The Winter Olympics Are Coming. Celebrate With Cheese.

The Winter Olympics Are Coming. Celebrate With Cheese.
Or Maybe Just Head to This Cider-Fueled, Ritualistic Bonfire
By Sarah Freeman

Wednesday

FROM PERKS

            The Best Damn Umbrellas on the Planet

Most people don’t usually think of umbrellas as covetable objects. Probably because they don’t have an
umbrella as superior as the kind that Blunt makes. Probably because theirs can’t withstand
gale-force winds. Then again, you’re not most people.

Thursday

TWO’S COMPANY

            Bagels in the North. Crab Boils in the South.

People of Ravenswood Manor, rejoice. Steingold’s Station is now serving its signature lox bagel sandwiches
steps from the Brown Line. People of the South Loop, rejoice. Lowcountry is now serving its signature
Cajun-spiced seafood-boil-in-a-bag in the South Loop. Everyone else should feel free to rejoice, too.

Friday

GAME ON

            This Opening Ceremony Party Is Covered in Cheese

While the Olympians are off strutting their stuff in the Opening Ceremony, you’ll be strutting your stuff in
the direction of the gratis raclette bar at Game Room and backing those cheese-covered potatoes with a $6
Old Fashioned shot. They don’t give medals for sort-of-dexterity, but maybe they should.

Saturday

FRYE ANOTHER DAY

            It Would Appear That Now's the Time to Stock Up on Some Late-Season Boots

“Maybe this is the last snow of the season,” you tell yourself while eyeing a pair of suede sneakers from
the Frye Company. Go ahead, pick them up. And maybe some zip-back boots while you’re at it. Why the sudden
urge to procure foot sheathes? Up to 60% off. That’s why.

LIGHT IT UP

            Just a Good Old Fashioned Cider-Based Pagan Ritual

Maybe you’ve heard of Wassail, the pagan ritual welcoming spring. Over at Vitrue Cider, they celebrate this
with cider-fueled, horse-drawn sleigh rides and a massive bonfire on their 48-acre Michigan property. You’ll
be there, too, if for no other reason than to have a good story to tell come Monday.

Sunday

AFTER THOUGHT

            When It Rains Après-Ski Parties, It Pours Them

In honor of the Winter Olympics, J. Parker is opening up its glass-encased rooftop for an Après-ski party
with an ice luge and hot chocolate bar. Watch some slalom, then hit the shot-ski, then probably regret
hitting the shot-ski.

What Else Is New

CHEERS

            The Greatest Beer Bars in the Whole Wide World

Ah, yes. We scoured God’s green earth for the most impressive beer lists on the planet. Along the way,
we discovered the existence of a gun you could use to shoot down drones. And here’s something different: a case against casual
hugs.

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.

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