Activity: Bar Games, How Champions Are Made

Based on the first "Random Chicago" poll - coming in with a hefty 19 votes.... You the readers have weighed in that Bars/Pubs play a large part in your favorite out and about activities here in the Windy City.

So, I am bringing you a bit of what you asked for....
"Things to Do at Bars Rather than Simply Drinking!"

Below you will find a few great links/suggestions. Everything from where to play beer pong, flip cup, trivia, bean bags, guitar hero, wii, etc...

Enjoy!

"Chicago Bar Games"
Time Out Chicago
Chicago Sun-Times
Google Calendar of Trivia, Bingo, etc...

"Guitar Hero" Tournaments
Where: Five Star Bar & Grill (West Town)
When: Sundays @ 9pm
Contact: 312-850-2555

Where: Abbey Pub (Irving Park) - Also, Wii on the Big Screen
When: Mondays @ 9pm
Contact: 773-478-4408

Where: Whiskey Road (Bucktown)
When: Nightly
Contact: 773-315-2540

Where: The Sports Corner (Wrigleyville)
When: Nightly
Contact: 773-929-1441

Workshop: Your Ticket Into the Circus

What: Juggling Workshop
When: 4 Weeks, Starts 4/19 - 2:00 - 4:00pm
Where: Annoyance Theater & Bar
Cost: $100 for the full session
About: I'm sure we've all tried it a time or two... to master the art of shuffling around a few oranges, apples or the most popular - balls. This full month/8 hour long course teaches the tricks of the trade on how to juggle in various positions, single or with a friend. The workshop takes place at the Annoyance in Uptown - which is most popular for it's improv & comedy stylings - so an amusing time is sure to be in store.
Contact: www.theannoyance.com

Event: Chicago's Claim to Fame: Bars!

What: Cubs & Pubs
When: Tuesday, April 8
Where: TBA (Wrigleyville)
Cost: $25: $20 for Museum Members
About: Baseball season is upon us - and we all know what that means... an extra 15 minute wait at any of the many Wrigleyville watering holes. The Chicago History Museum brings you this tour as a part of the History Pub Crawl series. This Walking tour will broaden your appreciation of the Neighborhood's history, Cubs Trivia & of course the bars that make this place a fan fav.
Contact: www.chicagohistory.org

Event: Pups on Parade

What: Doggie Easter Egg Hunt
When: Saturday, March 22 @ 10am - noon
Where: Horner Park, 2741 W. Montrose Ave
Cost: $5 Registration Fee
About: A little fun for the kid in you (recommended for 18&up...), this scavenger hunt is sure to be a challenge as you lead your pup around a city park hunting for treat filled eggs. The two hour event also includes a bonnet parade where you & your four legged friend can strut your hottest stuff while wearing a lovely Easter hat. Attend this event and make a statement that your dog is the full package.
Contact: 773-478-3499

Back in Action

Sorry for the brief hiatus...

After a short stint in Austin for as much Live Music as one human can imagine - I'm back! Enjoy the randomness...

Activity: Ride, Hit, Roll

What: Chicago Bike Polo
When & Where: Grass: Sundays at 2pm in the Southeast corner of Humboldt Park. Division and California/Hardcourt: Wednesdays and Saturdays at 7pm at the Humboldt Park Tennis Courts.
About: It's no horse, but bike polo seems to be kicking the action up a notch. Whether you play on a high tech Mountain Bike or that 10 Speed in your parents garage - this unconventional form of the upper class favorite combines roughhousing (the website notes successes in destroying some hardware) with a bit of hockey/polo likeness.
Website: www.myspace.com/chicagobikepolo

Place: Dogs Gone Wild

What: RockStar Dogs
When: Grand Opening - Monday, March 11
Where: 801 N. Ashland
About: The guy that brought you Iggy's, Harry's Velvet Room & Bar13 brings you this new East Village spot which combines late night dining & a little fun. Decked out like the Sunset Strip Rocker Joints of yesteryears, this is not your run of the mill hot dog stand. For those of you that miss the excitement of childhood and getting a cheap toy w/ your meal - Each Hot Dog combo comes comes w/ a keepsake (guitar pick w/ logo, temp tattoos, etc...). Also, the Stripper Pole is sure to please. After 10pm you can "Dance for your dog"!
Website: www.Rockstar-Dogs.com
Phone Contact: 312-421-2364

Event: A Tribute to Mr. Mayor

What: Mayor Daley Impersonation Contest
When: March 8, 2008/11am-5pm
Where: Binny's Beverage Depot (South Loop) 1132 S. Jefferson St.
Cost: Free
About: Get a jump start on St. Patrick's Day with both Irish Breakfast & Spirits. Later, put on your best political face - and join the ranks of Chicago's first family by doing your best Richard M. Daley. Binny's will donate $5 for each contestant to "The Emerald Society" which promotes Irish Culture & Goodwill.
Phone Contact: 312-768-4400

Event: Lebowski Fans Unite

What: Lebowski Fest Chicago
When: March 7-9, 2008
Where: Portage Theater/Waveland Bowl
Cost: SOLD OUT
About: An all out tribute to The Dude! This all weekend event is sure to include a few White Russians, Snazzy Duds & A Few Strikes (in more ways than one!). Live Music, Trivia, Film Screening, Bowling Party & several other off the wall events that reference this cult classic.
Official Site: www.lebowskifest.com

Online: The Lust That Got Away

What: Craigslist - Missed Connections
Cost: Free
About: For all of you dreamers out there.... Ever think you shared the sugar w/ the possible love of your life at Starbucks, but didn't have the guts to make a move? Have you made eyes with someone standing across from you on the 22 Bus, but they got off - and you stayed on? If either of these ring a bell - and you feel the other party felt the vibe as well, Missed Connections may be for you. Similar to Lance Bass' Chicago based 2001 box office hit film "On the Line" (a touch of sarcasm). Slightly stalkerish, with a hint of a Nora Ephron movie.
Official Site: www.craigslist.org

Workshop: Recycle Your Toys, Make Music

What: Circuit Bending Workshop
When: Sunday, April 5 - 1:00pm
Where: Old Town School of Folk Music, Lincoln Square
Cost: $40
About: Take apart your old toys and make a brand new musical instrument! (From the Old Town School of Folk Music Website)
Official Site: www.oldtownschool.org

Workshop: Test Your DJ/Turntable Skillz

What: DJ & Turntablist Workshop
When: Sunday, March 16 - 1:30pm
Where: Old Town School of Folk Music, Lincoln Square
Cost: $40
About: Since it got well-deserved media attention, this workshop always fills up. Sign up before it fills up! Get an overview of equipment set-up and maintenance, basic techniques and rudiments, and get your first hands-on time with the wax. (From the Old Town School of Folk Music Website)
Official Site: www.oldtownschool.org

Event: The Chiditarod Urban Iditarod

What: Chiditarod
When: March 1, 2008 (Past Event)
Where: Starting in Bucktown, Then off to the Streets of Chicago/Local Bars
Cost: $50 Team Registration Fee ($25 Refundable w/Cart Removal)
About: A Team Shopping Cart Race for Charity
Official Website: www.chiditarod.org

The Chiditarod is one of several similar events held around the country on March 1 - based on the famous Alaskan Iditarod Dog Sled Races, but instead of Dogs - Costumed People fill in... Local Bars are masked as Water Stops... and a Shopping Cart doubles as a Sled. Each team races down 4 miles worth of Chicago sidewalks collecting canned food for Chicago shelters. The event starts in Bucktown - ending in United Center Park neighborhood.

My friends and I jumped on the bandwagon a little later in the game, only discovering the event on Wednesday - just 3 days prior. In that short time, we managed to rummage up 5 Team Members, a Theme, Costumes - and most importantly a shopping cart.

The 2008 Chiditarod has officially passed, but you have just 363 days till next year's event - which is sure to be even bigger & more ridiculous (participation from 2007 to 2008 more than doubled).

The event proved to be a full day of drinking, fun, making new friends & a few enemies (sabatoge plays a part in the race), a good workout & many amusing stories.This event was officially the inspiration of this blog... that and the comment from my friend Elliott that we need to find more "random" things to do here in the Windy City.

A few of my photos...

Team Double Dare









The Physical Challenge (courtesy of Flickr)