When fall TV season ramps up, barstools across the city are suddenly empty at 8 p.m. Thursdays. Why? Because gals everywhere are parked in front of their TVs at home, glued to images of McDreamy and McSteamy. But you don’t have to stay home and order in to get your “Grey’s Anatomy” fix. Grab a few girlfriends and head to one of these spots where you can get your “Grey’s” and some hot food and drink specials too.
Take Five
3747 N. Southport Ave. 773-871-5555
Scene: This casual Lakeview bar developed quite a “Grey’s Anatomy” following last season, so they decided to do it again this year. The $5 menu items and “Grey’s” trivia questions during commercial breaks (win prizes at the end of the show) make it a favorite spot for North Side gals to keep tabs on what is happening at Seattle Grace Hospital.
Specials: Last year the bar did the Grey Goose thing; this year it’s Absolut: $5 mixers, $6 rocks, $7 Red Bull and vodkas and $8 martinis.
Bella Lounge
1212 N. State Pkwy. 312-787-9405
Scene: If you’re looking for a chic night out but can’t bear to miss an hour with Patrick Dempsey, Thursdays at this Gold Coast lounge are the perfect compromise. Three TVs play the show, with the sound on in the “library” room. While you’re there, enter to win a “Grey’s Anatomy” season finale viewing party complete with food and cocktails for up to 15 friends.
Specials: $5 Grey Goose cocktails and $8 Grey Goose martinis
Sidebar Grille
221 N. La Salle St. 312-739-3900
Scene: Working late, and the TiVo’s on the fritz? No need to fret. Meet the girls at this downtown spot to join the lingering happy-hour crowd and catch the show. Plasma screens throughout the bar are tuned to “Grey’s.”
Specials: $4 Guinness, Harp and Smithwicks drafts; $2.50 Budweiser and Bud Light bottles; half off all appetizers, except sliders
Schoolyard Tavern and Grill
3258 N. Southport Ave. 773-528-8226
Scene: This Lakeview bar (and sister spot to Sidebar) has a comfy back room filled with cozy seating and eight TVs that show — you guessed it — “Grey’s Anatomy” weekly.
Specials: $2.50 Miller Lite drafts, $3.50 Sierra Nevada drafts, $5 wraps, $6 double vodka and Red Bulls, $5 Bacardi bombs
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Not into ‘Grey’s’? Check out these prime-time alternatives
Show: “Desperate Housewives,” 8 p.m. Sundays on ABCScene: For a night of fabulous fun, frivolity and feather boas, herd up a gaggle of girls and head to Kit Kat Lounge (3700 N. Halsted St. 773-525-1111) for “Desperate Housewives.” And as if the ladies of Wisteria Lane aren’t entertaining enough, Kit Kat’s own divas perform during commercial breaks.Specials: half off all martinisShow: “Ugly Betty,” 7 p.m. Thursdays on ABCScene: When you need a girls’ night out, well, without the girls, round up your most fashion-minded boys and head to Roscoe’s Tavern (3356 N. Halsted St. 773-281-3355). Much of the staff of this Boystown bar adores “Ugly Betty,” so they figured bargoers must too. Ten TVs throughout the bar feature the show with the sound turned up, except during commercial breaks.
Specials: Smirnoff Apple martini pitchers for $12; MGD and Miller Lite bottles for $3
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metromix@tribune.com
