The $60 Chicago Weekend (December 21 – December 23)

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.