The weekend is your aloe vera.
Akira takes a breather from outfitting you with its up-to-the-second gear for a moment of sartorial reflection. Its three North Avenue shops combine to host a roving cocktail party and fashion show that celebrates the '60s, '70s and '80s. The parachute pants aren't for sale, so don't ask.
Ah, Italy. Its moon-dappled seas and feisty, raven-haired spitfires have always held a certain enchantment for you. And while this snug vino-and-salumi cove is debuting a weekly alfresco movie night with a screening of Il Postino, we're sure you'll take things in a more Fellini-esque direction by night's end.
We predict two golf course shortages this weekend: good tee times and decent Scotch. Luckily this LaSalle Street after-work haunt is hosting a two-day Wii Golf tournament with Dewar's specials, $500 nightly prizes and a chance to finally work on your avatar's putting.
Girls in high heels having a pillow fight in the back of a River North sushi den is a spectator sport that's been a little under the radar. Spend an evening watching this spectacle of balance, endurance and sake bombs, which should finally cement Chicago's 2016 bid.
The secret to after-work happiness: variety. So in addition to feasting on rock shrimp, scallops and steak sliders specials, you'll find one nightly 99-cent drink special each day for the rest of July—from margaritas to Anchor Steam to something called Wapatuli Punch, the infamous sampler platter of cocktailing.
