Lights Out!

This week, Chicago celebrated World Water Week with the Tap Water project and tomorrow we’ll turn our attention to Earth Hour, the world’s pledge to fight global warming.

From 8:30 pm – 9:30 pm CST, Chicago businesses will voluntarily turn out their lights for one hour to show their support for action on climate change. Earth Hour is a global WWF climate change initiative that began in Sydney in 2007, when two million people switched off their lights. In 2009, Earth Hour aims to reach one billion people in 1,000 cities.

In honor of this event, several restaurants and lounges are inviting Chicagoans to drink, dine and dance to mark the occasion and show their support.

Harry Caray’s

Jeff Keenan has created the NightShade which incorporates Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur, vodka (choose Ciroc, the grape notes compliment the ginger botanicals of the liqueur) and a splash of Grand Marnier. Domaine de Canton is one of the newest liqueurs to break into the Chicago mixology scene and has been a staple ingredient for this spring’s latest cocktails.

C-View

C-View, the 29th floor rooftop lounge at the Affinia hotel, will turn off the lights in support of the Earth. While Earth Hour in Chicago officially extends from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm CST, guests at C-View can relax and enjoy the breathtaking views of Chicago amidst the intimate glow of candlelight until midnight. In addition to the regular drink menu, C-View will also offer a menu of specialty Earth Hour-themed cocktails ($10 each) for the entire evening, including:

Lights Out (Bacardi Light Rum, pineapple, strawberry, blueberries and vanilla maple syrup)

In the Dark (Godiva Dark, Vanilla Stoli and simple syrup)

Big Al (VeeV Açaí liqueur, chamomile tea syrup, St. Germain Elderflower liqueur, organic alfalfa honey and lemon)

Nacional 27

Known for their Latin American small bites and scandalously good cocktails, Nacional 27 is showing their support by creating a festive experience for those looking to put a spring in their step. Dancing step that is. Guests will experience candlelight in the lounge and dining room, with music by trumpet player Victor Garcia, as he accompanies Latin house music. To conserve energy, the music will play on a single amplifier rather than the full state-of-the-art surround sound system, which will be a nice departure from the oh-so-loud background music that often plays in other Chicago establishments. Grab your honey and dance cheek to cheek as you bask in candlelight.

Zocalo

Still in the mood for some South-of-the-Border action? Zocalo will provide a candlelit dining room and bar, setting the stage for romance. Perfect for sharing, mixologists will offer Earth Hour Cazuelas: Cuervo citrus tequilas, aguardiente and white wine with citrus juices and a splash of Squirt citrus soda, served in a large traditional terra cotta bowl with two straws, $14.