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$2 Miller Lite bottles and drafts, $3 bombs, $3 Captain and Cokes, $3 burgers and chicken caesar wraps

$2 Miller Lite bottles and drafts, $3 bombs, $3 Captain and Cokes, $3 burgers and chicken caesar wraps

Carnaval in Chicago
Mardi Gras is a great day for partying, but that’s just the problem: It’s only one day. So get the party started early with Carnaval (or Carnival, or Carnivale), the five-day period (February 20-24) that, like Fat Tuesday, is a way to say goodbye to all those naughty habits before Lent begins. But don’t expect five days of drunk bead-bartering; Carnaval is all about infectious samba beats, hypnotic hip shaking, unique food and a massive melting pot of a party. Cheap flashes or sexy dancers? Beer or an exotic caipirinha? Keep the king cake, we’ll take these events instead.

FeijoadaMmm…feijoada.

Bossa Nova Brunch
Saturday-Sunday at C-House
Marcus Samuelsson’s C-House is known for tasty, artfully prepared food; but at brunch this weekend, the main attraction will be the customized caipirinha bar. Guests can enhance the traditional Brazilian cocktail (made with rum-like cachaca, sugar and limes) by choosing a fruit, like blood orange or pineapple, and a rim (sugar and blank are just two choices). Each cocktail is $9; you can up it with a champagne floater for an additional $3 and if you’re not into rum-like cocktails, there are plenty of other libations to go along with C-House’s classic brunch fare. The food gets its time to shine, too, with special Brazilian dishes like the country’s national favorite, feijoada (a stew of beans with beef and pork).

Braziliance Carnaval
Friday, February 20 at Sonotheque, 9 p.m.; $5, free with RSVP to nick.lambrou@gmail.com
Start off the Carnaval celebration on Friday with a special Carnaval installment of Sonotheque’s popular monthly Braziliance party. DJ/Musical Programmer Joe Bryl will be spinning unique Brazilian beats and samba music while images of Carnaval parties from Rio display on the various screens throughout the club. There’s also a special menu of yummy sounding cocktails like the Cococabana, a mix of coconut rum, pineapple juice, Amaretto and Grenadine garnished with an orange slice for $8. Get there early and receive a free compilation CD put together by Bryl for the special event.

Carnaval cocktail SushiSamba’s Carnaval cocktail.

SushiSamba Rio
With vibrant decor, sexy design and infectious world dance music, it feels like Carnaval every night at SushiSamba Rio, the Chicago outpost of the Brazilian, Peruvian and Japanese upscale fusion restaurant. SushiSamba is using the celebration to gear up for its 10-year anniversary (the first location opened in New York in 1999) and turning up the Brazilian vibes from February 21-24 with special menu items and the Carnaval cocktail, a mix of Cabana Cachaca (a specialty Brazilian rum), honey, strawberries, cinnamon, lemon juice and cayenne. A blowout party takes place on February 24 with samba dancers and batucada drummers.

Chicago Samba
Saturday, February 21 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. DJ Nando Brasil provides the tunes, while Chicago Samba instructor/MC for the evening Edilson Lima teaches samba dance steps. Expect dancers in full, extravagant costumes, $5 caipirinhas and authentic Brazilian food provided by Sinha Elegant Cuisine. The party is 16-plus, so young party-goers can also get in on the fun.

Carnivale
Jerry Kleiner’s West Loop spot is a no-brainer for celebrating this festival, and this year the restaurant hosts a 3-day extravaganza with a specialty menu and more. The festivities start with family night on Sunday, February 22, featuring face-painters, stilt walkers, a special menu and mocktails for kids. Monday offers a sexy Masquerade Ball with music from DJ Monna 3 and complimentary masks and beads (you may want them for walking the special red carpet); the usual Monday night $5 mojito drink special will be enhanced with four specialty mojitos from around the world. Finally, the restauran closes things out on Tuesday with live music by Angel Melendez, samba dancers, a tableside mojito cart and more.

Check out Centerstage Chicago food and drink deals!

Where to Watch the Big Ten Tournament
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.

University of Illinois

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 University

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

University of Iowa

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

University of Michigan

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 University

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

University of Minnesota

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 University

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

Ohio State University

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 University

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 University

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

University of Wisconsin

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!

This entry was posted on Monday, March 30th, 2009 at 11:30 am and is filed under Chicago. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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