In 2019, The Graystone Tavern in Wrigleyville debuted a Hanukkah-themed pop-up bar with the objective of giving Wrigleyville’s festive season a vibrant new identity.
Emerging from the swarms of red and green, the popular “8 Crazy Nights” pop-up has returned every year since to commemorate the Jewish holiday with an exorbitantly decked-out bar and patio.
Now back for its fifth year, the bright blue bar returns tomorrow with more of its themed food and drinks.
Running through to Sunday, January 7, 2024, guests can once again expect a plethora of decorations including over 14,000 blue and white lights, hanging Hanukkah ball lanterns, an 8-foot inflatable dreidel, lighted menorah decor, and a Hanukkah ugly sweater wall with puns and cheeky sayings like “Challah at ya girl”.
The popular themed food menu is also returning with spins on Jewish favorites like Matzo Ball Soup, Challah Grilled Cheese, a Brisket Sandwich, a Messiah Melt, a Gelt Fudge Sundae garnished with gelt coin, and six flavors of Latkes.’
The Graystone Tavern bartenders will be back with more of the same decadent cocktails all available for $12-$14. New creations will be on offer as well as returning classics like the Rockin’ Rabbi made with Nolet’s Silver Gin, Coppola Diamond Prosecco, blueberry basil simple syrup, and club soda and the Gelt Martini made with Dorda Double Chocolate Liqueur, Western Sons Vodka, Tippy Cow milk chocolate, gold sugar rim.
The pop-up will also bring back its 18-foot giant menorah “shotski” and its delicious Boozy Jelly Donuts made with housemade vodka-infused jelly which patrons can inject into the donuts via syringe.
Read the full food and drinks menu.
There will again be spaces reserved for board and card games including Connect 4 with Hanukkah gelt, Cards Against Humanity Jew expansion pack, Mitzvah Match, Jewish Guess Who, Dreidel, Apples to Apples Jewish edition, and Schmear Build-A-Bagel card game.
A variety of events will take place during the pop-up’s run like a Hanukkah Happy Hour Charity, a Dreidel spinning tournament, and a watch party with drinks specials for the Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions game at noon on Christmas Eve.
This year the Graystone Tavern will also open for “8 Crazy Nights” on Christmas Day from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.
The Graystone Tavern is located at 3441 N. Sheffield Avenue in Wrigleyville. More information can be found at 8crazynightschicago.com.
[Featured image courtesy of The Graystone Tavern]