Filling a void in the holiday pop-up scene is 8 Crazy Nights, Chicago’s first Hanukkah Bar.
If you’ve been wondering where the Hanukkah bar is in Chicago’s craze of Christmas pop-ups, we have some good news. Finally, a festive Hanukkah-themed pop-up bar named 8 Crazy Nights is opening at the Graystone Tavern in Wrigleyville next month. Mazel tov!
With the popularity of Christmas bars that have popped up in Chicago the last few years, Graystone owner Kyle Bagley noticed an empty space in the market no one had filled. “We wanted to participate in the Wrigleyville holiday pop-up scene but wanted to be different. Many of our Jewish friends were urging us to do a Hanukkah pop-up,” he explains. A little ingenuity later, Chicago will now have its own Hanukkah pop-up bar.
8 Crazy Nights promises to be unlike any other holiday bar, decorated with over 8,000 blue and white lights, dreidel and Star of David ornaments, lighted menorahs, Mensch on a Bench, and more. There will also be a photo booth with Hanukkah Props where you can mark your crazy night out with hilarious snapshots.
In honor of the holiday, a special food menu will feature traditional Jewish favorites like Latkes, Matzo Ball Soup, Brisket Platter and Grilled Cheese served on Challah Bread. Be sure to leave room for dessert, though. 8 Crazy Nights will be serving Boozy Jelly Donuts with house-made, vodka infused jelly!
Wash everything down with festive cocktails inspired by traditional Hanukkah flavors. Some cocktails include the Gelt Martini (Wheatley Vodka, Godiva Chocolate Liqueur, Crème de Cacao, chocolate syrup, Hanukkah gelt), a Manischewitz Spritzer (Manischewitz, Koval Cranberry, Mionetto Prosecco, club soda and an orange slice), the Sufganiyah (Vanilla Vodka, Citrus Vodka, Manischewitz, lemon wedge, powdered sugar) and more!
A rotating themed beer menu includes Messiah (Nut Brown Ale), Chanukah (Brown Ale), Circum-session (Sour Ale) and Shebrew (Double IPA). The bar will also feature an 18-foot menorah “shotski” so groups of eight can each take a shot all at once.
Guests can also enjoy a variety of tabletop games such as Connect 4 with Hanukkah gelt, Cards Against Humanity Jew expansion pack, Mitzvah Match, and of course, Dreidel. Each night will feature different events, many of which will benefit the Israel Cancer Research Fund and the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago. What a great opportunity to celebrate the holiday and give back at the same time!
No need to order Chinese on Dec 25 this year. Head down to 8 Crazy Nights for a festive, Hanukkah celebration between Dec 1 and Dec 30, including Christmas and Christmas Eve.
Practical information
Feature image courtesy of 8 Crazy Nights.