What to do in Chicago this weekend with only $60 in your pocket:
Friday
Ice Skating at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink, Millennium Park
Noon – 10pm. Free
The cheapest date you’ll find in the loop. Do yourself a favor and bring your own skates. The rink may be free but the skate rental line is long and full of teens (ugh!).
The Whistler, 2421 N Milwaukee
5pm – 2am
The Whistler is a venue cocktail one part record label, one part art gallery, and two parts bar. Expect a packed and intimate (read: tiny) space, no cover, and pre prohibition handcrafted cocktails for only $10. Tonight’s feature? Experimental instrumental music geared toward the head nod.
Saturday
Between, 1324 N Milwaukee
5pm – 3am
Modest décor aside, Between offers arguably the best Peruvian cuisine in Chicago. Tip: Visit www.restaurant.com and print a coupon for $15 off your meal (coupon costs $6). Have the famous Ceviche ($11) and Arroz con Mariscos ($15).
Green Mill, 4802 N Broadway
8pm – 12am Kurt Elling Quintet
The venue nor the vocalist needs an introduction. Pay $15 to experience a legend within a legend. Kurt Elling is, frankly, a vocal genius Franky could’ve learned from and the Green Mill is his home. Saturday night’s show is his last performance in Chicago for some time. After his set enjoy an afterhours jazz party with the Sabertooth Organ Quartet until 5am.
Sunday
Duke’s Bar and Grill, 2626 N Clark Street
3:30pm Bears vs Cardinals
This isn’t your college campus’ bar. The atmosphere is grown, the burgers are amazing, and the beer is cheap on Sundays. Enjoy $3 domestics and $10 gourmet burgers with your choice of Angus, Kobe, bison, turkey, chicken, ostrich, wahoo, veggie, or portabella patties! Woo that’s a mouthful!!
Lincoln Park Zoo
5pm-9pm Zoolights
Expect unforgettable memories. I still cherish our first date here. Splurge on a hot chocolate while you watch the ice carvings. I think you’ve got some money left.