With the writers’ strike busting up our prime-time routine last year, the anticipation for this week’s big TV premieres is that much higher. The viewing parties and themed drinks popping up around town not only inspired us to coin a few drinking games, but also find out what real devotees want to know: Will you actually be able to hear the show, or end up re-watching on DVR at home? Here’s the scoop on parties launching this week.
‘Ugly Betty’
7 p.m. Thursdays at Roscoe’s Tavern,
3356 N. Halsted St. 773-281-3355
Will she or won’t she? After last season’s cliffhanger, fans will gather at this Boystown bar to find out what braces-clad heroine Betty will say to that surprise proposal from her geeky accountant beau Henry.
Drinks: Remember Betty’s accidental penchant for appletinis during the first season? Order a $12 Smirnoff appletini pitcher and sip when Wilhelmina dishes out a nasty glare or every time you spot Betty wearing a cardigan.
Set the DVR? Perhaps. If you can’t stand to miss a word, you might want a back-up. Though this show is aired in the main bar at full volume, it’s not necessarily library quiet — and the TVs are modest in size.
‘Heroes’
8 p.m. Mondays at Stretch Run,
544 N. La Salle St. 312-644-4477
First season it was a bomb threat; last
season, a virus threatening to decimate the human race. What’ll it be this time around for this cast of ordinary people with extraordinary powers? Head to this OTB bar, which switches the screens from the ponies to this popular show.
Drinks: Take a drink of your Sylar Sour ($4.75, made with whiskey, amaretto or Midori and named after the show’s prime villain) when characters use their superpowers or every time subtitles appear.
Set the DVR? Yes. Though this is a new
viewing party for the bar, based on last
year’s “Lost” viewings, the background noise here has the potential to distract from the dialogue.
‘Dancing With the Stars’
7 p.m. Mondays at Cityscape,
350 W. Mart Center Drive. 312-836-5000
Kim Kardashian and Misty May-Treanor are among the celebs to suit up in faux tans and sequins to shimmy with ballroom dance pros this season. With the show airing from an opulent ballroom, where better to watch than from this luxe, tucked-away hotel bar?
Set the DVR? No. The hush setting here means you should have no problem hearing every sizzling samba beat.
Drinks: Take a sip of your Tango-tini ($8, with X-rated Fusion liqueur and Skyy Passionfruit vodka) when host Tom Bergeron cracks a stale joke, or every time a celeb steps out in a cut-down-to-there backless dress.
‘Grey’s Anatomy’
8 p.m. Thursdays at Take Five,
3747 N. Southport Ave. 773-871-5555
After the jaw-dropping promos running recently (Rose says she’s pregnant?), there’s no better place to tune in than this consistently popular viewing party, continuing for the third season in a row. Arrive early; tables fill up a half-hour before the show’s start.
Set the DVR? No. The serious watchers here are totally tuned in, so don’t dare talk during the show or risk being shushed.
Drinks: Share a half-price bottle of wine with pals and sip every time Meredith whines or Izzie looks exasperated.
– – –
It’s not too late …
… to join in on these viewing parties for series already under way:
‘Gossip Girl’ at Silver Cloud
1700 N. Damen Ave. 773-489-6212
7 p.m. Mondays
$5 specialty martinis
‘America’s Next Top Model’ at Grand River
3032 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-281-9900
7 p.m. Wednesdays
$5 wraps and wine glasses; $3 lemon drops
‘Project Runway’ at Kit Kat Lounge
3700 N. Halsted St. 773-525-1111
8 p.m. Wednesdays
$5.50 martinis
Also: “Desperate Housewives,” 8 p.m. Sundays
———-
lmarnett@tribune.com
