Most emailed Bars & Clubs items

1. Warm Up and Bear Down Chili Cook-Off Icon-mmx-pick

Moonshine - 1824 W. Division St. - Chicago (East Village / Ukrainian Village)
 

A tailgate party in the bar's parking lot features all-you-can-eat chili from 16 amateur and professional chefs competing for $1,000.

2. Turkey Trolley Trot

Various locations - Chicago - Chicago
 

A Black Wednesday party includes transportation between six bars, plus domestic drafts and food.

Inside: Big Star

3. Inside: Big Star

By Lisa Arnett - November 12, 2009
 

Wicker Park’s dive-by-design doles out cheap thrills and simple swills

Midnight math

4. Midnight math

By Lisa Arnett - November 17, 2009
 

Are $100-plus New Year's Eve parties worth the cash? We quizzed the people behind them to see if it all adds up

Chicago New Year's Eve parties

5. Chicago New Year's Eve parties Icon-mmx-pick

 

Ring in 2010 with these New Year's bashes

6. Close Up 2 - Live Smooth Jazz Club 5

416 S. Clark St. - Chicago (Loop)
 

If you're looking for an intimate night of jazz, this is your spot: CU2 features a rotating roster of musicians playing only the smooth stuff.

7. Big Star 5

1531 N. Damen Ave. - Chicago (Bucktown/Wicker Park)
 

The owners of Danny's Tavern and other prolific local spots are behind this alfresco-focused bar in the former Pontiac address.

The Shrine

8. The Shrine 3 1/2

2109 S. Wabash Ave. - Chicago (Near South Side)
 

This South Loop club-lounge combo rocks on in the former Chicago Legends space.

9. Louie's Pub 4 1/2

1659 W. North Ave. - Chicago (Bucktown/Wicker Park)
 

This classic corner pub features karaoke on most nights, plus pool, darts, a jukebox and inexpensive drinks.

10. Naha 4

500 N. Clark St. - Chicago (River North)
 

Chef Carrie Nahabedian creates dishes that reflect her Armenian heritage as well as time spent cooking in the West Coast's finest restaurants. Expect seasonal menus, classic preparations and Mediterranean flavors.

11. Cafe Iberico 3

739 N. La Salle St. - Chicago (River North)
 

Owner Jose Lagoa, from the town of La Coruna in northwestern Spain, says the Spanish tapas and ambience (noisy, partylike) draw 1,000 people a day on the weekends, 500 to 600 on weekdays. Some 60 Spanish wines are offered, about 5,000 bottles in all, displayed in racks on the ceiling. Iberico...

12. Singles Speed Dating Party Icon-mmx-pick

Leg Room - 7 W. Division St. - Chicago (Near North Side)
 

Meet other singles (ages 22-32 or 33-43) for fast dates. Drink specials include $4 well cocktails, $2 glasses of house champagne and $3 domestic bottles.

Bull & Bear

13. Bull & Bear 2

431 N. Wells St. - Chicago (River North)
 

The guys from hot spot Stone Lotus are behind this stock market-themed sports bar in River North.

14. AlphaBeer Icon-mmx-pick

The Globe Pub - 1934 W. Irving Park Rd. - Chicago
 

Get a one- to three-ounce beer sample for every letter of the alphabet, from Anchor Steam to Zywiec.

TBOX. The 14th Annual 12 Bars of Christmas Pub Crawl

15. TBOX. The 14th Annual 12 Bars of Christmas Pub Crawl Icon-mmx-pick

Cubby Bear Wrigleyville - 1059 W. Addison St. - Chicago (Lakeview)
 

Clink drinks at more than 30 Wrigleyville bars.

16. Pre-Thanksgiving Pub Crawl Icon-mmx-pick

O'Shaughnessy's Public House - 4557 N. Ravenswood Ave. - Chicago (Ravenswood)
 

Hop a trolley making rounds between O'Shaughnessy's, Charlie's Ale House and the Spot.

17. Black Friday at Angels & Mariachis

Angels & Mariachis - 1721 W. Division St. - Chicago (East Village / Ukrainian Village)
 

The bar opens early with half-price food from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Drink specials include $12 60-ounce lime margaritas and $10 tequila flights.

18. Dirty Bingo Icon-mmx-pick

Mad River Bar & Grille - 2909 N. Sheffield Ave. - Chicago (Lakeview)
 

The popular board game gets a raunchy reworking at this monthly bash.

19. Bluestone 3 1/2

1932 Central St. - Evanston
 

The bar area at Bluestone resembles a sports shrine, lined with helmets from professional and college along with golf banners hanging around the restaurant.

20. Boutique Nightclub & Social Lounge 4

809 W. Evergreen Ave. - Chicago (Old Town)
 

This hip-hop focused club boasts music on three levels.

21. Chicago's Largest Singles' New Year's Eve Party

Cagney's - 2142 N. Clybourn Ave. - Chicago (Lincoln Park)
 

Dress to impress (no jeans, T-shirts or gym shoes) at this singles-only bash featuring appetizers, group activities, party favors, $5,000 in door prizes and a cash bar. DJs spin top 40 and retro tunes.

22. Zia's Trattoria 4 1/2

6699 N. Northwest Hwy. - Chicago (Edison Park)
 

Elegantly plated lunch and dinner entrees fly from the open kitchen to the U-shaped dining room of this bustling trattoria. For lunch, try the baby spinach salad with calamari, walnuts, blue cheese, tomatoes and honey mustard dressing. Popular dinner options include beef tenderloin stuffed with...

23. Lucky Strike Lanes 2 1/2

322 E. Illinois St. - Chicago (Streeterville)
 

This posh bowling lounge is a spin-off of the popular Hollywood and Highland address in Hollywood, California.

Nightcrawlers

24. Nightcrawlers

November 16, 2009

Photos of who we've seen on the scene

District Bar

25. District Bar 3 1/2

170 W. Ontario St. - Chicago (River North)
 

This bar and restaurant boasts a fleet of 47 TVs to indulge avid sports watchers and happy hour revelers blowing off steam after work.