You’ve seen them: Bleary-eyed girls stumbling along Rush Street, swarming around one barely coherent, tiara-adorned friend carrying, of all things, an inflatable penis. Yes, as we enter the thick of wedding season, the bachelorette revelers are out in full force. But your gal pal’s night out doesn’t need to be such a sordid affair. We’ve got bachelorette alternatives for every taste.
The naughty bride
What: Burlesque lessons
Why: She can use her new skills on the dance floor or on her wedding night. Or both!
How it works: Miss Exotic World 2005 Michelle L’amour shares her sizzling striptease moves with the affianced and her entourage, either at dance studio Arabesque (3703 N. Elston Ave.) or in the privacy of your home. Class lasts about one hour, then it’s off to the clubs to practice your sexy new moves.
Cost: $225 in the city; $250 in the ‘burbs.
Book it: michelle@lavendercabaret.com; book at least one month in advance.
The shotgun bride
What: Tarot card reading
Why: She can’t drink anyway, and she’s probably got a few questions about her future.
How it works: Psychic Barb Meyer consults her tarot cards and offers readings to the bride-to-be and her friends. Meyer dresses the part — think huge hoop earrings and flowing scarves — and kick-starts your night out on the town.
Cost: $200 for first hour, $100 each additional hour; 10 readings per hour.
Book it: 773-282-6556; book at least two weeks in advance.
The sporty bride
What: Cubs game from a Wrigleyville rooftop
Why: Why should the bachelors have all the baseball fun?
How it works: Wrigleyvile Rooftops books parties of 2 to 200 at one of three rooftop locations (1032 W. Waveland Ave., 3643 N. Sheffield Ave., 3609 N. Sheffield Ave.). The ticket includes unlimited food and drinks, tip and tax. After the game, head out to Wrigleyville’s bars and see where the night takes you.
Cost: $75-$200 per person, depending on the month and Cubs opponent.
Book it: 773-248-7663; availibility varies, but reservations are accepted as early as November for each upcoming season.
The sophisticated bride
What: Wine tasting with The Wine Diva
Why: She can really throw ’em back … out of her new crystal stemware.
How it works: Christine Blumer, a.k.a. The Wine Diva (and former director of education and events for Sam’s Wine & Spirits), conducts a customized, expert tasting at the location of your choice. You supply the glasses, she’ll bring the vino.
Cost: $300-$600, depending on the wines chosen and number of people (up to 25).
Book it: 312-343-3482; book at least four weeks in advance.
The hostess bride
What: Cocktail or mixology class
Why: She can mix a mean martini for hubby when he gets home … after she’s made one for herself.
How it works: Cocktail connoisseur Martin Adamczyk teaches an hour-long in-home (or location of your choice) seminar on how to mix various types of cocktails using unique, fresh ingredients. Whether the bride-to-be wants simple margarita recipes or she’s ready to experiment with molecular gastronomy, Adamczyk customizes accordingly.
Cost: Starts at $200, not including alcohol.
Book it: 312-324-3079; book at least three weeks in advance.
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5 more ways to go all out before the altar
Sometimes only the classic, cosmo-fueled night on the town will do. If the bride-to-be likes it traditional, try one of these tried-and-true bachelorette haunts.
– Baton Show Lounge (436 N. Clark St. 312-644-5269), for cocktails and powerful vocals from divas with really great sets of, uh, pipes. Cover: $10-$14, two-drink minimum. Book three weeks in advance.
– Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club (3700 N. Halsted St. 773-525-1111), for more drag drama and a martini list at least as long as the guest list her parents faxed over the day after she got engaged. Bachelorette packages $25-$55 per person. Book two to three weeks in advance.
– Awesome 80s Prom (901 W. Weed St. 312-664-7766), for getting in the mood with classic love songs. (What? The Bangles’ “Eternal Flame” is, like, so totally a classic.) Tickets: $49-$79 per person; bachelorette packages $79-$99 per person. Book two to three weeks in advance.
– Howl at the Moon (26 W. Hubbard St. 312-863-7427), for sharable cocktails, sing-alongs and the inevitable run-in with a like-minded gang of guys. Party packages: $25-$50 per person. Book at least one month in advance.
– Dick’s Last Resort (435 E. Illinois St. 312-836-7870), for greasy food and fall-down drunk encounters with conventioneers and other unsuspecting out-of-towners. Bachelorette party package: $16.99 per person. Reserve at least one day in advance. [ E.H.L. ]
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[ Emily Hiser Lobdell is a metromix special contributor. ]metromix@tribune.com
