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C2E2 Convention Sense Tingling! Here's 20 Places for Con-Goers

These establishments will provide C2E2 guests with entertainment while away from the convention floor.

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It's once again C2E2 time in Chicago, where folks celebrate their loves of comic books, movies, video games and other forms entertainment. The convention (which stands for Chicago Comics and Entertainment Expo) kicks off on Friday at McCormick Place, but guests shouldn't feel restricted to remaining near the convention grounds.

Several establishments offer con specials, and others just are good places to gather and take a break. Check this smattering of locales out. It won't matter if you're a DC or Marvel fan, there's something for everyone here.

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Chop Shop

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[Photo: Marc Much] Saturday night, this unique venue that features a butcher shop, bar, restaurant and event space will host the live Sparks Nevada show.

Chuck's: A Kerry Simon Kitchen

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[Photo: Facebook] Chuck’s: A Kerry Simon Kitchen is offering a special C2E2 burger pairing with the official C2E2 beer from Friday through Sunday. For lunch, a Galaxy Hero beer and Iron Chef Burger with extra sharp cheddar cheese and red onion jam will cost $14. Dinner brings the Double Iron Chef Burger for $26. Additionally, Galaxy Hero will be on tap all month for $7.

Dimo's Pizza

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[Photo: Facebook] Dimo's Wicker Park is larger than its older sibling, and caters to the nearby nightlife and folks wanting lunch or dinner. Capitalizing on the infamous Adult Swim video, Dimo's put together a “Too Many Cooks” pizza, which they'll offer until Sunday. The 80s-inspired slice will be topped with Cool Ranch Doritos, Combos, and chicken nuggets tossed in an Hi-C Ecto-Cooler sauce, along with spicy Pop Rocks. Both Dimo's locations offer the special.

Dimo's Pizza

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[Photo: Facebook] The first Dimo's is in the heart of Wrigleyville, but don't worry the Cubs are away over the weekend. Capitalizing on the infamous Adult Swim video, Dimo's put together a “Too Many Cooks” pizza, which they'll offer until Sunday. The 80s-inspired slice will be topped with Cool Ranch Doritos, Combos, and chicken nuggets tossed in an Hi-C Ecto-Cooler sauce, along with spicy Pop Rocks. Both Dimo's locations offer the special.

Emporium Arcade Bar

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[Photo: Facebook] Emporium has two locations, one in Wicker Park and the other in Logan Square, with the latter having more table games such as bubble hockey and the foosball.

Emporium Logan Square

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[Photo: Marc Much] Emporium has two locations, one in Wicker Park and the other in Logan Square, with the latter having more table games such as bubble hockey and the foosball.

Flo & Santos

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[Photo: Facebook] The third-anual cosplay bar crawl's back on Saturday in the South Loop. Reggie's, Krolls, Weather Mark Tavern and Flo & Santos Pizza will have drink specials, prizes and raffles. Flo & Santos offers thin-crust pizzas and Chicago-style pierogis. Tickets cost $10 and are available at http://supercrawl15.eventbrite.com

Geek Bar Beta

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[Photo: Facebook] This bar/restaurant is dedicated to all things geek, and close to Brainstorm Comics and Challenger's comics.

Headquarters Beercade

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[Photo: Facebook] The beer menu at Headquarters' original locations uses superhero logos to distinguish beers.

Headquarters Beercade - River North

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[Photo: Marc Much] The newer iteration of the arcade bar features DJs and more games in the basement.

Kroll's South Loop

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[Photo: Facebook] The third-anual cosplay bar crawl's back on Saturday in the South Loop. Reggie's, Krolls, Weather Mark Tavern and Flo & Santos Pizza will have drink specials, prizes and raffles. Kroll's is a South Side sports bar. Tickets cost $10 and are available at http://supercrawl15.eventbrite.com

Logan Arcade

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[Photo: Facebook] This former record store has been reborn with tons of pinball and vintage cabinets.

M/X Lounge

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[Photo: Hyatt Chicago website] C2E2 veterans know this is the place to duck to get a break from the con, and perhaps catch the Bulls' playoff game. Special cocktails include: : The Hero (Jameson with Apple Pucker, Sweet & Sour and Lemonade), The Villian (Peach Schnapps & Jack Daniels, Sweet & Sour, Pineapple Juice), The Secret Identity (Blue Moon beer and Amaretto), Damsel in Distress (Amaretto and Ketel One topped with Cranberry and Orange Juice), Unstoppable Force (Bacardi, Brandy, Orange Juice and Sweet & Sour), The Double Cross Ketel One, Amaretto, Club Soda), Cebrewski (Beer of your choice with Bacardi Limon).

Reggie's Music Joint

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[Photo: Facebook] The third-anual cosplay bar crawl's back on Saturday in the South Loop. Reggie's, Krolls, Weather Mark Tavern and Flo & Santos Pizza will have drink specials, prizes and raffles. Tickets cost $10 and are available at http://supercrawl15.eventbrite.com

Replay Beer & Bourbon

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[Photo: Facebook] This is how Boystown does a beercade.

Revolution Brewing

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[Photo: Facebook] Once more Rev will offer its Galaxy Hero IPA and serve the 10-ounce Galaxy Burger with Tang Roasted Pork (pork roasted with Galaxy Hero and Tang), powdered bacon shallot rings (fried shallots finished with powdered bacon) and Galaxy Sauce (Galaxy hops and Tang-infused aioli). That's all on a Black Hole Bun (made with squid ink and topped with sesame seeds). YES. Orange Tang; what the astronauts drink.

She-nannigans House of Beer

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[Photo: Facebook] From 8 p.m to 10 p.m., this Rush/Division street bar will host C2E2's officials AfterCon OffKilter CosPlay Carousal. Glitter Guild Burlesque is presenting the party, get tickets here: http://cosplaycarousal.brownpapertickets.com

Simone's Bar

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[Photo: Facebook] A legendary late-night spot in Pilsen, some would say the intimate quarters feels like patrons are in a TARDIS. Whatever that is...just kidding.

Weather Mark Tavern

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[Photo: Weather Mark website] The third-anual cosplay bar crawl's back on Saturday in the South Loop. Reggie's, Krolls, Weather Mark Tavern and Flo & Santos Pizza will have drink specials, prizes and raffles. The Weather Mark's a nautical-themed bar with a decent beer selection. Tickets cost $10 and are available at http://supercrawl15.eventbrite.com

The Wormhole Coffee

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[Photo: Facebook] This coffee shop has a DeLorean inside. If that doesn't excite you, please go to the doctor's office.

Chop Shop

[Photo: Marc Much] Saturday night, this unique venue that features a butcher shop, bar, restaurant and event space will host the live Sparks Nevada show.

Chuck's: A Kerry Simon Kitchen

[Photo: Facebook] Chuck’s: A Kerry Simon Kitchen is offering a special C2E2 burger pairing with the official C2E2 beer from Friday through Sunday. For lunch, a Galaxy Hero beer and Iron Chef Burger with extra sharp cheddar cheese and red onion jam will cost $14. Dinner brings the Double Iron Chef Burger for $26. Additionally, Galaxy Hero will be on tap all month for $7.

Dimo's Pizza

[Photo: Facebook] Dimo's Wicker Park is larger than its older sibling, and caters to the nearby nightlife and folks wanting lunch or dinner. Capitalizing on the infamous Adult Swim video, Dimo's put together a “Too Many Cooks” pizza, which they'll offer until Sunday. The 80s-inspired slice will be topped with Cool Ranch Doritos, Combos, and chicken nuggets tossed in an Hi-C Ecto-Cooler sauce, along with spicy Pop Rocks. Both Dimo's locations offer the special.

Dimo's Pizza

[Photo: Facebook] The first Dimo's is in the heart of Wrigleyville, but don't worry the Cubs are away over the weekend. Capitalizing on the infamous Adult Swim video, Dimo's put together a “Too Many Cooks” pizza, which they'll offer until Sunday. The 80s-inspired slice will be topped with Cool Ranch Doritos, Combos, and chicken nuggets tossed in an Hi-C Ecto-Cooler sauce, along with spicy Pop Rocks. Both Dimo's locations offer the special.

Emporium Arcade Bar

[Photo: Facebook] Emporium has two locations, one in Wicker Park and the other in Logan Square, with the latter having more table games such as bubble hockey and the foosball.

Emporium Logan Square

[Photo: Marc Much] Emporium has two locations, one in Wicker Park and the other in Logan Square, with the latter having more table games such as bubble hockey and the foosball.

Flo & Santos

[Photo: Facebook] The third-anual cosplay bar crawl's back on Saturday in the South Loop. Reggie's, Krolls, Weather Mark Tavern and Flo & Santos Pizza will have drink specials, prizes and raffles. Flo & Santos offers thin-crust pizzas and Chicago-style pierogis. Tickets cost $10 and are available at http://supercrawl15.eventbrite.com

Geek Bar Beta

[Photo: Facebook] This bar/restaurant is dedicated to all things geek, and close to Brainstorm Comics and Challenger's comics.

Headquarters Beercade

[Photo: Facebook] The beer menu at Headquarters' original locations uses superhero logos to distinguish beers.

Headquarters Beercade - River North

[Photo: Marc Much] The newer iteration of the arcade bar features DJs and more games in the basement.

Kroll's South Loop

[Photo: Facebook] The third-anual cosplay bar crawl's back on Saturday in the South Loop. Reggie's, Krolls, Weather Mark Tavern and Flo & Santos Pizza will have drink specials, prizes and raffles. Kroll's is a South Side sports bar. Tickets cost $10 and are available at http://supercrawl15.eventbrite.com

Logan Arcade

[Photo: Facebook] This former record store has been reborn with tons of pinball and vintage cabinets.

M/X Lounge

[Photo: Hyatt Chicago website] C2E2 veterans know this is the place to duck to get a break from the con, and perhaps catch the Bulls' playoff game. Special cocktails include: : The Hero (Jameson with Apple Pucker, Sweet & Sour and Lemonade), The Villian (Peach Schnapps & Jack Daniels, Sweet & Sour, Pineapple Juice), The Secret Identity (Blue Moon beer and Amaretto), Damsel in Distress (Amaretto and Ketel One topped with Cranberry and Orange Juice), Unstoppable Force (Bacardi, Brandy, Orange Juice and Sweet & Sour), The Double Cross Ketel One, Amaretto, Club Soda), Cebrewski (Beer of your choice with Bacardi Limon).

Reggie's Music Joint

[Photo: Facebook] The third-anual cosplay bar crawl's back on Saturday in the South Loop. Reggie's, Krolls, Weather Mark Tavern and Flo & Santos Pizza will have drink specials, prizes and raffles. Tickets cost $10 and are available at http://supercrawl15.eventbrite.com

Replay Beer & Bourbon

[Photo: Facebook] This is how Boystown does a beercade.

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Revolution Brewing

[Photo: Facebook] Once more Rev will offer its Galaxy Hero IPA and serve the 10-ounce Galaxy Burger with Tang Roasted Pork (pork roasted with Galaxy Hero and Tang), powdered bacon shallot rings (fried shallots finished with powdered bacon) and Galaxy Sauce (Galaxy hops and Tang-infused aioli). That's all on a Black Hole Bun (made with squid ink and topped with sesame seeds). YES. Orange Tang; what the astronauts drink.

She-nannigans House of Beer

[Photo: Facebook] From 8 p.m to 10 p.m., this Rush/Division street bar will host C2E2's officials AfterCon OffKilter CosPlay Carousal. Glitter Guild Burlesque is presenting the party, get tickets here: http://cosplaycarousal.brownpapertickets.com