You might be accustomed to a wild night out on the town on New Year’s Eve in Chicago. We get it— dancing in a throng of people and toasting the new year with a group of friends can be pretty fun; but as any seasoned homebody will tell you, there’s more than one way to celebrate a special occasion. From food and beverages to entertainment and community, Chicago has the whole ringing-in-2021-in-a-pandemic situation covered.
Order dinner from Luella’s Southern Kitchen
Why cook for yourself on New Year’s Eve when you’ve probably been cooking (and washing dishes) all year? For a delicious night in, you can take advantage of Luella’s New Year’s Eve Special, which gets you braised short rib, king crab, grits, and bananas foster-style banana pudding for just $35.
Order cocktails to go from Lost Lake
Since shortly after the start of COVID restrictions, Logan Square’s tropical cocktail bar has been pouring its fruity concoctions into bottles for Chicagoans to enjoy in the safety of their own homes. If you visit Lost Lake’s Instagram, each week the menu and hours for pickup are posted on their story highlights—titled “Menu”—so that you can find the best time (and flavors) for stocking up on libations.
Run the New Year’s Eve 5K
Runners can’t gather in person to participate, but this virtual 5K allows registrants to run anytime between December 26 and January 3. A portion of the required $40 registration fee benefits Direct Relief, which has been working hard to support healthcare care workers during the pandemic.
Enjoy the New Philharmonic’s New Year’s Eve Concert
Featuring pieces ranging from waltzes to pop tunes to movie music, this New Year’s Eve concert, led by Maestro Kirk Muspratt, premieres 2 p.m. on December 31, and is available for streaming on demand through January 3.
New Year’s Eve Chicago Featured Image Credit: Philharmonic on Facebook
