An Oktoberfest party, a 24-hour DJ marathon, Mexican Independence Day dinner and more things to do in Chicago this weekend, Sept. 16-18.
EAT
Grand Opening (Free!)
4217 N. Ravenswood Ave. 773-360-7687
Visit the BYOB Ravenswood restaurant, chef Dudley Nieto’s third in Chicago, and you’ll get one of its 11 varieties of tacos for free with choices including green curry shrimp with Asian cabbage or Korean beef barbecue with kimchi. Noon-10 p.m. Friday. Free.
Mexican Independence Day
108 W. Kinzie St. 312-329-9555
The River North restaurant celebrates with a multi-course dinner including three types of guacamole, four tacos, two starters such as ceviche or corn masa quesadillas, a side, dessert and a tequila cocktail. 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday. $35.
Garrett Popcorn Shops 67th Anniversary Festival (Free!)
401 N. Michigan Ave. 888-476-7267
Fill a complementary bag from a popcorn bar to snack on while you listen to live music from the Black Ensemble Theater, make wearable art at a tie-dye station and play games and trivia. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Friday. Free.
A Tomato Grows in Bridgeport
3333 S. Iron St. 708-846-5511
Tour Growing Power Chicago’s urban farm and try its products at a BYOB four-course dinner made by Villains Chicago’s executive chef Ian Munroe. 4-7 p.m. Sunday. $40. Tickets: eventbrite.com
Oktoberfest Party
730 W. Grand Ave. 312-243-8955
Listen to live music from The Polkaholics while enjoying $7 Revolution Oktoberfest, $10 German sparkling wine and a $25 buffet featuring pretzels with beer mustard, currywurst, German potato salad and Black Forest cupcakes. 2-5 p.m. Saturday. No cover.
DRINK
Caravan Art Festival
4710 N. Ravenswood Ave. 773-271-4710
A party in the Ravenswood brewpub’s parking lot features pours of Sunday in Saigon Thai basil and lemongrass saison, which was created through a collaboration with Half Acre Beer Company, plus drinks from Dark Matter Coffee, a growler ring toss and gypsy-jazz music from the Gipsy Stringz Quartet and Alfonso Ponticelli and Swing Gitan. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. $5.
DO
Vintage Garage Chicago
5051 N. Broadway 312-505-6373
Shop for vintage home decor, clothing and collectibles with an emphasis on retro Chicago items. You can also bring one item for a free appraisal from noon-4 p.m., with additional items costing $5 each. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. $5.
24 X 24 (Free!)
1808 S. Allport St. 312-585-6106
The Pilsen store hosts a musical marathon with 24 Chicago DJs each playing an hour long vinyl set of whatever type of music they want. Noon Saturday to noon Sunday. Free. Donations accepted for Lumpen Radio.
HAPPY HOUR OF THE DAY
The Flat Iron (1565 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-365-9000) offers a $1 discount on domestic bottles from 4-7 p.m. Friday.
