EAT
MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY
Mercadito
108 W. Kinzie St. 312-329-9555
Chef Patricio Sandoval celebrates his roots with the traditional Mexican holiday dish, Chile en Nogada (ground pork, green apple- and plantain-stuffed peppers with walnut cinnamon sauce and pomegranate; $21), plus other off-menu specials and $11 La Patria cocktails made with tequila and smoked pineapple liqueur. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; 5 p.m.-midnight.
FISH & FUNK
Spiaggia
980 N. Michigan Ave., 2nd floor 312-280-2750
Join chef Sarah Grueneberg, sommelier Jason Carlen and guest chef Giuseppe Tentori of GT Fish & Oyster in the bar for roasted swordfish with pasta, eggplant and smoked mozzarella-served in between the head and tail of the swordfish and rolled out to the bar for presentation-plus tuna poke, fried oyster sliders, miso aioli octopus and other snacks, funk music and half-off specialty cocktails and glasses of wine. 7-10 p.m. $20. Tickets: brownpapertickets.com/event/455620
DRINK
(Free!) VOYAGE INTO THE UNKNOWN
Salvage One
1840 W. Hubbard St. 312-733-0098
Enter Hendrick's gin's sideshow-themed party featuring a botanist who explains the spirit's eleven botanicals, an apothecary shop with a chemist, Hendrick's cocktail samples and eclectic live music from White Ghost Shivers. 7:30 p.m.. Monday-Tuesday. RSVP required: hendricksgin.com/voyages-rm.
DO
FOODRAISER FOR FREEDOM
The Hideout
1354 W. Wabansia Ave. 773-227-4433
Celebrate and support marriage equality with State Representatives Greg Harris and Kelly Cassidy amidst a cake walk, food trucks, silent auction featuring merch from local restaurants and a guitar signed by Hideout Block Party performers including Neko Case and Mavis Staples and music by guest DJs Steve Albini, Tim Mazurek, Rob Miller and Lea Tshilds. 7-10 p.m. $10-$50. Tickets: bit.ly/FoodRaiser
(Free!) WATERWALK
W Chicago City Center
172 W. Adams St. 312-332-1200
Mingle with Chicago fashion expert Kevin Aeh over hosted appetizers and cocktails at this Charity:Water benefit where you can strut the runway-in your bare feet with two 40-pound fuel cans painted by designer Jason Pickleman-and W Hotels donates $45 for your efforts to a clean water and sanitation fund in India. 6:30-9 p.m. RSVP required: wcharitywater@jklspr.com.
REDEYE TIP OF THE DAY
Get tickets for the Chicago in White flash mob dining party Sept. 22: chicagoinwhite.com.