SceneTracker Chicago

Brew and View at The Vic

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 12:50:00 -0400

Dinner and a movie is the quintessential date. Its a time honored tradition as old as the movie theater itself, and for good reason. It doesn't require much thought. It also protects against the possibility of you and your date ending up with nothing to do, which leads to boredom, which leads to you two realizing you don't have much to talk about, which leads to your date leaving. That is why dinner and a movie is typically a first date. People on first dates can rarely think of anything to talk about. That's whats so nice about the movie, it eats up a great deal of time and later you can say, “So what did you think of the movie?”

The Vic Theater, one of Chicago's most famous venues has found a way to improve upon this formula. They added drinks. Sure now a days there quite a few theaters that offer food, cocktails, and beer but you would be hard pressed to find one that's situated between Lincoln Park and Lave View, or one that has all the Vic charm.

The Vic Theater mostly known to concert goers hosts hundreds of events each year, and now they found a way to fill that down time, by offering what they have dubbed “The Brew and View.” The tickets are just $5 and that includes double or even triple features. They offer a variety of movies including the new box office hits as well as cult classics.

The Vic offers a variety of food and beverages, unfortunately though these are offered at concert venue prices. However, there is no need to fret. The good people at The Vic have offered a rather strange but welcome loophole for this. They don't allow food or drinks, but they encourage their patrons to have whatever they want delivered to the theater. In other words, if you don't want to pay the price just call Domino's and a liquor store that delivers and you're in business.

So check out what's coming soon, get down to The Vic, then make sure you have your phone handy so you can call somewhere that delivers.

P.S.
You're welcome for the date suggestion.

5 Must-See Events in Chicago This Weekend

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 12:03:00 -0400

Taste of Randolph Street

Combining some of the Windy City’s best food, music and entertainment, and the Taste of Randolph Street Festival does it best. This massive festival attracts crowds of more than 100,000, and is located in the famous restaurant row, Randolph Street Corridor. Places like BellyQ, Publican Quality Meats, and De Cero Taqueria will procure some tasty treats, and the music line up is fantastic. Bands like Divine Fits, The Joy Formidable, Milo Greene, Lord Huron, and many more will bring music to your ears. Be sure to check out Taste of Randolph Street this weekend, Friday, June 14th through Sunday, 16th. For information about ticket prices and the lineup, check out their website.

Taste of Randolph Street begins at 900 West Randolph Street

6 Corners BBQ Festival

Get your stomachs ready for the two-day 6 Corners BBQ Festival on Saturday and Sunday, June 15th and 16th, Chicago’s newest addition to their extensive list of street festivals. In perfect fashion, this mouthwatering festival will happen right in time for Father’s Day, and what better treat for Dad then a hunk of meat slathered in sauce?! Food vendors will serve a variety of foods perfectly paired with their own BBQ sauces. This is a great event for barbeque and food lovers alike. There are also live performances and events for kids, so this is great for a family get-together. For more information on this event, check out their website.

6 Corners BBQ Fest is located at 4006 N. Milwaukee Avenue

Chicagopride.com's 10 Year Celebration

This weekend as part of Pride Month, Chicago Pride will be hosting their 10 year anniversary celebration at Hydrate Nightclub on Friday, June 14th. There will be a bar reception from 6:30pm to 8:30pm hosted by Hydrate Nightclub and 4Rebels Vodka. This is followed by a pride party hosted by Bill Pritchard and Angi Taylor. For the early birds at the event, you will have the chance to taste test Magnolia Bakery’s exclusive Rainbow Pride Cupcake, and to kickoff the party, they will be giving away two airfair tickets to anywhere in the US and Canada. For more information, check out chicago.gopride.com.

Hydrate Nightclub is located at 3458 N. Halsted

Joe's Bar on Weed Street

The always entertaining Joe’s will be hosting their 16 year anniversary in style with 16 Candles, Chicago's favorite '80s band. Be sure to look your best because Joe’s will be crowing a mystery Birthday King & Queen of the night. So, come and rock out to some good ol’ 80's music, have some beer, eat some food, and have a good time. The five man band is sure to keep the party going all night. The cover is only $10 to see this old school band, so make your way to Joe’s for an awesome night out.

Joe's is located on 940 W. Weed Street

Spring Awakening Music Festival: Friday, June 14th through Sunday, June 16th

Get ready to rave at one of Chicago’s largest electronic music festivals: The Spring Awakening Music Festival at Soldier Field. For 3 days, you can see some of the best EDM performers in the business. Carnage, Flosstradamus, Boys Noize, PantyRaid, and many more. Friday’s headliner is the infinitely amazing Moby, Saturday party all night with Bassnectar, and Sunday cap off this amazing weekend with the one and only, Calvin Harris. For ticket information check out their website, and be sure to make your way to Chicago’s premier EDM festival.

Soldier Field is located on 1410 South Museum Campus Drive

NYLON's Annual Music Issue Party

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 15:05:00 -0400

Last night the Highline Ballroom was the spot to be at for NYLON Magazine's annual June/July Music Issue bash sponsored by Aloft Hotels and the guest of honor, was none other than the cover star, Avril Lavigne!

The party was hosted by NYLON's Editor-in-Chief Marvin Scott Jarrett and Publisher Jaclynn Jarrett. In true NYLON fashion, the party was a hit as guests enjoyed cocktails, a special performance by 2012 Project Aloft Star winners, HITS and rocked out during the headlining performance by our fave, Avril.Safe to say it was a pretty nostalgic night for us gals who have been fans since Avril's beginning. Wife beater tank and a tie, anyone?

Celebrate Pride Month in Chicago

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 13:18:00 -0400

Chicago's Boystown is one of the liveliest spots in the entire city and is among the largest LGBT communities in the country. and happens to be carved out of the highly-desirable Lakeview neighborhood, an area known for its bustling nightlife. Much like the mantra of its inhabitants “we're here and we're queer,” Boystown tells you all you need to know by greeting you with rows of rainbows pylons on the sidewalks, a gift from the city to let Chicago's gay population know they are welcome. Besides all the clubs, bars, and restaurants, Boys own is also dotted by dozens of other curiosities including head shops, video game stores, and comic book shops. You can't help but think they must be doing something right.

In the heart of Boystown is Roscoe's Tavern, and it is enough to satisfy anyone’s craving for something wild. It's tough to say if it's the atmosphere Roscoe's, opening in 1987, has created in its mission to “encourage self expression and creativity” or that they make a point to fit as much booze as possible into their drinks, whatever it may be your inhibitions will die at the doors.

Roscoe's is divided into several sections, including a large outdoor patio that becomes absolutely packed on warm nights. The main attraction though is Roscoe's dance floor. After a pitcher of Long Island Iced Tea (Yes, they sell that by the pitcher here.) you will lose yourself in the flashing lights, bumping bass, and the sea of bodies shaking and grinding. Whatever the case may be Roscoe's has made sure to allot enough room for the patrons to go crazy.

Be sure to check out Roscoe's event calendar they host a variety of events ranging from fetish shows, to wet boxer contests, and karaoke. They also host a number of different bands and DJs. So if you wanna go insane or tame your game (That phrase has just been coined here today. You are witnessing history!) it's up to you.

It's important to remember Pride Month isn't just all about clubs, partying, and dancing. The LGBT community have had a long struggle and it's only been fairly recently that they have been able to form these kinds of communities openly. During Gay Pride Month it's important to remember the trailblazers, the ones that took the risks of telling the rest of us that they're here, they're queer ,and we all just better get used to it.

Far outside of Boystown in Edgewater, is a historic landmark of LGBT history, The Granville Anvil (their website is still under construction) is the oldest gay bar in Chicago. The Granville Anvil is a far cry from Roscoe's. It's really more of a dive, and while the 20-somethings are bumping fists and booties to club music at Roscoe's, Granville has a slightly older crowd that huddles around the bar. With its large old style sign hanging outside the door above the street, its mirrored walls, and old wrap around bar, The Granville Anvil is a bit grittier and a bit more old-timey but it's still an incredibly friendly atmosphere with reasonably priced drinks. It's a gay man's man bar.

The Granville Anvil doesn’t have a calender of crazy events, but remember boys will be boys so they do get up to some mischief. For instance, you might walk in and find x-rated films playing on all the TV screens, but this is a trend that seems to be getting more and more popular even with hetero-bars, so most people should be used to it by now. There are also stripper poles at either end of the bar so what happens with those is really up to you! In short, The Granville Anvil is a great place if you're older or you have a curiosity about a piece of living gay history.

Gay Pride Month in Chicago is a time marked by celebrations, festivals, and outfits you never would have thought existed. Sometimes they may be unflattering and your first thought might be, “that person really shouldn't wear that.” Then you get that little Linus voice inside your head that reminds you what Gay Pride Month is really about, and it's about more than supporting the LGTB community, it's about accepting not only yourself for who you are, but accepting others for who they are as well, and sometimes that might mean wearing assless chaps with a top hat. So when you're celebrating remember it's still a struggle being a homosexual but Chicago is one town where a community came together in the face of adversity and effectively conquered it. So lets clink our glasses to our gay brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, cousins, second cousins, brother-in-laws, mailmen, nephews, nieces, bus drivers, etc.

Roscoe's Tavern is located at 3356 N. Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60657

The Granville Anvil is located at 1137 W. Granville Avenue, Chicago, IL 60660

This Weekend in Chicago

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 11:56:00 -0400

If there's one off-limits complaint this weekend, it's "I'm bored." Given the flood of festivals and events that arrive with summer, the problem is choosing between them. Feel free to still complain about the mosquitoes, though.

First Fridays at the Museum of Contemporary Art

Culture and nightlife mingle at the MCA during First Fridays, which occur (you guessed it) on the first Friday of every month. Guests have access to museum exhibits, a cash bar, a live DJ, complimentary hors d’oeuvres from Wolfgang Puck, and desserts from Bistronomic. 21+ only.

220 E. Chicago Avenue

Friday, June 6th from 6pm to 10pm

Tickets: $18 for general admission, $10 for MCA members, and $14 in advance

Chicago Blues Festival

Chicago’s largest music festival (and the largest free blues festival in the world) is taking over Grant Park. For its 30th anniversary, the festival has booked five stages to accommodate its performers. Vendors will offer soul food, pizza, and other refreshments to hungry crowds.

Friday, June 7th through Sunday, June 9th beginning at 11am

Grant Park (337 E. Randolph Street)

Free

Richard III by Wayward Productions

Wayward Productions’ mission is “to change the way you think about theatre,” and it starts by giving Shakespeare a heavy dose of grunge. Director Carlos Lorenzo Garcia stays true to the original script, but sets the play in post-Vietnam and substitutes a tattooed motorcycle gang for the House of York. The production has already earned a three-star review from the Chicago Tribune.

Friday, June 7th and Saturday, June 8th at 8pm

1333 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Second Floor

Tickets: $25

Alleys & Ruins

Artist Xavier Nunez has been photographing neighborhoods for 21 years to explore urban decay in America. Nunez takes his photographs at night, shining colored lights on the scene during the exposure period. The effect is both gritty and otherworldly. His photographs will be on display at the Instituto Cervantes until early July.

Instituto Cervantes of Chicago (31 W. Ohio Street)

Friday, June 7th from 10am to 3pm & Saturday, June 8th from 9am to 1pm

Free

Old Town Art Fair

The Old Town Triangle District will host its 64th Annual Art Fair this weekend,showcasing the work of 250 artists. Chosen by a committee of museum curators, gallery owners, and professional artists, the featured artists use mediums ranging from paint to ceramics. Visitors can also tour over fifty urban gardens through a self-guided Garden Walk.

Saturday, June 8th & Sunday, June 9th beginning at 10am

1862 N. Lincoln Avenue

Requested donation: $7

Printers Row Lit Fest

Organized by the Chicago Tribune, the Printers Row Lit Fest celebrates literature and promotes literacy in the city’s historic book-making neighborhood. The outdoor book fair is open to the public and admission to events is free, but space is limited and some events require tickets. Events include panels and talks featuring authors, poetry readings, and writing workshops.

Saturday, June 8th & Sunday, June 9th at 10am

Dearborn / Polk

Free

What to Do in Chicago this Memorial Day Weekend

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:13:00 -0400

If your Memorial Day Weekend plans involve dragging a towel to the beach and refusing to move until Tuesday, you picked the wrong city. Though Chicago’s beaches open this Friday, the weather this weekend won’t be ideal. But whether you’re looking to visit an art festival or eat a whole roast pig, you’ll find plenty of alternatives to keep you happy—even though it may literally rain on our parade.

Friday, May 24th

Gaelic Park Irish Festival

Whether you have Irish blood or you’re one of the four Chicagoans who doesn’t, make a visit to this weekend-long outdoor festival. In true Irish tradition, there will be plenty of music, dancing, and food. And don’t miss the petting zoo, if only to catch a glimpse of an animal that isn’t a pigeon.

Friday, May, 24th through Monday, May 27th
6119 West 47th St. (Oak Park).
Daily Pass $10. For $15, you’ll have access to perks like free carnival rides.

The Second City’s Laugh Out Loud Tour

The Second City Touring Company is back in its hometown, performing a selection of its greatest hits over the past 50 years. This show in particular is meant to highlight new comic talent - and given that alums of the company include the likes of Tina Fey and Steve Carell, Second City’s track record isn’t too shabby.

Friday, May, 24th and Saturday May, 25th, 8pm and 11pm and Sunday, May 26th, 7pm and 10pm
UP Comedy Club at 230 W. North Ave.
Tickets: $30 - $35

Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind

It’s the longest-running show in Chicago, but Too Much Light never gets predictable. The only guarantee is that you’ll see 30 original plays in 60 minutes, all written and performed by the theater ensemble the Neo-Futurists. The plays themselves vary each week. Half of the tickets are available in advance, but come early if you’re buying at the door.

Friday, May 24th and Saturday, May 25th at 11:30 am. Sunday, May 26th at 7pm.
The Neo-Futurarium located at 5153 N. Ashland at Foster.
Tickets: $14-19, depending on the number you roll on a die before you enter the theater.
Advance tickets are $20, but you’ll still try your luck for the refund at the door.

Saturday, May 25th

Memorial Day Parade

Every year, Chicago honors military veterans and active duty members in one of America’s largest Memorial Day parades.The parade will begin at noon and head South, from Lake Street to Van Buren Street. The Wreath Laying Ceremony, a tribute to fallen soldiers, will begin at 11am at Daley Plaza.

Saturday, May 25th at 11am.
State Street & Lake Street
Free

Barrington Art Festival

Take a walk through one of the first outdoor art festivals of the season, where over a hundred artists from around the world will showcase their work. Grab some Italian ice or a slice of wood-fired pizza from one of the food stalls, or take a break from browsing to listen to live music. Don’t miss the graffiti wall, a new addition this year; visitors can draw on the 4x16 foot wall with chalk or paint.

Saturday, May, 25th and Sunday, May 26th, 10am until 5pm.
Cook Street/Station Street
Free

Screening of Safety Last at the Music Box Theater

In celebration of the 90th anniversary of the classic film Safety Last, the Music Box Theater will show the silent romantic comedy with live organ accompaniment. Come early for the reception, featuring live music from the West End Jazz Band and the release of the theater’s summer events calendar..

Saturday, May 25th, 6:30 to 9:30pm.
Music Box Theater located at 3733 N. Southport Ave.
Tickets: $12 in advance, $15 day of

Fireworks at Navy Pier

Brush off your picnic blanket and head to your favorite viewing spot to watch the fireworks display over Navy Pier.

Saturday, May 25th at 10:15pm.
Free

EL Stories at the Greenhouse Theater Center

If you have a CTA card, you already know that public transportation can make for some memorable stories. Hear other people’s at the Kaleidoscope Theater Company, which bases its show on interviews with commuters about their strangest—and funniest—trips on the CTA.

Saturday, May 25th at 11am.
Greenhouse Theater Center is at 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.
Tickets: $15

Sunday, May 26th

Bike the Drive

Sign up by noon on Saturday to participate in the annual bike ride across Lake Shore Drive, benefiting the Active Transportation Alliance.

Sunday, May, 26th, 5:30am (cyclists can begin until 7:30am).
Columbus Drive/Jackson Drive.
Registration (required): $48

Lambic and Sour Beer Fest

Chicago’s most dutifully-observed holiday, Craft Beer Week, is coming to a close. Ease the pain by trying beers from breweries around the world at Delilah’s. $20 will get you twenty tickets to exchange for samples, but you can attend the event for free.

Sunday, May 26th, noon until 5pm.
Delilah’s is at 2771 N. Lincoln Ave.
$20 for 20 samples.

Memorial Day Pig Roast at Lottie’s

Come hungry to Lottie’s for Sunday lunch, where $12 will buy you as much of their whole pig roast as you can eat. The menu will also feature drink specials to help wash down your meal.

Sunday, May 26th at 2pm.
Lottie’s located at 1925 W. Cortland Ave.
$12 per person for all-you-can-eat whole smoked pig roast, baked beans, coleslaw, and potato salad.

A Sanctuary for Nerds

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:56:19 -0400

Sometimes drinking makes us think about the past. This could either result in a fond trip down memory lane or an angry 2am. phone call to that person who just needs to know what you “really think of them.” How this will end up is really a coin toss. So if you're tired of waking up with a few less friends whenever you go out drinking remember there are things from the past that are far more fun to think about than ex-lovers, co-workers, or people who rejected you. Put on those booze goggles and check out something from way back in the past that can only be remembered fondly, arcade games!

The Emporium Arcade Bar is located in Wicker Park. It's not only a gem in the heart of hipster country, but a living testament to the power of nostalgia. At first glance, The Emporium seems much like any bar in Chicago, but do a double take and you see the wooden walls are lined with a robust selection of pinball machines and arcade games. The games are an assortment of the best titles spanning the entire life of the arcade, a time frame of about 30 years. There are old school machines like Pac-Man, and Defender right alongside some bad ass '90s favorites like Mortal Kombat and Turtles in Time. For those of you in your mid-20s to early 30s this place is an awesome way to relive those long lost childhood days the way you always knew they should have been lived in the first place, drunk. Also the games are only 25 cents per play, much cheaper than back in the day

If you've just turned 21 or are a bit younger, it's possible you've never been to an arcade but give it a try it's fun, and besides retro is so in anyway! Recognize that by playing arcade games to be retro you're making it ironic which only makes it more ironic when you recognize you've done it for the irony to begin with. This could create a super ironic feedback loop that destroys the universe. Seriously though, it's fun, and by the way those little coins you put in the machines are called tokens.

The Emporium's drink menu is extensive, pleasing, and reasonably priced for what it is. On their beer menu you'll find two dozen craft beers (well besides the PBR, but you know what neighborhood you’re in) all 16 oz. drafts all costing just $5 or $6. You'll find the usual list of rum, vodka, and gin drinks here, but it's their whiskey menu that really stands out. They carry far more than the usual, Jack Daniel's, Johnny Walker or Seagram’s. There are no less than 24 different whiskey options that line the wall behind the bar. Probably because whiskey is the perfect liquor to kick you in the ass and give you that much needed aggressive edge when you're battling through an army of foot soldiers in Turtles in Time.

If dancing isn't your thing, if you're tired of hearing the same Top 40 and House hits, and you suck at darts check out The Emporium. The combination of whiskey and nostalgia will put you in a terrific mood, and a round of The Simpsons arcade game is a great way to try and hit it off with that someone you noticed at the other end of the bar. Check out their events calendar, they made great use of the arcade by creating a number of video game contests that involve drinking, which is genius. Who knows, maybe you'll break a high-score and everyone will carry you out of the bar on their shoulders chanting your name, but probably not.

South on North

Mon, 20 May 2013 14:22:43 -0400

Imagine for a moment you're going to meet up with two of your bestest bros. Maybe you were friends in high school, maybe college roomates, or maybe you served on a submarine together however you want this to go is fine there are no wrong answers here. You decide to get together on Clark Street, Chicago's watering hole. It's a warm summer evening, the Cubs just lost another game (this is a scenario not a fairy tale), and despite prior experience, you're absolutely sure you and your wing men work best as a team, and over the course of the night you guys will only become that much more charming.

Tonight isn't just about trying to pick up women though, tonight is about catching up. The heavily congested Wriglyville might not be the best place for intimate conversation. Well, about a mile south down Clark Street and you will find an area full of options. There are plenty of bars around but for the most part they're reasonably spaced apart so you're not bumping into the people walking out of the establishment next door, and as an added bonus many have some great outdoor seating!

It's 6pm, the evening has officially begun. You decide to start things off at The Galway Arms. Apparently, it's Chicago's premier Irish-themed bar and you and your friends are a cultured bunch. This is a terrific starting point. The beer menu is overwhelming, and the outdoor patio is awesome. and is fairly large. There are around a dozen tables covering its surface and it still isn't cramped. Large tubular torches have also been installed around the patio that when lit really adds to the summertime atmosphere.

The interior of the bar is quite unique. When you first walk in you think this looks like a really large apartment, and that's because it is. They have certainly made the most of this arrangement too. The bar is divided into different rooms, but the rooms aren't isolated so you can easily flow through them. This is helpful when you want to change your seating arrangement, but don't want to be too awkward about it.

When you open the beer menu you are confronted with sixty plus choices of high quality crafts and imports. Nowhere in this heavy volume will you see the words Bud, Miller, or Coors. This makes Galway an awesome place to try out new prospect brews and revisit old favorites you might not be able to find anywhere else, however this does come at a price. You can easily expect to spend over $20 on just three beers. So after you conversed over a few stouts it might be time to move on to something else.

It's about 8pm now and things are starting to pick up. Just across from Galway's is The Tin Lizzie, clever huh? This place is a bit more standard, but still good. They have week long $3 well drinks, as well as $3 Miller and Coors bottles. So it's a good place to start picking up the pace.

The bar itself is open to the street. So open it almost looks like it's missing a wall. You could literally reach out and grab people on the sidewalk, but don't, it's frowned upon. It's a nice feature, there's a constant refreshing breeze throughout the bar.

The tap selection is decent enough, Blue Moon, Fat Tire, Magic Hat, etc. There's also around ten or so bottles to choose from. The bar menu has a lot of options, we especially love their oven-baked sandwiches. They're simple yet provocative.

It's around 10pm now and the veneer of civility is starting to slip. You were warned about reaching out and grabbing people on the sidewalk just one too many times so now it's time to step out and try another place.

Well, head back to where you started (yeah sometimes drinking involves a little going and back and forth) and right next to Galway is Mickey's Bar and Patio. Mickey's also has a very large patio that fills up at night, and once the music starts flowing from the sound system it becomes quite the party spot, and it's also well heated for chilly summer nights.

The patio has a distinct feel to it that makes you think of Jimmy Buffett and Florida. Sitting in a chair, surrounded by lush green plants and hanging decorative lights, you half expect to look out and see a beach instead of a street.

The drink menu is pretty standard but every day of the week different drink specials are offered. For example, on Fridays they offer $3 Mickey's Grenades, $4 Fire Balls, and Fish Bowls for ten bucks. Mickey's also has a wide array of specialty cocktails that they put a lot of care into making. Make sure to get the Cherry Lemonade Mojito! It's also important to note Mikey's stays open till 3am on Saturdays!

So now it's about 2am. You and your friends are all caught up, but it doesn't really matter because you won't remember most of what they told you anyway. It's time to say your goodbyes and resolute to do this more often. As usual, not much success with the ladies, but dammit you had a good time! Another solid night south on North Clark.

Insomniac and EMM Group Partner for EDC NY VIP Experience

Thu, 16 May 2013 12:37:00 -0400

It's down to just a day away and just like that, Electric Daisy Carnival New York is here. As it's the first to kick off the summer festival season in NYC, EDC NY will top last year's event and the festival's producer, Insomniac made sure of that. They have teamed up with nightlife gurus EMM Group, the team behind FINALE in NYC, where the two powerhouses will create the ultimate VIP experience for fans on May 17th and 18th at Citi Field.

“The VIP experience is a special part of the festival which allows fans to enjoy the sights and sounds of the event in the comfort of high-end surroundings with excellent service provided by our partner, FINALE,” said Insomniac, founder and CEO Pasquale Rotella. “If you’re looking for an exclusive club experience at prime locations within EDC New York our VIP packages are the best way to go.”

So if you're ready to get the party started, the VIP table packages will be pretty legit. Fans will be able to experience everything from an exclusive VIP viewing deck overlooking the fest's main stages, Kinetic Field and Circuit Grounds, along with a private bar and lounge area in the midst of a trendy, upscale nightclub atmosphere.

Reservations begin at $1,500 and include access to a full bottle service menu with attentive wait staff on-hand from the nightlife venue. Guests will also receive gift bags including limited edition FINALE branded merchandise. For more information and to purchase VIP packages, please contact info@finalenyc.com, call 212-627-1235, or visit here.

Who Wants A Mustache Ride?

Mon, 13 May 2013 16:10:00 -0400

They're called hipsters and these days they can be found in just about any major metropolitan area. You can spot them by their tattoos, skinny jeans, and v-neck shirts. They make up a cultural phenomenon that seems to be an amalgamation of at least half a dozen styles from generations past. They are a clique of artists, they have a fascination with all things retro, and they love coffee shops. It's almost as if Andy Warhol was assembling his legions from beyond the grave. Any world class city has its enclaves that draw in untold numbers of young artistic dreamers. In Chicago its called Logan Square.

Logan Square is a hive of restaurants, bars, art galleries, small performance venues, and of course coffee shops. Not even half a block from the Milwaukee Blue Line stop a little place called Cafe Mustache has taken all these elements and combined them into one muy bueno cafe.

Anybody walking in to Cafe Mustache for the first time will instantly notice the decor. The red and white painted walls are reminiscent of the rooms from The Shining's Over Look Hotel, and are adorned by paintings, sketches, and various other curiosities. There is a mini pinball machine in the corner covered by a potted plant that acts as a sort side table for the people on the couch against the wall. There is a rack of CDs and records from a vareity of local artists that stands on a table across from the register. In another corner sits a globe next to a large, old world atlas. It's a terrific clash of the old and the new. It has a way of making one ponder is this what underground cafes looked like back in the days when weed was reefer and jazz was considered subversive?

The menu boasts a variety of food options made with organic ingredients from local independent suppliers. The menu also includes vegan options. Cafe Mustache is a cafe so of course you have the options of coffee, espresso, and even some pretty good hot apple cider. The alcoholic beverages offered include a variety of craft beers and some very interesting cocktails concauteted by the cafe's friendly staff. Including a drink that tastes just like iced coffee, but is in actuality loaded with vodka.

At night the cafe often becomes a rather intimate performance venue to a variety of talents. Look at their event calendar and it's usually loaded with tons of options ranging from DJs, to literary readings, comedy shows, and of course, live music. It is a small space so on these nights it can get a little crowded but once the social anxiety wears off it just helps to make things that much more social.

All and all, Cafe Mustache is everything it claims to be in it's mission statement:

“A unique new space in Logan Square for locally roasted coffee, fine teas and baked goods. Beyond our commitment to serving a great cup of coffee, we hope Cafe Mustache becomes a place for our community to socialize, share, and engage one another. Our mission is to be a positive force for culture and community in Logan Square, and help to ensure this remains a vibrant, unique neighborhood.”

Cafe Mustache has a friendly atmosphere, and eclectic clientele, and a courteous staff, and the menu options generally go beyond what is offered at most cafes. This unique Logan Square cafe also does serve an important community function. It's a place where artists, writers, and performers can go to find each other as well as a place to find some hot tatted gals that might be into trivial pursuit.

Cafe Mustache is located at 2313 N Milwaukee Avenue

For more information, call 773-687-9063 or check out their website.