The countdown to summer is on, with the unofficial beginning of the season happening this weekend with the Memorial Day holiday. To get you ready, we have some sips and treats to get you through the week. Then, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the long weekend with outdoor celebrations and even a specialty cocktail in honor of Queen Bey herself …
World Turtle Day at Tortoise Club TODAY
Tortoise Club {350 North State Street; 312.755.1700} is paying homage, not only to their restaurant’s name, but also to a heartwarming cause on Monday, May 23 to celebrate World Turtle Day. Specially crafted by mixologist, Kal Huettl, for the occasion, a portion of sales generated from the Tipsy Tortoise cocktail ($13) will benefit the American Tortoise Rescue. The cocktail features Monkey Shoulder whisky, Averno amaro, house tipsy syrup, fresh lemon juice, and aromatic bitters.
Late Night Treats at Bombobar
The days of taking a stroll on a hot summer night and resisting that urge to fulfill your sweet-tooth temptations may get harder to overcome now that BomboBar {832 West Randolph; 312.492.7775} is on the map. Sister property to West Loop’s Bar Siena, BomboBar is a fast-casual service window where outside patrons can walk up and order assorted gelato flavors made from scratch, coffee creations, and crave-quenching bomboloni, which are holeless doughnuts injected with various flavor-packed fillings. BomboBar opens early at 9am, and serves throughout the day, all the way until 11pm.
Happy Hour at Dove’s Luncheonette
Dove’s Luncheonette {1545 North Damen; 773.645.4060} has officially launched a brand new happy hour menu with great deals on drinks and light bites that will help you kick off the long weekend right. Come in for specials every day, but especially on Friday from 3:30-6:30pm to unwind with a cold drink and a delicious snack before dinner or wherever the night may take you. Try a $5 Ponche de Cereza, tequila infused with dried tart cherry, pink peppercorn, cinnamon, and clove with lemon, demerara, ginger syrup, and Cruzan Blackstrap rum as well as $5 Caballitos with a shot of mezcal or tequila served alongside Sangrita.
Memorial Day Weekend at The Fremont
All weekend long, Fremont {15 West Illinois Street; 312.874.7270} will host a ’70s pool party-themed Freezemont Summer Kick-Off to unveil their new seasonal frozen cocktail and boozy dessert menus. Guests can look forward to live DJ sets, refreshing frozen drinks, popsicle stands, and bright, interactive décor. Fremont will roll out their new Boozy Push-Ups, providing refreshing flavors in mini-cocktail form, so guests can have their ice cream and drink it, too. Signature flavors include the likes of Lemon with Gin Sorbet and the Blackberry with Campari Sorbet. Guests can also imbibe on one-of-a-kind popsicles from a pop-up cart, or reminisce with a handful of cotton candy.
Beyonce Boozy Lemonade at Belly Up
Queen Bey is also in town this weekend for her concerts at Soldier Field and Chicago is celebrating! Guests who visit Belly Up Smokehouse & Saloon {1132 South Wabash; 312.929.3856} this weekend will enjoy a Boozy Lemonade special in honor of Beyonce’s shows. The $10 cocktail features fresh housemade lemonade, Aylesbury Duck vodka, Jumex peach nectar, and Giffard Abricot du Roussillon and will be available Friday through Sunday.
By Kaleigh Glaza
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