Martinis for everyone!
This weekend might be the biggest "girls night out" ever -- and expect a lot of movie-goers to be under the influence of martinis.
In anticipation of the "Sex and the City" movie opening, girlfriends are clearing their schedules and getting together to see the film. Most plans involve pre- or post-movie dinners and Cosmos, the drink of choice on the show.
The girly get-togethers are taking top priority in women's busy schedules.
"If I'm on my deathbed I'm getting up and going," said fan Kelly Newlin, 25, of Schaumburg.
A few of Newlin's work friends asked if she could postpone the plans to better accommodate their schedules. Her answer? "No."
"This is something we've all been waiting for for a couple of years," said Dawn Finnegan, 39, of Arlington Heights. "It's like being a kid again, and getting excited to see a Bon Jovi concert."
While some women are ditching (or in some cases, dragging) their husbands or boyfriends out, most are seeing the movie in female posses.
Julie Bock, 37, of Lake Villa, plans to wear a dress and high heels when she goes out for dinner and to the movie with her "core four" girlfriends.
"I want to bring Cosmopolitans in a thermos in the theater," she said.
Not all women watched the show when it was on HBO from 1998-2004, but they tuned in on DVD or became hooked on the censored-for-TV reruns that have aired on TBS and CW for the past few years.
The anticipation of seeing what's next for the beloved characters is almost too much for some fans.
"It's going to be a big night," said Kelly Bulmash, 24, of Buffalo Grove.
Local 'Sex' events
Dozens of local businesses are hosting special movie-related events. Among them:
• Houlihan's restaurants, with locations in Algonquin, Oak Brook, Schaumburg, Wheaton, Geneva and Algonquin, are offering martini specials, a "Mr. Big" shot and other drinks connected to each character. They're also giving away prizes and spinning special music playlists by female artists.
• Knickers, 492 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn, will have a "Sex and the City Girls Night Out" from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday. The event will feature a trunk show for a new lingerie line, cocktails and prizes. They'll also play episodes of the show in the store. (630) 469-2727.
• Hilton Indian Lakes Resort, 250 W. Schick Road, Bloomingdale, has special "Sex and the City" hotel packages May 30-31 and June 6-7. The package includes a hotel room, gift bags, late checkout, a VIP penthouse party, tickets and party bus transportation to the movie, and admission to "The Art of Relationship" seminar. Prices start at $189. (630) 529-0200 or www.indianlakesresort.com.
• The Four Seasons Hotel Chicago has a special "Manolos and Martinis" package. Prices begin at $1,830 and include a luxury hotel room, a Vogue magazine, a traveling martini cart that stops in your room, complimentary desserts, a $700 gift card toward a pair of Manolo Blahnik shoes at Barneys New York on Oak Street, and a $50 gift card for the 900s shops.
• Sheffield's, 3258 N. Sheffield, Chicago, hosts "Nailed in the City" Wednesday night. The event includes $8 manicures, $5 Cosmos, and reruns of old "Sex and the City" episodes.
• A week after the movie comes out, from 5:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., the Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club, 3700 N. Halsted St., Chicago, will show back-to-back episodes of "Sex & the City" on five jumbo screens and give away movie tickets. Bring in a "Sex and the City" movie ticket stub and get an "Absolut Hunk" martinis for half price ($5).
• Guise Chic, 2128 N. Halsted St., Chicago, will give 20 percent off all men's and women's clothing purchases during their "Sex and the City party" from 6 to 9 p.m. May 29.