WICKER PARK — Happy Friday!
Here are a few ideas for fun things to do in Wicker Park, Bucktown and West Town over the warm and sunny weekend.
The Bristol's Birthday. Saturday is The Bristol's official 9th birthday — and the Bucktown restaurant is celebrating with $9 cocktails, $9 glasses of wine and $9 starters all weekend long. "We've watched the neighborhood transform and are humbled to be a cornerstone establishment for locals and visitors alike, and to have been around for all these years with such a supportive and loyal community," owners John Ross and Phillip Walters said in an email. Dinner hours are 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday; 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, 2152 N. Damen Ave.
The Hideout 2-Day Block Party. After a hiatus, the long-running Hideout Block Party returns with live bands (Plastic Crimewave, Eleventh Day Dream, Jon Langford & Skull Orchard, Antietam) marking momentous occasions: the 60th anniversary of Soviet satellite Sputnik and the 20th anniversary of local recording studio Electrical Audio. Admission is a $20 suggested donation to benefit music education nonprofit Foundations of Music. Starts at 1 p.m. Saturday and noon Sunday, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave.
Indulge In A Juicy Burger On Friday Night. Brewery and restaurant Forbidden Root offers a burger/beer/bourbon deal ending on Friday, so tonight's your last night to snag all three for $15. On a brioche bun, the house burger is topped with homemade giardiniere mayo, aged cheddar, onions and bread and butter pickles. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday; at 1746 W. Chicago Ave.
Feast In Frontier's Beer Garden. An all-inclusive Oktoberfest offers sausages, pretzels and side dishes with music by the Duetschmeisters and a stein-holding competition with a cash prize. Cost is $25 and includes one Oktoberfest beer and a souvenir stein. From noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, 1072 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Shop At Third Man Rolling Record Store. A truck packed with vinyl records plans to park in front of Reckless Records. Exclusive colored vinyl and other hard-to-find items will be for sale, along with Third Man Records shirts and tote bags. Third Man Records is named for musician Jack White's label. In front of Reckless Records, from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, 1379 N. Milwaukee Ave.
See An Italian Opera In A Breathtakingly Beautiful Church. Main Street Opera will perform Cavalleria Rusticana & Pagliacci, two short stories: the first about a Sicilian man who still loves his ex, even after she became another man's wife and the second following a traveling vaudeville group performer who crafts an elaborate plan to leave her husband. In Italian with English subtitles. Buy tickets online ($26 for adults; $22 for students and seniors). Doors open at 6 p.m. Saturday, at St. Cantius Church, 825 N. Carpenter St.
Get Caffeinated — On Bustelo's Dime. Coffee roaster Café Bustelo is taking over a Humboldt Park coffee shop for one weekend only, offering free cups of coffee (iced and hot coffee, including cortadito, cafecito and cafe con leche), plus a photo booth, live Latin music, Flamenco and DJs, as well as dance performances. Hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday, at Cup & Spoon, 2415 W. North Ave.
Animal Collective At Empty Bottle. After their Goose Island 312 Block Party concert, experimental psych pop band Animal Collective joins Brooklyn's Black Dice in Ukrainian Village's Empty Bottle where the two bands last played back to back shows in 2004. Tickets are $40; 9 p.m. Sunday, 1035 N. Western Ave.
Score Farm Fresh Fresh Produce. Peruse fresh veggies, cheeses, meats and specialty items, like pies, bagels, paletas, coffee from Ipsento and crepes at the Wicker Park Farmers Market. Hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, 1425 N. Damen Ave.
