Walk the Red Carpet: Dining & Drinking for the Oscars

Are you ready for Oscar night? The 84th annual Academy Awards are this Sunday and you don’t have to just sit on your coach for the event. A number of places will be hosting Oscar-themed parties for the occasion so you can feel like a celebrity on the star-studded night.

Put on your best red carpet attire and head to Rockit Bar & Grill for its Oscar Viewing Party hosted by Richard Roeper and Billy Dec. The event includes passed appetizers, themed cocktails and running live commentary as well as chances to win prizes. Tickets can be purchased for $50 online.

Old Town Social will replicate the glitz and glamor of Hollywood with a “Best Picture” cocktail list and live DJ playing classic movie soundtracks. Guests can score prizes by correctly picking the winners throughout the evening. If you want to stroll down your own red carpet, People Lounge will have a special entrance set up with premiere-style lights leading inside. Enjoy $3 Champagne flutes, specialty cocktails and select $5 tapas between 5 and 7 p.m.

Those looking for a meal can head to Viand for its “Movie Lovers Dinner Party” featuring three courses for $28. Start with a soup or salad, then choose from steak, pork tenderloin, or seared whitefish, and top it off with Key lime pie. Instead of just watching the Awards, how about playing a character? Dress up as your favorite celebrity and receive 20 percent off your food bill at Fat Cat.

The Gene Siskel Film Center will host the official Oscar Night America party featuring a full evening of entertainment including dinner, a silent auction, raffles, and the show on two big screens. The $100 GA tickets can be purchased here. If you’re more concerned about alcohol to get you through the long ceremony, Crew Bar & Grill will have drink specials such as $6 double Bloody Marys, $10 Miller Lite pitchers, $12.50 beergarita and mimosa pitchers, and $15 Champagne bottles.

In the suburbs, Pete Miller’s Seafood & Prime Steak is hosting an Oscar night bash at its Evanston and Wheeling locations. Themed cocktails and a menu inspired by Wolfgang Puck will be available and an Oscar pool will take place with the winners receiving bottles of wine, gift cards and more. So forget about making that dip for your usual viewing party and head out to one of the following events instead where you can take a drink every time Hugo is nominated or Meryl Streep is shown.

Eater Chicago intern Jeffy Mai contributed this article.