Stocks are plunging, the housing market is in the dumps and Chicago just got stuck with the highest sales tax in the country—a whopping 10.25 percent. But why complain when you could be out munching on free food? Give your wallet a break when you take advantage of these steals.
Martini Park (pictured)
The freebie: Appetizers, 5-8 p.m. Tuesdays
The catch: None
The scene: Stop by this River North after-work hot spot for elegant passed appetizers on Torch Tuesdays. These aren’t your typical lowbrow finger foods—keep an eye out for the truffled mac-and-cheese sticks and kobe beef sliders. Complete the retro cocktail party vibe with a classic drink like a Manhattan or a sidecar. All specialty martinis are $7 on Tuesdays.
The freebie: Pizza, 7-8 p.m. Wednesdays
The catch: Wine purchase required
The scene: Lincoln Park professionals and theater-goers keep this spot buzzing, and with good reason: The food definitely delivers. That makes this mid-week pizza deal a steal. All pizzas (normally $12) are free with purchase of any bottle of wine, including the $50-or-less bottles that are half off on Wednesdays. Pair the duck sausage pizza with a 2005 Le Bocce Chianti Classico ($18 on Wednesdays, normally $36).
The freebie: Appetizer buffet, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays
The catch: None
The scene: This second Kitsch’n outpost in the former Montgomery Ward building is a little sleeker and more urban than its kooky Roscoe Village sibling. Clock out of work early and load up on free finger food such as chicken wings, ham-and-cheese sandwiches and spanakopita. Then make a beeline for the outdoor beer garden complete with shady table umbrellas and colorful Christmas lights.
The freebie: Lemon granitas
The catch: Patio patrons only
The scene: Hipsters flock to this love-it-or-hate-it Wicker Park club to hear top DJs spinning everything from ’80s Top 40 hits to hot indie tracks. Weeknights are more low-key. Head straight for the tiny sidewalk patio for a free cup of icy goodness, then keep the chill going with a vodka-lemonade Italian ice ($6 a glass).
The freebie: Buffet, 11 p.m.-1 a.m. Fridays and midnight-2 a.m. Saturdays
The catch: None
The scene: This popular Lincoln Park sports bar’s weekend late-night buffet, an old standby, is the perfect choice during a recession (er, “economic slowdown”). You’ll get whatever the kitchen’s dishing up—typical bar food like pizza, wings, quesadillas, ribs and potato skins—but it’ll certainly fill you up.
The freebie: Barbecue dinner, 4 p.m. Sundays
The catch: One-drink minimum—but you can make it cheap with a $2.50 vodka-lemonade.
The scene: Many of this Uptown bar’s loyal patrons, both gay and straight, have been coming to this annual summertime backyard barbecue for years. The spread of hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers and potato salad disappears quickly—usually by 4:30 p.m. The $2.50 vodka-lemonades, however, are available all night. The deal ends on Labor Day.
Cleos
The freebie: Buffet, 11 p.m.-1 a.m. Saturdays
The catch: One-drink minimum
The scene: Ukie Village locals and escapees from Wicker Park’s ever-crowded bar scene frequent this friendly watering hole. The huge back patio is close to the buffet in the back of the bar, where you can satisfy late-night munchies with free hummus and pita, quesadillas, pizza, wings and more. The eats disappear quickly, but they’re replenished several times—good news, because once you get settled here, you’ll forget about leaving anytime soon.
Heidi Moore is a Metromix special contributor. metromix@tribune.com
