Tag Archives: aliveOne

appetizers, bars in Chicago, Chicago restaurants, food and wine, happy hour, music and food, where to eat in Chicago on holidays, wine and spirits

Wind down your Chicago summer at these 5 places thru Labor Day 2022

August 22, 2022 Barbara Payne, Editor

The last two weekends of summer are always bittersweet in Chicago. The last fling of summer and the first days of school – big changes in many people’s everyday lives. Beach goers, sand volleyballists, Sunday boaters, and parents and kids of all ages are abandoning hot-sunny-weather activities for the more subdued side of life. So, here’s a place to celebrate this Sunday before Labor Day, and then a few places to get it on for Labor Day weekend.

Summer’s end at Logan 11 with El Bandido Yankee tequila

Logan 11 Bar & Kitchen, 2230 N. California, on August 28 hosts its last bottomless brunch for the summer. Special guest Chris Chelios, NHL Hall-of-Famer and founder of El Bandido Yankee! Try the Eggs Benedict, Chilaquiles, or Vegan Potato Chorizo Tacos while dancing on your chair to music from live DJs all day. To make it even more fun, sample the Bottomless Margaritas from Chelios’ El Bandido Yankee the 100% additive free criminally smooth tequila. Chris will be on-site meeting and greeting and signing pucks from 4-6pm, for a memorable end to summer brunch.

Labor Day weekend happenings

aliveOne, 2836 N. Halsted. After you’re done with the barbeques on Monday, September 5, hit up aliveOne at 5pm for free pool all night and Labor Day specials like $8 Copernicus cocktails (regularly $11) with Crown Royal, Pimms, simple syrup, lemon juice and ginger beer. At 8pm enjoy free music trivia from Whaddayaknow.

Rewired Pizza Cafe & Bar, 1100 W. Thorndale in Edgewater, open all Labor Day weekend offers a spacious 40 seat dog-friendly patio. Start your party early on Thursday, September 1 with Rewired’s Date Night special ($49 three-course meal for two and a bottle of wine) paired with live music from 6 to 9pm.

Or try some of their happy hour specials on Thursday, September 1; Friday, September 2; and Monday, September 5 from 3 to 5pm: $3 slices, half-off select apps, $4 house wine (Malbec, Chardonnay, rosé), $5 drafts, and a beer-shot-slice combo for $10.

Sweet Mandy B’s , in Lincoln Park and Streeterville will be open until 4 p.m. on Labor Day, Monday, September 5. Enjoy sweet treats like their famous Just Dough It for $5.50. Just Dough It features eggless chocolate chip cookie dough sandwiched between two chocolate chip cookies, and it will be available daily at the Streeterville location and at Lincoln Park on Saturdays and Sundays only. The Lincoln Park location will also feature festive back-to-school-themed cut-out cookies priced starting at $3.60 each, available now through the end of September.

Eat, drink and kiss summer goodby at UVAE Kitchen & Wine Bar

UVAE KITCHEN & WINE BAR, 5553 N Clark St., in Andersonville is hosting a send-off-summer Rosé All Day wine tasting on Saturday, September 3 at 3pm on the patio. The $35 per person tasting features four 4-oz pours and will be led by Uvae Sommeliers and guest wine makers. Small bite add-ons include a Cheese Plate ($15), Cheese & Charcuterie Plate ($20) and Duck Pâté ($12). For more information and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/bdeanfh6.

Chicago restaurants, holidays, music and food, spirits and cocktails, where to eat in Chicago on holidays

Early summer food and drink Chicago ideas

June 19, 2022 Barbara Payne, Editor

Happily, many of us are feeling safe to go out this summer. And our beloved Chicago, stumbling back towards normal, has a lot to offer fans of good food, refreshing drink, and fun events. Here are a few to consider for your calendar.

Cozy up and thank a firefighter or policeman (credit: Firehouse Restaurant)

Thursday, June 23 is National Public Service Day, The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant, 1401 S Michigan Ave., a beloved cornerstone structure in the South Loop neighborhood for nearly 112 years, is offering firefighters and police officers a 25% discount on The Firehouse Executive when they dine in on The Firehouse Executive. It serves two with two cups of lobster bisque, a baby iceberg wedge salad, two prime 8 ounce filet mignon steaks, potatoes au gratin, brussels sprouts, creamed spinach and a choice of house-made dessert.

Cannonball Productions is bringing back its hard seltzer celebration, Seltzerland, to Chicago’s West Loop, The Lot at Plumber’s Hall (1340 W Washington Blvd). This Saturday June 25 taste some of over 100 unique hard seltzer flavors, get a FREE boozy popsicle from Sliq Spirited Ice, dance to a DJ and buy munchies from a local food truck. Ticket prices start at $39. Visit https://www.seltzerland.com/chicago-2022.

July 4th fun and drink specials:

Central Park Bar’s covered ourdoor back bar

Central Park Bar, 2924 N Central Park Ave. From late open at 8pm, enjoy $4 beer specials in the 3,500 sq ft Backyard Bar – covered outdoor bar, bumper pool mini, porch swings, picnic tables and fire pit.

aliveOne, 2683 N Halsted St., Monday, July 4; open at 7 p.m. $4 to $7 drink specials; free music trivia and pool.

CODY’S PUBLIC HOUSE, 1658 W Barry Ave. Fourth of July Weekend Cubs Specials and Make-Your-Own Tailgate. $4 to $6 drink specials Friday, July 1 through Sunday, July 3; open at 11 a.m. Also, “Bring Your Own Meat” (BYOM) and grill up your game day favorites in the beer garden featuring TVs, darts and bean bags.

appetizers, bars in Chicago, Chicago restaurants, COVID-19 Chicago restaurants, dinner, food and wine, happy hour, happy hour Chicago, music and food

Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras specials in Chicago bars and restaurants

February 11, 2022 Barbara Payne, Editor

Mardi Gras in Chicago at aliveOne (courtesy of aliveOne)

Oh, if you’re feeling safe to go out there and party, Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras are the perfect occasions to get your groove on. Bring your gold and purple and green beads and eat something before you go out to try all the wines and beers and cocktails that will be issuing forth from the hands of the city’s many talented bartenders and mixologists. Tip generously! Those folks are like health care workers – exposed to everyone!!

aliveOne, 2683 N Halsted St.
Tuesday, March 1, $5 to $6 drink specials
Chicagoans are invited to join aliveOne as they host a Fat Tuesday celebration on Tuesday, March 1. In addition to half-price happy hour from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., specials will include $5 Abita Purple Haze beers and $6 aliveOne Daiquiris.

CENTRAL PARK BAR, 2924 N Central Park Ave.
Tuesday, March 1, $6 Hurricane special
Chicagoans are invited to get in the Mardi Gras spirit at Avondale’s newest neighborhood bar, Central Park Bar on Fat Tuesday. Specials will include $6 Hurricane cocktails all night and half-price happy hour from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

EASY BAR, 1944 W Division St.
Tuesday, March 1, $4 New Belgium Beers and Complimentary King Cakes
Easy Bar will give away complimentary King Cakes from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. (while supplies last). Guests who find a baby in their King Cake will win New Belgium swag. New Belgium beers will be available on tap for $4 each. Half-price happy hour will also be available from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

ESTELLE’S, 2013 W North Ave.
Tuesday, March 1, $5 to $10 drink specials – Daiquiris and Jello Shots
To celebrate Mardi Gras, Estelle’s will get the party started early with a half-price happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Fat Tuesday. Guests can get in the spirit with a specialty $10 Plantation Pineapple Daiquiri and $5 Slrrrp Jello Shots. Festive beads and glow stick necklaces will be available while supplies last. Guests can stick around for a dance party with DJ Kinshame from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m.

REMEDY BAR, 1910 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Tuesday, March 1, $10 drink specials
Remedy invites guests to get in the Mardi Gras spirit with Fat Tuesday specials on Tuesday, March 1. Themed drinks will include $10 Hurricane and Corpse Reviver cocktails. The bar will have themed decor, and all customers will receive Mardi Gras beads (while supplies last). Remedy will also provide a snack table with an array of junk food for late night munchies.

THE OWL BAR, 2521 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Tuesday, March 1, $6 Daiquiri special
Logan Square’s favorite 4 a.m. bar will be pouring $6 Daiquiris all night to celebrate Fat Tuesday on March 1. Guests can kick off the holiday with a half-price happy hour from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. or end the evening with The Owl’s famous late night dance parties.

THE RAMBLER KITCHEN + TAP, 4128 N. Lincoln Ave.
Tuesday, March 1,

$8 to $16 food and drink specials
The Rambler will celebrate Fat Tuesday in their spacious, weatherproofed beer garden with specials like a Shrimp Boil Plate with jumbo shrimp, sausage, corn on the cob and potatoes ($16). The Rambler will also offer a themed Island Oasis cocktail menu from Friday, February 25 through Tuesday, March 1 which will include $8 Hurricanes, Strawberry Daiquiris, Pina Coladas and Bushwackers.

Starting at 7 p.m on Tuesday, March 1, guests can participate in New Orleans-themed music trivia. Trivia will be free to join, and prizes will be awarded throughout the evening. Tables can be reserved by emailing events@theramblerchicago.com.

appetizers, bars in Chicago, Chicago restaurants, food and wine, lunch, spirits and cocktails, wine and spirits

Chicago restaurants summer ‘holiday’ news 2018

July 16, 2018 Barbara Payne, Editor

You know, almost any day of the week all year you can celebrate a declared holiday. For example, coming up is Single Working Women’s Week (July 29-August 4, 2018) and Single Working Women’s Day August 4. Check it out if you see any hard-working single women in your life.

But, we digress. Here in Chicago, our restaurants are constantly surprising us with ‘holiday’ specials, so here are a few happenings you might like, organized by dates of occurrence. Enjoy!

Green City Market’s Chef BBQ 2018, Lincoln Park (approximately 1817 N. Clark). On Thursday July 19, 5:30-8pm, attendees will get to try tasting portions prepared utilizing fresh produce, meats and craft beverages made with ingredients provided by local farmers and vendors. (Click here for a complete list of participants.)

Use public transportation, taxis, and ride-shares because parking could be tough. Limited parking is available in the Chicago History Museum lot at their regular rate ($19-$32 depending on how long you’re there). Tickets at GCMBBQ.eventbrite.com. RAIN or SHINE. – no refunds. Supported by Breakthru Beverage, FIG Catering, Midwest Foods, and Tablescapes.

Castaways, 1603 N. Lake Shore Dr. at Chicago’s popular North Avenue Beach, is the perfect spot to throw one back in honor of Discovery Channel’s #SharkWeek. Sunday July 22 to Sunday July 29 Castaways will offer a special “The Hammerhead” cocktail for $9 each. The ocean-colored cocktail is made with Captain Morgan Coconut Rum, pineapple juice and blue curaçao.

Four Entertainment Group (4EG) outlets will celebrate Shark Week by donating $1 from every full-price signature house cocktail sold at aliveOne, Easy Bar, Estelle’s, Remedy, and The Owl – 50 cents to Chicago’s Shedd the Straw Campaign and 50 cents to For a Strawless Ocean. All week, you can see free showings at all locations of movies like Free Willy, JAWS and other aquatic-themed films while you make cash donations to support both initiatives aimed at reducing plastic straw waste in our oceans.

Carnivale, 702 W. Fulton Market, says summertime in Chicago calls for a cool patio for drinks and good company. HAPPY HOUR: Monday-Friday 4:30-6:30 in the lounge and on the patio. An unmatched chilled white wine list. Lively entertainment every Friday night. INDUSTRY NIGHT: Every Sunday enjoy $1 Coronitos with a shot and 25% off appetizers. SAMBA DANCE NIGHT: Dance the night away starting July 17th and every third Wednesday of the month.

Green City Market’s Chef BBQ 2018, Lincoln Park (approximately 1817 N. Clark). On Thursday July 19, 5:30-8pm, attendees will get to try tasting portions prepared utilizing fresh produce, meats and craft beverages made with ingredients provided by local farmers and vendors. (Click here for a complete list of participants.)

Use public transportation, taxis, and ride-shares because parking could be tough. Limited parking is available in the Chicago History Museum lot at their regular rate ($19-$32 depending on how long you’re there). CTA Bus routes that stop at the event include 22 Clark, 36 Broadway, 73 Armitage, 151 Sheridan. L stops nearby: Sedgwick Brown Line (walk east on North Avenue to Clark) and Clark/Division Red Line (walk north on Clark). Tickets at GCMBBQ.eventbrite.com. The event will be held RAIN or SHINE. No refunds. The event is supported by Breakthru Beverage, FIG Catering, Midwest Foods, and Tablescapes.

Piccolo Sogno, 464 N. Halsted, celebrates its 10th anniversary all this month of July: a delicious Italian staple, Tagliolini with summer truffles for only $10 along with $10 bottles of Prosecco. They’re also celebrating National Lasagna day on July 29. Chef Priolo and and partner Ciro Longobardo say that Piccolo Sogno is their “little dream,” and eating their lasagna might just be yours! Lasagna Tipica di Bologna (traditional lasagna with green pasta sheets layered with béchamel and Bolognese sauce, $16) – deemed by some as the best in Chicago. And the ambiance here – including the lovely patio – is absolutely delightful. You might even feel like you’re in Italy.

Connie’s Pizza, 2373 S. Archer or at McCormick Place. Since 1963, Italian family recipes and pizza – also in your Midwest grocer’s frozen section. July 29 they’re celebrating their 55-year anniversary on National Lasagna Day. Every order of Mama Sue’s 55-year-old lasagna recipe – kept alive by popular demand – comes with a $5.50 discount off the regular $12.99 price. Such a deal! They can host a party or bring it to you with delivery, catering and pizza shipping anywhere in the United States. 312.CONNIES (312.266.6437), visit their website and follow the restaurant on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Dairy Queen, a perennial favorite of all soft-serve fans, is out to help sick kids. On Miracle Treat Day Thursday, August 2 2018 they will be donating $1 from every Blizzard^® Treat sold at participating DQ Grill & Chill^®and Dairy Queen locations throughout the U.S. Donations go to the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. All kids want to have fun, so DQ^® will Miracle Treat Day support critical treatments and healthcare services, pediatric medical equipment and charitable care to help save and improve the lives of local children.

appetizers, brunch, Chicago restaurants, holidays, live music and food, spirits and cocktails, where to eat in Chicago on holidays

Winter bar news – aliveOne and Fifolet

February 15, 2017 Barbara Payne, Editor

aliveOne Bar comes alive in a few new ways this month. Every Sunday beginning February 19, aliveOne will host Living Room Sessions, an open mic comedy event from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Amateur comedians who want a shot at the stage can sign up starting at 5:30 p.m.

Every Sunday
6 pm to 1 am
Free to attend; $4 to $5 drink specials

Following Living Room Sessions, Dead Comedy at aliveOne will kick off at 10 p.m. featuring a two-hour stand up showcase with some of Chicago’s best comics. Sunday specials will include $4 Temperance brews, $5 Absolut Bloody Mary’s and FREE pool.

aliveOne and Bell’s Brewery will host a Hopslam Ale tapping on Wednesday, February 22; Hopslam beers are $7 all night.

Wednesday, February 22
5 pm to close
Free to attend; $7 Hopslam beers

Every weekday from 5 to 7 pm, aliveOne’s Happy Hour features half-price beer and cocktails.

And when you’re in the mood for old-school classic house music, aliveOne welcomes “Gramophone Records Presents – Clark St. Jams” in the back room starting 10 pm. No cover charge. How cool is that?

Fifolet to Host Four-Day Mardi Gras Celebration

Since we can’t all make it to Bourbon St. for Mardi Gras, Fifolet Cajun & Cocktails will be bringing the famous New Orleans festival to you right here in Chicago. Starting on Saturday, February 25^th, the new Wicker Part restaurant and bar will be ground zero for all things Mardi Gras. Four days of festivities will include everything from live music, Hurricane cocktails and face painting to authentic Creole/Cajun food specials, limited edition beers from New Orleans’ favorite brewery, Abita, and more.

Saturday, February 25, 5:00 pm – 2:00 am. 30¢ Beer Flights for 30 Minutes. For one night only, guests can enjoy 30¢ Abita beer flights for a period of 30 minutes. Guests will have the chance to partake in this promotion two times throughout the evening.

Taste of New Orleans. Executive Chef Kevin Crouse has created a special menu designed to allow guests to get a real taste of the Big Easy. Dishes on the Taste of New Orleans menu are available in half size portions to allow diners to taste as much as they want. In addition to signature menu items like Gumbo and Jambalaya, the following specials will be available:

Sunday Feb. 25 5pm-12am
Monday Feb.27 5pm-12am
Tuesday Feb.28 5pm-2am

*all available while supplies last.

Then come to join Abita Brewing Company’s Official Mardi Gras Party at Fifolet, where they proudly host the party for New Orleans’ favorite brewery! $4 Purple Haze | $4 Light | $4 Mardi Gras Bock

Find the Abita rep at the party and your first beer is on him/her. And party to one of Chicago’s best New Orleans-style bands, Four Star Brass Band, all evening long.

Fifolet will offer a family-friendly environment from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Kids are invited to partake in face painting and non-alcoholic Abita Root Beers. Face painting, 5pm to 8pm. Local artist Amanda Cohen will paint the fun-loving faces of Fat Tuesday party-goers. Can’t decide on a design? Look to one of the many Mardi Gras masks that line the walls of Fifolet for some colorful inspiration!

Chicago Restaurant Examiner