The Great Pumpkin Event Guide To Chicago
By Lauren Wulf
The official season to celebrate all things pumpkin is upon us. From pumpkin lattes to pumpkin pizza, it seems pumpkin is everywhere. Below are some pumpkin themed events to get you feeling festive!
Pumpkin Carving Party at High Noon Saloon
High Noon Saloon
1560 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60622
773-227-9339
HighNoonChicago.com
When: October 24, 2013
Time: 7:00PM
High Noon Saloon in Wicker Park will host a pumpkin carving party on Thursday, October 24 at 7 p.m. The Saloon will provide all of the carving necessities, as well as complimentary Goose Island Green Line brews from 7-8 p.m. Local musician Eric Ortiz will play live starting at 9 p.m. If pumpkin beer is what you're after, High Noon Saloon will have Southern Tier PumKing available in snifters for $8. Prizes and giveaways will be awarded.
Pumpkin Beer Tasting At Franklin Tap
Franklin Tap
325 S. Franklin Street
Chicago, IL 60606
312-212-3262
FranklinTap.com
When: October 24, 2013
Time: 5:00PM
On Thursday, October 24 at 5 p.m., Sam Adams will be in-house to sample their two unique pumpkin brews. Sam Adams Fat Jack Double Pumpkin Ale and House of Shandy Jack-O-Traveler Pumpkin Shandy will be sure to get guests in the Halloween mood. Fat Jack Double Pumpkin Ale will be $7 and Jack-O-Traveler Pumpkin Shandy will be $5 through October 26.
As Halloween approaches, Franklin Tap will also feature Southern Tier PumKing for $6 from October 28 to November 2.
Halloween At Timothy O'Toole's
Timothy O'Toole's Pub
622 N. Fairbanks Court
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 642-0700
www.TimothyOTooles.com
When: October 24, 2013 - Eighth Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest
Time: 8PM
When: October 26, 2013- Halloween Costume Party
Time: 10PM-4AM
Timothy O'Toole's Pub in Streeterville will kick-off the Halloween holiday with their eighth annual pumpkin carving contest on Thursday, October 24 at 8 p.m. O'Toole's will provide the pumpkins and carving materials, while carvers simply come with creative ideas. Prizes (and bragging rights) will be awarded to the top three pumpkin artists.
On Saturday, October 26, Timothy O'Toole's will hold their annual Halloween Costume Party with a $250 cash prize for the best dressed guest. A DJ will spin party tunes starting at 10 p.m. and the costume judging will take place at midnight. Both events are free to attend.
Yacht-O-Ween at the Division Ale House
Division Ale House
1942 W. Division St.
Chicago, Illinois 60622
773-384-6886
divisionalehouse.com
Cost: $40
When: October 31, 2013
Time: 8PM
Take your Halloween festivities up a notch this year with a yacht-themed party. The Ale House hosts a Yacht Party on Halloween night featuring a "captain's dinner" meal package that includes a three-course prix-fixe and four drink tickets valid for draft and bottled beers, wines and select cocktails. The meal package features soup or salad, choice of entrée and select dessert. Highlights include roasted sweet potato corn chowder, a mixed green salad with cranberries and gorgonzola, prime rib with horseradish sauce and grilled mahi mahi. Resident DJs spin the best Yacht Rock and the bar sets up beach background for photo opportunities. Yachting attire is encouraged (also makes your costume easy!). Reservations are required at divisionalehouse.com or 773-384-6886. The event starts at 8 p.m. and dinner service begins at 8:30 p.m. The Ale House is open from 4 p.m.-2 a.m. on October 31.
Pumpkin Burger and Beer Pairing at Epic
Epic
112 W. Hubbard Street
Chicago, IL 60654
312-222-4940
EpicRestaurantChicago.com
When: Now- October 31, 2013
Each month at Epic, Chef Matthew Pollock creates a different burger and beer pairing, available in the lounge and on the rooftop. During the month of October, Chef Pollock's pumpkin-themed pairing features a burger topped with fried pumpkin, caramelized apple and Swiss cheese, served with seasoned, hand-cut fries and a bottle of Lakefront Brewery's Pumpkin Lager for $15. The pumpkin burger and brew pairing will be offered on Epic's lounge and rooftop menu from October 1 through October 31.
Lauren Wulf, CBS Chicago
Lauren Wulf writes about living in Chicago on a budget on her website, A Poor Girl's Guide Chicago.
