Monday, May 5
It’s Cinco de Mayo—do you know where your margaritas are? If you haven’t solidified plans yet, consider these deals: $5 food specials and $3 Coronas at Nacional 27 (325 W. Huron St., River North, 312-644-2727), salsa performances and an extra-strong “Cinco Mas ‘Rita” (it even comes with an extra sidecar of Patron Silver) at Cantina Laredo (508 N. State St., River North, 312-955-0014), cemita silders and $3 tequila shots at High Noon Saloon (1560 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wicker Park, 773-227-9339), or by picking up a tequila-lime macaron dusted with edible gold powder from Vanille Patisserie (multiple locations, see vanillepatisserie.com.)
Tuesday, May 6
In case you didn’t get enough tequila action yesterday, Three Dots and a Dash just released their spring cocktail menu. It includes a Pinky Gonzales cocktail, with reposado tequila, curaçao, lime, and orgeat. Do you have a better way to get in the mood for warm weather?
Wednesday, May 7
Bow & Stern Oyster Bar is launching two new Wednesday specials starting today: You can get mussels prepared one of three ways for $12 (this week’s options include a variation with pancetta, kumquats, marjoram, fennel, and herbsaint), and you can sip on (with help from a few friends) 28-ounce pitchers of punches, like one with bourbon and chai tea, for $25.
The only thing better than free food is free beer. There will be both at Xoco (449 N. Clark St., River North, 312-661-1434) at 5 p.m., when they’ll be offering up a tasting of Revolution brews and Xoco menu items to celebrate a month-long partnership between the two.
Friday, May 9
Few Spirits (918 Chicago Ave., Evanston, 847-920-8628) will kick off their Few Fridays series today, with live music, tacos from Big Star’s food truck, and freshly mixed drinks from 5:30 to 8 p.m.