A review of options this evening, as culled from various news sources.
*
Event: Grant Park Rally
Time: 8:30 p.m. gate opens
Place: Hutchinson Field
Special Features: Guest appearance by the president-elect.
Commentary: Weight the competing impulses of participating in a historic event versus coming face-to-face with “the people.”
*
Event: Illinois for McCain
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Place: English, 444 N. LaSalle St.
Special Features: Free drinks first two hours.
Commentary: Short lines at the bar may make up for the gloomy ambiance.
*
Event: Onion News Network coverage
Time: 7:01 p.m.
Place: Quencher’s, 2401 N. Western Ave.
Special Feature: $2 PBR longnecks
Commentary: Beats watching real TV, but live music starts at 9 so load up on PBRs and high-tail it to another event.
*
Event: Bronzeville Celebration
Time: 6 p.m.
Place: Bronzeville Information Center Exhibit Gallery, 411, East 35th St.
Special Features: Frugal Joe’s Beer, $2; free popcorn
Commentary: Discover the South Side. It’s where our next president is (sort of) from.
*
Event: Election Day screening
Time: 6 p.m.
Place: Century Centre Cinema, 2828 North Clark
Special Features: Filmmaker Q&A
Commentary: Do you really want to see a movie tonight?
*
Event: FitzGerald’s Election Watch Party
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Place: 6615 Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn
Special Features: “Wishbone pick-and-pay election night buffet.”
Commentary: If you’re going to leave the city limits, this is probably the best place to be.
*
Event: TVOne & Essence Party
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Chicago Hilton & Towers, 720 S. Michigan Ave.
Special Features: Hosted by Jesse Jackson Jr. and Sandi Jackson
Commentary: You mean the Jacksons won’t be celebrating with Barack? Or does the president-elect make an appearance?
*
Event: Election Night Fight
Time: 1444 W. Chicago Ave.
Place: Sonotheque
Special Features: Will serve the Alaskan Hockey Mom”- a shot of Svedka vodka with PBR; $5
Commentary: The city’s Hipsters for Obama chapters will meet here but decide they are too cool for Alaska Hockey Mom shots and head to the Rainbo instead.
*
Event: The Tony Peraica Meltdown
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Place: Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave.
Special Features: Cash bar, Tony Peraica
Commentary: Hey, isn’t this the same location as the Jackson event? Made-for-TV!
*
Event: Election Night Bash
Time: 8 p.m.
Place: Hyde Park Hair Salon
Special Features: Food, drink; $50
Commentary: Barack has gotten his hair cut here for 14 years, so maybe you’ll find a snip on the floor that you can press into your diary.
Division Street 