Sunday Night Social, Where To Go Out
The Orbit Room
2959 North California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60618-7702
(773) 588-8540
Open Mon-Fri 4pm-2am
Sat 11am-3am
Sun 11am-12am
www.orbitroomchicago.com
With tables full of whiskey shots and country tunes in the background, The Orbit Room's Sunday night Honky Tonk Bingo banishes any images of blue-haired seniors calling numbers in a banquet hall. The back patio of this Avondale bar opens 7 pm each Sunday to the bar's Bingo hopefuls. Popular caller Durwood Wilkes insists that Honky Tonk Bingo is "not a drunken foolishness where we happen to play bingo; we give away fabulous prizes, but sometimes there's public humiliation involved if you [mess] up and call 'bingo' when ya ain't got bingo."
Hideout Chicago
1354 W Wabansia Ave
Chicago, Illinois 60642
(773) 227-4433
Tuesday 7p–2a
Wednesday–Friday 4p – 2a
Saturday 7p–3a
Sunday-Monday Check Calendar
www.hideoutchicago.com
This venerable Chicago institution normally projects a low-key vibe until bodies really get the joint moving for the weekend dance parties. Once the dust settles on the late night crowd, Sunday evening shifts back to a calmer pace. Most musical action takes place during the weekdays, though every couple Sunday's throughout the month the Hideout will book an act that fits perfectly in to a laid-back but still social start to the week.
The Green Mill Lounge
Uptown Poetry Slam
4802 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 878-5552
Hours: 7 PM: Open Mike; 8 PM:
Featured Guest(s); 9 PM: Slam Competition
www.greenmilljazz.com
www.slampapi.com
Since 1985, poet Marc Smith—regarded by some as creator and founder of the poetry slam movement—began a reading series that continues the Chicago jazz and poetry tradition under the roof of The Green Mill Lounge. Each Sunday newcomers are welcome to perform for the crowd for the open mic portion, followed by a bloc of featured poets from Chicago and around the country. The most anticipated part of the night starts at 9 pm, when the slam competition kicks off. Audience approval (heavily influenced by Smith at times) dictates the winner, with a drink and a $1 bill as the take-home for the evening's champ.
Gallery Cabaret
2020 N Oakley Ave
Chicago, IL 60647-4153
(773) 489-5471
Daily 7pm -10pm
www.gallerycabaret.com
Gallery Cabaret is so fond of giving up and coming musicians a shot that open mic nights dominate their weekly schedule with one almost every other night. On Sunday's, patrons get to enjoy a two-for-one, with a double header of open mic performances. The earlier set starts at 7, for those who still want to get a full night's sleep before Monday. For the second shifters who arrive for the 10 pm set, free dinner and drink specials are their reward for keeping the joint hopping until close.
Maria's Packaged Goods & Community Bar
960 W 31st St
Chicago, IL 60608
(773) 890-0588
Mon-Fri 11 am-2 am
Sat 11 am-3 am
Sun 2 pm - 2 am
www.community-bar.com
Named after his mother, de facto ambassador of the Bridgeport neighborhood, Ed Marszewski took over the longtime bar and re-christened it in her honor. The drink list and subtly stylish decor are enough of a draw on their own, but the bar's events schedule keeps neighbors coming through the door. Sundays are kept open for relaxed movie and TV show screenings, dedicated either to art-house features of quirky shows with cult followings. DJs and music acts make an occasional Sunday showing, but for the most part Maria's provides the "winding down from the weekend" evening that you'd otherwise spend at home in your PJs.
