Damned is the couple that gets married in a recession. Or is it? When the time comes for bachelor and bachelorette bashes, no one wants to drop a ton of money — but no one wants to short the bride and groom either.
Looking for an easy way to save some cash? Skip pricey limos (or the annoying practice of hailing a half-dozen cabs to haul your crew cross-town) and plan your night in one neighborhood. Whether you’re celebrating with the most laid-back anti-bride or the most traditional groom-to-be, we’ve got you covered with these nine party scenarios.
IF YOU MUST …
Looking for tried-and-true standbys such as drag shows at Kit Kat, dueling pianos at Howl at the Moon and gay bar-hopping in Boystown? They may be cliche, but we’ve still got your back. Log on to metromix.com and check out our party guide for more on these stalwarts.
Ladies
EASY-BREEZY ON THE SOUTH SIDE
– Bring your own spread of cheese and meats to Lush Wine & Spirits (1257 S. Halsted St.), where you can snack and sip on the patio with vino from the shop’s selection of more than 50 bottles under $10.
– Hop over to Mundial Cocina Mestiza (1640 W. 18th St.) for a casual dinner of mouth-watering tamales ($9) and fresh seafood dishes ($19-$22).
– Stroll down the street to Simone’s Bar (960 W. 18th St.) for a round (or three) of pisco sours ($6) or microbrews such as Lost Coast Downtown Brown and Bells Cherry Stout ($4-$7). Open till 2 a.m., 3 a.m. Saturdays.
GET DIRTY DOWNTOWN
– If your bash just isn’t complete without phallic water guns and a light-up tiara, make a day-before stop at Batteries Not Included (3420 N. Halsted St.; 1439 N. Milwaukee Ave.), where the shelves are fully stocked with all manner of naughty paraphernalia.
– Lead your group to see Thunder from Down Under at Crobar (1543 N. Kingsbury St.). The hunky, oiled-up Australians from the Las Vegas stage show fly in for two nights of shows for 500. Get ready to squeal for those six-packs, ladies ($20. 6 p.m. May 29 and 30. Tickets: crobar.com).
– Keep the temperature up at late-night dance club Avila (203 W. Superior St.; $10 average cover), just a quick cab ride away, where Latin dance music sizzles on three dance floors until 4 a.m. Fridays and 5 a.m. Saturdays.
SEE AND BE SEEN IN WICKER PARK
– Meet up at Strange Beauty Show (1118 N. Ashland Ave.), an edgy salon just settling into a new location with a private party room. Stylists will help your party primp for the night out with everything from smoky eye makeup to edgy hair extensions ($30-$60). BYO drinks to get the party started.
– Trot up Milwaukee Avenue to trendy Italian eatery Tocco (1266 N. Milwaukee Ave.) to uncork some wine (five bottles available in the $20 range) and graze on thin-crust pizzas ($12-$18) at the communal table, which seats up to 20.
– Make your way back to Division Street to Fuel Kitchen & Cocktail Lounge (1725 W. Division St.) to cool off with apple-cucumber mojitos and frozen apple margaritas ($9-$11) until 2 a.m., 3 a.m. Saturdays.
SOUTHPORT SPA-LIDAY
– Bring a bottle of bubbly to Lakeview salon Nail Bar (3444 N. Southport Ave.), where small groups are always welcome for manis ($17) and pedis ($35). For parties of 10 or more, they’ll close up the shop for a $100 fee and are open to any kind of “legal entertainment” you may have planned. You know, in case you’re expecting a surprise visit from a firefighter, construction worker or UPS man …
– Parade those pampered feet to Lips Asian Bistro & Sushi Bar (3705 N. Southport Ave.), a hot pink-hued haven decorated with photos of models’ glossy pouts. Fill up on maki ($5-$14) and martinis such as the Emerald Mist, made with green tea liqueur and sparkling wine ($8-$10; $5 Sunday-Wednesday).
– End the night at spicy Cuban spot Coobah (3423 N. Southport Ave.), where the sangria ($6 a glass; $18 a pitcher) flows till 2 a.m.
PARTY HARD IN LINCOLN PARK
– G Boutique (1451 W. Fullerton Ave.) has been entertaining giggly girl groups with burlesque workshops and popular sex ed classes ($20-$35 per person) for years. Head to their Lincoln Park location, which recently relaunched with an especially bride-centric stock and expanded party space.
– Kick it up a notch at Faith & Whiskey (1365 W. Fullerton Ave.), the rock-themed bar where easy-on-the-eyes bartenders could easily pose for their own “Hottest Recent Grads of Lincoln Park” calendar. Drink packages range from $25-$35.
– When you’re ready for more room to dance, head over to Vain Nightclub (2354 N. Clybourn Ave.; $10 Fridays, no cover for ladies Saturdays) to make your move on the dance floor until 2 a.m. Friday; 3 a.m. Saturdays.
Gentlemen
LAID-BACK IN WICKER PARK
– Meet for burgers and beer at new ‘hood hang The Ledge Bar & Grill (1745 N. North Ave.), where the priciest sandwich on the menu is $7.99 and Miller High Life drafts are always $2. No reservations.
– Stop in at Aberdeen (1856 W. North Ave.) to toast the soon-to-be-married man with a round of whatever’s on special. On Fridays, that’s $4 bombs and $3.50 drafts.
– End the night monopolizing the jukebox at Estelle’s (2013 W. North Ave.), or catch a show at Double Door (1572 N. Milwaukee Ave.).
COCKTAILING IN LOGAN SQUARE
– If the man of honor loves his liquor but doesn’t intend to get frat-style trashed, start your night off with a BYOB dinner at Friendship (2830 N. Milwaukee Ave., $3 per bottle fee). The private party room seats 15, and trusty noodle and rice dishes cost $13-$15.
– Scotch tastings? So overdone. Head to Fuego Mexican Grill (2047 N. Milwaukee Ave.) for tequila flights ($12-$16) from the bar’s menu of 150-plus varieties.
– Retire to The Whistler (2421 N. Milwaukee Ave.) for eclectic tunes and drinks. Try new creation The Old Square ($8). No reservations.
REVELRY IN RIVER NORTH
– Skip the stuffy steakhouse routine in lieu of the hipper, more affordable District Bar (170 W. Ontario St.), a just-opened lounge cooking up everything from crab rangoon-inspired chips and dip ($12) to hangar steak with fries ($24).
– Make your next stop Bull & Bear (431 N. Wells St.), where booths equipped with beer taps were practically designed with bachelor parties in mind (30-40 cents an ounce).
– End your night at Social Twenty-Five (25 W. Hubbard St.), a masculine late-night lounge where a 5 a.m. license and reliable bartenders leave plenty of room for regrettable behavior.
DOWNTOWN DEBAUCHERY
– If your goal is to give the groom a night he’ll never remember, start your night at Binny’s (1132 S. Jefferson St.) to pick up your bubbly, beer or booze of choice.
– Change your twenties for singles and proceed to BYOB strip club Pink Monkey (750 S. Clinton St. $30; no cover before 8 p.m. One 750-milliliter bottle of liquor allowed per person). We just can’t imagine what you’ll do with the cash you save on booze.
– You won’t make it farther without a pit stop at White Palace Grill (1159 S. Canal St.) for the hangover-helping 2222 Breakfast, featuring duos of eggs, bacon, sausage and pancakes ($6.25).
– Hop a cab to dive bar fave Cal’s Liquors (400 S. Wells St.) for cheap shots and $2 bottles of PBR. On weekends, they’re open till “2ish” — or whenever the bartender decides you’ve had enough.
