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.
Heaven and Hell at Fifty/50
Halloween may be over for most of us, but it'll be back in full swing at this Wicker Park club on Black Wednesday. The venue's upstairs bar will be heaven, while the basement transforms into a devilish den. The Fifty/50 is encouraging guests to dress in costume for the chance to receive prizes throughout the evening. Drink specials will also be offered, as well as a 30 percent discount for industry folks.
In Fine Spirits Thanksgiving Wine Tasting
In Fine Spirits boutique will host its annual Thanksgiving wine tasting, giving guests a slew of insider tips on the shop's favorite holiday picks. Andersonville local Timothy Gorton will pour samples from a laudable lineup of wineries, including Two Brothers, La Spinetta, Hahn and Paul Prieur.
The DVDJ's at NV Penthouse Lounge
9 p.m.-2 a.m.; $25 after 11 p.m.
NV Penthouse is celebrating Thanksgiving the night before the big feast with a live performance from the DVDJ's. The official party kicks off at 11 p.m., but we recommend stopping by for an early reception (between 9 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.) hosted by Belvedere.
Turkey Jam 2008 at Stardust
8 p.m.-4 a.m.; $20 cover
New York-based pop singer Chris Willis, in collaboration with David Guetta, will kick off Thanksgiving 2008 with a live performance at this chic late-night lounge. Stardust will also offer its guests a pre-Thanksgiving dinner beginning at 5 p.m., just before the high-energy bash begins.
CHEER at In Fine Spirits Lounge
Doors open at 3 p.m., Dinner is offered from 6 p.m.-9 p.m.; $5 cover
Andersonville's favorite wine bar is hosting its first annual Thanksgiving Eve celebration, titled CHEER. The lounge will open is doors at 3 p.m. for those in need of a head start. Early birds can sip on In Fine Spirits' culinary cocktails while they wait for dinnertime to roll around. Beginning at 6 p.m., a prix-fixe menu will be offered, complete with holiday drink specials. Once the crowd is good and full (dinner ends at 9 p.m.), DJ Craig Alexander will take over. A portion of the event's proceeds will benefit Growing Power, a nonprofit focused on agricultural sustainability.
Drink Packages at Brownstone Tavern & Grill
9 p.m.-midnight; $25
Thanksgiving is a time for sharing, and Brownstone is allowing guests to spread the love with its $25 drink package. Grab a few of your best pals and show 'em how much you care by picking up the tab. The package includes import and domestic drafts, call liquor and house wine.
Sully's House
11 p.m.-2 a.m.
This Old Town bar and grill is taking Black Wednesday to the extreme with its dark beer specials and black-themed films. Sully's will take $1 off select beers including stouts like Rogue Chocolate and Samuel Smith Oatmeal, as well as a few hard-hitters like Johnny Walker Black, Effen Black Cherry and Jack Daniels. Movies will play on mute, and anything with "black" in the title is fair game (e.g. "Men in Black" and "Black Dahlia").
Moonshine
8 p.m.-2 a.m.; free
Moonshine has made a promise to its loyal patrons that this year the roadside pub will turn Black Wednesday into "gold." The Thanksgiving Eve bash features live music from DJ Soul Foundation featuring Brenda D, Brian Gardner and special guests. Drink specials include $5 Jack Daniels mixers and shots and $3 Moonshine microbrews, including the new Chronic, which is brewed using natural, organic hemp seeds. With prices that cheap, you'll need something to soak up all the alcohol and Moonshine's half-price pizzas should do the trick.
Martini Park hosts Soda
8 p.m.; $10 for dudes, ladies get in free
Everybody loves a good cover band, especially when the songs are paired with $7 specialty cocktails. Guests can enjoy both at Martini Park's Black Wednesday bash, with a live performance by Soda and drink deals all night long. And because cover songs can only last so long before you lapse into bad memories of family road trips, a DJ will take over at midnight.
Mark Knight at Spybar
10 p.m.; $10 after 11:30 p.m.
This River North lounge brings in a new DJ nearly every night, and Black Wednesday is no exception. Mark Knight will kick off Spybar's pre-Thanksgiving marathon along with DJ Inphinity and Dino G. Expect humble-house beats and a too-hot-to-handle crowd. Show up before 11:30 p.m. to skip the $10 cover.
Noche de Fuego at Zocalo
10 p.m-3 a.m..; $10 after midnight
Entourage and Don Julio present a posh pre-Thanksgiving bash at Zocalo Lounge. Expect global beats like Latin, salsa, merengue and bachata, as well as a mix of house and hip-hop. In addition to offering $3 Bud Light, $5 Don Julio shots and $6 margaritas, the lounge is slashing all bottle service down to $150. Show up before midnight and skip the cover.
David Guetta at Crobar
Move over Mark Ronson, David Guetta returns to Chicago's Crobar on Black Wednesday. The world-renown DJ will throw down a full set of house tracks for underground and mainstream junkies alike.
Black Out at Lumen
9 p.m.
Lumen turns out the lights for its second annual Black Out Wednesday party. The usually illuminated West Loop club becomes a dark playground with DJs Lo Pro and White Shadow providing the dance sounds.
Rebirth of the Funk at Sonotheque
9 p.m.; $5
If you're not looking for a rowdy night out with college kids, and you're not into bottle-service-and-dress-code clubs, head for the funk sounds at Sonotheque. Tonight, the club pairs with the Silver Room for Rebirth of the Funk. Eric Williams of the Silver Room and Sonotheque's Joe Bryl lay down the funk and funk-influenced sounds for a fun dance party.
Pre-turkey workout and drinks at Whirlyball
Prevent the top button-pop of your jeans this year with a pre-Thanksgiving workout at WhirlyBall. All three locations (Chicago, Vernon Hills and Lombard) will whip you into shape with this eclectic and energetic sport. For those who've never played whirlyball, it's a combination of bumper cars, lacrosse and basketball. The game goes down like this: two teams (each player in a bumper car) use oversized scoops to gain control of the ball and maneuver it to their respective goal. Sound complicated? Well, it isn't – you don't even have to be in shape for this one. Each WhirlyBall facility will also offer arcade games, pool and several big screens. Call ahead to reserve court time; walk-in rates (when available) are $12 per half hour. Oh, and (thank God) a full bar.
Odyssey Cruises Pre-Thanksgiving Dinner Cruise
6 p.m-10 p.m.; $92.90
Dip into your Christmas fund and splurge on Odyssey's pre-Thanksgiving dinner cruise. The luxurious celebration will help you unwind with unlimited champagne (during boarding hours; 6 p.m.-7 p.m.) skyline views and live entertainment. You and your friends will get a private table for the full three-hour cruise, where you'll enjoy a four-course meal.
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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
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