EAT
Polish Seoul food (free!)
Maria's Packaged Goods and Community Bar, 960 W. 31st St. 773-890-0588
Head to the patio for the Bridgeport bar's free Korean Polish barbecue, which includes Polish sausage and kimchi. Also included: additional fare such as burgers and marinated chicken wings and $1 off all draft beers (including craft options) to wash down all that grilled goodness. 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Increase your odds
Frontier, 1072 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-772-4322
Jump-start your week with something out of the ordinary at Odd Bit Monday where this week, chef Brian Jupiter offers a braised beef cheek with patatas bravas, spicy tomato sauce and caper aioli ($10) and the drink specials include $3 select whiskeys, bourbons and domestic drafts plus half-price craft beer bottles. 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
DRINK
Summer sippers
The Barrelhouse Flat, 2624 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-857-0421
Get into the spirit(s) of summer with $11 seasonal cocktails including the Sleepaway Camp (gin, Campari, amaro, creme de violette, orange bitters and absinthe) or an Ernest Hemingway favorite, Death in the Afternoon-which kills your after-work blues with equal parts champagne and absinthe. 6 p.m.-2 a.m.
DO
Hit that note
Duffy's Tavern and Grille, 420 1/2 W. Diversey Parkway 773-549-9090
Step aside, Jennifer Hudson and Clay Aiken-it's time for the eighth annual Bar1's Big Break: Discovering Chicago's Best, A Vocal Competition. Monday's kickoff features approximately 100 aspiring songbirds, who vie for judge and audience votes with 60-second a cappella performances. The winner-determined Aug. 27-takes home $20,000 in prizes. 7:30 p.m. No cover.
BYO blanket (free!)
Belmont Harbor, 300 W. Belmont Ave. 312-742-1134
The 12th season of the Chicago Park District's Movies in the Parks series begins Monday, so pack some snacks and head to the lakefront for a screening of the classic Hitchcock thriller "Vertigo," starring Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak. The film begins at dusk, weather permitting.
REDEYE TIP OF THE DAY
Check springawakeningfestival.com to plan ahead for this weekend's Spring Awakening Music Festival at Soldier Field.
JULIA BORCHERTS IS A REDEYE SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR.