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Opening ceremonies for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 (yes, they're still being called that, despite being delayed to 2021) kick off on July 23, but Chicagoans can get in on the international sporting celebrations a few days earlier thanks to Fatpour Olympic Village, a new Olympic-themed pop-up bar that's bringing sports events, watch parties and internationally-inspired menus to Wicker Park this month.
Hosted by beer-centric bar Fatpour Tap Works, the pop-up concept transforms from a regular brewpub into a miniature Olympic Village, complete with decor like giant Olympic rings sign, a faux torch, podiums and international flags from all 205 countries participating in the games this year. The pop-up launches on July 21 with a free curling tournament—ignore the fact that curling is a Winter Olympics sport—before launching into high gear with a ticketed opening ceremonies event where you'll find DJs, giveaways, contests and more. Attendees are encouraged to dress like Olympic enthusiasts and fans, so be prepared to break out your best Team USA gear.
As the games progress over the next few weeks, guests can imbibe boozy snow cones and cheekily-named cocktails (like The Olympian, which melds tequila, strawberry syrup, limeade and seltzer) while watching your favorite events unfold onscreen. If you get hungry, order from the "Pizzas of the World" menu, which includes pizzas inspired by a host of different countries; The Fassbender, for example, channels Germany with a blend of white sauce, sauerkraut, beer brats, brown mustard, onions and gouda cheese. Meanwhile, guests can get a taste of sporting action with tournaments for bar-friendly games like shuffleboard, bubble hockey, Skee-Ball and more—winners can nab prizes like tickets to Lollapalooza or a Cubs game at Wrigley Field.
Fatpour Olympic Village runs through Sunday, August 8, and you can check out a full schedule of daily events on the Fatpour website, including details about modified hours to allow for viewing of early events. And if you want to attend the pop-up's opening ceremonies festivities, grab tickets ahead of time on Eventbrite. Let the games begin!