A painting party at Bottle & Bottega
Celebrating New Year’s Eve with the same old bubbly and dancing events can get old after awhile. Inject a little more creativity into your celebrations with these inspired Chicago affairs:
Bottle & Bottega’s New Year’s Bash (2900 N. Lincoln, (773) 313-9133) : There’s nothing like art to add an interesting spin to anything. This art class and socializing space offers a new year’s celebration that combines fine art with a festive backdrop. The painting party kicks off at 8:30 and guided instruction for masterpiece-worthy brush strokes lasts until 9:45. Then the easels are cleared out and a Mexican buffet with BYOB starts at 10PM, completed with dancing and New Year’s toasts. The event lasts until 12:30 AM, tickets are $45 and reservations are required.
Dank Haus Silvesrterball (4740 N. Western, (773) 561-9181): Give your celebration German flair with polka and lots of quirky traditions at Dank Haus German American Cultural Center. Powered by the sequined and guitar-slinging Polkaholics, this party supplies an affordable alternative to New Year’s Eve excess. Cultural highlights include a Bleigiessen, which traditionally involves melting lead but the center will substitute wax which is dropped into a cold bowl of water and the resulting shapes are interpreted for new Year’s fortunes. Another ritual featured is the Feuerzangenbowle, a sugar cone soaked in high proof rum and lit on fire over spiced wine. The sugar drips into the wine and crowds gather around for sips of the sweet spirits. German beer, champagne, pretzels and dried beef sausages will also be for sale. Doors open at 8PM and the event runs until 2AM. Tickets are $15 at the door.
Photo courtesy of Bottle & Bottega
