The Weekender | Free Cocktails, Sushi Brunch and Ghouls Gone Wild | Chicago

10/01/09

The weekend is going for the gold.

PERKS

1 New Perk

This week's Perk gives you a free week of iPhone-assisted bookings and eucalyptus-scented towels at Equinox Fitness Clubs. Fair warning: there may be some exercise involved.

411:: UD Perks

JUMPING JUNIPER

Piccolo Sogno's Fall Soiree

Our repeated viewings of Merchant-Ivory films have shown us that when the English go to Italy, hearts open, lives change and giddiness ensues. (Also: drinking.) So in the greatest cultural exchange since the negroni, this lush Italian garden hosts British ginnery Bombay for cocktails, appetizers and maybe a Helena Bonham Carter or two.

411:: No cost, 10pm-12am, Oct 2, Piccolo Sogno, 464 N. Halsted St, RSVP @ 312- 421-0077

ART, ROCK

After Dark at the Art Institute

The new Modern Wing has had a busy first summer, and now that all the summer tourists have gone, we think it's ready for a drink. Why not join them for a night of hipster DJs, cocktailing and general carousing. Consider it performance art.

411:: $20-$25, 6-10pm, Oct 2, Art Institute of Chicago, 159 E. Monroe Ave, 877-307-4242, tickets here

JEAN THERAPY

DNA Cocktail Party

The denim specialist inaugurates its new location by hosting an in-store cocktail bash with complimentary appetizers, plenty of booze and—thanks to DJ Million Dollar Mano and some full-length mirrors—the opportunity to see exactly how that denim will look when you're shaking it at the club.

411:: No cost, 8-11pm, Oct 2, DNA 2050, 900 N. Michigan Ave, RSVP for afterparty at Le Passage here

MONSTER'S BALLING

Monster B-day Bash at Kinetic Playground

Not to scare you, but costume party season has started. This kooky fund-raiser for bat conservation—even flying mice need a little love—offers music from Scary Lady Sarah and Greg Haus, raffles and a sexy monster burlesque, letting you make your Lily Munster and Morticia Addams fantasies a reality.

411:: $10, 8pm-4am, Oct 3, Kinetic Playground, 1113 W. Lawrence Ave, 773-769-5483

GREAT AWAKENING

Sushi and Dim Sum Brunch at Shine

There's nothing like wasabi to open your eyes on a groggy Sunday. So this Lincoln Park sushi den is launching a brunch of maki, dim sum (shrimp dumplings to fried chicken wings) and the Asian Lox and Bagel platter (salmon and cream cheese served on Chinese bread). It's hard to get good deli in the Pacific Rim.