An Evening with English Gin

The Bedford is hosting a night of English gin tasting and self discovery on Wednesday, April 18th! If you prefer vodka because you think gin tastes like burning pine trees, perhaps you haven't tasted it properly. Erick Castro, English Gins Brand Ambassador, will show you how to concoct creative cocktails while conversing confusingly in a Cockney accent. Unnecessary alliteration aside, this is your chance to experience a variety of gins including Beefeater, Beefeater 24 (Kiefer Sutherland edition) and Plymouth. Appetizers will also be served to ensure that you don't blow chunks in The Bedford's illustrious bank vault. 

An Evening with English Gin
Wednesday, April 18 | 6 - 8 PM or 9 - 11 PM
The Bedford
1621 West Division
http://www.bedfordchicago.com/

RSVP at http://englishginvasion.com/rsvp/chicago

Tax Day Free Stuff - April 17

Tuesday, April 17th is Tax Day and it's gonna hit you harder than a swift kick to the perineum. Have you filed your taxes yet? I sure haven't! Here's your chance to reward your unrelenting procrastination with a smorgasbord of deals, courtesy of dealnews.com, being offered by businesses and restaurants around the country:

• Arby's: Get an order of Value Curly Fries for free when you "Like" the Arby's Facebook page
• Auntie Anne's: Buy one Signature Pretzel and get a second Signature Pretzel for free when you "Like" the Auntie Anne's Facebook page (ends April 25)
• Boston Market: Buy one individual meal and a soft drink, get a second individual meal for free via printable coupon
• Bruegger's Bagels: Get a Baker's Dozen of bagels and two tubs of cream cheese for $10.40 when you "Like" the Bruegger's Bagels Facebook page
• Chili's: Buy an entree and get an app or dessert for free via printable coupon (ends April 18)
• Champps Americana: Get two burgers for $15, or two entrees for $25
• Chevys Fresh Mex: Get two tax-free Herradura Margaritas for $10.40
• Cinnabon: Get two Cinnabon Bites for free from 6 pm to 8 pm (local time)
• HydroMassage: Get a HydroMassage Experience for free via printable coupon (ends April 20)
• Hooter's: Get 20 boneless wings for only $9.99 all day on Tax Day
• Maggie Moo's: Get a scoop of frozen yogurt for free from 4 pm to 7 pm (local time)
• Marble Slab: Get a scoop of frozen yogurt for free from 4 pm to 7 pm (local time)
• McCormick & Schmick's: Enjoy an extended happy hour from 3:30 pm to 11:00 pm (local time) with cheap food and drinks
• Office Depot: Get 5 lbs. of documents shredded for free via printable coupon (ends April 28)
• P.F. Chang's: Place an order online and get 15% off when you pick it up at the restaurant
• Panda Express: Get a Shanghai Angus Steak for free when you "Like" the Panda Express Facebook page
• Seattle's Best: Get a small coffee for free
• Sonic: Get half-price drinks and slushies at drive-in locations
• White Castle: Get 15% off via printable coupon

Source: Dealnews.com

Raise The Macallan

Get ready to Raise The Macallan again as the single malt scotch maker returns to Chicago for more shenanigans! The Macallan scotch tasting will take place at the River East Arts Center beginning on Tuesday, April 17th. There are several dates and time slots available, but just like a Chicago resident at an Indiana gas station, they'll probably fill up quickly.

Raise The Macallan Scotch Tasting Event
Tuesday, April 17 - Friday, April 20 | Multiple Time Slots Available
River East Arts Center
435 East Illinois Street

Click HERE to RSVP

Picasso and Beyond

KM Fine Arts is hosting a wine and cheese reception in honor of the new Picasso and Beyond exhibition on Friday, April 13th. Picasso and Beyond is a showcase of various pieces from legendary artists such as Picasso, Miro, Botero, Chagall and Old Dirty Bastard. Make sure you RSVP for this one!

Picasso and Beyond
Friday, April 13 | 5 - 8 PM
John Hancock Center
875 N. Michigan Ave | Suite 2515

RSVP to info@kmfinearts.com or 312.255.1202

Topshop Spring Style Party

Topshop is throwing a Spring Style Party with CS Magazine on Wednesday, April 18th at the flagship store on the Mag Mile. Topshop's "personal shopping team" and some of Chicago's top fashion bloggers will be on hand to offer styling and fashion tips. Professional beauty scientists from Teddie Kossof Salon Spa will be there to provide complimentary hair styling, makeovers, and mini manicures, and a 20% discount will be applied to all purchases. DJ Dani Deahl will be on the 1s and 2s and cocktails and sweet treats are on the menu. This should be a good time, especially if you like clothes that make you look terrible.

Topshop Spring Style Party
Wednesday, April 18 | 6 - 9 PM
830 N. Michigan Ave

RSVP to rsvpchicago@modernluxury.com
Click HERE for the official Facebook page

Cityscape and ItaliAsia Thirsty Thursdays

Thirsty Thursdays are still in effect! ItaliAsia and Cityscape Bar are hosting quite a few events throughout the month of April:

Mixology Class (Whiskey, Whisky, and Scotch)
Thursday, April 12 | 6 - 7 PM
350 W. Mart Center Drive
RSVP to to cityscape@martplaza.com

Vino with a View Sampling (Wine Tasting w/ apps)
Thursday, April 19 | 6 - 7 PM
350 W. Mart Center Drive
RSVP to to cityscape@martplaza.com

Cooking Demo (Wine and food samples)
Thursday, April 26 | [Time not listed]
350 W. Mart Center Drive
RSVP to italiasia@martplaza.com

The Balvenie Rare Craft Experience

The Balvenie Rare Craft Experience is going down on Thursday, May 3rd, and I think you want to be there to witness it. Why, you ask? It's simple really:

Free single malt scotch + appetizers = 

The Balvenie Rare Craft Experience
Thursday, May 3 | 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Near Racine and Madison (Actual Location TBA) 

RSVP to chi.may3@thebalveniersvp.com with your name, date of birth, and zip code.
Email Subject: RSVP: The Balvenie Rare Craft Experience 

Check your inbox for the confirmation email!

Carlisle Wide Plank Showcase Opening

Wide Plank

Carlisle Wide Plank Floors is opening a new showroom at the Chicago Merchandise Mart on Wednesday, April 18th, and they want you to get blitzed to celebrate the occasion! When I Googled "wide plank" I assumed the company logo would pop up, but as you can see from the picture I posted, my actual results were a tad awesomer. Drinks and light appetizers are complimentary which means I'll definitely be attending this event.  The Merch Mart is like a wild game reserve filled with tan cougars preying on young man meat.  Maybe I can get some bills paid? Don't look at me like I'm some kinda hooker!

Carlisle Wide Plank Floors Grand Opening
Wednesday, April 18 | 6 - 8 PM
222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza

RSVP @ 800.595.9663

I only hook for rent money!

Gentleman's Happy Hour

Gallery KH and Trunk Club Men's Outfitter are hosting a Gentleman's Happy Hour on Friday, April 27th. Trunk Club, which I assume is a brand aimed at well-endowed men, will whip out the new spring collection while artist Rick Stevens shows off his latest works. If you like em long and hard you'll have a tough time keeping your hands off the complimentary cocktails featuring Spicebox Whisky. Goose Island is also providing the beer and Brunch is bringing up the rear with some fine apps.  I have to admit, that's a pretty nice package!

Gentleman's Happy  Hour
Friday, April 27 | 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Gallery KH
311 W Superior | 1st Floor

RSVP to tckh@trunkclub.com or 312.266.8700

An Evening of Eye Candy

Prepare to get your ocular diabetes on by joining Cotton Candy Couture for An Evening of Eye Candy on Thursday, April 12^th! Before I continue I must apologize for posting yet another event that deceptively reads like an invitation to a strip club. If you’re looking for candy-flavored edible g-strings (crack licorice?), you’re barking up the wrong tree. If you want to preview a new collection of colorful dresses while munching on sweet treats and candy-flavored cocktails, this is the event for you! As a special treat (awesome pun intended) guests will receive complimentary lash application treatments from Epoch Salon! Maybe they can give me the Anthony Davis special (see below)!

Click to enlarge

Additional Info:

Guests are invited to bring any dresses or accessory (purse or shoes) that could be considered prom-worthy; these donations will benefit The Glass Slipper Project, a non-profit organization that provides free prom dresses and accessories to Chicagoland juniors and seniors.  One lucky donor will be selected to receive a complimentary “Original Edit” service, in which Cotton Candy Couture will re-work an old dress into something entirely new!*As an added bonus, Uber, the on-demand private driver service, will be offering guests 50% off rides from the event.

An Evening of Eye Candy

Thursday, April 12 | 6:30 – 8:30 PM

Candyality (Water Tower Place)
835 N. Michigan Ave | 7^th Floor

RSVP to Katie Bina at kbina@skirtpr.com or 773-661-0700