Forget exorbitant cover charges and $6 domestics–you don’t really pay the price for a night of boozing until the following morning. It may be tempting to stay in bed all day with the covers over your head until the throbbing and the spinning pass, but that’s letting the liquor win. Show your hangover who’s boss at these spots, and you’ll feel human again in no time.
Taking back Sunday
The “hair of the dog that bit me” theory claims the key to staving off a hangover is to down a few next-day drinks. For those days when you wake up feeling like you’ve been mauled by a pack of mastiffs, The Wild Goose (4265 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-281-7112) has just the hair for you. Their Sunday build-your-own bloody mary bar features more than 40 garnishes, from celery stalks to celery salt. Choose your favorites and toss ’em in a glass with tomato juice and well vodka ($3.50 each; $7 all-you-can-drink), then slam it down before the dizzies set in. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays.
Feed the fire
If your hangover is the result of too much low-carb beer, Kenny’s (5959 W. Lawrence Ave. 773-202-9505) might not be for you. But if you’re not counting calories, the greasy eats don’t get much better. The menu at this 24-hour Jefferson Park staple is heavy on thick burgers and meat-filled omelets–great for offsetting all that lingering liquor–with most entrees coming in under $8. It’s also the kind of place where the waitress calls you “hon” as she refills your coffee, the perfect motherly touch when you’re in need of a little TLC.
All that jazz
They say music soothes the savage beast, but what about the raging stomach? Test the limits of sonic therapy with a trip to the Sunday jazz brunch at Joey’s Brickhouse (1258 W. Belmont Ave. 773-296-1300). Let the soothing sax and bass riffs quiet the storm within as you peruse an eclectic menu ranging from standbys such as steak and eggs ($11) to ethnic oddities like the Cajun scramble ($5) and the fried matzoh ($7). 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays.
Ay, there’s the rub
You did some terrible things to your body last night. Why not give it a little treat this morning? Work those toxins out of your system with an LP Buzz treatment ($135) at Lincoln Park Massage Spa (630 W. Webster St. 773-296-6300). You’ll find it’s easier to forget your pounding headache when your skin is undergoing an invigorating exfoliating scrub and your muscles are being caressed with lavender, lemongrass or mint oil. Plus, it’s just the thing to work out the kinks after you’ve spent the night passed out on your friend’s living room recliner.
Ancient Chinese secret
According to some, there’s nary an ailment that can’t be cured by a good spot of tea. But the jury’s out on what type makes the best hangover remedy–some say black, some say green, and others swear by ginger or other herbal varieties. Decide which works best for you by sampling the wares at Ten Ren Tea and Ginseng Co. (2247 S. Wentworth Ave. 312-842-1171), Chinatown’s go-to spot for all things bright and brewable. The gourmet fare ranges upward of $100 a pound, but lightweights can score an excellent and effective cuppa for less than two bucks.
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metromix@tribune.com
