$20 gets you a burger, beer and pretzel at Bucktown's Hot Chocolate… (Courtesy of Hot Chocolate )
May 27, 2014|By Julia Borcherts | For RedEye
EAT
Wednesday Burger Night
Hot Chocolate 1747 N. Damen Ave. 773-489-1747
Stop in for a midweek trio of grown-up treats, which includes a beef burger with organic bacon, aged cheddar and house-made pickle on a garlic-toasted sesame bun served with a pretzel and a Half Acre Over ale. 5:30-10 p.m. $20.
Nicky's Week
Ra Sushi 1139 N. State St. 312-274-0011
This 10th annual fundraiser means you can dine out and give back at the same time. Order edamame, Tootsy maki, shrimp nigiri, pork gyoza, chicken yakitori and garlic-citrus yellowtail and all proceeds benefit St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Through Saturday. $4-$10 each.
DRINK
Book Club
The Whistler 2421 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-227-3530
The bartenders pull a booze-themed book off the shelves—this month, it's Gaz Regan's "The Negroni"—and create $10-$12 cocktails from its pages, including variations such as the Hermano (tequila, Campari, hibiscus syrup) and the Bottecchia (Fernet Branca, Campari, Cynar, salt). Live music from Italian guitarist Luca Nostro rounds out the night. 6 p.m.-2 a.m. No cover.
DO
Miss Spoken
Gallery Cabaret 2020 N. Damen Ave. 773-489-5471
Gentlemen are also welcome at the debut of this lady live lit night featuring tales on the theme of "Boobs" from Bitches Gotta Eat blogger Samantha Irby, Pop Goes Alicia blogger Alicia Swiz, This Is Jasmine blogger Jasmine Davila, writer Melanie LaForce, comedian Natasha Samreny and hosts Rosamund Lannin and Carly Oishi. 7 p.m. No cover.
Pivot Arts Festival
Francesca's Bryn Mawr 1039 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. 773-609-0782
The second annual festival of pop-up performances in venues across Edgewater and Rogers Park features an "art meets science" theme and kicks off with a "Big Bang" celebration including appetizers, beer and wine, performances, science-themed games and a specialty drink served in a beaker. 6 p.m. $30-$40. Events (free-$15) continue through June 14. Tickets and schedule: pivotarts.org/festival
REDEYE TIP OF THE DAY
Plan the soundtrack to your summer with our June concert guide at chicago.metromix.com.
Julia Borcherts is a RedEye special contributor.