Forty Ounces to Freedom
For years, the 40-ounce (or just 40) has been a destination drink for people who A) are cheap, B) are broke, C) need to be drunk now, or some combination of the above. The 40 has rarely found a place in actual drinking establishments, however. Is it because it isn’t a profit maker? Is it because it’s usually some pretty terrible swill? Is it because when emptied, the 40 is a formidable weapon, being wielded by a likely intoxicated warrior? These are all valid reasons, but the tides are finally starting to turn.
We’ve been seeing 40s popping up in more and more bars and restaurants around Chicago. Perhaps it’s because owners have increased their liability insurance to cover the eventual outbreak of booze-induced skull lacerations or they’ve realized how well malt liquor pairs with fish. Maybe they now understand that they’re just fun to drink (see popular drinking game Edward Fortyhands). In any case, here are a few places we’ve found where you can get the full forty without being forced to drink by the train tracks or while squatting in an alley.
Elm Street Liquors
The owners of Elm Street claim to have “evolved the traditional dive bar concept into the first luxury tavern in Chicago,” whatever that means. After changing ownership in 2008, they have at least figured out that not everyone near Rush and Division wants standard macrobrew 12-ounce offerings, or slapped-together Cosmos or ___tinis. In addition to cocktails and beer mixtures like the Pretty Young Thing (PBR and Pink Lemonade) or the Brown Sugar (Negra Modelo mixed with tequila and a cube of brown sugar), they kindly have on hand a full 40 ounces of Mickey’s finest malt liquor for the low, low price of just $10.
If you’re turned off by the huge upcharge on what normally sells in convenience stores and gas stations for just a few bucks, consider that wine gets a similar price increase in restaurants, while beer is often worse. Besides, think of how much time (and tips) you’ll save by purchasing the equivalent of three beers at once.
Scarlet
If you think that the lure of the 40 is only limited to mainstream dancehalls and unsophisticated destinations, think again. Boystown’s Scarlet also understands the appeal of massive amounts of malt liquor, offering one the best bulk beer deals in the city during its Original Frat Boy Party: a full 40-ounce of King Cobra for just $5. (Sure there are 40s of Miller Lite available too, but when you can have steak, who needs hamburger?) No word on whether high-fiving, chest-bumping or beer pong goes along with it, but you’ll probably be too busy ogling polo-shirt clad guys rocking Dockers to worry about it.
The Fifty/50
This flashy Wicker Park bar has built a following for its artery-clogging comfort food, including multiple versions of mac ‘n’ cheese, buffalo wings with house-made hot sauce and a late-night menu featuring cheddar waffle fries (add bacon for a buck!), pulled pork or steak nachos and stuffed ‘shrooms. But the beer list is where things really get interesting, thanks to the rotating 40-ounce of the Week. Like the now-closed Lakeview Broadcasting Company, which would regularly change the type of 40 on hand for variety’s sake, the Fifty/50 orders a certain number of cases of 40s per week, and when a brand is gone, it’s gone ’til next time. So it is entirely possible that if the 40-ounce demand is high (and when isn’t it?), there could be more than one 40 style per seven-day period. For just $8 you can try your hand Colt 45, Big Bear, Crazy Stallion, Old English or whatever other brand they decide to assault your liver with, which makes the Fifty/50 the destination for true malt liquor variety – outside of the gas stations and truck stops of America, of course.
Glenn’s Diner
Wait, an actual restaurant that serves a 40 alongside its otherwise serious fare? If owner Glenn Fahlstrom – who claims to serve “the best food in the world – approves, we’re not going to argue. You can match up an $8.25 bottle of Miller Lite with any of the fish specials of the day on the chalkboard, or if you’re really feeling ready to call your sponsor, pour it over a bowl of any of the dozen or so cereals Glenn features during breakfast and brunch. (You might have to ask nicely to get them to serve it to you that early.) But if you’re going to go big, you might as well put those 40 ounces of booze up against as many King Crab legs as you can possibly handle. Glenn’s gluttonous steal of a Tuesday night all-you-can-eat deal is just $34.95 per person and worth doing at least once in your life, definitely with a huge bottle of beer at your side.
Fat Willy’s Rib Shack
Perhaps you aren’t comfortable toting in an economy-size bottle of brew to Smoque or Honey 1 BBQ. Maybe you had to rush and couldn’t stop at the Food & Liquor joint for the malt liquor swill of your preference but you’ve got an undeniable hankering for ‘cue. (Or you absolutely, positively can’t handle sitting through the film you’re being dragged to at the AMC City North theater across the street.) No matter what the reason, Fat Willy’s is here to help.
Argue as you will about whose barbecue is the best, the most authentic, the most flavorful, the most properly prepared, the most reliable – only Fat Willy’s can put a 40 of Miller Lite, Budweiser or MGD in front of you for $8 along with your pulled pork or slab of baby backs. Appetizers like jalapeno corn fritters, hot links or rib tips and sides like collard greens or Southern baked spaghetti round out the 40-enhanced experience.
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March Madness Deals in Chicago
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.
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.
The CrossRoads Bar & Grill
Sit at a table made from a whiskey barrel at this West Loop spot, which will offer $3 Bud products, $14 Bud buckets and $5 Jameson all tournament long. Bonus points if you’re a Kentucky fan.
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.
District Bar
Prizes in the River North bar’s bracket contest (available on its website) include gift cards worth up to $250. Just fill it out and bring it in on Thursday for 15 percent off your check. You can also enjoy 10-cent wings and $3 Bud Lights while watching the action on 40 flat-screen TVs. 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.
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.
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.
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.
Rockwood Place
The Wrigleyville bar features game coverage on 16 50-inch flat-screen TVs. Specials throughout the tournament include a$5 bloody mary and mimosa bar, $8 Miller Lite pitchers and $10.99 baby back ribs with choice of side. Additionally, there will be Cubs ticket giveaways every game day and $1 cone of fried cheese curds offered during all Wisconsin games.
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.
Tin Lizzie
No matter what day your team’s playing, this Lincoln Park bar is a good choice to watch. Tournament specials include $2.50 Miller family bottles and drafts (Thursday), $3 Miller High Life cans (Friday), $3 food and Miller High Life cans (Saturday), $3 drinks (Sunday), $2.50 Miller Lite drafts (Monday), $2.50 Miller Lite bottles (Tuesday) and half-price drinks (Wednesday).
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.
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Chicago Cinco de Mayo Events
Cinco de Mayo fiestas.
OK, so technically it’s not Mexico’s Independence Day (that’s in September), but Cinco de Mayo is no less reason to celebrate. Fiesta the day away at one of these hot spots, offering Mexican-themed deals throughout the day (all events on Wednesday, May 5, unless otherwise noted).
Bull & Bear
Local cover band Jank presides over this Janko de Mayo party featuring $5 shots of Herradura, $6 Jankaritas (aka margaritas with Herradura), $6 yard glasses (signature vodka cocktails with Finlandia) and $7 sangria.
Carnivale
6:30-8:30 p.m.; $25
In honor of the holiday, sommelier Elizabeth Mendez will lead a hands-on class instructing guests in concocting both a classic and a seasonal margarita. In addition to creating and sampling drinks, you’ll enjoy appetizers from chef Mark Mendez. If you just want to drink, the restaurant is offering five special margaritas, including a Cavarita ($12.50) and a pomegranate variety ($9.50).
La Casa De Isaac
The Highland Park foodie destination will offer a three-course menu for $32.
Chilam Balam Cocina Mexicana
The Lakeview Mexican restaurant will offer a three-course menu for $32.
Cinco de Mayo Festival (Douglas Park)
April 30-May 3
There will be live music, food, carnival rides and games at this three-day festival in Douglas Park. Make sure to stick around for the parade, stepping off from Cermak and Damen at noon on Sunday.
Cinco de Mayo Festival (Little Village)
May 7-9
Celebrate for three days at this inaugural fest, featuring live music, food, crafts, family activities and more in Little Village, the home of Chicago’s largest Mexican population.
Cinco de Mayo Pub Crawl
8-11 p.m.; $15
Take a tour of six Lincoln Park/Lakeview bars, with domestic drafts, margaritas and a Mexican buffet at each stop. You’ll be drinking at Duffy’s Tavern, Durkin’s, Maeve, McGee’s, Redmond’s and Wrightwood Tap. There will be a trolley to take you from bar to bar.
Congress Theater
7 p.m.; $15 (two for $25 in advance)
The Cinco de Mondo event goes all out with Lucha Libre wrestling, burlesque performances from Lola Van Ella, Bella Sue Devianti and Gravity Plays Favorites, live music from the Del Moroccos and The Suspirios and more. Comedian Dash Bravado hosts.
Cuna
Indulge in a quesadilla burger (with cheese quesadillas instead of the bread, $7), $1 bottles of Miller Lite and Coors Light and $4 Patron shots at this Lakeview bar.
Dawali
Enjoy $5 specials like shawerma and chicken shawerma wraps all day at this Northwest Side Middle Eastern spot.
Dick’s Last Resort
It’s a Hot Huevos fiesta at this riverside bar, where you can enjoy a free taco bar from 4-6 p.m., $3 margaritas and $4 Coronas. There will also be a spicy food eating contest at 7 p.m., and music from Noche Caliente beginning at 8 p.m.
Division Ale House
The Ale House celebrates with $5 lime margaritas and $3 Corona bottles.
D.O.C. Wine Bar (Lombard)
The West Suburban wine bar offers a $12 chicken enchilada plate with rice and black beans and margaritas martinis for $5 each.
Get the “Perfect Margarita” at Dos Diablos.
Dos Diablos
The new River North Mexican spot opens its doors for lunch on Wednesday, offering its full menu featuring fajitas, margaritas and more. Try The Big Mel, a four-pound chimichanga; finish it in under 20 minutes and you’ll get your name posted on the wall.
Dunlays on Clark
Drink specials at this Lincoln Park neighborhood restaurant include $4 Pacifico and $3 Cuervo tequila shots, while there will be a few Mexican dishes added to the menu, like guacamole, a skirt steak torta, posole hominy, pork shoulder sopes and more.
Durty Nellie’s
Get $3 margaritas and featured food specials like a trio of tacos at this Palatine hangout.
English
English celebrates with all-day specials like $5 Don Julio shots, $7 Don Julio margaritas and $4 Corona and Dos Equis bottles.
Faith & Whiskey
The Lincoln Park bar’s Cinco de Mayo party includes tons of drinks specials, including $1 Cabo Wabo tequila shots and skinny margaritas, $2 Dos Equis and domestic drafts, $3 well cocktails, $3 Accidental Threesome shots, $3 Jim Beam Red Stage shots, $6 40s and $5 Death’s Hot Rod cocktails (Death’s Door white whiskey, Cointreau and lime juice). Tom Petty/Johnny Cash cover band Petty Cash will perform live at 9 p.m., and the bar will award a 15-person private party to the person with the best “Most Interesting Man in the World” costume (from the Dos Equis commercials) at midnight.
The Fifty/50
Mariachi Michoacano ? an eight-piece live mariachi band ? will play live starting at 8 p.m. Drink specials include $6 Pama margaritas, $6 Cazadores tequila maragaritas, $4 Cazadores Blanco, Reposado and Anejo tequila shots. The Wicker Park bar will also award a free private party to the person with the “best mariachi mustache.”
Frasca Pizzeria & Wine Bar
The Lakeview restaurant will offer a Mexican pizza featuring ground beef, cheddar, Monterey Jack cheese, onion, tomato, cilantro and refried beans ($9). Wash it down with $3 bottles of Corona.
HUB 51
11:30 a.m.-midnight
Fittingly, this River North hotspot offers five specials for Cinco de Mayo. There will be $10 tacos, $6 guacamole, $5 margaritas, $4 Coronas and $4 Grande Tecate available all day and night.
Hunt Club
Munch on free chips and salsa, $3 cheese quesadillas with pico de gallo, salsa & sour cream, and a Cinco De Mayo burger (8-ounce ground beef and chorizo patty topped with Chihuahua cheese, jalapenos, pico de gallo, and salsa) for $5 from 6-8 p.m. All-day drink specials include $4 Cuervo shots, $5 Corona and Corona Light bottles and $6 Patron margaritas.
John Barleycorn
Both the Lincoln Park and Wrigleyville locations offer up specials. In Lincoln Park, get $4 lime margaritas, $3 Sol and Dos Equis bottles, $4 Sauza shots and $4 Jose Cuervo shots, along with free sombreros. In Wrigleyville, get $6 house margaritas, $5 Sauza shots, $3 domestic drafts, $3 wells drinks, 25 cent wings and $1 select sliders.
Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club
Kit Kat Diva Jade will perform as Jennifer Lopez, Shakira and other Latina musical superstars as you enjoy half-price margaritas at this Boystown club.
LaSalle Power Co.
Q101 (101.1 FM) broadcasts live from 3-7 p.m. and specials include include $5 Cabo Wabo shots and $7 Cabo Wabo margaritas.
Lottie’s Pub
Grab $3 Dos Equis and Negra Modelo and $4 Corona and Corona Light at this beloved Bucktown bar, and pair them with half-price guacamole and some smoked chicken quesadillas.
Luxbar
Buy a pitcher of margaritas ($35) and you’ll receive a complimentary large chips and guacamole platter on Cinco de Mayo.
Mac’s American Pub
All-day Cinco de Mayo pecials include $5 16-ounce Cuervo margaritas, $3 Corona bottles and chicken quesadillas with roasted tomatillo salsa ($6). After 5 p.m., enjoy tacos de pescado: corn tortillas, crispy cod, pico de gallo, avocado and sweet jalapeno mayo ($6). Mahoney’s Pub & Grill
6-9 p.m.; $30
The inaugural Cinco De Rhino event, which benefits the American Association of Zoo Keepers, includes food, drinks, a silent auction and games like “Poacher Pinata” (you can just play on the Wii, too). The purpose? To save critically endangered rhinos and other wild animals.
Martini Park
The River North bar becomes “Martinez Park” for a night, offering $8 Silver Patron cocktails and $4 Coronas. There will also be complimentary quesadillas and nachos from 6-8 p.m. Donate $10 to High Jump at the Latin School and you’ll get a free drink.
May St. Cafe
The upscale BYO spot will offer a three-course menu for $32.
Mercadito
Head to this River North Mexican spot to try the Vato Loco, the self-described “hottest cocktail on earth” which contains tequila and…some hot stuff (it’s a secret recipe). You’ll have to sign a waiver first. The restaurant will also offer a special $40 dinner menu, $5 tequila shots and live mariachi music from 9-10:30 p.m.
Moe’s Cantina
Cinco specials include $1 steak or chicken tacos, $3 house margaritas, $3 Coors Light bottles and $4 Jameson Irish Whiskey, Absolut Vodka and Malibu Rum cocktails. Moe’s staffers will also hand out free sombreros to revelers.
Nacional 27
6-9 p.m.; buy tickets here
Nacional 27 is offering a $27 party package that includes margaritas, sangria, passed tapas/snacks and dancing to the beats of a live percussionist.
O’Donovan’s
April 30-May 5
The North Center bar/restaurant will have a number of drink specials available all week, including $4 Milagro shots and $5 Milagro margaritas, $5 micheladas, $3 horchata ($6 with tequila), $1 off Corona bottles and more. Special food items include zopes, carne asada and caramel flan.
Palmer House Hilton
May 7; $375
The annual Cinco de Mayo Gala, a benefit for the National Museum of Mexican Art, features music from Angel Melendez and the 911 Mambo Orchestra, a silent auction and more. Pinstripes
Both the South Barrington and Northbrook locations of this bocce/bowling/bistro establishment will offer Mexican-themed food and drink specials like $5 margaritas and $5 fajita flatbread.
The Pony
This Lakeview bar’s regular Honky Tonk Wednesday event (featuring free hillbilly bingo and country tunes spun all night) gets an added kick with $1 tacos, $3 Cabo Wabos and $3 Dos Equis. There will also be a taco-eating contest at 9 p.m. (sign up by calling Kevin at (773) 531-2881).
Rock Bottom Brewery
Enjoy Mexican-inspired dishes like quesadilla rolls and smoked chicken enchiladas as well as $5 house margaritas and $4 beer-of-the-day at this River North brewpub.
Rockit Bar & Grill
May 3-7
Both the River North and Wrigleyville locations will serve up Mexican-style cuisine throughout the week, including roasted red pepper and cumin-braised chicken tamales with chive creme fraiche ($8), mushroom fajitas with skirt steak, wild mushrooms, sweet peppers and spanish onions ($18) and cinnamon and sugar churros with cayenne chocolate ($6). Weeklong drink specials include $3 Dos Equis, $6 margaritas and $6 sangria.
Sabor Saveur
Monday, May 3 – Sunday, May 9; $32
The French-Mexican restaurant in Wicker Park offers a three-course prix-fixe menu including choices like pumpkin flower and cream cheese taquitos, chocolate-braised salmon filet and pineapple rice pudding. BYOB.
She-nannigans
The Division Street bar is the headquarters for the sixth annual “Cinco Division” party, featuring a performance from Led Zeppelin cover band Kashmir (9 p.m.), $4 bottles of Corona and lots of roaming mariachis all over the area (including at other area bars.
The Southern
Chef Cary Taylor offers some Mexican-themed specials including Southern Nachos with fried corn chips, smoked pork, black-eyed pea and green tomato pico de gallo, pepper jack cheese sauce and roasted peppers ($8). The restaurant will also offer $6 cocktails like Luis’ Dirty Peach (tequila, peach schnapps, mint-infused syrup) and a jalapeno lime margarita.
Stretch Run
The River North OTB will offer $5 bottles of Corona and Corona Light and $5 Heineken bottles.
Sushi Taiyo
Mexican sushi? Sounds fishy, but it’s a reality at this spot on Cinco de Mayo. Choices include the Mexico City Roll (spicy tuna with unagi and avocado, $12), the Sombrero (steamed lobster, spicy mayo, cucumber, jalapeno, tobiko and wasabi tobiko, $10) and the La Bamba (salmon, shiso, jalapeno, melted provolone cheese and shallots, $12).
Timothy O’Toole’s
Festivities will feature a “best moustache” contest, awarding the wearer of the most impressive facial hair a $50 bar tab. There will also be a hot pepper-eating contest and a pinata stuffed with adult prizes. Enjoy $10 33-ounce margaritas, $15 buckets of Corona and Corona Light and a $20 tequila shot buffet. Guests wearing a poncho or sombrero get a free order of chips and salsa.
Tin Lizzie
The post-work bash begins with $5 taco pizza and $3 shots of tequila, and continues, as it should, with the bashing of a pinata. Grab for prizes like tickets for food and drinks, t-shirts and even coupons for parties at the Lincoln Park bar.
Zocalo
The River North Mexican restaurant hosts a party featuring $5 pineapple-lime margaritas and tequila sunrises, giveaways and music spun by a DJ in the evening.
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Every week on Grub Street, a chef is asked to describe a favorite recently eaten restaurant dish. The following week, that dish?s chef nominates another memorable comestible, and so on?hence the name, Food Chain. Here we play the same game with bartenders. 
