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Lollapalooza Wed Aug 03 2011

Your Lollapalooza Party Guide

By Stephanie Griffin

You don't need a ticket to Lollapalooza this weekend to see all of your favorite bands - most of them will be playing after-parties and smaller clubs around the city. And as for those bearing the heat and going to the festival, Lollapalooza pros know to steer clear of the pricey piece of crap beer selection at the festival, stay hydrated and save boozing for the after-parties, wherein every liquor company or music publication is willing and eager to inject the stuff into your veins for free. At the very least, your chances of an Elijah Wood sighting over the weekend are pretty high.

Want to be in the know and impress all your friends? Keep reading.

Thursday

What: GUESS and Nylon Magazine are kicking off Lollapalooza weekend with a night of free cocktails, a photobooth, a performance by Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. and DJ sets from The Vaccines and L1ght.
Where: GUESS store (605 N. Michigan Ave.), 6 - 8 pm
How to Get In: R.S.V.P. to guessrsvp@guess.com. Event is free.

What: Yet another chance to catch Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. for free Thursday night, along with The Joy Formidable, Lord Huron, and Little Hurricane. The show is presented by Billboard and The Syndicate. No mention of free booze, but the line-up more than makes up for it.
Where: Double Door (1572 N Milwaukee Ave), doors at 8 pm
How to Get In: R.S.V.P. via this Eventbrite invitation. Event is free.

What: Entertainment Weekly and Rockit bring us performances from Cults and TAB the Band. No mention of free booze, but I attended this party last year and not only was there an open bar, but they also served up some tasty mini burgers and truffle oil fries. Let's hope for similar party conditions this year.
Where: Rockit River North (22 W. Hubbard Ave), 6 - 8:30 pm
How to Get In: R.S.V.P. to ew@RockitRanch.com. Check Rockit's Facebook fan page for details. Admission is free.

What: A weekend of promising events at Debonair Social Club kicks off Thursday night with Greg Corner, OK Go, LA hipster Ana Calderon and Chelsea and Lauren of Stic of the Week. This event will have a hosted Absolut cocktail reception.
Where: Debonair Social Club (1575 N Milwaukee Ave.), 9 pm - 2 am
How to Get In: R.S.V.P. here. Admission is free with R.S.V.P. between 10 - 11 pm.

What: Boystown's Berlin is hosting their 2nd Annual Official Lollapalooza Side Show, featuring Ssion, Lady D, Only Children, and LA Jesus. Every time I have been to this bar I have been unwillingly groped by strangers. Enter at your own risk.
Where: Berlin (954 W Belmont), 10 pm
How to Get In: R.S.V.P. here for discounted admission before 11 pm.

What: Underground hosts the first of their weekend of parties with live performances by Chiddy Bang and Chet Haze (son of Tom Hanks), plus a DJ set by Eric D-Lux.
Where: The Underground (56 W Illinois St), 11 pm - 2 am
How to Get In: Show up. Details over on Facebook.

What: C3 and UR Chicago present Two Door Cinema Club, Team Bayside High and DJ Tankboy. Treat yourself to $4 Point Nude Beach Summer Wheat Cans, $5 Svedka Cocktails, or $10 Martini + Manicures.
Where: Beauty Bar (1444 W. Chicago Ave), 10 pm - 12 am
How to Get In: $5 at the door, or purchase advance tickets here. Further details over on Facebook.

Friday

What: Debonair is welcoming Friendly Fires, Ryan Paradise and Ana Calderon. As probably the most random of all celebrity appearances over the weekend, Breaking Bad's Aaron Paul will be hosting this party along with The Cobra Snake and Hipster Runoff. There will be a hosted Svedka cocktail reception from 9 to 10 pm.
Where: Debonair Social Club (1575 N Milwaukee Ave.), 9 pm - 2 am
How to Get In: R.S.V.P. here. Admission is free with R.S.V.P. between 9 - 11 pm.

What: Filter Magazine and Do312 are hosting sets by Cults and Chicago's Maps and Atlases, along with DJ sets by Elijah Wood, Chris Holmes and Kid Color.
Where: Hard Rock Hotel (230 N. Michigan Ave), 10 pm.
How to Get In: R.S.V.P. here for free admission. Arrive early.

What: Belvedere Vodka and VH1 host the Belve Music Lounge, featuring performances by Two Door Cinema Club and Fitz and the Tantrums, plus a DJ set by Grace Potter. This event will have free Belvedere Vodka drinks.
Where: W Chicago City Center (172 West Adams St), 10 pm - 2 am
How to Get In: R.S.V.P. here. Must pick up wristband at 11 am to secure guaranteed entry.

What: Underground continues their weekend of music with a "legendary guest" and a DJ set by DJ Momjeans (aka Danny Masterson).
Where: The Underground (56 W Illinois St), 11 pm - 4 am
How to Get In: Show up. Details over on Facebook.

What: Black Cards, the new project from Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz, will be performing at Angels and Kings after Lolla Friday night. You'll likely have to pay for your own drinks here.
Where: Angels and Kings (230 N. Michigan Ave), unknown time
How to Get In: Show up.

Saturday

What: What better way to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Lollapalooza than with the man who started it all? If you're willing to be seen at Spy Bar, Perry Farrell and wife Etty will be DJing an after-party that runs until 5 am (yikes).
Where: Spy Bar (646 N. Franklin), 10 pm - 5 am
How to Get In: Ticket information here.

What: Notice how there's nothing booked at Metro Saturday night? Think that's a bit odd? Me too. Mark my words, a major act will be warming up for their Lollapalooza performance with a secret, intimate show.
Where: Metro (3730 N. Clark St), unknown time
How to Get In: Extreme luck.

What: Debonair welcomes Greg Corner, Chris Holmes, Ashtar Command, White Lies, Elijah Wood, and Brie Larson (of United States of Tara). This event will have a hosted Hennessy Black cocktail reception from 9 to 10 pm.
Where: Debonair Social Club (1575 N Milwaukee Ave.), 9 pm - 3 am
How to Get In: R.S.V.P. here for no cover from 9 - 11 pm.

What: Filter Magazine and Do312 are hosting sets by Foster the People and Phantogram, along with DJ sets by Elijah Wood, Chris Holmes and Kid Color.
Where: Hard Rock Hotel (230 N. Michigan Ave), 10 pm.
How to Get In: R.S.V.P. here for free admission. Arrive early.

What: Belvedere Vodka and VH1 host the Belve Music Lounge, featuring performances by Black Lips and Skylar Grey, plus a DJ set from DJ Momjeans (aka Danny Masterson, that guy from That 70's Show). This event will have free Belvedere Vodka drinks.
Where: W Chicago City Center (172 West Adams St), 10 pm - 2 am
How to Get In: R.S.V.P. here. Must pick up wristband at 11 am to secure guaranteed entry.

What: Underground continues their weekend of music with a "a very special surprise guest", plus DJ sets by The Alchemist and DJ Cobra.
Where: The Underground (56 W Illinois St), 11 pm - 4 am
How to Get In: Show up. Details over on Facebook.

Sunday

What: Underground rounds out the weekend with violinist Caitlin Moe, plus DJ sets by DJ Adam 12 and Mia Moretti.
Where: The Underground (56 W Illinois St), 11 pm - 4 am
How to Get In: Show up. Details over on Facebook.

Of course, these are in addition to the official Lollapalooza aftershows that were announced ages ago. Anything I missed? Let us know in the comments!