How to win at drink specials.

Stay focused. Photo by Joits.

The best thing this recession-ass economy has done, outside of a few investment banker suicides, is instigate prolific drink bargains. Even with the slew of MyOpenBar copycats throwing up cheap libations, it's still easy to fall in the trap of uncomfortable bar checks with a quarter of your rent on them after "hosted designer vodka from 5 to 6" turns into "closing the Rush St. cocktail lounge".

A few pointers for cheapskates(print this in a large font, laminate and put it in your wallet.)

• Do research. Get some food and drink blogs in your Twitter and RSS feeds. The aforementioned MyOpenBar is great, as is the newly christened GrubStreet Chicago and ChiDrinkDeals. It's not tacky to call the bar before inviting your buddies out for cheap boozing. Know the hours and details of the cheap boozing.
  
• Bring cash. The ATM fee is worth not starting a credit card tab.
• Tip well. Your first "dollar cocktail" may be watery, but the bartender is getting paid the same no matter what you spend on a drink. Overcompensate a little on the tip and order that same cheap drink, she'll get heavier on the wrist.
• Pass on dinner at the bar. Split an appetizer two or three ways and eat at home after happy hour.
• Try new places. Don't wait for the hipster bar you haunt weekly to have $2 PBR night. You've made drunken advaces toward everyone there already. Take a risk with new bars, step outside your genre and at worse it will be good for a laugh.
  
• Don't drink like a rookie. It's tempting to get hammered on free vodka, then drop your week's lunch money on a cab home or worse. Know your limit and pace it out.

The real-world example which spawned this post is the highly promising "$.99 drink" special running at bougie N9NE Steakhouse this month. We tested it out tonight and I can vouch whole-heartedly.

Wham Bam Pam bares it all.

Burlesque fits squarely in the "hedonism" part of our tag line.

Pamela "Wham Bam Pam" Neko is a little blond spitfire who charms audiences onto the edge of their seats. She's one of Vaudezilla's regular burlesque performers and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. I had a couple drinks with Pam last week and discussed how she began burlesque dancing and why it's become the hottest adult entertainment in Chicago.

Pam: I wouldn't be so attracted to burlesque if it was socially acceptable. I've always been an exhibitionist. It really has boosted my confidence and gave me a new pride in my physical appearance.

I get to decide what's sexy, and then do that, and it comes from within myself. In any other aspect of life as a woman people tell you how you're supposed to look and what is most attractive. The negativity comes from having to do things you don't want to do. Having to dress and wear your hair a certain way and when you see another woman who pulls it off with ease you feel envy because you're in a skin you don't feel comfortable in and you don't want to be there.

Everybody who's on stage has something they want to express. The all have something they want to say. That's a girl who has a stronger sexuality than a girl who has her body made up to a certain [mainstream] ideal.

For the most part, burlesque is just starting to explode in Chicago, and there are so many ways of doing it. Right now there are a lot of opportunities for everyone to do their own thing and there are a lot of opportunities show-wise. I haven't seen a lot of weird jealousy. There's kind of a place for everybody.

The kind of men who really love burlesque dancers are the ones who appreciate that individuality and getting to know somebody. Instead of some homogeneous stripper who bought their clothes at the same store that every other stripper did.


Yes, it is a banana and yes, she is happy to see you!

BTSIC: Vaudezilla does private parties, which is uncommon. Why is that?

Pam: Some girls think it's on the stripper level. Which I don't believe at all. Everyone loves a stripper, but how many people want to have one at their bachelor party? We're not gonna get on your lap and try to coerce you into buying a blow job. We're just there to liven up the party and get people going. People are a little bit nervous about it but I'd like to do more of them.

BTSIC: What's the future of burlesque for you? Who do you look at and say, "I'd like to do what they're doing?"

Pam: Three years ago I would have quit my job. Now I'm afraid to set any goals because I have no idea what the future will bring. This economy is going to get worse before it gets better.

I'm not too concerned with status. It's less important to get what you want than to want to be who you are.

I really admire Annie. I love that she is able to be doing things for a living that she loves and is very good at and I know she and Keith work very hard with Vaudezilla.

We want to be able to do a variety of shows at different venues, and to be a draw for venues as well as performers. It's really important to have something different and to reach different audiences. There are still a lot of people who are like "Why don't you just strip?" or "I couldn't take my wife to [a burlesque show]" But those people are the ones the came and are like "Wow I had so much fun, and my wife had a great time too!" It's important to be more than just the biological desire for women.

I always need some way to express myself. I just want to push myself until I'm exhausted or run out of ideas or hate everyone, which I don't think will happen.

BTSIC: Well put! We hope you don't stop any time soon. Thanks Pam!

Vaudezilla has free bar-top shows every Thursday night, 10pm at the Blue Bayou. Check their calendar for other upcoming events.

Weekend round-up: Pure decadence.

And opulence, hedonism, bacchanalia- you get the idea. photo by downtowndee.

Friday

What's going on tonight Chicago? I honestly have no idea because I'm riding my motorcycle to a groovy psychedelic party in Northern Michigan. Fend for yourselves!

Saturday

Alefest @ Soldier Field. $40 for 20 beer samples! A 30 pack of Oldstyle would accomplish the same goal for half the price, but with a much higher chance of you getting arrested.

New Belgium Tour de Fat: 8am-4pm in Palmer Square. Mediocre beer, awesome party. Also, you can trade your car for a bike.


This is what the taste of metal looks like. Photo by Andrew Huff.

Kuma's Corner Fourth Anniversary Block Party. Possibly the only time you'll get a seat at Kuma's this summer.

Post-Apocalyptic Burlesque @ Villains. I believe "Post-Apocalyptic" is code for "mid-nineties alterna-goth" but the there will be cute girls getting naked so whatev.

Roof Top Splash @ Members Only 5pm-7pm Free mojitos, bbq and DJs. $5 or free for girls in bikinis. Half-naked hipster girls standing in an alley in Humboldt Park is the set-up for at least a dozen jokes about gentrification; take your pick.

Sunday

I should copy-paste Sunday every week because Bloody Marys on the Twisted Spoke's roof deck always sound good.


Endorsed by Tracy Hurst! Photo by Bhatch.

The Great Lakes Brewing Beer Dinner @ The Publican will most likely sell out, so if you're looking for a chance to splurge, reserve your spot.

Bike pub crawl in 7 easy steps.

Because you don't want this in your apartment.

Bicycle pub crawls are like a house party you don't have to clean up after, with moving scenery and random, fun people.

Last Thursday, members of the "Eat, Drink and Ride Bikes in Chicago" Facebook group went on an epic crawl including thirty cyclists, five bars, live band karaoke and a late night dip in Lake Michigan! You can plan your own foray into mobile intoxication by following these easy steps.


Station someone on the shore to hand down drinks and watch for the five-oh!

1. Pick a theme. Some will say this is unnecessary, but it's easier to organize and promote a ride with a hook. Try a type of bar, neighborhood, end destination or variety of booze. If you set up a "Malort" ride, I'd like to see the pictures.
2. Plan a route. The best booze rides are under four miles, and no more than five bars. Choose bars that are a) dirt cheap b) large enough for your group c) match the theme. It's not cheating to search Yelp for interesting bars or find places others have recommended. Call the bars beforehand to make sure they're open, not charging cover, and to ask about drink specials. Plug the addresses into Google maps (select "add a destination" for each new place) and you'll end up with something like this. The first bar should be low key place where everyone can meet each other and leave as a group.
   
3. Advertise. Social networking skills help. Start by inviting your friends on Facebook, Twitter and start a thread on forums where you post regularly. Use the old fashioned approach and call everyone you know. You should give guests a week notice if you want a large turn-out. Give the basic details: The day and time, the theme and the first bar's address. Give details like approximate cost, distance of the route and dress code.
4. Create a map. This should have a list of bars on the route, addresses included, in case someone gets separated from the group. You might want to list the drink specials on the map to clue your new drunk friends in on the best deals. You can print these on paper and hand them to people as they arrive, because it makes everyone feel included. Keep your drunken horde on neighborhood streets and off major thoroughfares.
   
5. Confirm. Send everyone a reminder a day or two before the ride. They'll all be excited and looking forward to your pub crawl already, but you want to get the best turn-out possible.
6. Show up on time. Wait around for stragglers, but but leave around the time you advertised. It's crucial you maintain momentum throughout the ride so everyone sticks together. I rarely have more than a drink at each bar, but use your judgment.
   
7. Ride safe and take lots of photos! If someone is completely hammered, encourage them to drink some water and meet up with the group later. A little common sense goes a long way. That said, party your ass off and have a great time!

All photos by flickr user ezrhythmatist.

Touring Metropolitan Brewing Company.

Tracy Hurst has an enthusiastic love of beer and lust for life. She and her husband Doug own Metropolitan Brewing Company, which I visited last week, accompanied by iconic Chicago photographer and Flickr user Joe M500. In January I posted about the way Metropolitan has opened an honest, engaging dialogue with their customers. My first visit to their brewery only reinforced this opinion.

As Doug, Tracy and an attentive volunteer staff wrapped up a brew day in their Andersonville factory, Tracy talked with Joe and I about everything- beer, music, Chicago and the direction their new brewery is going. The brewery atmosphere reflects their passion- the majority of the labor is provided by volunteers working for the love of the craft. Everyone seems thrilled to be there despite the long, hot day of work.


Joe M500: "Having visited over 100 breweries, I can tell you that you can usually find a cool, friendly, interesting person within 30 yards of a fermenting tank like this one."

Craft lagers are a microscopic segment of the micro-brew market, which makes Chicago lucky have the Metropolitan. We talked about their two beers, Dynamo and Flywheel, and why craft lager is great.

BTSIC: Who in Chicago or the Midwest has something awesome out now and what beers do you most look forward to?

TH: Speaking strictly for myself, I really look forward to Dog Days, the Dortmunder Export made by Two Brothers Brewing. I'm well known as a "lager snob," a title I proudly wear, so I often will go for lagers made by Midwestern breweries: Lager of the Lakes from Bell's and Dortmunder Gold from Great Lakes are 2 of my favorites. I tend to stay away from imports because they are often stale so if I drink "outside" the Midwest, I like Lagunitas Pils and Victory Prima Pils. And when I break my no-imports rule, it's typically for Reissdorf or Gaffel Kolsch. Doug's Krankshaft Kolsch is the best, but these 2 imports are true to style and ridiculously delicious, so... you know... props to them for sure.


The command center.

Having Joe along for the tour was invaluable. He not only took all of the photos in this post, but created a Flickr set with insightful commentary and details. Do yourself a favor and click through the set (especially if you enjoy Star Trek).

Metropolitan has an undeniable "metal" feel to it. I'm not talking about some cheesy marketing ploy- there's a righteous, fist-pumping enthusiasm for beer emanating from the place like a sludgy, chugging bass line under a blazing desert sun. We ended up talking about the music they listen to while working.

Tracy Hurst: Right now my favorite band is the Melvins. On brew days, we tend to like The Sword, Modest Mouse, Mastodon, Melvins (of course), Fu Manchu, High on Fire, And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, Rage Against the Machine, and Red Fang. On bottling days we
start out a little more mellow (Midlake, The Besnard Lakes, The Black Angels, Neutral Milk Hotel) and ramp it up to stuff like Beastie Boys, Motorhead, Rush, and Cake.

We've always been into music; we've seen shows together ever since the early days of our relationship in 1995. Everywhere we've moved across the country the first things we seek out are music clubs and good beer bars. I don't really see a direct relationship between the beers and the music. We just like both and have dedicated ourselves to work that incorporates all of our
favorite things. And, well, because the brewery is ours, we can blare whatever tunes we like. Although, I do save the 6-hour Rush marathons for when I'm alone in the brewery.


Seabull. Joe M500: "Doug & Tracy's friend Larry made this for the brewery. I'm guessing the name is a play on Siebel (World Brewing Academy) here in Chicago. "

Like any new business, Metropolitan is figuring things out and carving a name for themselves. Tracy and I discussed their aspirations for the future.

TH: The most overriding goal at the moment is to break even and become profitable. We definitely plan to grow in terms of barrelage produced each year. We plan to offer seasonal beers as well as our Urban Evolution series of beers - which are beers created/produced when we unshackle Doug and let him do whatever he damn well pleases. These may seem like relatively loose goals, and they are. We're learning as we go. We've found that keeping our eye on a general goal and workingout the details day by day is the most sane way to go about this whole brewery thing.

BTSIC: Thanks Tracy, Doug, Joe, Jess and the guys who's names I forgot! We had a great tour and look forward to more from Metropolitan in the future.

You can read more from Doug and Tracy on their blog and Twitter account. Dynamo and Flywheel can be found in better shops throughout Chicagoland.

Weekend Round-up: Red, white and booze.

Photo: TheeErin

Unless you spend this weekend gorging on barbecue, beer, and explosives, the terrorists have won.

Friday

Know what you can do for you country? Spend some money on fancy drinks! For an economically stimulating $75 LUSH is pouring a bougie batch of top shelf champagne paired with buttermilk fried chicken. Chix and Bubbles, 6-9pm. Call to reserve a spot.

Andy Rourke of the Smiths @ Sonotheque. $2 w/ RSVP.

In case you don't have enough fireworks, there's a proposed group bicycle ride to Indiana at 10 am. 16 miles each way- get in shape for all the encased meat you'll be consuming this weekend. Michigan and Monroe.

Saturday


Photos by josefrancisco.salg ado

Fireworks at Navy Pier(and throughout your neighborhood). Post up on a rooftop with your buddies and a cooler full of beer. Watch the city light up.

BBU @ 9pm @ Subterranean. It's raining, you should go to this.

American thighs: Girlie-Q Variety Hour @ Naked July.

Sunday

To book-end the LUSH cookout on Friday, I offer the Fizz Pig Roast and Luau. For only $10 you get tiki drinks and roast pork.

Sweet Spots: De Pasada

So sweet, in fact, the food distracted me from taking enough photos...

Eating at a bar or counter is a classic food experience, imortalized by Edward Hopper but enjoyed universally. The one at De Pasada is staffed by quick, friendly servers who keep it stocked with fresh tacos, salsa and standard Mexican fare done right. The tiny, cheerfully painted storefront on Ashland is easy to miss among the inexplicable line of taquerias between Division and Cortez, but except no imitations, De Pasada is the best.

After writing the taco post this month, many have insisted I check the unassuming taqueria out. I did on Saturday and loved it. So do most Yelp reviewers:

"I've lived around the corner for a year now and I had no idea how yum this place way, cause i was always distracted by the THREE La Pasaditas. Definitely a tiny hidden gem" - Elaine C.

"The Best Burrito in Chicago, hands down. The service is nice and prompt. The Chicken Burrito can not be touched by any other Mexican Restaurant in the City." -Ben J.

"Hands down, my favorite Mexican spot in Chicago. Where else can your taqueria experience include the love of three generations of Mexican women? This tiny, clean BYOB spot is perfect." - Little R.

Check out De Pasada. They're sure to become a staple in your taco portfolio.