What do we want to do at Pinkfest?

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This posting is from: annie
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With all of this talk of airlines and hotels and such, let's
start talking about what we want to do at PF. :)

As you may or may not know, Ginger will be our Social Director
this year. Let's get some chatter going and give Ginger some
ideas and suggestions as to what we're going to do!

Discuss amongst yourselves -- I'll give you a topic ...

First, let's talk about food ... :) {food, mmmmm} :)

Traditionally, we've done "Happy Half-Hour" just before
dinner, but if there's a demand, I'm sure we can expand
this to a full hour. :)

Here's some places we've used, and some we've not used but
I think have some potential:

Thyme And Honey: In Forest Park. It's out in the 'burbs, but
not that difficult to get to and from. We did lunch there for
Pinkfest 2009. I enjoyed it.

Portillos/Barnellis: Ginger and I did this the night before
Pinkfest. I've always liked the place, but the method of
ordering (place orders at multiple counters) may scare some
of those not used to hardcore mainstream. The food is good
and reasonably-priced. Nothing fancy, but a combination of
the Portillos (hot dogs, burgers and such) and Barnellis
(pizza, pasta, ribs) offerings. Right in the heart of River
North. It can be busy and zooey at times!

Ginos East: We did this in 2006, but did not in 2007. It's a
little pizza-pasta place at Ontario and Wells. Yes, very
TG-friendly. On some nights there is a line, but it always
seems to move quickly.

Maggiano's Little Italy: We've done this for 2006 and 2007.
It's ubiquitous, but it's something everybody seems to like.

Hard Rock Cafe: Good for lunch or dinner. I've always enjoyed
this in Chicago and elsewhere.

Ed Debevic's: A "must do", IMAO. :) Again, we've done this
for lunch the past few years, and it is fun for dinner too,
assuming they have the bar remodeled and in action again.
This is the only venue we've used for each and every Pinkfest.

Carson's Ribs: I've been told that the one up north in
Andersonville, which we did for Pinkfest 2001, (not too far
from Boystown) has closed, but the one in River North (Ontario
and Wells) is open.

Chicago Chop House: I like this place, but it may be a bit
$pendy for some. We've done this each year since 2004.

Ann Sathers: Now moved down the street a few doors. They
tell me that they are still closed for dinner on Friday
and Saturday. :(

Winberies: A "must-do", IMAO. This has to be one of the best
kept secrets of the area. Nice bar up front and great food
and service. This is in the western 'burbs and works well
with an open house at Janna's Place as well as some of the
bars in the area.

Cy's Crab Shack: This was a last-minute replacement for Ann
Sathers in 2007. As the name implies, it's mostly seafood,
but they have other things as well.

Clarke's Diner: I've always wanted to try this. Some say
it's like Ed's with the attitude, the difference being that
at Ed's, the attitude is staged, and at Clarke's, the
attitude is real. :)

Giordano's: One of my faves of the pizza/pasta places. I'm
very sure they would be TG-oblivious.

Any other suggestions?

I know there was talk a couple years back about a diner type
place out by O'Hare, but I don't know if it's still a viable
option or not.

Comments?
. . . . .

Now the bars ...

Velvet Rope: New discovery for Pinkfest 2008 and I liked
it very much! It's less than a block away from Winberies
on Lake, so the two go together quite well. It had a nice
friendly crowd there on the day we went.

Redhead Piano Bar: I'd describe this as mainstream but
TG-tolerant. Ginger and I went there before PF, and we
returned with other Pinkfesters a couple days later. I
do think there was a misunderstanding and that some may
have thought that we were "put at a table out of the way
and out of sight" or something. When Ginger and I went
before PF, the maitre d' asked me if we wanted to be
seated up by the piano. I asked for a table in the back
so we could chat. When we went back the same maitre d'
asked me if a table in the same area we were in would
be ok and I nodded yes.

Hideaway: This was a new discovery for Pinkfest 2007, which
we repeated in 2008, and I think everybody liked it. It's on
Roosevelt, just west of Oak Park, IIRC. (Hey you two! Get a
room!) :)

Boystown bars: We've only scratched the surface, we missed it
entirely last year and in 2007. I keep hearing of other places
(Big Chicks, Closet, etc.) which we've never tried.

I actually liked that "serial-killer friendly" neighborhood
type bar we did in 2006.

Baton Show Lounge: We haven't done this for a few years now.

Hunters Dance Club: Uh, it's there. :) Some love it. I can
take it or leave it, personally. It's waaaayyy out in the
boonies! For those of us without a vehicle it can be a bit
of a challenge.

Nutbush: Gone but not forgotten! :(
Gentry downtown: Gone but not forgotten! :(

I know there was also talk about a womens' bar out in the west
burbs as well, but I can't remember it ever happening, yet.

Any others, gang? :)
. . . . .

Touristy things:

Any interest?

Let's hear some chatter, gang! :)

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(This posting was entered by annie, an external user of MyDLV.)

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This posting is from: mindyjrussell
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One hour happy hour. I gotta make up for missing DLV.

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(This posting was entered by mindyjrussell, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Ginger
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>One hour happy hour. I gotta make up for missing DLV.

Is one enough? :)

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(This posting was entered by Ginger, an external user of MyDLV.)

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This posting is from: annie
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>>One hour happy hour. I gotta make up for missing DLV.

>Is one enough? :)

OMG! Mindy's coming!

Will Chicago ever be the same? :)

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(This posting was entered by annie, an external user of MyDLV.)

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This posting is from: Mindy
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>>>One hour happy hour. I gotta make up for missing DLV.

>>Is one enough? :)

> OMG! Mindy's coming!

> Will Chicago ever be the same? :)

Can only make it better *lol*

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(This posting was entered by Mindy, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Mindy
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>>One hour happy hour. I gotta make up for missing DLV.

> Is one enough? :)

Ok maybe 2 hours

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(This posting was entered by Mindy, an external user of MyDLV.)