The following is courtesy of The Real Chicago magazine. For more like it, visit www.TheRealChicago.com
By Matthew Barbuscio
The Great American Lobster Fest at Navy Pier Aug. 15-16
Break out your boat shoes, seersucker suit and appetite for fresh Boston lobster, as The Great American Lobster Fest hits Navy Pier this weekend, Aug. 15-16. This extravaganza, on the far east end of the pier outside the grand ballroom, will defend its title as the Midwest’s largest lobster and seafood festival, complete with live music all evening (Bob Marley’s The Original Wailers will be playing), a variety of seafood creations and a front-row seat for the Saturday-night fireworks and Air & Water Show. www.AmericanLobsterFest.com
National Rum Day celebrated through Aug. 15 at Nacional 27
Mark your calendars, all you ambitious mixologists and evening adventurers, because Nacional 27 is celebrating National Rum Day (Aug. 16) in a big way Aug. 11-15. Each day will be punctuated with an array of rum-themed cocktails such as rum punch, Cuba libres, mango daiquiris, hurricanes and more. After a few tasty drinks, hit the dance floor to try out your best salsa moves.
Nacional 27 is located at 325 W. Huron in River North. www.Nacional27Chicago.com
Broadway in Chicago free summer concert Aug. 17
The annual free Broadway in Chicago summer concert, hosted by ABC 7’s Janet Davies, will take place Monday, Aug. 17 at 6:15 p.m. in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. This year’s event will feature performances from the casts of Dirty Dancing, Beautiful — The Carol King Musical, 42nd Street, A Gentleman’s Guide To Love & Murder, A Charlie Brown Christmas, The Lion King and more. www.BroadwayInChicago.com
Avanse summer soiree and happy hour Aug. 18
Support a great cause at Avanse’s monthly happy hour on Aug. 18 from 6-9 p.m. with Chrome City Founder & CEO, Alexandria Ott, serving as guest host. The event will take place on The Brass Monkey’s rooftop. Avanse’s passion for connectivity, creativity and community will come together to showcase looks from local designers on some of Chicago’s most well-known athletes, musicians, bloggers and artists. A $35 ticket ($40 at the door) gets you two sponsored drinks, with proceeds going to advance the lives of street kids in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The Brass Monkey is located at 401 N. Morgan. Click HERE for ticket information.
Mas taco and mezcal tasting Aug. 26
Mas, a modern Mexican restaurant and tequila bar in the West Loop, will be changing the pace of their normal monthly tasting event Aug. 26 at 6:30 p.m., choosing to focus on mezcal (“tequila’s divine cousin”) instead of a tequila brand. For $20, guests will be treated to a mescal-based cocktail, a sample of Del Maguey mescal and two signature tacos.
Mas is located at 800 W. Washington. www.BarMasChicago.com
Taxim rooftop opens in Wicker Park
Taxim, the celebrated Greek restaurant in Wicker Park, has opened its rooftop to the public for a more elevated dining experience. To Hayati, as the only rooftop deck in Wicker Park, boasts a neighborhood view near the Damen blue line stop. This new addition serves traditional small plates, Greek liquor and history-inspired drinks and liquors.
Taxim is located at 1558 N. Milwaukee Ave. www.TaximChicago.com
Fleming’s prime rib special
For a limited time, Fleming’s Steakhouse in River North is offering a premium Sunday prime rib dinner special for $34.95. The dinner will include a trio of Fleming’s unique sauces, salad, side of your choosing, and dessert. A perfect complement to the prime rib would be rare JCB wine straight from the vineyard.
Fleming’s is located at 25 E. Ohio in River North. www.FlemingsSteakhouse.com
“Thank Dance it’s Friday” in Pritzker Park
From Aug. 7-Sept. 4, a new five-week dance series, “Thank Dance it’s Friday,” will showcase several Chicago-based dance companies, bringing to light many styles of the art form, including ballet, contemporary, tap, and even Bollywood. Held in Pritzker Park on Fridays from 4-6 p.m. and brought to you by Chicago Loop Alliance, this series is sure to bring joy to anyone with a lasting or burgeoning love of dance.
Pritzker Park is located at 310 S. State. www.LoopChicago.com/TDIF
Open in River North: The Hampton Social 
From restaurateur Brad Parker comes this much-anticipated, Hamptons-themed concept — a 300-seat establishment with fresh coastal cuisine and summer-themed cocktails to get you in the mood for a relaxing, upscale atmosphere. A weekday happy hour features live music, half-priced glasses of rose and pizza, and $8 craft cocktails. That might be the perfect combination to close out summer.
The Hampton Social is located at 353 W. Hubbard in River North. www.TheHamptonSocial.com