Nobody can say that they don't know how to party in Lincoln Square. The first of two beerfests hosted in the neighborhood went full-steam this weekend: Mayfest (or as the Germans prefer, Maifest). The event was billed as a celebration of the neighborhood's Germanic culturural roots with an array of appropriate food items (we are particularly fond of the pretzels, pickled herring sandwiches and thuringer sausages...mmmm....) and a shocking number of people sporting lederhosen (what do you do with leather shorts and suspenders for the rest of the year people?), but the vast majority of the event's crowd made their way to the area to stand around on the blocked-off street and chug beer from massive plastic beer steins. Despite the immense amount of Hofbrauhaus and PBR consumed, Mayfest wass a surprisingly family-friendly event with strollers maneuvering easily through the throngs. Saturday's crowd was comfortable due to the threat of rain, though in previous years the event has grown to quite the mob scene. more ›

Street festivals are in full effect this weekend, but May Fest is always on our mind. The Lincoln Square event celebrates ten years in 2009, featuring the same lively mix of local entertainment and the consumption of bunches of beer out of giant novelty plastic beer steins. (The gargantuan cups are great for watering your plants during the year, or nursing particularly spicy hangovers.) more ›