This weekend in Chicago: Too Hot to Handel, Chicago Boat Show, and Dry January
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Mocktails. Photo: Courtesy of Bodega Taqueria y Tequila
Whether you're off to a wellness start for the new year, looking to cut back on sugar or just need a reason to sip some mocktails, Dry January has kicked off.
Zoom in: Here are a few restaurants and bars with spirit-free drink specials that may be worth checking out.
- The Table at Crate located in Oakbook Center: Guests can sip on refreshing lavender lemonade ($10).
- Marisol at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago: Happy hour drinks from 4-6pm features mocktails such as "El Cielo," which includes lavender, ginger, lime and tonic ($12 and $10 during happy hour).
- Farm Bar in Lakeview and Ravenswood: Check out the "Apple Karma" featuring a blend of apple cider, lemon and lavender ($8.50).
- LG's Bar and Kitchen, located in Old Town: Try the "Orange You Glad To See Me," a citrus, blood orange juice mixed with lemon juice, simple syrup, and Lyre's non-alcoholic Prosecco ($10).
- El Che in the West Loop: The steak house offers various crafted drinks, but their "La Plata" mixed with non-alcoholic whiskey, lemon, honey syrup and ginger may be worth a shot ($14).
- Bodega Taqueria y Tequila, located in River North and West Loop: Enjoy Mexican tacos along with three mocktails options — "Spiced Mule," "No-Paloma" and "Garden Lemonade" ($14 each).
- Sifr: Recognized in the 2024 Chicago Michelin Guide, this Middle Eastern inspired restaurant offers spirit-free drinks like their "Itnan" ($12) and the "Talata" ($12).
💭 Monica's thought bubble: As someone who usually orders a club soda with lime at the bar, I love all the creativity going into new mocktails (and specials) this month and the spotlight on non-alcoholic beer. I'm still a little skeptical about non-alcoholic wines, though.
More things to do this weekend:
🎷 Too Hot To Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah
- Listen to R&B, jazz and gospel this weekend as musicians grace the stage.
- 6pm Saturday and 3pm Sunday at The Auditorium Theatre.
Cost: Tickets start at $39
- Explore various exhibitions during the museum's free winter weekday promotion, which lasts through March 14.
- 11am-5pm Mondays, 11am-8pm Thursdays, and 11am - 5pm Fridays.
Cost: Free. Reserve Online
- Check out thousands of boats and educate yourself ahead of the summer season.
- 11am-9pm Friday, 10am-8pm Saturday and 10am-5pm Sunday at the Donald E. Stephens Convention & Conference Center in Rosemont.
Cost: Tickets start at $13
- Grab your headphones and dance the night away to music spun by multiple DJs.
- 10pm-2am Friday at the Dime on Lincoln Avenue.
Cost: Tickets start at $10
- Belt your favorite songs during an interactive screening of the popular film.
- 12:45pm and 2:45pm Friday, 12:30pm and 2:45pm Saturday and 1:15pm Sunday at AMC Village Crossing 18 Theatre in Skokie.
Cost: Tickets start at $8.60 for children and $10.91 for adults
🧜🏻♀️ "The Little Mermaid"
- Go under the sea for the final days of the theatrical adaptation of this Disney classic.
- 7pm Friday, 3pm and 8pm Saturday, 2pm and 8pm Sunday at the Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace.
Cost: Tickets start at $80
- Tap into your inner Picasso at this 90-minute art workshop.
- 6pm and 8:30pm Friday, 1pm and 6pm Saturday and 1pm, 3:30pm and 6pm Sunday at Studio W.I.P in Uptown.
If you go: It's BYOB!
Cost: Tickets start at $40