Nightlife

Noggy Style

The Hot List: 2011 Holiday Parties

Saturday is the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, which serves as your annual early-warning flare that holiday party season is nigh. Herewith, five places for you to frolic with friends, family and/or Shelly from accounting.

FOR THE GREAT ESCAPE

The Office & Aviary

You Want: A private party. And an even more private party.
They Give: Taking over Aviary: brilliant. But as guests sip tequila-spiked horchata with cinnamon ice cubes (from Styrofoam cups, no less), gracefully sneak downstairs for foie gras and caviar at the private-r party you’re simultaneously hosting at the Office. More brilliant.

FOR A CARNIVOROUS FEAST

The Second Floor at Frontier

You Want: To-go whole hog. Or whole lamb. Or goat. Or wild boar.
They Give: Their famed animal service (or just some nice duck tacos)—along with leather chairs, a fireplace, a full-service bar, a DJ booth, 11 flat-screens, two HD projectors and a secret entrance. Basically a faithful recreation of your Wisconsin cabin.

FOR A POKER NIGHT

The Second Floor of Brimfield

You Want: A stuffed elk head. And you better get a stuffed elk head.
They Give: A tartan-plaid poker table, glass buoys wrapped in fisherman’s netting and, of course, a stuffed elk head above the bar. You bring a caterer and the booze—people tend to need a drink with that elk staring at them.

FOR A PLACE TO GET PUNCHED

Second Floor at the Barrelhouse Flat

You Want: A cocktail you could dip your head into. (Though you wouldn’t do that. After last year.)
They Give: Cocktails, served punch-bowl size. They have a private party room downstairs, but upstairs has a pool table and private bar, keeping nicely with this year’s office party theme: drinking.

FOR KEEPING THE FAMILY PEACE

The Poker Room at III Forks

You Want: The thrill of the boxing ring, steak with Grandma.
They Give: A cozy room for those family gatherings, with a gas fireplace, a stunning picture window of Lakeshore East and an antique boxing ring bell—in case you and Mom go three rounds over the last country-fried prime rib.