thursday
A Nickel & Nickel wine dinner at Park Grill features 2006 Medina and Truchard chardonnays, a 2005 Suscol merlot, a 2005 Sullenger cabernet, and a 2004 Far Niente Dolce dessert wine, paired with appetizers and a four-course meal. Nickel & Nickel midwest regional sales manager Jim Doehring will discuss the wines. 7 PM, 11 N. Michigan, 312-521-7275, $85.
North Shore Distillery cofounder Sonja Kassebaum serves samples of her company’s gin and absinthe at Cooking Fools; there’ll also be appetizers, a traditional absinthe drip fountain, and cocktails by resident mixologist Angie Jackson. 6-8:30 PM, 1916 W. North, 773-276-5565, $30.
Joel Berg signs All You Can Eat: How Hungry Is America?, about the problem of hunger in the U.S. 7 PM, the Book Cellar, 4736 N. Lincoln, 773-293-2665.
friday
Lush Wine and Spirits in University Village hosts a free vertical tasting of four vintages of Schmaltz Jewbelation (from this year and the past three years). 6-8 PM, 1257 S. Halsted, 312-738-1900.
saturday
In honor of the holidays, Cellar Rat has a free tasting of ten champagnes and sparkling wines, from cava to prosecco. noon-6 PM, 1811 W. North, 773-489-2728.
tuesday
At Smoke Daddy‘s Good/Bad Santa Party, Good Santa will hand out candy canes and other treats, while Bad Santa will be passing out beer, shots, and condoms. There’ll be $3 draft beer, $2 eggnog drinks, and half-price wings; Christmas movies will be shown all day and live music starts at 9 PM. 11:30 AM-11 PM, 1804 W. Division, 773-772-6656.
wednesday
The Fifty/50 is offering drink specials, including $5 “Dreydel shots” (potato vodka and Goldschlager) and $1 glasses of Manischewitz wine, to attract Jewish patrons on Christmas Eve. There’s also a $30 all-you-can drink package from 8 to 11 PM and “a Menorah of beer and shots” after 11 PM; buy eight shots or beers and get the ninth free. 8 PM, 2047 W. Division, 773-489-5050.