EAT
Gimme Some Tots
Sweetwater 225 N. Michigan Ave. 312-698-7111
Taters are the tops during the Tots for Tots promotion, where your a la carte order ($4.99) arrives with a choice of six dipping sauces including barbecue, chili aioli and horseradish cream and partial proceeds benefits Toys for Tots. 11 a.m.-midnight.
Party On
Mayne Stage 1328 W. Morse Ave. 773-381-4554
Even if you don't know the host you can still crash The Dinner Party, where NPR's "Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me!" host Peter Sagal, "SNL" alum Tim Kazurinsky and violinist Rachel Barton Pine join Elysabeth Alfano for conversation and an onstage meal by Nellcote chef Jared Van Camp with entertainment by vocalist Lynne Jordan and live visual art by Dmitry Samarov. Admission includes food tastings, wine and Vosges chocolate. 6:30 p.m. $25-$30. Tickets: fearnoartchicago.com.
DRINK
Hello, Andersonville!
Jerry's Andersonville 5419 N. Clark St. 773-796-3777
In honor of the Wicker Park bar's new Clark Street sibling, a the four-day grand opening celebration kicks off Monday with a 6:30 p.m. American Whiskey Class featuring a dozen tastings with snacks ($10) and an 8 p.m. tapping of small-batch Haymarket brews including barrel-aged Indignant imperial stout and Nina's Abbey Quadruple ($6 per eight-ounce pour), Effigy black IPA ($7 per 12-ounce pour) and a special surprise Haymarket offering. 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
Chestnuts and Cheer
Allium 120 E. Delaware Place 312-799-4900
Make your spirits bright with seasonal cocktails including a Jack Frost martini (vanilla vodka, white chocolate liqueur, peppermint schnapps and house-made white chocolate bark for $15) or hot buttered rum with a cinnamon-caramel lollipop ($16), all served with complimentary roasted chestnuts. 11 a.m.-midnight.
DO
Last Chance
Empty Bottle 1035 N. Western Ave. 773-276-3600
Advance tickets have sold out for The King Khan & BBQ Show, but you still have a chance to catch the show by the Montreal punk-doo wop shock rockers-a reserve batch goes on sale at 8:30 p.m. when doors open. 9:30 p.m. $13.
REDEYE TIP OF THE DAY
It's not too early! Make plans to ring in 2013 now with Metromix's New Year's Eve guide on chicago.metromix.com.
Julia Borcherts is a RedEye special contributor.