After you vote on Tuesday, there’s no reason to sweat it out awaiting the results alone in your house. Plenty of venues across the city—including, ahem, all of Grant Park—are hosting election-night festivities, and some of them offer discounts for those who can provide their voter receipt, which all of you will have anyway, so you have nothing to worry about, right? So vote, and then party. Just make sure you vote. VOTE.
Barack My World Accept victory or defeat with all kinds of acts at Abbey Pub’s Barack my World. The Athen’s Boys Choir performs alongside 8 Inch Betsy, Anaturale and Lemmy Caution. Abbey Pub, 3420 W. Grace, (773)478-4408. 7pm. $6 in advance, $8 at the door.
Better Dead than Red Rock to the results at the Empty Bottle. Admission is free for those who voted and three bands—The Statues of Liberty, Farewell Captain and Panther Style—help you savor the historical moment. Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western, (773)276-3600. 8pm-2pm. Free for voters, $5 for non-voters.
Bipartisan Blowout For a small fee, celebrate being free in the most appropriate of places—The Freedom Museum. With lots of food and wine, it’s a guaranteed good time. McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum, 435 N. Michigan, (312)222-4860. 6pm. $15 non-members, members free.
Goat Election Watch 2008 If you prefer your post-poll party to include a little more political discussion, Schubas is your spot. There, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs hosts a party with a more intellectual air, complete with guest political experts and a “Swing State Prediction Raffle” to test your precognitive skills. Schubas, 3159 N. Southport, (312)535-2508. 6:30pm-2am. Free.
Grant Park Obama Rally While not taking place in a club or bar like all the others, the Grant Park Obama Rally may be the biggest, most badass bash of the night (election results willing). Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to descend on Hutchinson Field in the Southern end of Grant Park for the free and open to the public rally. Grant Park, Congress and Columbus, Free.
Election Night @ Big Chicks Celebrate Joe Sixpack-style at Big Chicks. Present your voting stub and get a free shot from owner Michelle. Big Chicks, 5024 N. Sheridan, (773)728-5511. 5pm. Free.
Election Night Fight If candidate-themed drink specials are your thing, Election Night Fight is sure to treat you right. There, the “Very Very Old Fashioned” McCain beverage wets redder whistles while the “Black Velvet” Obama option satisfies the more blue of you. Sonotheque, 1444 W. Chicago, (312)226-7600. 9pm-2am. Free.
Election Night Live Dance for democracy with DJs Bald Eagle, Mother Hubbard, A-Cup and Derek Berry. Tired? Take a break and watch live election results stream in on the big screen. Metro, 3730 N. Clark, (773)549-0203. 7pm. Free.
Election Night Party at Joe’s Bar Joe’s Bar provides singles only with an all-inclusive evening of dinner, drinks and election results. Shell out the cash, and you just might meet your (political) match. Joe’s Bar, 940 W. Weed, (312)337-3486. 7:30pm-10:30pm. $50-$60.
Election Results Watch Party Common, Talib Kweli and Rahsaan host what has to be the baddest election-day bash. Hanging at the Hard Rock Café from 7pm until 2am, these big boys of hip-hop help you watch history happen. Hard Rock Café, 63 W. Ontario, (312)943-2250. 7pm-2am. RSVP and get in free before 8pm.
Election ’08 Viewing Party Club Royale takes post-election celebration seriously. A live jazz band, large projection screen and full kitchen menu make theirs a party with purpose. Club Royale, 205 N. Peoria, (312)666-9400. 6pm. Free with RSVP.
End of the World Dance Party Get real wild with live hip-hop from Bin Laden Blowin Up and Phillip Morris and with DJ sets from Itch 13, DJ Reaganomix and Mr. Bobby. Free champagne if Obama wins, free consolation shots if he doesn’t. Liar’s Club, 665 W. Fullerton, (773)665-1110. 9pm. Free.
Party of Choice Rock the Vote, Entity Entertainment and PL5 Magazine host an evening of non-partisan partying, warmly welcoming both Demos and Repubs. DJ Third Degree, DJ Spre and DJ Ro Parrish (the official DJ of the Dallas Mavericks) get all people moving and mixing. Crimson Lounge in Hotel Sax, 333 N. Dearborn, (312)923-2543. 10pm. Free with RSVP at: [email protected].
Red, White and You Do a little more for the world and party at this charity-focused, post-election celebration. Drink and watch the polls while raising money for the children of the Off the Street Club. State Bar and Restaurant, 935 W. Webster, (773)975-8030. 7pm-9pm. Free.
Stretch Run Election Night Party Avoid confrontation (and honor your nation) at Stretch Run’s Election Night Party. A Blue Room and a Red Room, each fairly outfitted with twenty screens on which to watch results, insure that everyone acts as adults. Stretch Run Sporting Club and Grill, 544 N. LaSalle, (312)644-4477. 7pm. Free.
