FROM PERKS
When it comes to blazers: always trust the Italians. Especially the good people at Gemelli, who fashion their blazers from the finest virgin wool and include elegant details like subtle gold thread windowpanes and paisley silk linings. When it comes to getting you 60% off of those blazers: always trust Perks.
GOOD SPORT
Just when you thought River North had reached sports bar capacity, enter Bounce. From the makers of its New York City counterpart comes a sophisticated lounge outfitted with all the TVs and leather banquettes you’d expect. Plus some French onion soup burgers that you wouldn’t.
STONE COLD
December might be right around the corner, but that doesn’t mean rooftop terrace season is over. At least not at the Gwen, where they went ahead and built a curling rink on the terrace for, well, curling. But it’s also for sipping Maple Old Fashioneds and spiced-rum punch. How festive of them.
GET A ROOM
Chicago Athletic Association hotel is decked out in its holiday best with a throwback-inspired bar complete with festival cocktails and karaoke nights. Meanwhile, Emporium pays tribute to cult classic The Room and the subsequent tribute The Disaster Artist with a pop-up that looks like a low budget movie set. So, two very different pop-up bars.
IN THE CLUB
A trio of Rick Bayless-approved, barrel-aged beers are about to hit the market. If that sounds interesting, head to the first meeting of Cruz Blanca’s Lunchador Club, where the brewery will release its suds that have been sleeping in bourbon barrels for the past 10 months. Yeah, that sounds interesting.
HOLIDAY CHEERS
As December 25 creeps closer and closer, your gift list gets longer and longer. Funny how that happens. Cross off an item or seven at the Made in Chicago Market with things like locally made denim and fancy soaps for all your holiday needs. Plus booze. There will also be booze.
Sarah Freeman is often accused of hiding secrets in her hair. She can make any cocktail, as long as that cocktail is a rye Old Fashioned, and has never met a saison she didn’t like.
