We'd barely had enough time to process the demise of Sonotheque when we heard the news via Chicago Now that nearby venue Lava Lounge will end it's tenure as a club destination on December 18 in favor of a facelift and transformation into a cocktail lounge with mixologist Peter Vestinos (consultant for Naha, C-View, Roof and In Fine Spirits) acting as visionary. Co-owners Phil McFarland and Ty Fujimura will retain ownership of the venue, but with a new name and a new focus on drinks and conversation taking the place of an eclectic roster of multi-genre DJ nights, we're left with another headstone added to the city's nightlife graveyard and a winter full of long bus rides to Smart Bar. more ›

Yesterday marked the second anniversary of Weegee's Lounge, one of our favorite cocktail lounges in the city. While others like Violet Hour change out the cocktail menu with the season, Weegee's sticks to the time-honored classics and does them exceptionally. On a visit Saturday night a friend read the menu and remarked, "This should be considered one of America's true contributions to the world." more ›