Between last month’s rent, a few dinners out and that one crazy weekend you spent in Vegas, you’re dangerously short on cash. Buck up, big spender. We’ve scrounged up some of the best the fall has to offer so you can enjoy the change of seasons for little more than pocket change.
Off to the races
If your weekends fly by a little too quickly, you’ll appreciate the pace at the Friday-night turtle races at Big Joe’s (1818 W. Foster Ave. 773-784-8755). Take six turtles, a pool table that doubles as a tiny racetrack and an audience of screaming fans, and you have some of the best free entertainment in town. Here’s how it works: When you buy a drink, you get a ticket that corresponds to a racing reptile. If your turtle goes all the way, you’re entered into an annual drawing to win a trip to Las Vegas. 9 p.m. Fridays. Races take place every 20 to 30 minutes.
Gouge a gourd
Looking for a way to merge your love of seasonal arts and crafts with competitive bar games? Check out the annual Pumpkin Carving Contest at McGee’s Tavern and Grill (950 W. Webster Ave. 773-549-8200) on Wednesday. The bar provides pumpkins and carving instruments free of charge, and the top three entries win cash prizes. Carving kicks off at 7 p.m., but penny-pinchers will want to get there early to take advantage of specials, including $1 burgers and $10 pitchers.
Cheap shots
Though bars with pool tables are a dime a dozen, places that let you rack ’em up for free are priceless. If you want to get your game on but would rather save your quarters for beer, head to the Celtic Crown (4301 N. Western Ave. 773-588-1110) for free pool on Tuesdays. If you can’t tear yourself away from “Dancing With the Stars” on a Tuesday night, Roscoe’s Tavern (3356 N. Halsted St. 773-281-3355) gives patrons a free pool pass on Wednesdays; Farragut’s (5240 N. Clark St., 773-728-4903) has free pool on Sundays.
Get spellbound
So you can spell Darjeeling, but you can’t afford a cup of tea? Here’s your chance to let your skills pay the bills. Swim Cafe (1357 W. Chicago Ave. 312-492-8600) hosts friendly Scrabble games every Sunday, and winners get a free cup of coffee or tea, or an Italian soda. If that isn’t incentive enough, try this: The top three scorers win tickets to Drury Lane Theatre’s production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” Show up between 1 and 4 p.m. if you want to play, or the typically large crowds might spell the end of your chance to compete.
Have marker, will travel
If you like classic games but prefer to leave words with more than two syllables to spellcheck, you can take your pick of weekly bingo nights at the California Clipper (1002 N. California Ave. 773-384-2547) and the Pontiac Cafe (1531 N Damen Ave. 773-252-7767). Games at both locations are free, so gather up your bingo markers and hope they call your number. Pontiac Cafe, 7:30 p.m. Sundays. California Clipper, 7 p.m. Mondays.
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metromix@tribune.com
