02/23/09

Weekend Photos: Mardi Gras at The Pony

Saturday was jam-packed at The Pony in Roscoe Village: The afternoon brought out the bar’s Jayhawks contingent for the NCAA matchup of Kansas and Nebraska (the “home” team prevailed, 70 to 53). As the evening wore on, the good times got rolling—and the hurricanes started flowing—at a Mardi Gras bash. We sent our photographer to snap shots of the scene.

02/19/09

Last Blog Standing

Hi. Remember me? It’s your former Last Girl Standing–turned–newlywed. It’s been a while since I last blogged, and the rumors are true: After seven rewarding years as Chicago magazine’s nightlife columnist, I’ve made the very tough decision to leave my post. My last Nightspotting column will run in the April issue of the magazine, and this is my final post in this forum. [Insert violins here.]...

02/16/09

Weekend Photos: Simone’s

Simone's—part hipster hang, part ongoing art project from the brains behind Danny's and Streetside—opened last week in Pilsen, officially bringing the craft-cocktailing trend to the South Side. We sent our photographer down to capture the (genius? bizarre?) clutter, which includes oodles of objects d'art, a bar top built from old bowling-alley wood, and pinball parts practically everywhere you look. The drink menu is...

02/09/09

Weekend Photos: Crocodile

Save some dough, get some dough: Order a drink at the new Wicker Park nightspot Crocodile (1540 N. Milwaukee Ave.), and your server will offer you a free 9-inch Margherita pizza. Now that’s an economy-minded special you can sink your teeth into. We checked out the space—most recently home to Thyme Cafe and Cinnabar before that—this weekend, and found folks noshing on...

02/03/09

Weekend Photos: Super Bowl Sunday at Reggies

What’s better than slaving over a pot of chili for five hours? Stuffing your face for 60 seconds. On Sunday evening, we headed down to Reggies, where a few determined superfans gorged on wings, hot dogs, and sloppy joes in competitive-eating contests while the Super Bowl played on 20 TVs and three projection screens in the background...

01/26/09

Weekend Photos: Bull & Bear

Since we first heard about Bull & Bear (431 N. Wells St.) way back in August, the "luxury sports bar&" playing field has gotten a heck of a lot more crowded. But this new spot from the Stone Lotus team, which finally opened on January 22nd, has one thing other newbies don't: in-table taps. That's right: You can pour your own beer from the comfort of your booth. We snapped barflies serving up their own suds at the bar's grand opening...

01/21/09

Inauguration Night: Cat’s Meow

Following an extended campaign season, two-plus months of lame-duck status, and one long day of celebrating, by Tuesday night, some supporters just wanted to toast Obama’s installation as No. 44 with a low-key victory drink. We caught up with local barflies at Cat’s Meow in Humboldt...

01/19/09

Weekend Photos: Darkroom

As the behemoth that is the greater Wicker Park/Bucktown nightlife scene continues its crawl southward, spreading its mission of martinis throughout West Town and Ukrainian Village, much of the activity has been centered on and just off Chicago Avenue, where new watering holes pop...

01/12/09

Weekend Photos: Sonotheque

While some folks cowered on their couches Friday night, wishing they had ordered the as-seen-on-TV Snuggie (It's a blanket! With sleeves!), others were undeterred by a little old blizzard and headed out into the driving snow to get their party on. Winter weather advisory or no, we snapped folks living it up at Sonotheque, where The Rapture's Vito Roccoforte manned the turntables as part of the new monthly event Go Bang!, presented by the Empty Bottle...

01/09/09

15 Minutes with Stephen Westman

You may not know Stephen Westman by name, but you should. Westman is the owner of Lakeview Broadcasting Company, a partner in Pete Wentz's Angels & Kings, and he helped launch the flagship location of Clandestine Industries, the boutique and salon that houses Wentz’s clothing label of the same name.

Now 31, Westman has decided to take on a more behind-the-scenes role...