CHICAGO — Whether or not you participate in Lent, Fat Tuesday is a great excuse to indulge in Chicago. Gobble up paczki, enjoy gourmet dinner specials, listen to some music or enjoy all of the above for the holiday in Lincoln Park.
Fat Tuesday at the Barrelhouse Flat, 2624 N. Lincoln Ave., evening
To celebrate the day before Lent, the Barrelhouse Flat plans to whip up gourmet food specials such as shrimp and grits ($14) and bacon beignets ($7). Sophisticated $12 drink specials for the night include Pimm's Cup, French 75, Sazerac and Vieux Carre.
J Livi & The Party with Environmental Encroachment at Tonic Room, 2447 N. Halsted Ave., 8 p.m.
For Tonic Room's Mardi Gras celebration, the venue hosts Chicago-based brass band J Livi & the Party along with performance art group Environmental Encroachment. The evening costs $5 for those 21 and older.
13th Annual Fat Tuesday Masquerade Ball, Duffy's Tavern and Grille, 420 W. Diversey Parkway, 8 p.m.
Duffy's hosts its annual Fat Tuesday party, which is complete with music from Hurricane Gumbo and a $20 meal package featuring New Orleans-style jambalaya with red beans and rice. The venue advises that you buy your tickets ahead of the event.
Eat Paczki around the neighborhood, various locations
See if you can snag some much sought-after paczki (Polish doughnuts with sweet filling) from various neighborhood locations such as Glazed & Infused, Cafe Vienna and Delightful Pastries. Let our map be your pastry guide. If you're feeling especially lazy, you can get UberX to deliver Polish treats right to your door.
