Monday, September 22, 2008

Look for more 4am bars . . .

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. . . to be popping up soon in the 42nd Ward (River North area), as the alderman there is seriously considering overturning the moritorium on after-hours liquor licenses. An Ultimate Insider gave 312 Dining Diva the scoop last week.

Developing . . .

Beer-focused eatery finally opens in Bucktown

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The Bristol opens in Bucktown on Tuesday. (Photo: Urban Daddy Chicago)


After all the high drama, false starts and flood damage, The Bristol finally opens tomorrow.

Is it worth the hype?! Urban Daddy Chicago gives us a sneak preview of what to expect, including a 60-plus beer list and a chalk wall full of menu items like Taco-Stand Corn on the Cob and Grilled Whole Fish with Sour Cherries.

Sounds good to moi.

Get ready for Mai Tais—again

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The Stew's Phil Vettel is getting us all excited about the return of Polynesian-flavored Trader Vic's in its new Gold Coast home.

Monday is Funday

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Who knows how many amazing days we have left like this?! I highly recommend you getting out and enjoying it:

You can still get a reservation for the Art of Cocktailing event, happening at The Violet Hour. House of Campari and Swindle magazine host, and guests get to choose one of four designs by artist David Weidman, which will be recreated onto complimentary canvas tote bags. Specialty Compari cocktails, priced $2-$7, for the night include the Maloney Negroni (Campari, Beefeater gin, Carpano Antica Formula, house orange bitters); LaBotija (Campari, Pisco Santiago Queirolo, Aperol, lime, Frutabomba Bitters); and The Rivera (pineapple-infused Campari, Luxardo Maraschino Liquer, egg white and lemon). 7-9pm. No cover, but RSVP required.

You'll get half off on any bottle of wine—or BYOB—when you buy an entree at Feast on Monday or Tuesday.

Expose yourself to some African hip-hop at Sonotheque. Nomadic Wax African Hip Hop Showcase happens with performances by Ghana's M.anifest, Senegal's Baay Musa, Uganda's Krukid and others. DJ Boo spins. 9pm-2am. $10.

And more international sounds are on tap as Hothouse continues the 10th-annual World Music Festival at Uncommon Ground through Wednesday. Tonight, you'll get Balkano, a Chicago-based band playing Balkan-infused jazz and klezmer. Tomorrow, Canadians Jayme Stone and Mansa Sissoko kick out African- and Appalachian-influenced grooves. And Wednesday's show is Flamenco guitar and song by Vivian Garcia. All shows start at 9pm. $10 donation suggested.