These Chicago Bars and Restaurants Are Raising Money to Help Harvey Victims

A handful of Chicago bar and restaurants have organized fundraising efforts to support victims of Hurricane Harvey in Texas, as the storm has dropped 21 trillion gallons of rain on the area. As the Tribune reported, Beard-winning chef Sarah Grueneberg led the charge as the Texas native added items at Monteverde in West Loops to benefit victims.

Several restaurants including Chop Shop in Wicker Park, Gene and Georgetti in River North, and Prairie Grass Cafe in Northbrook have already hosted charitable events for Houston. Here’s a rundown of other spots running specials or holding fundraisers to help victims. Chime in with a comment if there are more events that should be added.

• The Ace Hotel Chicago’s rooftop bar in Fulton Market is donating $1 from every margarita sold at Waydown to Greater Houston Community Foundation's Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund.
• Chef Jason Vincent, who oversees the food and beverage at the Ace, is also supporting victims at his Logan Square restaurant. Giant will donate $1 from every “Country Mouse” cocktail to Southern Smoke. That’s a charity started by Houston chef Chris Shepherd
• Tonight at Lost Lake in Logan Square, Land & Sea Dept.’s tiki bar will offer a special Houston-focused menu with three drinks for $10 each. A spokeswoman said $5 from each drink will be donated one of three groups: Port Light, Texas Diaper Bank, and Greater Houston Community Fund’s Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund. Last year, Lost Lake hosted staff from Anvil, a Houston bar that threw a pop-up in Chicago. Anvil’s Bobby Heugel has started a fundraising campaign using the hashtag #HURRICANEHARVEYWALLBANGERS.
• Flossmoor Station Restaurant and Brewery donates 25 percent of proceeds to charities tonight. The establishment also accepts drop-offs for items like toothbrushes and canned goods through Thursday.
• MONEYGUN is also getting into the action. On Thursday, the West Loop cocktail bar will host a fundraiser for the Greater Houston Community Foundation.
• Timothy O’Toole’s Pub’s three locations — in Streeterville, suburban Gurnee, and Libertyville — donates $1 from every Bud, Bud Light and Michelob Ultra sold through Sept. 30 to the fundraising campaign set up by Houston Texans football start JJ Watt. Lakeshore Beverage of Chicago will give $2 to match O’Toole’s donations.
• Wisconsin butter-burger specialist Culver’s, at least participating locations, donates money to the United Way of Greater Houston. The chain hasn’t said which locations, according to the Tribune.
• Formento’s in West Loop will host an art show on Sept. 13, RuinART: An Evening with Joey Africa. At the show, which costs $75 for admission, and $500 for a VIP ticket, they’ll auction off a piece of art to benefit hurricane victims. Reps haven’t said where the donation is going.
• Hydrate in Boystown, from 9:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday is hosting a fundraiser.
• Thalia Hall in Pilsen is hosting a dance party on Saturday, Sept. 9. Admission is free, but they’re looking for food bank donations.
• Hamburger Mary’s in suburban Oak Park is throwing a charity event on Sept. 12. The Chicago location hosts its own event on Sept. 21.

• Harvey is part of a pattern of extreme weather scientists saw coming. They're still shocked. [Vox]
• Monteverde offers lunch, dinner specials to benefit Harvey victims [Tribune]
• Chicago-area bars and restaurants organize specials to aid in Hurricane Harvey relief [Tribune]
• Why Houston Chef Chris Shepherd Is a Name to Know [Eater National]
• Southern Smoke [Website]
• Greater Houston Community Foundation's Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund. [Website]
• Houston Flood Relief Fund [YouCaring]
• Port Light [Website]
• Texas Diaper Bank [Website]