Because friends don’t let friends DRIVE (to Grandma’s without getting) DRUNK (the night before), here's where to party on Thanksgiving Eve.
Minx
Why it’s called a "Pre-Thanksgiving Eve" party when Wednesday IS Thanksgiving Eve I’ll never understand. But diction aside, Minx’s late-night bash is sure to provide all the pre-holiday revelry you need. Heavy on the female DJs (nice work), expect sounds from DJs Lena, Christina Jane and Angelist, and live video mixing from Audrey & Stoptime341. Like all Wednesday nights at Minx, you can party ‘til 4 a.m. (and eat until 3 a.m., a good way to stretch the stomach before the main event a mere 12 hours later). No cover, plus $4 Stoli martinis.
Transit
Since there’s no need for mass transit on Thursday’s work-free-holiday (down with the Loop!), get in transit the night before. GRIND kicks off its 5-year anniversary with DJs J-Funk, Martin Luna and Goose at 9 p.m. at Transit. The party goes until 4 a.m., but arrive early—the private cocktail reception stops pouring at until 10:30 p.m. E-mail grindproductions@aol.com with "GRIND 5 at Transit" as the subject line for free admission until midnight.
Smartbar
Let the men stay in the kitchen. Celebrate all things female in anticipation of the big feast by hanging with the Superjane Collective. DJs Heather, Colette, Dayhota and Lady D take over Smart Bar. It’ll run you $10 before midnight, $15 post; doors open at 10 p.m.
Base
Your evening at Suite 69 may not be the most appropriate Thanksgiving dinner convo, unless you’re into getting chided or grossed-out. So keep the tales to yourself but spread the word beforehand, as The Movement presents SUITE 69 at Hard Rock Hotel lounge Base. You’ll find yourself in the VIP company of artists, models and more. With hip hop, reggae, ‘80's and classic grooves by Mike Love, Sundance and DJ AMPM. Kick things off at the Grape Kiss martini reception by Ciroc Vodka from 10-11 p.m. The evening runs until 2 a.m. Phone (312) 334-6472 for bottle service.
Sound-Bar
You’ve heard mom proclaim the virtues of Butterball turkey; make good on her advice and hit up this year’s Butter Ball at Sound-Bar. Featuring a feast of music (complements of John Curley, Chris Tomasone, Jernell Geronimo, Mark Centennial and Jay Prasad), visuals, cocktails and the world-famous (?) Sound-Girls. Free before 11 p.m. with RSVP at www.sound-bar.com; otherwise it’s $10 advance, $20 day of.
Le Passage
Hopefully you won’t hear "Back in the day I had to walk through snow up to my eyelashes" when you answer Grandpa’s "how’s life?" question with one word: "cold." After all, there’s a tastier way to go old school: Le Passage’s Back in the Day Turkey Day Cafe. Give thanks for the $4 supper menu and specialty drinks. Sample complimentary fries all night as DJ Paul Blair spins old school hip-hop, ‘80s rock and dance flashbacks.
Belly's
Let’s call a spade a spade: with the family coming to town, you’re going to need more than a measly bottle of beer to get you ready for the big day. So belly up to Belly’s, where $25 bucks (plus, may we suggest, the cost of a cab ride home) will get you beer and call drinks from 9 p.m.-midnight. Wisely, there are free munchies beforehand from 7-9 p.m. DJ North guides your evening with a mix of hip-hop and ‘80s beats.
Wet
And you think an uncooked turkey is a slippery sucker…wait’ll you see what happens when you get slippery at Wet. Featuring the ladies of Scores and Grin & Bare It against the tunes of DJs Flipside, Nathan Scott and Koncrete. A VIP Stoli reception from 9-10:30 p.m. makes a fashionably late arrival rather uncool. Now the wordy part: RSVP at http://www.chicagofusion.com to avoid the $20 general admission. Ladies who RSVP will be free before 11:30 p.m., $10 after; unlucky men are $10 pre-11:30 p.m., regular price after.
Crobar
Before you bunker down for your all-out turkey binge, celebrate the excesses of that glorious decade of excess via Crobar’s One Eighty 80. Take a look back at the sexual debauchery, experimental music and freedom of a time when "Delorean was the car of the future, vintage was the fashion of the time and Limelight was the club of the moment." Authentic tunes provided by Ralphi Rosario, Chris Gin and Marc Buxton.
Tini Martini
Ahh, Tini Martini, you of the friendly Logan Square hood and no cover…we love you. On that most popular night when a $20 entry fee is the norm, Tini Martini goes cover-free, and serves up drink specials to boot ($3 domestics, $4 imports, $5 martini menu). There’s a cocktail reception from 8-9 p.m., plus house music classics by Hector Lopez, Frique and Andre Harris until 2 a.m.
Exit
In yet another "maybe not for mom’s ears" edition, we bring you Thanksgiving Eve bondage-style. More specifically, Big Bad Bondage Night at Exit. Join Mistress Maya and DJ Mike for $3 Pabst cans, downed while checking out Carolyn’s fetish rummage sale. Strap yourself in from 9 p.m.-4 a.m.
Excalibur
Bringing you the Puritan cousin of the oh-so-scandalous spring break experience, The Durty Lounge Lizards headline "Pilgrims Gone Wild," a karaoke night that kicks off at 7 p.m.
Lincoln Park Pub Crawl
Why waste your night drunkenly gazing at just one room of prospects? Discover more fish in the sea with the annual Lincoln Park Pub Crawl, taking you to McGee's, Wrightwood Tap, Durkin's, Jack Sullivan's and Duffy's Tavern from 7-10 p.m. (look! You’ll still have time to go to more places!). The $15 cover gets you trolley transport, domestic drafts and—just what you need before the big feast—a buffet at each bar. Call (773) 549-8200 for info.
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