t's those random nights in Chicago that I love most. Unplanned evenings tend to morph into the most fun ones on record. And when you're with a troupe of handsome men, who wouldn't have fun?
Salutations and congratulations to Cocktail on their ten year anniversary. I met with some handsome menz to attend the party, and we sipped our celebratory libations with the crowd. Admittedly, it was slightly odd to be there with the sun still shining on a weekday. But the crowd was full of good energy, the music was cool, and soon night time arrived.
The executive decision was made ( by one of us ) to migrate to Spin because it was Wednesday. Whoo hoo! Dollar drink nights always make me smile. After another libation or two, it was time to yet again migrate. But where would we go? What would we do?
Enter Thirty-One-Sixty, the newly revamped Annex 3, and the newest piano bar in the 'hood at 3160 N. Clark. Those of you who never visited Annex 3 should be shot with a salt gun in the thigh. You missed a classic spot in town, but there is hope for you yet.
3160 isn't to be missed. From 9 p.m. Wed thru Sat, and from 8 p.m. on Sunday, you can hear some of the best cabaret and jazz in one of the better rooms around town. The list of entertainers is too big to write here, but on the night we happened upon 3160, Paul Marinaro was softly crooning in the background.
We made our way to a table and were given a delicious romp through music with Paul taking us on a tour that was seemingly endless. Even though there were six people in the room, you would have thought he was playing Carnegie Hall. I can't remember the name of the gentleman who was playing the piano, but he was beyond stellar.
A waiter, attentive and quiet, slid in to refresh our drinks quickly without disturbing the performance. Even the legendary Honey West appeared at one point. She sat with us in the audience to enjoy Paul's pitch-perfect pipes.
The moral of the story here is that every one of you needs to get your behinds to 3160 and soak up the good music in a great room. The venue is a welcome addition to the many flavors of Lakeview. And if you, like me, appreciate a handsome man with golden pipes, don't miss Paul on Wednesday evenings. Check out PaulMarinaroMusic.com for more details on his schedule.
For my final thought this week, a bit of catty chatter. Will Jade EVER stop being such a raging beyotch on ANTM? I think the two Jays should buy a tube of Superglue and permanently silence her. And a note to the Tyrant; Danielle should NOT get the gap in her teeth fixed. If she does, she'll look like every other girl out there. P.S. Someone fix Furonda a sammidge.
With you in 4/4,
Peter Mavrik
peter@windycitymediagroup.com
radiopeter.com