Lollapalooza

In 2010, Lollapalooza is introducing a new & improved Chow Town. This year Lolla offers more dining options than ever. Chow Town is now two different food courts on the Northside and Southside of Grant Park. Look for about 15 new restaurants at the park, along with returning favorites, which together will offer a culinary line-up to match the festival’s hyped headlining musical acts.

Each week, our friends at Foodie will be showcasing these local culinary favorites, as well as tips and deals for dining around Chicago during Lolla weekend. Today’s feature is a preview of the menu items for the 2010 Chow Town. Cheers!

Check out the latest “Recommends” list below from our friends at Foodie. They are giving away a handful of three-day passes here, so go get ‘em!

With all this talk about Chow Town and the amazing food that will be on-site at Lollapalooza (check out the full menu), we haven’t talked at all about drinks(what’s a summer music festival without a few drinks?). We’re not just talking at the festival – there’s no shortage of local watering holes in this town. From beer bars and lounges serving handmade prohibition-style cocktails to rooftops and dance clubs, here are our recommendations of places to hit after the fest to extend your Chicago experience.

ROOFTOP SPOTS

C-View | Great views of the skyline through a wall of glass. Late-night chillin’ with tasty small plates.

Roof | A sprawling space atop the Wit hotel reminiscent of South Beach, with a wood-burning pizza oven and tasty cocktails.

Epic | A couple of cabanas, great couches and a kick-ass cocktail list are just a few of the reasons to go. Another? Amazing food downstairs.

Vertigo Sky Lounge | Stop in earlier for dinner at Aja to sample incredible pan-Asian cuisine. Stay later for a hot vibe and cool DJ.

COOL COCKTAIL LOUNGES/SPEAKEASIES

Drawing Room | Adjacent to Le Passage; culinary cocktails made tableside and make-you-go-mmm small plates.

J Bar | Chill music and dark nooks to canoodle, bottle service and a cool vibe.

The Bluebird | Whether you want a global wine list, top-shelf spirits, dozens of beers or some of the city’s best French fries, head to Bucktown.

The Whistler | Laid-back hipster vibe with less-expensive handcrafted cocktails. And maybe live music.

The Violet Hour | As speakeasy as they come. Elegant and refined. Strict no-cell-phone policy. All cocktails $12 and worth every penny.

Bar DeVille | Vintage, laid-back vibe. Pool table. Huge local craft beer list and classic cocktails.

Tiny Lounge | Floor-to-ceiling windows with a relaxed setting to drink global brews and spirits. Hungry? Don’t miss the minced lamb pizzetta or Tiny burgers.

BEER BARS

Hopleaf | Hike up to Andersonville and you’ll be rewarded with one of the city’s most revered collection of Belgian brews.

Map Room | More than 200 unique brands and 36 brewing styles. If you can’t find it here, stay home.

Small Bar | With three locations (Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, Logan Square), you’re likely to fit in. Order a beer and you definitely will.

WINE BARS

Rootstock | One of the coolest finds in the city. Nestled in Humboldt Park with an incredible selection of drinks, upscale late-night small plates, no dress code, no attitude.

Webster’s Wine Bar | On the Chicago River. Two floors and feels like a cool old house. Number of wines by the glass to choose from? 35. Bottles on the list? 500+

Volo | Dark and mysterious with one of the city’s best backyard patios (read: semi-private cabanas!). Plenty of flights to help ease that decision.

The Tasting Room | At the end of Randolph Street’s Restaurant Row with sweeping views of downtown and an award-winning wine list.

GAY BARS

Second Story | A Downtown gay dive with a Northwoods Wisconsin feel. It gets cramped, but it’s always a blast.

Sidetrack | Chicago’s grande dame of Halsted Street. Strong slushies, dance videos and a friendly crowd.

Big Chicks | Head to Uptown to dance, enjoy cheap vodka lemonade and get cruised by the pool table.

DIVES & DANCE JOINTS

Rainbo | Liz Phair shot the cover for Exile in Guyville in the photo booth. Need we say more? Fine: cheap PBR.

Smart Bar | When it comes to house music, there’s no better spot in Chicago then Smart Bar, which sits below the Metro. Rock out then dance till 5 a.m.

Gold Star | Cheap drinks. Rough around the edges. Bring plenty of Purel.

Debonair Social Club | This hipster dance spot plays music from all your favorite Lolla artists. Many bands often drop by to spin after their shows.