CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS: Lincoln Park, Bucktown and Wicker Park, Lakeview, River North, Lincoln Square, Evanston

Lincoln Park: 2019 promises to be an exciting year! Learn more about what’s happening at the local level directly from the source! 2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins, 32nd Ward Alderman Scott Waguespack, and 43rd Ward Alderman Michele Smith will be hosting a panel discussion on Tuesday, January 22 from 8 am to 10 am. You can also connect with fellow members of the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce and local business leaders over breakfast at Stratford on the Park. The election for the 2019 LPCC Board of Directors will take place and outgoing board members will be recognized. If you RSVP and pay by January 18, tickets are $30 for members and $35 for guests. At the door, tickets are $35 for members and $40 for guests. You can register here.

Bucktown and Wicker Park: The Wicker Park Winters Farmer Market is here! They are excited to offer their first ever INDOOR market season at Chop Shop. Beginning Saturday, January 5, the market will be open every Saturday morning from 9 am to 2 pm through April 20. Local vendors will be offering all the best in handmade and homegrown to keep your winter season on the right track! Find more information here.

Lakeview: Get ready for Chitown Beernival! Held on Saturday, January 26 from 2-5 pm at Rizzo’s Bar, this beer themed carnival features a beer pong tournament, competitive flip cup, carnival games with prizes, and unlimited domestic beer. All proceeds benefit Autism Speaks to Young Professionals, a division of Autism Speaks. The mission of AS2YP is to change the future for all who struggle with autism spectrum disorders by volunteering their time and talents to increase awareness, raise funds, and serve as ambassadors of Autism Speaks. Early bird tickets are just $35, so buy yours now here before prices go up!

River North: It’s time for Chicago’s cheesiest bar crawl- the Mac and Cheese Crawl! On Saturday, January 26 from 11 am to 7 pm, you’ll crawl from bar to bar while eating Mac and cheese and enjoying drinks with friends. Tickets include admission, seven Mac and cheese servings, drink specials, giveaways, and more! They also include a pre-party on Friday, January 25— head to Public House between 9 pm and 1 am and receive 1 free drink ticket. There’s also an after party at Moe’s Cantina on Saturday, January 26 between 10 and 11 pm- 1 free drink ticket here too! Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased here.

Lincoln Square: Mark your calendars for Winter Brew 2019! Each winter, the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce takes the Chicago Street Festival scene indoors for the annual Winter Brew! On Saturday, January 26 local breweries and cideries from around Chicago set up shop at the DANK Haus German American Culture Center. Each brewery will showcase at least two different craft beers, with some limited releases as well! The first session is from 12-4 pm and the second session is from 6-10 pm. Tickets are $10 and must be purchased in advance. Find more information here and then purchase your tickets here!

Evanston: The Barn Steakhouse is kicking off a new dinner series in 2019! Held the second Tuesday of every month, the dinners feature wine and spirits from The Barn’s friends and partners, perfectly paired with modern takes on steakhouse classics. Settle into the restaurant’s rustic loft space with your hostess Amy Morton and your month’s beverage host for a delicious (and educational!) evening. If you choose to make the Dinner Monthly Series a tradition, you’ll get a special reward: attend six dinners and get the seventh on the house! This Tuesday, January 8, the theme is “Rich Red Wines in Winter”, hosted by Sandeep Ghaey of Vinic Wines. The dinner is $100 per person plus tax and gratuity. Tickets for dinner are available online or for more information, you can call the restaurant at 847.868.8041. You can also visit their website.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO