Night life events: Drink pink at RAM to support breast cancer awareness
Raise a stein at Rack House's Smoketoberfest
Don your Lederhosen for Rack House Kitchen & Tavern's inaugural Smoketoberfest, which takes over the restaurant's beer garden and parking lot from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7. Take advantage of $5 drafts and bottles of Sam Adams Oktoberfest, Two Brothers Atom Smasher, Pollyanna Brewing Company FruHauf and Main Street Brewing Off Duty Lager. Show off your arm strength in the Sam Adams National Stein Hoisting Competition. One male and one female winner will advance to the semifinals in Grant Park, followed by the finals in Boston. Hungry? Chef Bryant Anderson's menu includes Chef Martin's Old World weisswurst and knackwurst sausages, oak-smoked pulled pork, mac and cheese with smoked cheddar, German potato salad and homemade pretzels. Plus, kids can enjoy the bounce house and temporary tattoos. Free entry; a portion of the proceeds will benefit the 100 Club of Chicago. Rack House Kitchen & Tavern is at 222 E. Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights, (847) 640-7225 or rackhousetavern.com/.
Beer, beer, beer at Nevin's Oktoberfest
Nevin's Brewing Company goes all out for Oktoberfest as it transforms its outdoor patio into a Bier Garten complete with German fare, beer and entertainment from 6 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Oct. 7, (for adults) and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8 (kid-friendly). Drink specials include Nevin's Zicke Zacke pints for $4, Steins filled with Nevin's Zicke Zacke for $14, Fünf Riesling of Schmitt Söhne Wines for $5, $5 Rumple Minze shots and $5 Jäger shots. A filled stein hold contest, Mr. and Mrs. Oktoberfest, stein relay races and a special firkin tapping round out the fun. VIP tickets cost $25 and include a stein with a voucher for a fill, two drink tickets, two raffle tickets and access to the Bier Garten Saturday and Sunday. Day-of tickets cost $15 and include two drink tickets, one raffle ticket and access to the Bier Garten either Saturday or Sunday. Buy tickets at eventbrite.com/e/oktoberfest-at-nevins-brewing-company-tickets-37856142742?ref=estw. 10 percent of all ticket, food and drink sales will be donated to Pink Heels, which benefits breast cancer awareness. Nevin's Brewing Company is at 12337 S. Route 59, Plainfield, (815) 436-3900 or nevinsbrewing.com/.
Pink drinks at RAM
The RAM Restaurant and Brewery is going pink for breast cancer awareness during October with special pink drinks. One dollar from each pink drink — the Bacardi Pink Pineapple Mojito, the Absolut Lime Pink Mule, the el Jimador Black Opal Margarita and the Pink Rose Martini — and each pink chips and salsa appetizer will go to local American Cancer Society programs. The RAM is at 9520 Higgins Road, Rosemont, (847) 692-4426; 1901 McConnor Parkway, Schaumburg, (847) 517-8791; and 700 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling, (847) 520-1222. theram.com/.