Shaw's Oyster Fest Rocks Into its 26th Year

The 26th Annual Shaw's Oyster Fest Block Party is 3-10 p.m. Sept. 26 at 560 W. Grand; $25. The popular event features plenty of good eats, beverages and live entertainment-- Brett Dennen performs this year. Among the popular attractions is the Grand Slurp-off where the winner takes home $1,000. The Friday night event is the culmination to the week-long celebration beginning Sept. 22 with both Shaw Crab House locations offering food specials. shawscrabhouse

CiNe Hosts Avion Tequila Dinner

CiNe Modern Taqueria, 29 E, First, Hinsdale, is hosting a four-course Avion Tequila dinner 7 p.m. Sept. 16; $50. Courses include pork tamale wrapped in plantain finished with a roasted Avion
Reposado tomatillo serrano sauce and pickled onion habaneros paired with an Avion Reposado cocktail. cinehinsdale

Kit Kat Lounge's "Evil Dead" Brunch

Diva Madam X serves up bloody good fun and entertainment during the "Evil Dead: The Musical" themed brunch 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 21 at Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club, 3700 N. Halsted. The drink specials for the occasion-- build-your-own Bloody Marys, of course. kitkatchicago

Gemini Bistro Celebrates Five Years

Gemini Bistro, 1967 N. Halsted, kicks off a week-long five-year anniversary celebration Sept. 9 with $5 (regularly priced $11) Squirtsky cocktails (Finlandia grapefruit vodka, fresh lime, fresh grapefruit and soda; $55 five-course chef's tasting menu (Sept. 10); $5 signature burger (with applewood smoked bacon served on a house-made bun with fries (Sept. 11); one lucky guest will receive a $5 check for their meal (Sept. 12); $5 glasses of wine offered all evening and a $50 Cote De Boeuf 28-oz ribeye steak, serves two (Sept. 13) and $5 Bloody Marys and mimosas, (Sept. 14). geminibistro

Frontier's Family-style Brunch

Frontier, 1072 N. Milwaukee, is now offering brunch 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Chef Brian Jupiter's family-style brunch ($20 per person) features delectable dishes such as Banana Fosters French toast, mini crab Benedict, lamb chorizo and egg tacos, powdered doughnuts, thick slab bacon and breakfast potatoes. frontier

Cactus Bar's Big Eddy Uber Oktoberfest Event

Natalie George of Leinenkugel hosts a beer tasting and glassware giveaway during Cactus Bar & Grills, 404 S. Wells, Oktoberfest celebration 5-7 p.m. Sept. 4. George will introduce the brand's Big Eddy Uber Oktoberfest brew (tawny-orange hue variety made with toasted malts and  spicy hops). Guest purchasing a $7 sample of the brew will receive a complimentary tulip glass (one per person). cactuschicago