Reading Under The Influence

Turning pages and tossing down brews never formed a better pairing than at the monthly “RUI: Reading Under The Influence” monthly reading series. Held every first Wednesday of the month at Sheffield’s bar, in the trendy Lakeview neighborhood, the gathering pairs over 80 micro brews with with lively prose and trivia. Read More »

The ultimate in private experiences can happen at Disney World on the Seven Seas Lagoon in front of Magic Kingdom. If you’re looking for a spot to WOW! your partner or WOW! a business client, the Grand 1 is available for hourly rental for up to 18 guests. Have a butler on board to serve you and your guests the gourmet faire and drinks aboard the yacht.

Nighttime Specialty Cruises at Disney World

For a night you and your guests will never forget, arrange for a specialty cruise on the Seven Seas Lagoon on a night when the Wishes Fireworks are scheduled to launch over Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom. While you’re waiting aboard the yacht for the fireworks (or sometimes after the fireworks launch), a light parade on the water passes by Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Hotel for an extra special nighttime-only experience.

Wine connoisseurs will appreciate the fine selection available on board the Grand 1. With the fireworks as your backdrop and the service of Disney staff, you’re sure to land the deal you hoped with a private cruise on the Seven Seas Lagoon.

The 45-foot Sea Ray 450 Express Bridge Yacht can be booked up to 180 days in advance by calling 407.824.2682.

image credit Walt Disney World Resorts

Those looking for a funky bar in the downtown Los Angeles area should check out the newly opened One Eyed Gypsy.

Set in the building that formerly held Bordello, OEG has just opened with a theme that is inspired by a 1930s carnival, complete with vintage games like a Fortune Teller machine, a Love-O-Meter, Skeeball and more. The games even give out tickets that can be redeemed for food and beverages at the bar.

There’s also a jukebox that plays 45s, not CDs, and the bar plans to have local bands and other entertainers come in and play on the weekends. Even better, the bar plans to not charge a cover, even on live music nights.

Specialty drinks come in at $8 and $11, draft beers around $4-$8 and cans (no bottles) around $3.

There is a kitchen that will offer quick bites like pizza, burgers, corn dogs and sweet potato tater tots. They even have funnel cakes on the menu, another nod to the carnival atmosphere. Most food is in the $5-$9 range.

One Eyed Gypsy is the latest in the nightlife empire owned by designer and restaurateur Dana Hollister (who also owned Bordello), which also includes another popular downtown venue, Villains Bar.

You can find One Eyed Gypsy at 901 E. 1st St in downtown Los Angeles. Look for the purple building with the huge word GYPSY painted on the sides. The bar opens around 6pm and stays that way until 2am.

[Photo courtesy of One Eyed Gypsy]

The Liar's Club

Forget about fabricated haunts and fake ghouls,  you can commune with real spirits in the form of ghosts that have hung out at these Chicago bars for decades. If you crave real scary thrills as well as great drinks, head down to these three North Side bars and watch for the eerie occurrences: Read More »