`I read it in the Chicago Tribune’s Friday section.”
Those magic words can transform your New Year’s Eve. Those words could get you a pair of primo seats to the hottest shows in town, a reserved table at any of 45 top Chicago restaurants, guaranteed admission to a hotel package-even a lake cruise with dinner and dancing.
But you’ve got to be quick.
With the kind cooperation of some of Chicago’s finest entertainment venues, we have arranged to set aside tickets and reservations to dozens of New Year’s Eve events. Nightclubs, restaurants, theaters, hotels-all are holding tickets for some lucky Friday readers.
Here’s how it works. The tickets or reservations are being held for the first caller or callers (the number of tickets/reservations varies with the venue, as we will make clear later) who identify themselves as Friday readers. Those lucky early birds will have the opportunity to buy those tickets or reserve that table.
Note the use of the word “buy.” Please understand that these are not freebies. They are not discounts. These are full-freight, suggested retail, tax-and-tip-not-included prices. But they are, in almost every instance, the last available tickets and reservations to these places, which sold out long ago.
Have your credit card handy; nearly all these venues require advance payment, or a substantial deposit, to guard against no-shows.
Ladies and gentlemen, start your speed dials.
Theater
Our cover boys, the cast members of “Forever Plaid,” are holding four pairs of tickets to both the 6:30 p.m. show ($35) and the 9:30 p.m. show ($40), which is playing at the Royal George Cabaret Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted St. Call the box office at 312-988-9000.
Four great seats to the 7:30 p.m. show of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” (that’s star Donny Osmond holding the tix in his teeth) are being held at the box office at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St. You must go to the box office to purchase the tickets, which are $75 each.
The box office opens at 10 a.m.
One table for four is waiting for the New Year’s Eve show of “The Will Rogers Follies,” at Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, 5620 S. Harlem Ave., Summit. A six-course dinner begins at 7 p.m.; performance is at 9 p.m. Dinner-theater tickets are $160 per couple; call 708-496-3000.
Ten tickets for both the 5:30 and 9:30 p.m. performances of “Laughter on the 23rd Floor,” at the Briar Street Theatre, 3133 N. Halsted St. Tickets are $49.50; call 312-348-4000 or visit the box office in person.
Six pairs of tickets are being held for the 8 p.m. performance of “Angels in America, Part II: Perestroika,” at the Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted St. Call the box office at 312-988-9000.
Ten tickets are being held for the 9 p.m. dinner-theater performance of Chicago’s Gangstertown, a participatory show with a Roaring ’20s theme, at 9351 W. Irving Park Rd., Schiller Park. Tickets are $49.95; call 708-SHOOTME.
One pair of tickets is being held for “You Can’t Take It With You,” at Forum Theatre & Restaurant, 5620 S. Harlem Ave., Summit. Six-course dinner begins at 7:30 p.m.; performance is at 9:30 p.m. Dinner-theater tickets are $60 each; call 708-496-3000.
Two pairs of tickets are being held for both the 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. performances of “Shear Madness” at the Mayfair Theatre, Blackstone Hotel, 636 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets are $35; call 312-786-9120.
Ten seats are being held for the 9 p.m. performance at Tommy Gun’s Garage, 1239 S. State St., a Roaring ’20s dinner-theater show. Tickets are $75, including tax and tip; call 312-RAT-ATAT.
And four tickets are being saved for the 8 p.m. performance of “Metropolis” at the Olympic Theater, 6134 Cermak Rd., Berwyn. Tickets are $35; dinner-theater tickets are $45. Call 708-652-6200.
Hotels
Waiting for a lucky caller are two tickets to hear B.B. King at Moulin Rouge, Fairmont Hotel, 200 N. Columbus Drive. B.B. King headlines a package that includes dinner, cocktails and post-performance dancing to big-band music. Cost is $175 each, including tax and gratuity; call 312-565-6665.
Two tickets are being held for the celebration at Pheasant Run, Ill. Hwy. 64 in St. Charles. Package includes dinner, concert (featuring Dana Carvey and Danny Bonaduce), entertainment (four party rooms), open bar and continental breakfast. Cost is $119; call 708-584-MEGA.
Two tickets are being held for the gala New Year’s Eve party at the Chicago Hilton and Towers, 720 S. Michigan Ave. Open bar with hors d’oeuvres, four-course dinner with sweet table, music and dancing are included in the $150 price; packages including overnight stays may be available. Call 312-922-4400.
Twelve rooms are on hold at the Midland Hotel, 172 W. Adams St. Rooms are $119 ($129 deluxe) and include a bottle of champagne and breakfast buffet. Call 312-332-1200.
Five pairs of tickets are being held for the New Year’s Eve party at the Palmer House Hilton at State and Monroe streets. Open bar, four-course dinner, live music and dancing are featured for $135 (including tax, gratuity and parking). Overnight accommodations available for $99 per room. Call 312-917-7326.
The Bismarck Hotel, 171 W. Randolph St., is holding tickets for two for its New Year’s Eve packages. Package No. 1 includes open bar and hors d’oeuvres, a gala dinner-dance and the usual goodies for $190 per couple inclusive; Package No. 2 includes all of the first package, plus overnight accommodations and breakfast buffet, for $270 per couple, inclusive. Call 312-236-0123.
One table for four and one table for two are waiting at Boulevard Restaurant, in the Hotel Inter-Continental Chicago, 505 N. Michigan Ave. The $94.95 price (includes tax and tip) includes a Mediterranean menu, bottle of champagne per couple and jazz music by the Judy Roberts Trio. Call 312-944-4100.
One pair of tickets is available for each of the overnight packages at Hotel Sofitel, 5550 N. River Rd., Rosemont. The Chez Colette package includes six-course dinner, bottle of wine, post-dinner festivities and overnight stay for $289 per couple; the Cafe de Paris package includes eight-course dinner, bottle of wine, post-dinner festivities and overnight stay for $339 per couple. Call 708-928-6950.
Hotel Nikko Chicago, 320 N. Dearborn St., is holding two tables for its New Year’s Eve celebration at Celebrity Cafe. Regular menu is featured, plus a four-course prix-fixe for $45. Post-dinner celebration takes place at the adjacent Hana Lounge. Call 312-836-5499.
Restaurants
We have one table for two to four people at each of the two New Year’s Eve seatings at Ambria, 2300 Lincoln Park West. The 6 p.m. seating features a six-course degustation for $70; the 9:30 p.m. seating features a seven-course degustation, plus music by Steven Dubin Trio, for $90. Call 312-472-5959.
Three tables for two are being held at Angelina, 3561 N. Broadway. Seatings are at 5:30, 7:30 and 10 p.m.; a special a la carte menu is featured. Call 312-935-5933.
Bistro Banlieue, 44 Yorktown Convenience Center, Lombard, is holding a table for four at its 5:30, 8 and 10:30 p.m. seatings (tables are non-smoking). A four-course prix-fixe menu, $39.95, is featured. Call 708-629-6560.
Bistro Europa, 9925 Gross Point Rd., Skokie, is holding a table for four at both its 6 and 9 p.m. seatings and 10 tickets for the 8 p.m. New Year’s extravaganza. The 6 p.m. seating features a four-course dinner for $39.95; the 9 p.m. seating features a six-course dinner for $59.95. The extravaganza, $85, features one-hour cocktail reception, six-course dinner with wine, live band and more. Call 708-673-8767.
A table for four is being held for the 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. seatings at Blue Mesa, 1729 N. Halsted St., which is featuring a $19.95 package in addition to the regular menu. Both tables are non-smoking. Call 312-944-5990.
Three tables, open any time, are available at Bub City Crabshack & Bar-B-Q, 901 W. Weed St. Live country music in Club Bub next door. Call 312-266-1200.
A table for two to four is offered at both seatings at Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!, 2024 N. Halsted St. The 6:30 p.m. seating features a tapas menu and glass of champagne for $19.95; the 9:30 p.m. seating features a larger menu and live music for $45. Call 312-935-5000.
Cafe Gordon, 100 E. Chestnut St., is holding one table for four at its 8:30 to 9 p.m. seating. A five-course menu is featured for $85; entertainment by the Ken Chaney Trio. Call 280-2100.
One table for two to four is available for each of the three New Year’s Eve seatings at Carlos’, 429 Temple Ave., Highland Park. Seatings are at 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. ($95, eight courses), 8 to 9 p.m. ($125, 10 courses) and 9:15 to 10 p.m. ($125, 10 courses). Call 708-432-0770.
Two tables are being held at Carlucci, 2215 N. Halsted St. Tables are available before 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve; regular menu (and prices) featured. Call 312-281-1220.
At the other Carlucci, 6111 N. River Rd., Rosemont, two tables are available before 7:30 p.m. (regular menu) and two are available for the 8:30 p.m. seating (regular menu, plus special degustation for $60). Live entertainment. Call 708-518-0990.
One table for two to four is being held for the 8 p.m. seating at Chez Paul, 660 N. Rush St. The prix-fixe dinner is $60; call 312-944-6680.
One table for two to four is being held at both the 5:30 and 9 p.m. seatings at Coco Pazzo, 300 W. Hubbard St. Call 312-836-0900.
Distant Mirror Cafe, 7007 N. Sheridan Rd., is saving a table for two for its 6:30 p.m. seating (four-course dinner with glass of champagne for $39.95) and a table for two for its 9 p.m. Celebration seating (four-course dinner with half-bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne for $55). Call 312-761-3776.
Don Juan, 6730 N. Northwest Hwy., is saving two tables for two at 9 p.m.; featured is a six-course dinner with sparkling wine. Cost is $70; call 312-775-6438.
Don’s Fishmarket, 9335 Skokie Blvd., is saving several tables for its 5 and 9 p.m. seatings. A special a la carte New Year’s Eve menu is featured; call 708-677-3424.
Grappa, 200 E. Chestnut St., is holding a table of four for its early and late seatings. The 6 to 8 p.m. seating features the regular menu; the 10 p.m. seating features a prix-fixe menu with party favors for $75. Call 312-337-4500.
Three tables at the 5:30, 7:30 or 10 p.m. seatings are being held at Hat Dance, 325 W. Huron St.; call 312-649-0066.
One table for four is reserved for both the 6 and 10 p.m. seatings at Hubbard Street Grill, 351 W. Hubbard St. The regular menu is featured; champagne toast at midnight. Call 312-222-0770.
I Tre Merli, 316 W. Erie St., is saving a table of four at its 6 and 10 p.m. seatings. At 6 p.m., a prix-fixe menu is $40; at 10 p.m., prix-fixe menu with champagne toast is $75. Call 312-266-3100.
A table for four is being held for the early and late seatings at Kinzie Street Chophouse, 400 N. Wells St. The 6 to 8 p.m. seating features the regular menu; the 10 p.m. seating features a prix-fixe menu with party favors for $65. Call 312-822-0191.
Two tables of four are being held for the 6 p.m. seating at Marche, 833 W. Randolph St. Four-course dinner of bistro treats is $45; a jazz band and disc jockey provide entertainment. Call 312-226-8399.
A table for four is being held at the 5 and 7 p.m. seatings at Mia Cucina, 56 W. Wilson St., Palatine. A four-course prix-fixe menu is $40; call 708-358-4900.
Nobody gets dinner reservations at Michael Jordan’s Restaurant, 500 N. LaSalle St. Nobody except the first two lucky callers, who each can snag a table for four at 8 p.m. Order from the regular menu or pick the four-course prix-fixe for $35. Call 312-644-DUNK.
A table for four is being held for the early and late seatings at O’Brien’s, 1528 N. Wells St. Seatings before 10 p.m. feature the regular menu; the 10 p.m. seating features two prix-fixe menus for $65 or $85. Call 312-787-3131.
A table for four is being held for the early and late seatings at Oo-La-La, 3335 N. Halsted St. The 6 and 8 p.m. seatings feature an abbreviated regular menu; the 10:30 p.m. seating features a four-course prix-fixe dinner for $50. Call 312-935-7708.
Three tables at the 5, 7 or 9 p.m. seatings are being held at Papagus Greek Taverna, 620 N. State St.; call 312-642-8450.
Three tables are being held for the 5 to 6 p.m. seating at The Pump Room, 1301 N. State Pkwy. Price is $60 for the four-course dinner and live music. Call 312-266-0360.
Three tables of four are reserved for the 6 p.m. seating at Relish, 2044 N. Halsted St. A three-course dinner is featured for $19.95; call 312-868-4126.
A table for four is being held for the early and late seatings at The Saloon, 200 E. Chestnut St. The 6 to 8 p.m. seating features the regular menu; the 10 p.m. seating features a prix-fixe menu with party favors for $75. Call 312-280-5454.
There are two tables for two at 7 p.m. and one table for two at 9 p.m. at The Signature Room at the 95th, John Hancock Center, 875 N. Michigan Ave. Featured at the early seating is a four-course dinner with glass of champagne for $75. Featured at the late seating is a five-course dinner, bottle of champagne per couple, entertainment and dancing for $150. Call 312-787-9596.
Surf and Turf, 400 N. State St., is saving a table for four at its early seating and two tables for four at its late seating. The 6 to 8 p.m. seating features the regular menu; the 10 p.m. seating features a prix-fixe menu with party favors for $75. Call 312-467-0191.
A table for two is being held at 9:30 p.m. at Toulouse on the Park, 2140 Lincoln Park West. A five-course dinner is featured; Dave Green performs in the adjacent Toulouse Cognac Bar (no cover for dinner patrons). Cost is $75; call 312-665-9071.
A table for two is available for the 10 p.m. seating at Trio, 1625 Hinman Ave., Evanston. Offered is a choice of nine-course degustation menus for $100. Call 708-733-8746.
Three 7 p.m. reservations are being held at Tucchetti, 440 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora. Call 708-978-1800.
Three tables, available any time, are being held at Tucci Benucch, 900 N. Michigan Ave. Call 312-266-2500.
Got a group? The kitchen table at Tuttaposto, 646 N. Franklin St., is being held for a party of six to eight at 6 p.m. In addition, a table for four is being held at 10 p.m. Either party will be able to choose among several prix-fixe menus, priced at $29, $45 and $65-though the group at the kitchen table is promised “special surprises.” Call 312-943-6262.
Two tables for two to four people each are waiting at the 6 and 9 p.m. seatings at Un Grand Cafe, 2300 Lincoln Park West. At 6 p.m., there’s a six-course dinner for $45; at 9 p.m., a seven-course dinner is $65. Call 312-348-8886.
A table for two is waiting for each of the two seatings at Vidalia on Park, 368 Park Ave., Glencoe. First seating, a four-course dinner for $45, is at 7:30 p.m.; the second, a six-course dinner for $75, is at 9:30 p.m. and includes live jazz and champagne toast. Call 708-835-0220.
Vinny’s, 2901 N. Sheffield Ave., is saving two tables at 7 p.m. (or earlier) and two at 9 p.m. Regular menu available; $10 cover at the 9 p.m. seating. Call 312-871-0990.
Vinyl, 1615 N. Clybourn Ave., is offering two packages for New Year’s Eve. The first, $100, includes admission, open bar, buffet dinner and more; the second, $150, features admission, a five-course dinner in the dining room, followed by open bar and related frivolities. Vinyl is saving four admissions for the first package, and a table for two for the second. Doors open at 9 p.m. Call 312-587-8469.
A table for two, and one for four, are being held for both the 5 and 7 p.m. seatings at Vivo, 838 W. Randolph St. A four-course dinner is featured for $40. Call 312-733-3379.
A table for four is waiting at the 6:15 to 7:15 and 9:30 to 10 p.m. seatings at Winnetka Grill, 64 Green Bay Rd., Winnetka. A four-course meal is featured at $67.50 for the first seating, $95 for the late seating. Call 708-441-6444.
Yoshi’s Cafe, 3257 N. Halsted St., is holding a table for two for its 5:30-6 p.m. seating (featuring a four-course menu for $45) and two tables for two for its 9 p.m. seating (featuring a six-course menu for $85). Call 312-248-6160.
Dorothy Donegan performs New Year’s Eve at Yvette Wintergarden, 311 S. Wacker Drive. One table for four at 9:30 p.m. (show, four-course dinner, midnight toast for $85) is being saved; call 312-408-1242. Over at Yvette, 1206 N. State Pkwy., a table for four at 9:30 is being held; four-course dinner, and entertainment by Catherine Whitney Quintet, is $50; call 312-280-1700.
Miscellaneous
The Odyssey II, docked at Navy Pier, is holding two tickets for its 8 p.m. dinner-dancing Lake Michigan cruise. Tickets are $175 each; call 708-990-0880.
Tickets in all price ranges are being held for the New Year’s Eve party and concert at Orchestra Hall, 220 S. Michigan Ave. 9 p.m. concert features Bobby McFerrin as conductor and soloist, with members of the Chicago Symphony Orchesra; party includes buffet and open bar. Concert-only and concert-party tickets available; prices range from $35 to $135. Call 312-435-6666.
The Hollywood Casino-Aurora is saving two tickets to the 5 p.m. seating for its New Year’s Eve package at Cafe Harlow. Five-course dinner, gaming session and champagne toast is $70; other packages available. Call 800-888-7777.
The Martinique Drury Lane, 2500 W. 95th St., Evergreen Park, is holding four tickets to each of its four New Year’s Eve packages. Packages include dinner and tickets to “Superstars in Concert” or comedian Chuck Salvo; most packages also include post-theater dancing and open bar. Prices are $40 and $60; call 708-422-0404.
