3 Chicago Thursdays You Don’t Want to Miss

Sports Fan: Mickey’s Bar & Patio. Catch the game, grab a bite to eat, and enjoy some crazy fishbowls or buckets of beer! With a spacious outdoor area, Mickey’s is known for their beer garden and patio (open year round!). On Thursday’s head to Mickey’s for:

• $4 Red Stripe
• $5 Bacardi or Absolut Bombs
• $7 Mojitos
• $10 Personal Fishbowls
• $7.50 Appetizer Trio

Head to Mickeyschicagoevents.com to book parties online.

 

 

A posh burger experience: Deuce’s and the Diamond. With its unique interior, Deuce’s offers a dining experience unlike any other in Chi-town. Duece’s caters to multiple tastes with their “local watering hole” main floor Burger Bar to their posh, lounge style, top-floor Diamond Club. You are guaranteed a delicious meal & a great atmosphere! Thursdays at Deuce’s includes the following specials:

• $4 Allagash White
• $3 PBR Tall boys
• $3 Jameson shots
• $2 Tacos

Desire more luxury? Book a cabana package online at Deuceschicagoevents.com.

 

 

Cozy but fun: Butch McGuire’s – With a Irish Saloon atmosphere, Butch McGuire’s gives you an intimate feeling. Catering to both locals and tourists, Butch’s never disappoints to make you feel welcome! Thursday deals:

• $5 Jose Cuervo shots
• $5 Blue Moon drafts
• $2 Tacos

Part of a pub crawl or trolley? Make Butch McGuire’s one of your stops! Check out info at Butchmcguiresparties.com and inquire online.

 

Hope this made your Thursday better – get off work and head on out to enjoy yourselves! Follow us on Facebook for more fun updates and info.

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New York City’s Best Summer Secrets

Ah, New York in the summer; the bustle of the people, the energetic atmosphere and the endless attractions. While there are many hot spots around “the big apple” there are two special venues that the locals swear by: Turtle Bay and 230 Fifth.

Turtle Bay

If you’re looking to dance the night away with a live DJ Wednesday-Saturday or catch the Yankees game on 25 HD plasma TVs, Turtle Bay might just be the spot for you. It’s also the best spot in NYC to find a “date” for Turtle Bay was voted the #1 best hookup bar by the NY post!

If Summer is your perfect excuse to throw a party then great news: Turtle Bay makes it easy for you to plan your shin dig online; visit http://www.turtlebaynyc.com/ and check out your options on the right hand side. Their convenient open bar party packages allow you to book a great night for your guests for only $20-$40 a person.

Located at 230 Fifth Ave (only a few subway stops away from Turtle Bay) is the famous 230 FIFTH nightclub. Voted NYC’s #1 Rooftop Garden and Fully Enclosed Penthouse Lounge, 230 FIFTH invites you to enjoy their 365 degree view of NYC’s impressive skyline.

230 Fifth

Their enclosed rooftop allows you to keep the party going, rain or shine. On weekends stop by and enjoy the best brunch in town. Though it is summer, if the weather decides to be chilly you might be given one of their ‘signature’ hooded, red robes.

Speaking of brunch, you are now able to make reservations for brunch, book VIP bottle service and plan parties online via http://rooftopreservation.com/, thanks to YourPortal.

Hitting NYC this summer? Don’t let this season pass without stopping by these local treasures. Already been? Comment below and let us know what you thought. Follow @ProjectParties on twitter and like us on Facebook for more great venues and party info.

Lollapaloo…What do I do?

Every summer Chicago has the honor to host one of the best music festivals in the U.S: Lollapalooza. For those of you who aren’t quite familiar with this event, Lollapalooza is a three day long music extravaganza located in Grant Park from August 3-5, where people of all ages—each part of a different music genre—are able to enjoy dozens of bands performing ALL DAY. Yes, literally, ALL DAY.

Lollapalooza 2011

For those of you who were able to snag tickets to this year’s sold out show, here are a few pointers from the Lolla-enthusiasts here at ProjectParties.com, to ensure you have a perfect weekend.

First and Foremost: Stay hydrated! Chicago has had a scorching summer and the last thing you, or anyone in your group, wants to worry about is whether or not you can make it through the party!

Second (Usually everyone’s first): Know when your favorite bands are playing and what stage they are on. You would hate nothing more than miss the main act you went to Lolla to see because, with a packed crowd and eight different performance stages, it can easily take 30 minutes to get from point A to B.

Here is a link to the line up: http://lineup.lollapalooza.com/events/2012/08/03/

AND a map of the stages: http://www.lollapalooza.com/experience/festival-map/

Third: Dress comfortable. Each festival day can easily last 12 hours and you want to make sure you’re feeling your best! That doesn’t mean wearing your most flattering outfit or brand new shoes, because they could get ruined. Last year no one in our group came home with less than a shoe full of mud! (Pssst. Visit our Pinterest Page for comfy Summer clothing ideas to party the day and night away.)

Last, but not Least: Have the time of your life! This festival is about everyone coming together to enjoy the thing they love most—music.

Headliner light show 2011

Insider’s Tip: Not quick enough to snatch tickets? No worries, many of the bands are performing at local bars, nightclubs or music halls so you still have the opportunity to hear them play! This is perfect for those who are only interested in seeing one or two of the performers and don’t want to pay the price for a full day! Visit http://do312.com/lollaaftershows for a list of after show performers.

Whether you’re in it for the whole weekend, one day, or just enjoying an after show, Lollapalooza is sure not to disappoint. For more insider tips on what’s going on in and around the city, be sure to follow the Project Parties blog series! https://projectparties.wordpress.com/

Want more info on the event? Visit www.lollapalooza.com.

Don’t Waste Your “Spare” Time

From too hot to function to chilly, rainy weather, summertime in Chicago goes from one extreme to the next. So when it’s broiling hot or unpleasantly cold, how do you keep your family entertained and not cooped up? Bowling.

You excite the family, pile them into the car, fight traffic and arrive at your destination only to find every lane is taken…now what? Luckily for you, that scenario will never take place because Projectparties.com and Yourportal have brought you online lane reservation!

While the kids are getting dressed or eating lunch, simply go to one of our bowling center’s designated links and reserve a lane or two. This way, the lanes will be ready when you arrive– no wait, no disappointed kids and no hassle!

The three Chicago venues that currently use the online lane reservation are: Southport Lanes, Seven Ten Hyde Park, Seven Ten Lincoln Park, and we are soon to add Diversey Bowl. Some centers are more kid friendly than others, so take a gander at the website before booking. Also available thanks to YourPortal is online event booking; whether it be birthday parties, a night out with friends, or even corporate events, these bowling centers have you covered!

Have questions about ProjectParties.com or YourPortal’s other venues? Like ProjectParties.com or YourPortal on Facebook and ask away!

An All American Menu: Happy 4th of July!

Summer’s favorite holiday is right around the corner, and for Americans holidays = food! If you are entertaining the idea of a 4^th of July party here are some amazing recipes that will provide a culinary adventure for your guest’s taste buds.

Dinner:

Grilled corn on the cob with chipotle butter

 

Bourbon glazed baby back ribs

Teriyaki lime chicken skewers 

Hand-cut grilled potato fries with a smoky beer cheddar dipping sauce 

Dessert:

Lattice top peach pie

Lemon bars

Enjoy that plate with an all-American ice-cold beer, some tasty lemonade or sweet tea!

Don’t forget to finish off your night with a traditional fireworks viewing. From everyone here at ProjectParties.com we wish you a safe & happy Independence Day! Now tell us, What is your favorite 4^th of July party dish?

Mingle with a Mocktail

Once upon a time, Friday night rolled around and the office clock hit 5. Employees filed out, their bags stuffed full of paperwork and empty Tupperware. Thoughts of the stuffy office, headache-induced deadlines, and soap -opera office relationship woes dissipated. Calls made and text messages received; promises for a night of fun awaited.

But wait; everyone wants to go to the bar? What about those of us who don’t drink or have early Sat morning plans? Have no fear; life is too short to let a minor thing like alcohol dictate your fun! Here are some tips to help you party sober.

Tip #1: Order up a virgin!

No, not that kind of virgin, you naughty little thing! In case you didn’t know, “mocktails” are the newest trend. In fact, NYC’s Bar & Restaurant Trade Show will be featuring a mocktail Competition next week! While many parties crown alcohol as the guest of honor, we recognize that a party in any shape or form spells fun, so order up an appletini (hold the vodka and schnapps please). If you’re in the mood for a bit of spice, call for a virgin Bloody Mary. And if you need a fruity fix, why not try a virgin strawberry daiquiri? You might even meet (and remember) a sexy princess or your prince charming; the stars shine a little brighter without all of that alcohol clouding your eyes!

Tip #2: Mingle

You just broke through the office-prison walls, the last thing you should do is be a wall-flower.  When you’re busy meeting new people and connecting with old friends, it is unlikely that you will feel the pressure to drink. Plus, you never know the role that person across from you: your next travel buddy, shopping friend, confidante, or even (*gasp*), a future boss.  It’s a confident feeling knowing you can present yourself in the best light possible as opposed to holding in drunken comments all night! Need something to do with your hands? Eat or order up that “mocktail” we talked about.

Tip #3: Smile!

You know the phrase, “A smile is contagious”? Well, if you smile and truly mean it, you’ll likely evoke a conga line of smiles following yours. Have a blast entertaining guests or being among fellow party people. When you’re having genuine fun, it shows, & you’ll be relieved of the pressure to drink and be able to enjoy your night!

Have a hard time refusing a drink? Utilize our simple online system projectparties.com to book your own party and make your own rules (Example: No Drunk’s Allowed)!

How to: Get Free Drinks

Jealous of the girl/guy next to you getting a free drink at the bar? Getting free drinks can be a daunting task, especially if you don’t go out much or have never tried before. But, it is possible. Here are 4 tips we’ve come up with to help you get your next drink for free! (Yes, you read that right, free!)

1. Become a Regular

Your new best friend

Get to know the bartenders, waitresses, or owner of the bar. Talk to them and build relationships because they are the people are in charge of the drinks. If you’re a familiar face, there is a better chance that your next shot can be on the house. Don’t forget to say thank you!

 

2. Travel in a Female “Wolf Pack”

Male Mission: infiltrate, receive free drinks, have a great night.

We all know ladies are more likely to receive free drinks. If you’re male, bring your female friends out and hang around them as other guys buy them drinks (and sneak some to you!). If you’re a girl, plan a GNO (Girls Night Out) and watch the men swoon.

 

3. Look your best

A lil’ perfume & she’s good to go!

Your appearance is usually the first thing you’ll get noticed for. Girls, wear something figure flattering. Remember – keep it classy not trashy – leave something to the imagination! Guys, dress nicely but keep it simple.  Make it look like you put some time into getting ready for the night, and for a nice touch add a little bit of your favorite cologne! (Visit our Pinterest page for ideas on what to wear!)

 

4. Amp up your charm – Think Robert Downey Jr.

Mmmm…RDJ. Yes, be as charming as he & the ladies will fight over your next drink.

You’re not going to be able to get any free drinks without upping your game a bit. Try to be as charming as possible, strike up a conversation with someone and build a connection throughout the night. Male or female, if you charm someone enough you are more likely to get an entire night of drinks at the bar free of charge!

Want more fun party info? Follow us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ProjectParties. Cheers!