Sorry to rip the bandage off, but someone has to. Summer is already on the outs, but Labor Day helps soften the blow. (BTW, there are still 15 days of summer left after Monday). Fall is coming fast, and this weekend is packed with specials and parties to send off the summer right. There’s no shortage of fests, North Coast Music Festival after-parties and weekend food and drink specials, so add a holiday into the mix and consider your calendar booked. Take advantage of these Labor Day weekend happenings, and try not to eat or drink your sorrows as you say goodbye to summer (but we wouldn’t judge you if you did).
Bubbly-Q
1200 W. Randolph St. 312-733-9463
Sip Chandon sparkling wine while listening to country bands including The Hoyle Brothers, roots rockers Angela Perley & The Howlin’ Moons, guit-steel guitarist Junior Brown and others. The folks at Mr. B’s BBQ roast a whole pig for the fourth annual event, and other food available for purchase includes sliders, whoopie pies and more. 2–9 p.m. Monday (doors open at 1 p.m.). $22–$25. Tickets: citywinery.com/chicago
Fight for Your Right to Werk
3458 N. Halsted St. 773-975-9244
Get your dance on at three events at the Boystown nightclub this weekend. Florida’s DJ Deanne spins tribal, tech and progressive house beats Friday, and London DJ duo Moto Blanco delivers house tunes Saturday (sets start at 11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. $10 cover after midnight). Get your Sunday partying started early at 2 p.m. at Sunday Funday, featuring go-go dancers, DJ X-tasy and more tunes until 4 a.m. ($5 cover after midnight).
Funky for You
111 W. Kinzie St. 312-880-1511
Funk your Sunday up in River North with funk bands The Infatuations and Onefreq from Detroit, Phredley Brown from Los Angeles and The Almighty Get Down from Cincinnati. 7–10 p.m. Sunday. RSVP recommended at untitledfunkfest.eventbrite.com as space is limited.
Beats, Brews & BBQ
2000 W. 18th St. 312-265-1630
The recently opened Pilsen BYOB restaurant—which is gaining traction for its chorizo burger with avocado, chihuahua cheese, chipotle mayo, a fried egg and pico de gallo on a brioche bun ($13)—stays open late Sunday with DJs spinning both indoors and on the patio. Dance to beats by more than 20 DJs including Rick Torres, Louie Gomez and Vic La Rok. Noon Sunday. No cover.
Hot Dog Takeover
3700 N. Clark St. 773-645-4400
Stop by the Wrigleyville burger joint Friday through Monday for the second annual menu transformation with hot dogs inspired by signature burgers and sandwiches. Dogs include the Motherclucker with applewood smoked bacon, cheddar cheese and bourbon barbecue sauce on a pretzel bun; the truffle mushroom with gruyere cheese, sauteed mushrooms and truffle creme fraiche and truffle fries on the side; and the Mac Daddy with braised beef short rib, mac ‘n’ cheese and caramelized onions. $12 each. 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m. Friday, 10:30 a.m.–10 p.m. Saturday, 10:30 a.m.–9 p.m. Sunday and 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m. Monday.
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Labor Day Brunch
1560 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-227-9339
The Wicker Park bar opens early for Labor Day, where brunchers can partake in a $25 meal package that includes an entree, such as chilaquiles, huevos rancheros and french toast with Kahlua creme anglaise, and sangria and mimosas. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Monday.
Dawson City Limits
730 W. Grand Ave. 312-243-8955
Close out the West Town restaurant and bar’s summer patio series with live country music, $8 mai tais and a peel-and-eat shrimp boil ($25 a pound) with a spin on traditional cornbread and coleslaw. 4–7 p.m. No cover.
Brazilian Carnaval Party
2539 N. Kedzie Ave. 773-661-4126
Celebrate Brazilian Independence Day (Sept. 7) with traditional dancing and food, $5 caipirinhas, a costume show and music by Chicago Samba and Cecy Santana’s Band. Chow down on food available for purchase, such as coxinha chicken croquettes, rice, beans and chicken, pao de queijo cheese biscuits, desserts and more. 9 p.m.–2 a.m. Sunday (doors at 8:30 p.m.). $10 at the door.
Official North Coast Music Festival Closing Party
1551 W. Division St. 312-833-9331
The Union Park music fest goes out with a bang with the Porn and Chicken gang. Pop off with resident DJs Orville Kline and Phives at the weekly dance party featuring guest DJs Dani Deahl, Ron Carroll, Lady D, Kings of Class and others. 10 p.m.–4 a.m. Monday. $10.
Corn dogs and custard
River North (66 E. Ohio St. 312-667-1701) and Chicago Athletic Association (12 S. Michigan Ave. 312-646-6005)
Chow down on corn dogs dipped in housemade batter served with sweet corn relish ($4.50) and vanilla custard Peach Pie Oh My concretes ($4.25–$6.75) Friday through Monday. (River North: 11 a.m.–midnight Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Sunday and Monday. Chicago Athletic Association: 11 a.m.–11 p.m daily).
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