The New Year is quickly approaching and, for those who don’t have party plans yet, the pressure is on. The cost for many NYE events in the city this year starts at $100 and goes up from there. Now, we aren’t rocket scientists, but it seems to us that most NYE “packages” are just glorified bracelet parties with a paper tiara or a party horn thrown in (really, for a PLRG birthday recently we got three hours of open bar for $30 a person). We don’t think a party favor and a half glass of cheap champagne at midnight is worth triple the price of your average package party. So, in protest (and for all the PoorLittleRichGirls out there) we have come up with our own list of NYE soirees that provide the most bang for your buck.

Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club presents Sexy Supper Club NYE Party
$75-$85
Includes a five course meal, a martini or champagne cocktail, champagne toast at midnight (second seating only). Plus classic movies being played on jumbo screens and entertainment by divas Madame X and Traci Ross (fyi- it’s a drag club). The perfect place for a girls NYE out.

Fizz Bar & Grill New Year’s Eve Party
$60-$75
This casual Lakeview spot is hosting one of the longest open bar packages we’ve seen. Cocktails will flow for four and a half hours. Plus they’ll have apps a champagne toast and party favors, of course.

Silver Cloud New Year’s Eve
$29.95
Includes a four course dinner (appetizer, salad, entree, dessert) and a half bottle of champagne or wine.

Deleece Grill Pub New Year’s Eve
$35-$50
Includes a four course dinner (beer pairing are optional) and a toast at midnight. In true Chicago style, the toast is with PBR, not champagne!

In Fine Spirits
$20.09 (advance tickets)-$50.09
This black and white theme party includes appetizers, $9 drinks (including fancy champagne), party favors and a “surprise at midnight.” For just $30 more you can add a three course prix frixe menu with wine pairings.

Free Is For Me-These spot are all no cover, no reservations, no problem for NYE.

The Long Room
Free to get in and no reservations required, but no drink specials either. They will, however, be offering a comp champagne toast at midnight.

Motel Bar
No cover or reservations required. DJ’s, champagne specials and “yearbook photos.”

Ravens
Just cut to the chase and head over to this 4am bar for the new year. Open to everyone, music all night and $3.50 Sam Adams Winter Lager. 

Chief O’Neils
The ultimate in cheap NYE parties, Chief O’Neils will be starting off the night at 6pm with a toast (when the ball drops in Ireland), followed by live music until 9pm, swing lessons at 8pm and a DJ at 10pm. They’ll even knock 20% off the price of all food and drinks.

(Lacey Brenly)

We heard about  a cheap movie club from a reader who emailed us when we first started the website. Then, a few months later, our PR Bombshell, Lindsey came to us talking about a way to see movies for $5. We were intrigued, but with all the information we are bombarded with from day to day, it ended up in the back of our minds somewhere. But, when the ABC News feature ran last month (Chic but Cheap) and we were highlighted alongside this much talked about Five Buck Movie Club we felt like the cosmos were trying to tell us something- “Spread the word of the Five Buck Club! It will save your readers money!” Well, Universe, you spoke and we (finally) listened. 

This is, honestly, one of the best deals we have ever come across. In recent years it has become increasingly expensive to go out to the movies. Between rising ticket prices and costly concessions it can run around $20 just to catch a flick. Kerasotes Theatres feels your pain, PoorLittleRichGirls, and doesn’t want you to miss out just because you’re pinching pennies.

If you’re willing to wait a few weeks after a film has been released, you pay just five bucks to get in (at participating Kerasotes Theatres). Thats’ more than 50% off! (A regular adult ticket price is $10.75) It’s free to join the Five Buck Club and so easy to sign up online. They’ll send you a card in the mail, then each Thursday they’ll send you an email with the movies, theaters and show-times for which you are eligible to use your Five Buck Club card. 

(Lacey Brenly)

A Fact: 533,000 people lost their job in November.

Something scary: You were one of them.

Need a prescription for your non-existent health insurance? Get immediate relief by joining Walgreen’s Prescription Savings Club. $20 a year for an individual membership scores you deals and discounts on more than 5,00 brand name and generic medications (read: cheap birth control)

Oh, and Fido’s sick? No worries. You can add a pet to your individual membership and get hooked up on discounted pet prescriptions.

What do we think? That’s just what the doctor ordered.

Hit up www.walgreens.com/rxsavingsclub to learn more.

(Lindsey Duda)

Our wallets are in some serious pain right about now. The economy being in the crapper was the first hit to our budgets. Then, here comes the holidays-and there’s alot of ‘em- Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s, Valentines Day- with the final knockout punch. Things don’t have to get so ugly though. There are plenty of simple ways to save money on everyday things, so you can splurge a little more on gifts, parties and other seasonal festivities.

The best, no-brainer way to save big is to be a “member.” Just about every place of business nowadays has some type of rewards program or discount card from nail salons to grocery stores. With some rewards clubs it can even literally pay to be a member. That’s why, this week PLRG is reserved for “Members Only” (not actually, but I like saying it).

We’ll be talking all about the different discount programs, clubs and ways to save in Chicagoland. I bet you had no idea what good deals you can score with a Public Library Card, or that being in between jobs-and without health insurance- doesn’t mean you can’t afford your prescriptions. We’ve also got you covered on the fashion front with sales this week at Ideeli.com (which really is members only, but we can get you in. Just use invite code: poorlittlerichgirls). All you have to do is sit back, relax and reap the rewards.

Lacey Brenly

Editor in Chief

Bon V
1100 W. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60607-1608
312-829-4805




www.bonvchicago.com

Free Admission until Midnight and 1 Complimentary Cocktail (Ladies Only, Must present this coupon)