When Rebecca Illingworth decided she wanted to own a bar in St. Paul's Lowertown she opened Bin Wine Bar because she loved wine. One year later she's planning to open another bar based on one of her personal passions: tacos. "It's very selfish," she joked. Chilango Cantina will be a street-style taquería serving pitchers of Mexican beer, margaritas and sangria. She wants to open by Cinco de Mayo. "Chilango" is a slang term for someone living in Mexico City (Illingworth grew up there).
Located one block from Bin at 212 E. 7th St., the cantina will serve four or five traditional corn tortilla tacos, plus a build-your-own burrito. "It's not fancy at all," Illingworth said. She'll treat Chilango as a sports bar, showing soccer games from around the world (plus American football, baseball, etc.). Illingworth recently signed the lease and is working on the liquor license. She hopes to capitalize on Lowertown's burgeoning nightlife scene by offering food until 2 a.m. (with a walk-up window, too).
Bomp turns 2 at new home, Nick and Eddie One of the club scene's busiest dance nights is famous for not being held in a club. While Bomp likes to do things a little differently, it's proven its longevity (even after losing its original space at Bedlam Theater). This Friday it celebrates with a two-year anniversary party at its new permanent home, Nick and Eddie. Recently, the DJ committee behind Bomp flirted with a multi-room format that broke up its 18-plus crowd from the 21-and-older clubbers. But starting Friday, the monthly night will return to one big party. Your DJs: the Moon Goons, Shannon Blowtorch, Wzz Wnshp and Plain Ole Bill.
10 p.m. Fri. 1612 Harmon Pl., Mpls. $5 with RSVP/$10 without.
RSVP at www.moongoons.com/bomp.
'Jackass' comes to MOA; alert office-supply stores The world's most annoying human pincushion, Steve-O, performs at the House of Comedy this weekend. By no means am I suggesting you pay money to see this "Jackass" alum, but if you are so inclined I'm sure you'll be in for a gruesome night of debaucherous jokes and body stapling. Maybe he'll staple his mouth shut.
8 and 10:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat. Mall of America, fourth level. $32.95. 952-854-6228. www.houseofcomedy.net.
TOM HORGEN
