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You may not be walking the red carpet, but you can still give thanks to the Academy at these soirees.

Monday Feb 18, 2008.     By Kate Puhala

Bars + Clubs Feed

You may not be walking the red carpet on Oscar Sunday, but you can still thank the Academy for these parties honoring the year's best films.

If you want the same souvenirs as the stars, the Gene Siskel Film Center awards its guests with a primo table centerpiece: an official Academy Awards program. Petterino's provides a full dinner buffet with champagne, wine and beer for the event—the only officially sanctioned party in Chicago. Raise your silk-gloved hand or turn your diamond-studded neck to bid on silent auction items with what green you have left after buying the $150-to-$1,500 ticket. Event runs 6 p.m. to midnight; the HDTV telecast starts at 7 p.m. Call (312) 846-2072 for more information.

If you prefer bowling shoes to Jimmy Choo's, watch pins fall faster than losing nominees' smiles at 10pin Bowling Lounge from 7 to 11 p.m. For $15, bowl while watching the festivities on eight theater-size screens. Try $5 to $10 movie-themed eats, which pair with $9.50 drink specials. Aspiring movie critics can test their Ebert-like skills for a chance to win a trip to Aruba. Other prizes include previous Best Picture-winning DVDs and movie tickets. Put at least some effort into your attire; the staff is celebrating the night in tuxes and cocktail dresses. You may also go home with your own Oscar buddy if crowned "Best Dressed Male or Female." Reservations are recommended. Call (312) 644-0300 or visit 10pinchicago.com/whatsup for more information.

If you want to rub elbows with local celebs, join NBC5's Zoraida Sambolin and Dick Johnson at the third annual Evening with the Stars, a red carpet benefit for Autism Speaks. The entire Oscar gala—from red-carpet interviews to the ceremony itself—will be shown on big screens inside the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts. Silent auction prizes include everything from trips to Mexico and Hollywood to Bulls Skybox tickets, and all proceeds (including the $150-$200 ticket price) go to Autism Speaks. Pre-show dinner starts at 5 p.m. Visit eveningwiththestars.org for more information.

If you and your bros don't care about the Academy Awards, sola shoves burgers and beer where the sun don't shine on Oscar. While the girls swoon over Clooney, dudes can salivate over sola's Wagyu burger, a patty dressed with cambozola cheese, caramelized onions, house-made bacon and arugula, paired with beer flights. The feast begins at 5:30 p.m.; call (773) 327-3868 for more information.

If you've perfected Javier Bardem's "No Country for Old Men" psycho-stare, The Globe Pub's Hollywood in Chicago party (beginning at 6:30 p.m.) is the place to show it off (you creep). Formal attire or dressing as your favorite star is requested at the $10 event. Your style will be rewarded accordingly with $50 gift certificates for "Best Dressed" and "You Should Have Been in the Movie Celebrity Look Alike." All brains and no beauty? Lucky for you this isn't really Hollywood: "Most Correct Guesses on the Ballot" also gets a $50 credit. A reception with champagne and an appetizer buffet will be offered during the big-screen Oscar broadcast. Call (773) 871-3757 for more info or RSVP at inquiries@theglobepub.com.

If you want cabaret instead of commercials, the Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club features live performances by the Kit Kat Divas during each break. Its 100-plus martinis are taking it off—half-off—for the gala, and Oscar night food specials include pan-seared scallops with truffle oil and sweet pea risotto for $20. The night gets more delicious with over $500 in prizes and giveaways. Reservations recommended; event begins at 5:30 p.m. Call (773) 525-1111 for more information.

If you want to celebrate for charity, the proceeds from Room 21's Hollywood Glam party (6:30 p.m.) and silent auction benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The awards show can be viewed on multiple plasma screens, and the $40 ($45 at the door) ticket includes appetizers, desserts, signature Belvedere cocktails and wine. Dressing up is optional, but prizes will be handed to best-dressed fashionistas. Call (312) 328-1198 or visit room21chicago.com for more information.

If you want to down beer and liquor, Sheffield's is the perfect low-key Oscar night venue. Place your picks as the show airs on a 106-inch LCD projection screen; whoever gets the most correct will win prizes. If you notice someone stealing your luck, buy him a few high-quality microbrews to even the playing field. Your plan cannot be foiled even if he doesn't drink beer: Oscar drink specials, like $5 Red Carpet Punch (Bacadi Razz and cranberry) and $9 Apple Cinnamon-twist Oscar Martini, should do the trick. Call (773) 281-4989 for more information.

If you wonder what Oscar would look like if Willy Wonka were in charge, Viand is the night's make-shift candy factory. Pick the correct winner as you dine, and you'll receive a chocolate Oscar. Unlike Charlie, you won't win the entire estate in the end, but the prize for guessing the Best Picture winner is a $200 Viand gift certificate. I'll tip my top hat to that. Dinner hours run 5 to 10 p.m.; reservations recommended. Call (312) 255-8505 for more information.