The Chicago Traveler

To all our readers, Happy New Year! Stay safe, have fun, and keep those resolutions!
Photo credit: (c/o SXC) Dez Pain

Comments Off

So you’ve decided that the best way to celebrate New Year’s Eve is inside the comfort of your own home (or a friend’s home). Tune your television to MTV, and ring in the New Year with Tila Tequila’s New Year’s Eve Masquerade 2008. There’ll be plenty of performers and special guests, including DJ Travis, Mary J Blige, Fabolous, Good Charlotte, Boys Like Girls, Kid Rock, Paramore, and Wyclef.
However, more important than all those incredible acts is a performance from a local hip-hop duo, Ivy League. During the first couple weeks of November, MTV and Comcast held online contests in four …read more

Comments Off

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

Comments Off

• 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

Comments Off

Here are a few more ways to bring in the New Year in Chicago:
• Metro: If you’re into the indie rock scene, Spoon will be headlining and playing songs from their most recent album, “Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga.” 18+ (10 p.m., $76) (map) (link)
• Motel Bar: So maybe you’re not so good at planning ahead. This River North lounge is just for you, requiring no cover and no reservations. Enjoy $8 champagne cocktails and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. (5 p.m. – 2 a.m., no cover) (map) (link)
• Victor Hotel: Join the lively crowd of dressed-to-impress grown-ups along …read more

Comments Off

As you can imagine, there are hundreds of New Year’s Eve events in Chicago, giving you plenty of ways to celebrate the New Year. Here are just a few of the most recommendable:
• Fat Cat: What could be more Chicago than celebrating Capone-style? Get out the flapper dresses and zoot suits for this Roaring ‘20s party, and you may end up winning the costume contest. Even if you don’t, you’ll love the upscale hors d’oeurves and open top-shelf bar. A DJ spins vintage music as well as modern-day hits. (9 p.m. – 1:30 a.m., $75-$100) (map) (link)
• Hyatt Regency O’Hare: …read more

Comments Off