The Time Out Chicago blog team

The bar that formerly housed a Run the Jewels-themed cocktail lounge, an homage to Chicago block parties and a Fernet-focused pop-up has been transformed into the eerie town of Hawkins, Indiana. Tonight, visitors will be able to step into the Upside Down, a bar inspired by the Netflix series Stranger Things, complete with an Eggo waffle cocktail and some seriously spooky decor. Guests will enter the bar through a recreation of Mirkwood forest, where the Hawkins National Laboratory is performing secret experiments. Pull back a sheet (much like the one the telekinetic Eleven hid behind in Mike Wheeler's basement) and you'll find yourself in the Byers' living room, featuring flashing Christmas lights tacked onto the wall—you can snap a picture and try to communicate with friends who have been sucked into other dimensions. The nearby DJ booth is strewn with ’80s electronics, just like the A.V. club at Hawkins Middle School. Step up to the bar, which features the striking visage of Eleven and a bike for quick getaways, and you can order Eleven's Eggo's—a slushie made with bourbon, orange juice, maple syrup and a waffle garnish. Other highlights of the menu include the mescal-based, pudding-inspired Snack Pack cocktail and tallboys of Chief Hopper's favorite beer, Schlitz. The Upside Down opens at 7pm tonight at 2367 N Milwaukee Ave—directly next to Emporium Arcade Bar Logan Square—and will remain in the space through September 23. The bar's hours are 5pm–2am Wednesday through F

1. The Northwest Side’s Edison Park Fest begins tonight, with a carnival, food and drink vendors and tribute bands all weekend long. The free event starts at 5pm at Northwest Highway and Ottawa Avenue. 2. Celebrate Italian-American music, food and culture at Festa Italiana in Little Italy. The festival starts at 5pm at Ashland Avenue and Taylor Street, and admission is a $5 suggested donation. 3. See some of Chicago’s finest standup comedians perform at the always-funny Lincoln Lodge show tonight at Subterranean. Performances start at 8pm and entry is a $10 suggested donation. For more events, check in with Time Out throughout the day.  

In order to drink all the rum-soaked tiki cocktails your heart desires, you'll need a little something lining your tummy. The folks at Lost Lake get that, and after a fire closed the bar's Chinese takeout restaurant, Thank You, they're offering up a new alternative. The Land and Sea Dept. property enlisted the help of chefs Pete Coenen (Cherry Circle Room) and Fred Noinaj (Americano 2211) to create a menu that's influenced by Korean, Polynesian, Chinese and Vietnamese cuisines.  The new lineup is short and sweet, with dishes like grilled chicken wings ($13), pork dumplings with scallion and ginger ($12), chilled blue crab with wontons and sweet chili ($11), vegan-friendly curry udon with mushrooms and summer squash ($16) and 5 Spiced duck confit with scallion pancakes ($18). The menu will be available daily from 4pm to 1:30am starting Friday, August 18. Take a look and start figuring out what you'll pair with your next Tic-Tac-Taxi.  Want more? Sign up here to stay in the know.