Tired of hearing stale lines from the usual suspects at your regular watering hole? Round up the troops and check out these alternatives.
Tai one on
You’d think Saturday night at a bar that closes at 5 a.m. would be the standard, drunken, hook-up scene, but for revelers at Tai’s Lounge, making moves on the opposite sex is secondary to making moves on the dance floor. Stop by early in the evening and the crowd will likely be limited to two guys playing pool in the front bar. But once the DJ starts spinning at 1 a.m., a throng appears in the wood-paneled back dance area, and it goes from zero to sweaty in less than 60 seconds. Join in the Beyonce-, 50 Cent- and Eminem-induced group grindfest, and you won’t so much pick up people here as become stuck to them. 3611 N. Ashland Ave. 773-348-8923.
It’s all downhill
Whether you’re struggling on the bunny hills or are a black-diamond pro, the Lincoln Park Ski Club is a great place to find someone to sip brandy with by the fire this winter. This ski and social group has been around for 30 years and even counts among its numbers some second-generation members whose parents met in the group. The organization plans ski trips (with a 50-50 guy-girl ratio) and year-round social events such as ice skating, wine tasting, bowling and golf. Meetings are on the first and third Tuesdays of every month during the ski season at John Barleycorn (658 W. Belden Ave. 773-549-6000).
Tucked in for the night
What exactly is that Lakeview bar with the barrel facade? Friar Tuck defies easy explanation, but gradual gentrification has led the joint to shed its purely dive-bar persona. Now, its friendly staff and convivial everybody-knows-your-name crowd make it a terrific place to meet and mingle. Challenge the hotties at the next table to a game of Truth or Dare Jenga or test their smarts with one of the bar’s many versions of Trivial Pursuit. Plus, there’s always someone celebrating a birthday at Friar Tuck, and the bar’s tradition of requiring the birthday boy or girl to do a shot out of an inflatable sheep is a surefire conversation starter. 3010 N. Broadway, 773-327-5101.
Sip and score?
Whether you don’t know shiraz from chardonnay or are a Wine Country regular, the Chicago chapter of California-based Wine Brats is an excellent place to meet other young wine fans and wannabes. This group aims to make wine less intimidating by holding monthly events ranging from 800-person parties to small sit-down dinners at bars, restaurants and other venues. For a taste of what’s new from Down Under, check out the group’s Australia Day Harvest Festival on Jan. 29. Go to chicago.winebrats.org for more info.
Go Saiko
Are you and your pals such regulars at your usual dinner spot that the server gives the kitchen your order before you’ve even been seated? Shake up your routine and head to Saiko, the funky new South Loop steak and sushi spot. In addition to a plenitude of table seating, this restaurant has seating at two communal areas where you can easily strike up a conversation with other sushi lovers. Did someone say sake bombs? 1307 S. Wabash Ave. 312-922-2222.
