Night life events: Test your strength at Beer Market's stein-holding contest

The Beer Market's stein-holding contest

How long can you hold a stein? Find out at The Beer Market Schaumburg's Hofbrauhaus of America Masskrugstemmen stein-holding contest beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday. Goal: Hold the full stein as long as you can. Winners could go on to the national competition, with the possibility of winning the grand prize trip to Germany. The beer of the month is $6 pints of New Belgium Heavy Melon and Two Brothers' Dog Days. The Beer Market is at 888 N. Meacham Road, Schaumburg. (847) 517-8300 or beerheadbar.com/locations/schaumburg-Illinois/.

Windy City Smokeout

Get your fill of beer and pork this weekend at the Windy City Smokeout - a festival of barbecue, brews and live country music performances that runs through Sunday. Various food and drink packages include admission, like the Barbecue Brunch from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday that includes dishes from each of the fest's pitmasters along with a Belvedere bloody mary bar and all the fixings. $80 per person. Windy City Smokeout is at 560 W. Grand Ave., Chicago. windycitysmokeout.com/.

McGonigal's Pub's Mondays

Have a case of the Mondays? There are a wide assortment of cures at McGonigal's Pub like $4 Guinness Blonde Ale drafts. Happy hour specials from 4 to 6 p.m. include $2.50 "you call it" well drinks, $4 Guinness, Harp and Smithwicks 20-ounce drafts; and $2 bottles of Miller Lite, Bud and Bud Light and Coors Light. McGonigal's Pub is at 105 S. Cook St., Barrington. (847) 277-7400 or mcgonigalspub.com.