turkey (three strikes in a row) will receive a free turkey for Thanksgiving.10pin will also offer $3 Miller Lite bottles. Carnivale Want to spend your Black Wednesday a little differently than normal? Head to Carnivale to enjoy live music by the skilled composer and trombonist, Angel Melendez, accompanied by his quartet. Having played at some of the great Chicago venues, including The House of Blues and The Chicago Symphony Center, Angel Melendez has become one of the most recognized Latin musicians in Chicago. Chen's Free appetizers are a great way to begin a night of drinking. Chens Chinese and Sushi is offering half-price martinis and complimentary appetizers for guests who dine in the bar. Complimentary appetizers include maki trays, spring rolls, crabmeat wontons and cold noodle salad. Cityscape Bar Hump Day Happy Hour Buffet--need we say more? Black Wednesday specials will include: $2 Miller Lite, MGD, MGD 64 bottles and $3 glasses of Glass Mountain Chardonnay and Merlot from 3 p.m.-1 a.m. The buffet (5-7 p.m.) includes wings, artichoke dip and much more. Eivissa Eivissa is offering $4 pearl martinis and $4 skewers. Luxbar They say two hands are better than one so four must be better yet, right? Steve Kouba and Dave Roberts from ChicagoDuelingPianos.com will perform at LuxLounge. Attendees will experience a completely unique show, as the audience determines what songs will be performed. Quartino Chicagoans are invited to join Quartino for their monthly wine bash. The bash showcases wine from a particular region or in a particular style and gives Chicagoans a chance to taste select wines for only $20. Stretch Run Drink it up and possibly win Blackhawk Memorabilia. Raffles and giveaways will be taking place all day (guests must be present to win). Specials include $5 drinks and food specials. Tapas Valencia It's tapas for T-day at Tapas Valencia. Enjoy $3 midnight sangria, $2.50 domestic and $3.50 import bottled beers and $2 tapas from select menu. Duke's Alehouse and Kitchen Funk up your Thanksgiving at Duke's. For just $5 you can jam out to Barefoot Fred, a versatile band with a rock/funk/bluegrass sound. Durty Nellie's Go back to a time where hairspray ruled and leggings weren't just for ladies. In celebration of Black Wednesday, Durty Nellie's will present '80s rock cover band Hairbangers Ball. Cover is $7. Gibsons Steakhouse Rosemont Be thankful for free stuff. Start the night out right with a complimentary appetizer buffet from 4-6 p.m. in the bar. Meson Sabika (Naperville) Celebrate the night with midnight sangria. Just $3 gets you a midnight sangria (red wine, brandy, triple Sec, gin, fruit juices, blue curacao, topped with fresh fruit) and $2 tapas from select menu which will consist of an array of hot and cold tapas all available for $2 each. Lumen 9 p.m.-2 a.m.; $20-$30 This laid-back Lounge's third annual Lights Out Party starts with a private cocktail reception featuring Absolut Boston Black Tea and Elderflower vodka from 9 to 10 p.m., then continues with DJ Timbuk2, recent VH1 Hip-Hop Honors winner for "Best Hip-Hop DJ in the Nation." Drop an extra $10 for three hours of open bar from 9 p.m.-midnight. Uncle Fatty's Rum Resort 8 p.m.-midnight; $30 It's business as usual at this tropical-themed bar - and by that we mean a lot of partying. "Tank'dgiving Eve" includes four hours of premium open bar for those who wish to partake, as well as entertainment from DJ Risky Bizness and high-energy cover band The Seth Bradley Personnel. Also of note: Uncle Fatty's will introduce its four-gallon (!) fishbowl service, available for $10 per person. English It's up to you to decide the lush status you want to enjoy. Just having a couple? Go a la carte. Doing it up big? Try the $30 call beverage inclusive package (offered from 9 p.m.- midnight). The bar's resident DJ will be spinning pop, rock, top 40 and more from 7 p.m.-2 a.m. Mac's American Pub 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Start your meat-fest early with an $8.75 meatloaf dinner (comes with gravy, mashed potatoes and asparagus). Wash it down with $3 pints of microbrew drafts and $3 pumpkin pie and nutty pumpkin shots. Mac's adds a DJ to the Wednesday night lineup spinning a mix of styles from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. There is no cover. Moe's Cantina 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Meat on a stick? Check. Drink specials? Check. DJ? Check. Moe's has everything you need for a well-rounded Black Wednesday. The DJ spins from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. with no cover charge. John Barleycorn (Schaumburg) Sometimes one turkey dinner just isn't enough. Get a jump on your turkey day gorging with as $15.95 turkey dinner at John Barleycorn Schaumburg. The meal includes oven-roasted turkey with all the trimmings. Wash it down with a $3 glass of house wine and follow it up with a $5 slice of house-made pumpkin pie. Drink specials include $5 bottless of New Belgium Hoptober, $5 drafts of Leinenkugel's Fireside Nut Brown and $5 hot rum apple cider. At 9 p.m. join the DJ for some dancing. Cover is $10. John Barleycorn Wrigleyville 5 p.m.-2 a.m. There's no cover at the bar that redefines "crazy night out." If you're looking to make memories (or, rather, forget memories) this is the place to be. Helping you in your journey to fun times are $3 well drinks and domestic drafts. Snack on 25-cent chicken wings, $1 sliders and $8.95 all-you-can-eat fish and chips. HUB 51 9 p.m.-2 a.m. DJs Alex Rage and Will Galvan provide the tunes for a party at SUB 51, the restaurant's lower-level club. Landmark Have you been watching the new "Melrose Place" on CW? If not, you'd better bone up quickly, as one of the show's steam stars, Colin Egglesfield, will be the main attraction at this Black Wednesday event. The actor is promoting his SHOUT OUT! T-shirt line, and attendees will not only enjoy a meet-and-gree with him (from 7-8 p.m.) but can also customize their own shirts with Thanksgiving-themed messages. The party that also includes $7 cocktails, $175 Absolut bottles and chair massages by Juvenesse Spa. Martini Park 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Cover band Rendition will host live band karaoke while you sip $6 Absolut specialty cocktails all night at this flashy bar in River North. Edge Donate a can of food to this Wicker Park bar and you'll get a free piece of chocolate cake as a reward. You can also purchase turkey quesadillas and sweet potato hashbrowns in addition to the full menu of food and drink. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Be thankful for Centerstage Chicago's Thanksgiving Guide Get Cookin' ~ Eat Out Buy a Pie ~ Volunteer and Give Back Eat at O'Hare ~ Munch Near Midway Check out Centerstage Chicago food and drink deals! It's that time of year again. No, not Thanksgiving just yet...we're talking Beaujolais Nouveau day! French law decrees that this seasonal vintage can be released to the world no earlier than the third Thursday of November. But the wait is almost over, and several Chicago French restaurants (and other establishments) will soon be toasting with special celebrations. Join them: Bistro 110 Thursday, November 19, 6-8:30 p.m.; $25 The French restaurant hosts a special tasting in its monthly Tour De France series, with Fine Vines offering Beaujolais, Burgundy and more along with food items like cheese & charcuterie, garlic potato salad, veal blanquette, poached salmon and a Floating Island dessert. Brasserie Jo Friday, November 20 Pair a glass ($8) or bottle ($39) of Beaujolais Nouveau with menu specials like beef bourguignon and escargot with onions and braised leeks. Cafe des Architectes Thursday, November 19 - Saturday, November 21; $45 Chef Martial Noguier pairs Beaujolais with a four-course menu including pork belly with flageolet, frisee and pancetta, chicken with chanterells and cippolini onions, camembert with mache salad and a chocolate desert with almond streusel and lemon curd. Cafe Matou Thursday, November 19 Enjoy Cru Beaujolais wines by the glass at this fourth annual celebration in Bucktown. You'll be able to order off the regular menu, which includes classics like steak frites and escargot. Kiki's Bistro Thursday, November 19 The River North spot will feature Beaujolais and Chilean wine pairings along with its regular menu. Mon Ami Gabi and Mon Ami Gabi (Oak Brook) Thursday, November 19 - Saturday, November 21 The LEYE restaurant's "Beaujolais Nouveau Festival" begins with a night of wine, hors d'oeuvres and live music from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Thursday ($35), and continues with a specially crafted pairing menu through Saturday. Randolph Wine Cellars Thursday, November 19, 6-8 p.m. Get a glass (and maybe even a bottle) of Beaujolais at this West Loop wine shop/bar. Check out Centerstage Chicago food and drink deals!