Bronzeville Inaugural Ball

Looking for an excuse to wear that impulse-buy tux? We hear you, and so does the Bronzeville Inaugural Ball. They provide just that, plus Grey Goose cocktails. Parkway Ballroom, 4455 S. King, (773)373-4320. 6pm-10pm, $50. RSVP required.

Chicago Inaugural Ball Borrowing Obama's Inauguration theme—"Renewing America's Promise"—this ball comes at you fast. Comedian Julianna Forlano and the bands the Chicago Catz and Deal's Gone Bad perform. McCormick Palace, 2301 S. Lake Shore, (312)791-7500. 7pm, $175.

Chicago Inaugural Celebration at Aragon Ballroom

Join fellow patriots in style at the Aragon Ballroom to show your renewed trust in America's promise. 1106 W. Lawrence, (773)561-9500. 8pm-1am. $25.

Chicago Young Republicans Inaugural After Party

If imbibing Obama-themed cocktails doesn't drown but instead intensifies your sorrows, this after-party is the place for you. DuPage County States Attorney Joe Birkett will be there (with the other few McCainites and Palin-pushers). Dugan's Drinking Emporium, 128 N. Halsted, (773)569-3303. 5:30pm-8pm, $20-$50. Free for Chicago Young Republican Members.

Inaugural Brunch at Hawthorne Race Course

175 flat-screen TVs and a buffet which includes one bloody mary or mimosa. Two-hour open bar for $20 extra. 3501 S. Laramie, Cicero, (708)780-3700. 9:30am-12:30pm. $30-$50.

Inauguration Celebration Champagne, live music from the West Wingers and inaugural ball footage displayed on a jumbo screen make this inauguration celebration a perfectly affordable knock-off of the real thing. FitzGerald's, 6615 Roosevelt, Berwyn, (708)788-2118. 6:30pm, $5.

Inauguration Celebration of Change Forum and Party

Beer, wine, coffee and other refreshments while watching the festivities on projection screens throughout the entire store from 10am-7pm, and at 7pm take part in current-events discussion, followed by a DJ and dancing. Local artists paint their works both on site and on T-shirts (BYO or to be purchased there). The Silver Room, 1442 N. Milwaukee, (773)278-7130. 10am-11pm, Free.

Inauguration Day at Carnivale A relaxing way to watch the coverage—in the lounge with a Margarita del Presidente. 702 W. Fulton, (312)850-5005.

Inauguration Day at Chen's Chinese and Sushi

Half-priced wine at Chen's Chinese and Sushi. 3506 N. Clark, (773)549-9100. 4:30pm-11pm, prices vary.

Inauguration Day at Cityscape Bar Drink specials and a beautiful view make Cityscape a no-go for few. 350 W. Mart Center, (312)836-5000. 4:30pm-1am.

Inauguration Day at Dunlays on the Square

A complimentary champagne toast and $5 O-bombs make this coverage-watching party a bit bubblier. Be there and be (on the) Square. 3137 W. Logan, (773)227-2400.

Inauguration Day at Garrett Ripley's Play presidential trivia (for prizes!) while sipping half-price wine. Garrett Ripley's promises a patriotic good time. 712 N. Clark, (312)642-2900. 11pm-2am.

Inauguration Day at Kit Kat Lounge You know what they say—"Unprecedented times call for unusual celebrations." (Do they say that?) Regardless, the Kit Kat Lounge takes the non-mantra to heart. Their inauguration celebration includes the works—tarot card readings, a performance by the Kit Kat Divas, O-bomb tinis and more. 2700 N. Halsted, (773)525-1111. 5:30pm-2am, $25.

Inauguration Day at People Lounge

Features DJ Phil Mixtape, $5 Obama bombs and Svedka cocktails, and $4 premium drafts. 1560 N. Milwaukee, (773)227-9339. 5pm-2am. No cover.

Inauguration Day at Poag Mahone's For one day only at Poag's, patrotic jokes and Obama-themed drink recipes produce more than groans. Prizes are awarded for most awesome one-liners and to damn-good drink designers. Red, white and blue wear encouraged, forty-four-cent wings provided. 333 S. Wells, (312)556-9100. 10am-9:30pm.

Inauguration Day at Stretch Run

240 flat-screen TVs insure optimum inauguration intake. $5 Barack on the Rocks cocktails, Barack's Blue martinis and $4 Blue Moon drafts help it all go down smooth. 544 N. LaSalle, (312)644-4477. 4:30pm-2am.

Inauguration Day at Sully's This inauguration celebration boasts—surprise!—presidental-themed cocktails. The plus? Not just the most recent inauguree is represented. Sully's House Tap Room and Grill, 1501 N. Dayton, (312)929-2779. 6pm.

Inauguration Day menu at Le Lan

Special three-course meals in honor of the inauguration. 749 N. Clark, (312)280-9100. 5:30pm-10pm, $38.

Inauguration Day Party at C-View Free appetizers and desserts and live music by the Josh Burke Duo give this Inauguration Day party an edge-up on its competitors. 166 E. Superior Street, (312)523-0923. 5pm-11pm. No cover.

Inauguration Day Pub Quiz at Martyrs' Think you've got 2008 pretty down? Head over to Martyrs' with three equally in-the know pals to strut your this-year stuff. 3855 N. Lincoln, (773)404-9869. 6pm, $10.

Inauguration Gala and Martin Luther King Birthday Extravaganza Get the most bang for zero buck. This combo-celebration has it all—video clips of MLK and O-B-A-M-A, a performance by the Dee Alexander jazz quartet and new work by composer Elbio Barilari. The Morse Theatre, 1328 Morse, (773)654-5100. 6:45pm, Free.

Inauguration menu at David Burke's Primehouse

Specially priced three-course lunches available during a week-long celebration at Burke's Primehouse. 616 N. Rush, (312)660-6000. Jan. 19-23, 11am-3pm. $20.09.

Inauguration Party at Fizz Bar & Grill

Free buffet from 6pm-9pm and $4 select drafts and wine. 3220 N. Lincoln, (773)348-6088. 6pm-2am, No cover.

Kids Inauguration Party at Borders

Inauguration Party for the kids. Activities and games, and even a scavenger hunt. 755 W. North, (312)266-8060. Jan. 17, 2pm. Free.

The Obama Chicago Ball

Large-screen coverage with an open bar, including dessert and live music by Maggie Speaks. 12220 S. Cicero, Alsip, (708)371-7000. 5:30pm-10:30pm. $90-$130.

The Obama Chicago Ball at Condesa del Mar

Gala thrown by local attorney Tom Paris. 12220 S. Cicero, Alsip, (708)371-7000. 5:30pm-10:30pm. $90-$130.

The Obama Inauguration HouseMuzik Marathon

High-energy dancing all night long to the rhythms of DJ Byron Burke. 5706 S. Western, (708)318-4798. $5.

Presidential Inauguration Party at Flourish Studios

Start off by watching the swearing-in ceremony at 11am. Then, both children and adults can enjoy workshops, art projects and story time. 3020 N. Lincoln, (773)281-8140. 10am. $25.

Red, White and Blue Ball Obama (and Michelle)-inspired $5 martinis. Maeve, 1325 N. Wrightwood, (773)388-3333. 4pm-2am.

South Loop Hotel

Two-day packages available, which include a hotel room and live inaugural broadcasts in ballrooms. 2600 S. State, (312)225-7000. 7am-11pm, $175.

South Shore Fancy Family Inaugural Ball

Join the Chicago Public Library—South Shore for a fancy and fun night of inaugural celebration. 2505 E. 73rd, (312)747-5281. Free.

(2009-01-13)

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