Get your acceptance speech ready at one of these Chicago Oscars parties.
Even if you're not walking the red carpet, the Oscars can still be a special night. Whether you want to get all dressed up for a benefit event, or enjoy a low-key party with fellow film fanatics, we've found some parties that are well worth the ticket price.
Gene Siskel Film Center
The Siskel Center hosts the only offical Oscar party in town; it's sanctioned by the Academy of Motion Pictures and requires what's being called "business attire or awards glam" for all its patrons, which means come right from work or feel free to get decked out to the nines. Hollywood would be proud. The broadcast, which will be shown in full HD glory at the center, starts at 7 p.m., but the gala kicks off at 6 p.m. and goes all the way to midnight. A silent auction will run through the evening and prizes will be raffled. The price of admission ($150) gets you a full buffet as well as bar, and you get to take home the same program you'll be seeing in the hands of all the actual Oscar-goers up on screen.
Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club
All your red-carpet viewing desires will be fulfilled at Lakeview's Kit Kat Lounge, where the party kicks off at 5:30 p.m. and continues until the Best Picture envelope is opened. Hosting the party will be resident diva Candi Stratton, who will be hosting as Cher and performing during the commercial breaks. Just to sweeten the deal, Kit Kat will have four gold-painted, Oscar-esque male models strutting on the lounge's red carpet and serving complimentary samples of St. Germain liqueur. A special tapas menu will be served, and the first 50 guests to the lounge will receive special Oscar-themed gift bags courtesy of St. Germain.
The Chopping Block
Sometimes you just want to stay home and chill out with friends, watch the big show and maybe chow down on some good homemade food. Thankfully the folks at The Chopping Block have taken the thought and indecision out of the menu selection (do I serve Slumdog Millionaire samosas or gumbo for Benjamin Button taking place in New Orleans? Decisions, decisions) and re-created their monthly class schedule in honor of some of Hollywood's biggest hits.
Sign up for classes like "As Good As It Grits," "It's a Wonderful Knife" and "Under a Tuscan Sun" to hone your culinary skills for a home-based bash. The Chopping Block will also have movie-themed displays at both locations, and Hollywood-style discounts to leave you with enough cash for the actual party.
Tapas Valencia
In conjunction with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Associate Board, Chicago Magazine and Tapas Valencia will be having a "Dark Knight" on February 22. The relocated suburban tapas favorite will be celebrating its recent opening with an Oscar viewing party as a benefit for JDRF. Plenty of TVs will be on site to make sure you don't miss a single statue presentation (go Heath!), plus there will be a red-carpet entrance for everyone attending, specialty drinks and a full tapas menu. In addition, a silent auction to support JDRF will run all night, and prizes will be up for grabs for the best-dressed attendee. Tickets are $50 in advance and $55 at the door.
Center on Halsted
The black-tie events continue at Center on Halsted, Chicago's center for the LGBT community. Starting at 6 p.m., attendees will fight their way across the red carpet through the paparazzi to the Billie Jean King auditorium, which will be the site for the Center's annual viewing party.
Wine will flow and hors d'oeuvres will be passed, raffles will be held and silent auction goods will be up for grabs. If you want to celebrate in style, be prepared to drop a pretty penny; a "celebrity table" for eight runs $1,500 and garners you special placement for watching the show, as well as raffle tickets and champagne on hand. Not ready to make that kind of commitment? Tickets start at $75 and will get you a raffle ticket as well, which could result in you being whisked off on a trip for two to Hollywood.
Hollywood Blvd. Cinema
Looking for a gala charity event without the hassle of the gown and the red-carpet glitz? You're free to black-tie it up as much as you want at Hollywood Boulevard's Viewing Party for the Academy Awards, benefitting the Illinois Variety Charity. A requested donation of $25 gains you entry to the event, starting at 6 p.m. with a champagne and appetizer reception. A silent auction will be running all night and the theater, known for offering food and a full bar with its films, will provide at-your-seat service throughout the entire viewing party. Keep track of your picks while ordering buckets of beer and entrees right to where you're watching on the big screen.
Garrett Ripley's
Known as one of River North's finest upscale taverns, Garrett Ripley's is throwing an Oscar party anyone can enjoy. Watch the ceremony and predict the winners while sipping on $7 Oscar martinis. If you have the most correct guesses, you could win tickets to any of the nominated movies you may have missed. Other drink specials include $5 bloody marys and mimosas, and $2.50 domestic bottled beer.
HUB 51
Sun-Times columnist Richard Roeper hosts this party that promises brushes with local celebrities and media personalities. Your $125 ticket includes cocktails, a "lavish" buffet, valet parking and assorted contests and raffles. A portion of the proceeds go to the Columbia College film scholarship fund, so you'll even be giving back to the local film community.
Stretch Run
Here's an Oscar party that critics and audiences both can enjoy. You'll be greeted with a walk on the red carpet before entering this River North spot, which offers 240 TVs to watch the actions. Once the ceremony has started, enjoy Oscar-themed food specials including the "Oscar Dog" (a bacon-wrapped beef dog with onion rings, sauerkraut, relish and nacho rings). Or try the "Best Supporting Grouper" (a grilled grouper sandwich served on a toasted ciabatta roll with remoulade sauce). Drink specials include $5 drinks dedicated to this year's best picture nominees. The "Hair of the Slumdog" is a mixture of Malibu Rum, Stoli raspberry vodka and Sierra Mist, while the "Frosty Nixon" is vodka, Kahlua and cream served over ice in a rocks glass.
Brasserie Jo
Who said A-listers are the only ones allowed to celebrate Oscar night in style? This French restaurant in River North is a lot classier than most diners or pubs. Oscar night at Brasserie Jo includes watching all the glamour on a flat screen television in their bar while munching on complimentary Tarte Flambees.
Cityscape Bar
If the ceremony gets a little too long and predictable, there's always something else to stare at in this downtown bar. Located off the 15th floor lobby of the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza, Cityscape Bar boasts one of the best views of the city. While there, enjoy sipping on "drink like the stars" martinis such as the "Red Carpet" ($7) and "The Envelope Please..." martini ($7).
Kohan
If you're in the mood for Japanese food come Oscar night, Kohan may be the place for you. Enjoy the "Red Carpet Roll" (spicy tuna over a spicy scallop roll with ponzu sauce) while washing it all down with an "Oscar-tini" (wasabe sake infused vodka, soju, triple sec, cranberry juice, tangerine and lime juice).
La Madia
Celebrate movies' biggest night at this upscale River North pizzeria. La Madia's sleek bar and lounge is the perfect setting to enjoy a nice cocktail or their "Melegrana Spritz" (a blend of fresh pomegranate juice and puree, syrup, and proscecco).
Lincolnshire Marriott Resort
Little City Foundation's hosts a Night on the Red Carpet at the Lincolnshire Marriott. The evening's festivities will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a "Red Carpet Review," where guests will be interviewed by a Joan Rivers lookalike and have their pictures taken by paparazzi. Inside, everyone will be treated to dinner and a chance to win prizes by picking the Oscar winners. Guests also will have the chance to bid on silent auction items. Tickets cost $150 and can be purchased by calling (847) 221-7892 or at Little City's website.
Harry Caray's Tavern
Make the best Oscar picks and earn a $100 gift certificate while watching on Wrigleyville's largest HD screen. Enjoy a selection of classic cocktails including Tom Collins and Manhattans, as well as Oscar-themed martinis for $5. Guests can also enjoy VIP treatment with free appetizers, and can order from the full menu as well. The party starts at 6:30 p.m.
Halsted's Bar & Grill
You can get your party started early in Lakeview, as Halsted's will be showing the red carpet arrivals all afternoon. You can watch on any of the 12 flat-screens around the bar while enjoying specials like $4 22-ounce drafts of Bud Light, $3 screwdrivers and $3 mimosas.
Bull & Bear
You can pretend like you're at home at this new River North haunt, if you're able to secure one of the tables with self-serve beer taps (reservations recommended, as they fill up fast). Even if you can't get one of those seats, it should still be a fun event. Beginning at 5 p.m., guests can fill out their own ballots (prizes will be awarded). There will also be gift bags to salons and spas (worth up to $300) and a complimentary glass of champagne for each patron.
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