Feb 28, 2008

Seven Days, Seven Nights Out

Don't make us tell you twice: The weekend starts tonight, which means it's time to get those social calendars squared away. And since Leap Year falls on Friday, we all score an extra night out—and you know how much LGS loves that. We've cherry-picked the best of what's coming up in nightlife in the next seven days:

Thursday, February 28: Crimson Lounge hosts music every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights; tonight's guest is Brent Kimbrough, who has played everywhere from the Green Mill to Buddy Guy's Legends to the House of Blues.

Friday, February 29: We'll accept any excuse for a party, so Leap Year seems plenty sufficient. Enclave's bash, featuring DJs Dante the Don and Ryan Pullano, starts at 11 p.m., and Dante the Don spins after hours until 4 a.m. at Stone Lotus.

Saturday, March 1: Chicago pop band The White Tie Affair plays an early show, 5:30 p.m., at Subterranean. The band recently signed with Epic Records, and its hit single, "Allow Me to Introduce Myself . . . Mr. Right," has this Last Girl Standing intrigued. Tune into LGS Monday for a full report. Tickets are $12.

Sunday, March 2: Finding a trusty hair salon is like finding a good man—it's hard. Get a few ideas when the coifs hit the catwalk at Midwest Regional Hair Wars: The Supreme Salon Tour at Rednofive. Participating local salons include Bang, Ruby Room, and Salon 1800, among others. Call 312-733-6699 for front-row reservations. Cover is $20 at the door.

Monday, March 3: Jumpstart the week at Funky Buddha Lounge's Foreplay, a Monday-night industry party, featuring a hosted bar from 10 to 11 p.m., $3 bottled beers and Sparks (a spiked energy drink), and $5 vodka cocktails.

Tuesday, March 4: Martini Park launches Torch Tuesdays, a weekly party dedicated to the classic cocktail (think Brandy Alexanders and kir royales). The classics, along with Martini Park's 30-plus martini list, go for $7; other mixed drinks are $5. Get there early for free passed apps from 5 to 8 p.m. (we're not talking Cheez-Its; haute bites include filet mignon skewers, and salmon and crème fraiche on toast points). The music playlist goes classy, too, with the likes of Billie Holiday and Etta James.

Even LGS needs a night off once in a while. If you're planning on staying home Tuesday, tune in to Fox for the première of New Amsterdam, a show created by Hollywood-screenwriter-slash-Highland-Park-native Allan Loeb, whom I interviewed for the March issue of Chicago magazine.

Wednesday, March 4: Relax Lounge (1450 W. Chicago Ave.; 312-666-6006) hosts an industry night with specials including $2 Bud and Bud Lights, and $5 Effen vodka and Kilo Kai spiced rum cocktails. DJ John Simmons spins everything from Al Green to Lupe Fiasco, and, as always, the kitchen stays open until 1 a.m. If you can't make Wednesday, plan on stopping by the following Saturday, March 8th, when former Black Crowes bassist Johnny Colt goes behind the turntables at 10:30 p.m.

Posted at 03:03 PM in Nightlife | Permalink