Things to do for July 09, 2015

The Weekender

Atari, a New Piano Bar and So Much BBQ

The weekend’s leaving on a jet plane.

Saturday

MODERN LOVE

What Basquiat and Atari Have in Common

A riddle: You leave one day and return home with a vintage Atari arcade game, Basquiat skateboard decks and a folding bagatelle table. All of the items came from the same place. Where were you?

The answer: Wright’s goliath Mass Modern auction.

This has been a riddle.

OAK’S ON YOU

Two Oak Street Sales. Better Get on It.

First stop, Independence: They’ve got up to 50% off floral blazers, pocket squares and light-shell parkas.
Next stop, Paul Stuart: You’ll get an additional 20% off sale items like calfskin-and-linen wingtips and diamond-print swim trunks. So it’s not a subtle sale, per se.

Thursday

PERK ALERT

Rolex Got a Makeover

Your Perks: 1) A bunch of rare all-black vintage Rolexes. People will stare. In a good way. 2) Earbuds that don’t use wires to attach to your music player. They were holding you back. 3) These are lighter cufflinks. The name tells you all you need to know.

IN THE LOOP

Two New Places Where Lunch Happens

So you’re looking for a quick weekday lunch...

Your devil says: “Go to the new 5411 Empanadas for savory pastries filled with spicy chorizo or slow-braised beef or blue cheese.”
Your angel says: “Try Be Leaf instead. They make really interesting salads with really interesting ingredients.”

Pretty low-stakes devil/angel scenario.

Friday

HALL PASS

A Piano Bar in a Former Carriage House

There’s a new cocktail/piano bar called Tack Room in Thalia Hall’s former carriage house. You’ll take breezy refuge on a lantern-lit patio there before heading inside to enjoy on-tap sherry cobblers and classic sing-along tunes. Oh, and... “Piano Man.” Don’t do it.

WHERE THERE’S SMOKE...

Any Type of BBQ You Desire Is Here

Last weekend was pretty damn American. This weekend, it’s the Windy City Smokeout, where the nation’s best barbecue pitmasters and country music acts converge along the Chicago River for three days of tender smoked meats, rare beers and live barbecuing demonstrations. Next weekend, Bruce Springsteen lassos a bull.