The Chicago Traveler

Start the New Year with a little color…
• Hydrate: Why celebrate 12 midnight just once? Ring in the New Year for every time zone! The celebration includes an exclusive pre-NYE party, a hosted bar featuring Effen Vodka and Pilsner Urquell Beer, a delicious appetizer buffet, and a complimentary champagne toast. DJ Jeannette spins tracks well into the wee hours of the morning. (8 p.m. – 4 a.m., $30-$50) (map) (link)
• North End: This bar is all about beer, boys, and bowls—college bowls, that is. Stop by for some barstool football with the guys without having to worry about a …read more

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• Alinea: Chef Grant Achataz is the frontrunner of progressive cuisine. The word “unique” doesn’t even begin to describe his dishes… many of which don’t even come on a dish! He’ll be presenting his cuisine at two seatings. The first seating offers a ten-course meal; the second offers 15 courses and a champagne toast. Wine pairings are also available. Reservations required. Jackets recommended, jeans not allowed. (5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., 8 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., $175-$250) (map) (link)
• Salud Tequila Lounge: This popular spot has about 85 different tequilas to choose from, available straight or in a margarita. They’ll …read more

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The Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club will have you saying, “What a drag!” and enjoying yourself the entire time. With its campy entertainment, playful menu, and neon drinks, this place certainly isn’t your grandfather’s supper club. Stylishly-dressed clientele are seated on white-leather banquettes amidst flickering candles, flashing disco lights, and pulsing club music. And of course, there are the divas. Approximately every half hour, female impersonators (everyone from Tina Turner to Diana Ross to Madonna) strut their stuff through the restaurant, “singing” and dancing in a manner that is no less than fabulous, dahling.

The menu takes comfort food for …read more

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In Bucktown, Gallery Cabaret is a classic corner bar that dates back several decades and is much more than the dive-bar it may appear to be. Don’t let the outside features scare you off. It’s become a forum for rising artists to display paintings, drawings, and musical talent. It took some time for the bar to build rapport with the community, but after receiving the attention of the Smashing Pumpkins and Liz Phair, this pub soon found plenty of business.
Visual art litters the walls and is changed up monthly to feature new artists. Plus, there’s some kind of live talent …read more

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