Restaurants Get In On the Lollapalooza Action
The biggest, sweatiest, loudest music festival of the season takes place in Chicago this week, and you need to make sure you're not going in hungry. Lollapalooza's multi-day spree in Grant Park takes place July 31 through August 2, featuring a laundry list of musicians from across the planet entertaining tens of thousands of attendees. There's a lot going on there. And the biggest music festival of the year merits ample celebration from local restaurants and bars, which are getting in on the Lolla action this week with specials and events all their own.
LYFE Kitchen: This health-minded fast-casual eatery hops on the Lolla bandwagon this week with a live music event at its River North location July 30. Taking place from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., LYFE will play host to local folk artist Carolyn Marcotte, who will perform an acoustic set for the evening. She'll also dabble in some covers of renowned classics, from Michael Jackson to The Beatles, plus more modern stars like Justin Timberlake and Katy Perry.
Municipal Bar + Dining Co: Attending Lollapalooza is hella expensive, so you're gonna want to partake in as many bargains as possible this week and weekend. It's Municipal Bar + Dining Co. to the rescue, a downtown bar offering a special Chicago-centric drinking deal called "The Local." For $8, it features a Goose Island 312 and a Jameson shot, just the refreshment you need after a day spent in the musical melee.
Mott St: Spiked ice pops and live music set the stage for "Mottapalooza" at Mott St. The two-day event, taking place July 29 and July 30, serve as an apt kickoff to the weekend festivities, with live music from artists Dan Jones and Simon Dufour, plus spiked "Motter Pops," which are boozy versions of childhood Otter Pops. Doors open both days at 6:00 p.m., with Jones performing on Wednesday with acoustic renditions of popular covers, plus his own original tunes. The next day, Dufour collaborates with guitarist Aaron Day and bassist Ben Dillinger to create original and highly unique hip-hop jams. Interested in attending? RSVP to info@mottstreetchicago.com.
Celeste: This chic, multi-leveled River North drinking den looks to be the "it" after-party destination for Lolla-goers this year. The bar will feature live sets from some of the fest's standout performers, including Cold War Kids, Plastic Plates, Nancy Whang, Sam Hagshenas, and Adam Savin, taking place July 31 and August 1. The events get underway at 10:00 p.m. both nights, with Cold War Kids taking the helm on Friday and the rest on Saturday. Celebrity sightings are also very likely.
Pinstripes: It's "Pinstripes Palooza" at the Streeterville outpost of this dining, drinking, and gaming wonderland. From July 31 through August 2, the duration of the music festival, Pinstripes will offer one complimentary game of bowling or bocce to guests who show up with their Lollapalooza wristband. The deal is available Friday from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 12:30 a.m., and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.
- Matt Kirouac