Sometime in the mid-00s, someone decided it would just be so ironic great to bring back those unfortunate looking holiday sweaters most commonly found at suburban PTA meetings and make it an annual “thing.” This was presumably around the same time everything else was deemed “ironic”, including, but not limited to: basketball jerseys, acid washed jeans, mustaches, mullets, Sally Jesse Raphael’s glasses, and the entire American Apparel fashion line. While we don’t really get the appeal, the Ugly Sweater Party rages on. A number of events have already taken place (seriously, they’re multiplying now), but there are still a few you can join with hideous thrift store sweater in tow.
Ugly Sweater Party at Sprout: As part of the restaurant’s usual back of house hijinks, Sprout started a new tradition last year of wearing ugly sweaters the day before Christmas and then exchanging goofy, adult-themed XXXmas Secret Santa gifts after service. Technically, only Sprout’s staff members are required to wear ugly sweaters this Friday night (but they would love it if you joined them). Click here for reservations.
Ugly Sweater Party at John Barleycorn Wrigleyville: If you can’t get enough of peppermint schnapps and chilling with bros wearing acrylic knit snowmen, this is your party. John Barleycorn Wrigleyville invites you to throw down with $5 domestic bottles and candy cane shots on Friday, December 23, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Ugliest sweater takes home a gift card of some sort, and bragging rights at the water cooler on Monday.
Ugly Sweater Party at Moe’s Cantina Wrigleyville: While you’re already in Wrigleyville, why not make a bar crawl of it? Moe’s Cantina is practically next door to John Barleycorn with identical specials of $5 domestic bottles and candy cane shots on Friday, December 23, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. It’s like you never left! Plus, if your sweater isn’t rated ugly enough at the previous bar, you can always try your luck here in hopes of winning yet another gift card (this one for your favorite bar, Moe’s).
