Image: Thetruthabout (flickr)

La Condesa
400 W 2nd St
Austin, TX 78701

Make sure you make a reservation on May 5. This hip, modern Mexican restaurant is popular on any night of the week, but Cinco de Mayo is especially busy. Conveniently located downtown, La Condesa offers a modern, eclectic atmosphere with contemporary Mexican dishes inspired by the hip, bohemian Condesa neighborhood of Mexico City. This is a good place to go if you are in the mood for posh dinner on Cinco de Mayo.

El Chile Café Y Cantina
1809 Manor Rd
Austin, TX 78722

Get there early to get a seat on the patio. El Chile Café Y Cantina serves up Tex-Mex food with rich, decadent sauces. Try the Oaxacan red mole that Critics rave about on El Chile’s roasted pork enchiladas. The smokey salsa is so good, they sell it by the jar. Happy hour is from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. You can get half price appetizers and $1 off all drinks.

El Taquito
1713 E Riverside Dr
Austin, TX 78741

No alcohol is served here, but that may not matter if you are in the mood for a good greasy spoon place to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. If that is the case, head down to El Taquito for some rather authentic greasy Mexican food. Beware, though, that this place caters to those who like the real deal – the kind of food you might find on the streets of Mexico City. There is no orange cheese here, and the tacos are made from corn tortillas – not flour or wheat. Ask for a jarisco drink or have a Mexican coke.

Fonda San Miguel
2330 W North Loop Blvd
Austin, TX 78756

On the classy end of Mexican restaurants in Austin, perhaps Fonda San Miguel takes the cake. The heavy doors and elaborate paintings on the wall will make you feel like you’ve been invited to a wealthy drug lord’s estate for dinner. Fonda San Miguel is a great place to impress a date for a Cinco de Mayo dinner. The hacienda style building is surrounded by great landscaping, mood lighting in the trees and you are greeted by valets as you pull up. The menu and drink selection are equally impressive. Make sure you make reservations.

Curra’s Grill
614 E Oltorf St
Austin, TX 78704

Curra’s Grill is a relaxed environment to grab some really good food and reasonably priced drinks. This place is very popular among locals, but it also has gained respect and notoriety in several restaurant reviews. It was voted “Best Interior Mexican Food” by the Austin Chronicle and “One of the Best Mexican Restaurants in Texas” by the Texas Monthly. Their hot sauce alone was voted “Best Red Sauce” in the 1998 Austin Hot Sauce Contest. Get there early to get one of the coveted patio seats.

April Lentini writes for Apartment Guide in Austin

Image: Dustinj (flickr)

Austin Reggae Festival
Friday – Sunday, April 16-18
Auditorium Shores in Austin

Come get your reggae on at the Austin Reggae Festival. Featured artists include Easy Star All Stars (Friday, April 16), Mighty Diamonds (Saturday, April 17) and Sierra Leonne Refugee All Stars (Sunday, April 18). The 17th annual Austin Reggae Festival benefits the Capital Area Food Bank. Enjoy incredible music, tasty foods, arts and crafts, plus premium people-watching at one of the city’s most popular outdoor venues.

Austin Psych Fest
Saturday, April 24
The Mohawk in Austin

Founded in 2008, Austin Psych Fest was formed to honor the legacy of psychedelic rock music. Austin is considered the birth place of psychedelic rock. This festival showcases the best of vintage and modern artists presented with wild visual art and multi-media to accompany the “mind expanding” music. If you are not shy about exploring your artistic side, this is the concert for you. The Austin Psych Fest will be held at the Mohawk, a multi-stage, multi-level venue with a friendly, organized staff and great sound.

Lone Star State Jam
Saturday, April 24
Waterloo Park in Austin

Bring your picnic blankets and sunscreen. This all-day music festival features local artists from across the state of Texas including Kristen Kelly & Modern Day Drifters, Aaron Watson, Stoney Larue, Jack Ingram, Jason Boland & The Stragglers, Micky & the Motorcars, Honeybrownie, the Casey Donahew Band and the Eli Young Band. This music festival is held at Waterloo Park and is presented by Young Texans Against Cancer.

Texas Rockabilly Revival
Saturday and Sunday, May 7 -8
The Nutty Brown Amphitheatre in Austin, TX

The Revival is an annual music festival that celebrates the genres of Rockabilly, Country, Blues, Honky Tonk, Punk and Americana. Party with some old throwbacks and feel free to join perfect strangers as they dance the swing at any given point during the festival. If you like the look and sound of good stand up bass players, tight guitar riffs and a swing inducing jive, you don’t want to miss this Revival Festival. Artists include Asleep at the Wheel, The Supersuckers and Lee Rocker, well known from his days with the Stray Cats.

April Lentini writes for Apartment Guide in Austin

Image: Masochismtango (flickr)

Austin Karaoke
6808 N Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78752

With a relaxed atmosphere, Austin Karaoke caters to fun-loving karaoke singers who are looking for a no-frills place to sing their favorite songs. The private, sound proof karaoke rooms are equipped with a couple of flat TV screens, a few microphones and plenty of room to dance. The club’s BYOB policy is a sweet deal too for those who do not like to pay retail for over-priced bar drinks. So, if a huge room with coolers full of drinks where you can gather your closest friends to sing Karaoke is appealing to you, give Austin Karaoke a try.

National Karaoke League – Austin Division

Ego’s Lounge
510 S Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704

The National Karaoke League is competitive team karaoke.  It works like this: You sign up with a team (i.e. fun people who will sing and probably drink with you) and you compete in five rounds of karaoke each week.  Some rounds are solo and some are group rounds (duets count).  Everyone in the bar gets a ballot to vote on their favorite performances each round and at the end of the night the winners are announced. There are costumes, sets, choreographed dance moves and everyone’s favorite – beer.  If you are serious about karaoke and are not shy about meeting new people, this is a great place to meet new friends, have some fun and let your inner rock star free.

New Seoul Karaoke Studio
500 Pampa Dr
Austin, TX 78752

This is the real deal when it comes to authentic Korean karaoke. New Seoul Karaoke Studio stays open late at night and serves Korean “junk food”. The song list is largely in Korean, but they have a large database of songs in English as well. If you are too embarrassed to stand in front of a room full of strangers, you will appreciate the Korean-style private karaoke rooms. They have various room sizes to accommodate one to a party of 20 or more. You have to call ahead if you want to reserve the big room for a party. With the ring of a button located in your room, a server will show up to take your order or answer questions.  Do not be surprised to see strange accommodations in the rooms such as a bed, reading glasses or other props. Also, be prepared to crack up at the kooky videos playing while you sing.

The Highball
1142 S. Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78704

Bowling, ski ball and finally, karaoke: The Highball has it all. This is one of the few Karaoke places in Austin that is not BYOB, so be prepared to pay retail for bar drinks. If you love to dance, drink, play games and, of course, sing Karaoke, this is the place for you. You may find yourself in a private Karaoke room called “Paradise City,” an 80s hair metal themed room with leopard print carpet and walls. The Karaoke themed rooms range from 80s to 90s to sci-fi to get you in the mood for the perfect karaoke evening. The drinks are strong and inexpensive, and you can always expect attentive service.

Ego’s
510 S Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78704

Ego’s is the best karaoke dive bar in Austin –just ask the folks at the Austin Chronicle who rated it as such. This small bar is easy to miss if you are not familiar with the area. This fun, kitschy atmosphere will make you want to sing “Purple Rain” in front of all your friends after you belly up to the bar and order up some cheap and strong drinks to give you some liquid inspiration. Do not expect to find any fancy seats or décor. This place does not take itself too seriously like many other karaoke bars in town.  Humor and fun are the keys to getting through your song selection. Their karaoke catalog is huge. If they don’t have your song, it probably doesn’t really exist anyway.

April Lentini writes for Apartment Guide in Austin

Image: RLHyde (Flickr)

Kostume Karaoke
1942 11th St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 232-6590

If you take karaoke seriously, you should check out Kostume Karaoke on 11^th Street. Drunken theatre folks adorn themselves with props and costumes (provided by the club) on an elaborate stage for full-costume karaoke. This is not the place to go if you are shy. Kostume Karaoke has a lively singing crowd that likes to take things over the top. Get there early to get your name on the list, but even if you don’t get a chance to perform, you will undoubtedly have some laughs watching the free entertainment. Who doesn’t want to see a six foot tall burly man with a blond wig in a mini skirt singing a Dolly Parton song?

The EFN Lounge & Motley Bar
1318 9th St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 341-8281

Monday night may be an inconspicuous night for karaoke, but everyone in the local area knows that this is where the party is if you want to sing. While the EFN Lounge is primarily noted as a gay bar, it is frequented by a wide variety of clientele; younger, older, business people, drag queens and college students all seem to fit in here. This edgy, funky neighborhood bar is a great choice for karaoke goers to feel comfortable in front of a crowd.

Brass Monkey
2317 18th St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 667-7800

Located in the Adams Morgan neighborhood between N. Belmont Rd. and N. Kalorama Square, the Brass Monkey is kind of a dive, but true Karaoke fans know that hole-in-the-wall bars are sometimes preferable places to let loose and sing. The drinks are cheap, and they sometimes serve free pizza for the patrons. Head straight for the basement of this bar where it is usually packed on any given night with karaoke fans. The music selection is fairly decent, and as long as you tip the DJ, he will make sure that you get on the karaoke wait list.

Café Japone
2032 P St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 223-1573

Go back to karaoke’s Japanese roots and give Café Japone a try. From sushi to ramen to agedashi tofu, the menu offers a tasty variety of Japanese cuisine. The ambiance may strike some as a bizarre, “Lost-in-Translation” kind of club with black walls and purple sofas. The karaoke is more of a free-for-all rather than a well-organized waiting list. That can be a good thing, however –especially if you know what you are doing, want to take over the club and sing songs at the top of your lungs from a huge song book.

Recessions
1823 L St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 296-6686

Perhaps on the dingy side of karaoke bars, Recessions is a solid local cozy bar with cheap beer and the promise of a good time. Once you get past the seedy, motel-like entrance and make yourself comfortable, Recessions offers the complete local lounge experience and has an unassuming karaoke crowd if you need to brush up on your karaoke repertoire. You will not be disappointed with its robust song list.

April Lentini writes for Apartment Guide in Washington, D.C.

Image: Switzerland County (Flickr)

2010 Easter Egg Roll
Where: White House South Lawn
When: April 5
Cost: Free (if you are selected)

This year’s theme is “Ready, Set, Go!” promoting health and wellness to children. To coincide with the First Lady’s “Let’s Move!” campaign to combat childhood obesity, all of the activities will encourage children 12 and under to lead healthy and active lives. Here is the catch: you have to win a lottery ticket to this event. If you are one of the lucky ones who were selected through an online lottery system, you can enjoy live music, sporting events, cooking stations, storytelling and, of course, Easter egg rolling.

Eggstravaganza at Tudor Place
Where: Tudor Place Historic House and Garden
When: April 3
Cost: $7 for children, $10 for adults

Touted as “the largest Egg Hunt in Washington D.C.,” the Eggstravaganza at Tudor Place offers an exhilarating Egg Roll Contest, exciting games, egg decorating and spring basket crafts. Get your picture taken with the Easter Bunny, who is available for pictures all morning. You can also enjoy a self-guided tour of Tudor Place’s 5.5 acres of beautiful gardens. Be sure to bring a basket, a spoon and one hard-boiled egg per child.

Easter Monday –Celebrating the African American Family
Where: Smithsonian National Zoological Park
When: April 5
Cost: Free

Rain or shine, the Smithsonian National Zoological Park will offer visitors a variety of special family activities, entertainment, food and special opportunities to learn more about animals. Easter Monday has been a Washington-area multicultural tradition for many years, and this year will feature special performances such as African drumming, gospel music and storytelling. The Pathways to Freedom Peace Quilt will be on display, honoring the work and life of civil rights activist Rosa Parks.

Bunnyland at Butler’s Orchard
Where: Butler’s Orchard in Germantown Maryland
When: March 27, 28, April 1, 2, 3, 5, 10 & 11, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. each day
Cost: $8 for children and $6 for adults

This small, family-friendly zoo in Germantown, Md., has annual Bunnyland festivities around Easter. Families can participate in a day’s worth of events, such as an Easter egg hunt, pony rides, raffle tickets, candy, face painting, Easter pictures, and even a hayride down the Bunny Trail.  If that is not enough to entice your kids, how about the Rubber Ducky Derby, the Pedal Tractor ride, giant slides and plenty of food vendors offering hot dogs, veggie pitas, popcorn, cookies and more?

Easter Egg Hunt at Ida Lee Park
Where: Ida Lee Park in Leesburg, Virginia
When: March 27, noon – 4 p.m.
Cost: $6 per child in advance, or $8 at the gate

There are more than 15,000 eggs hidden throughout Ida Lee Park at this annual Easter Egg Hunt. Egg hunts are separated by age group. Other activities in the park include a moon bounce, a jumbo slide, a fire truck train, face painting and balloon artists.

Easter Egg Hunt at Morrison House
Where: The Morrison House Hotel in Alexandria, Virginia
When: April 11, 2 p.m.
Cost: $38 for adults, $28 for children

Make reservations soon for this popular Easter event, as spaces fill up quickly. The Morrison House has a regular Story Time Tea program, but this Easter it will incorporate a special Easter party and egg hunt that includes a reading of “The Tale of Peter Rabbit.” Kids will have a chance to make their own Easter basket, indulge in a spread of candy, treats, tea, and sandwiches and participate in an indoor/outdoor egg hunt throughout the main level of the hotel and in the courtyard. Plus, the Morrison House makes it interesting for adults too. One golden egg will be hidden, containing a gift certificate for an overnight stay and dinner for two at The Grille.

April Lentini writes for Apartment Guide in Washington, D.C

The election of W. Wilson Goode as the city’s first black mayor in 1979, along with other prominent Philadelphia black heros such as Cecil B. Moore, who led NAACP marches through the streets, and Philadelphia’s Marian Anderson who performed to a crowd of 75,000 in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, have shaped Philadelphia’s black heritage. If you are looking for ways to celebrate or recognize America’s black heritage in Philadelphia, take a look at some noteworthy black history events that are taking place in your area.

What: Cinema Sepia Afternoon Film Series: Walls and Doors: Inspiration from our Elders
Where: The African American Museum in Philadelphia
701 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
When: Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010 – 3 p.m.
Cost: Museum admission (adults: $10 / students and seniors $8)

What: Black Archetypes and Prototypes in Cinema with The Minority Reporter
Where: The African American Museum in Philadelphia
701 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
When: Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010 – 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Cost: Museum admission (adults: $10 / students and seniors $8)

What: African Dance Workshop with Amma and Ishmael (noon)
Hip Hop Jazz Musicology and Drum Circle with Coda (2 p.m.)
Where: The African American Museum in Philadelphia
701 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
When: Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010 – 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: Museum admission (adults: $10 / students and seniors $8)

What: The African American Experience Through Our Eyes and Yours, a series of monologues about issues that African Americans face in today’s society.
Where: The Kanbar Campus Center Performance Space
Philadelphia University
4201 Henry Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19144-5497
When: Tuesday, Feb. 23 – 6 p.m.
Cost: Free

What: Black History Showcase, the history of African Americans as an inspiring testimony to the strength of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming adversity.
Where: Pennsylvania Convention Center
12th & Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA
When: Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 13-14
Cost: Free

What: Black Journey, a high-spirited production celebrating heritage and tradition through the Black Musical experience.
Where: Kimmel Center for Performing Arts
260 South Broad Street on the Avenue of the Arts
Suite 901
Philadelphia, PA 19102
When: Tuesday, Feb. 16 – Thursday, Feb. 18
Cost: $14 per seat

What: Blue Door, The Arden Theatre Company presents this funny and poignant drama of one man grappling at the intersection of his own identity and his cultural history.
Where: Arden Theatre Company
40 N. 2nd St.
Philadelphia, PA 19106
When: January 14 – March 21, 2010
Cost: Tickets are $29-$48

April Lentini writes for Apartment Guide in Philadelphia.
Image: Srbyugs (Flickr)

Image by: CarbonNYC on Flickr

Philadelphia Coffee and Dessert with Free Wi-Fi

RIM Café
1172 South 9th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147

RIM Café is a cozy little hole in the wall on the southern edge of the Italian Market. If you are looking for a taste of Europe, a unique atmosphere and a charming experience, this coffee house will win you over. Serious chocolate lovers enjoy the Dirty Volcano, a hand-poured hot chocolate drink using the finest ingredients. Many guests also appreciate the clean and stylish restrooms.

Golosa Chocolate Bar & Dessert Lounge
806 South 6th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147

If you are looking for a sugar rush while you work online, try Golosa Chocolate Bar & Dessert Lounge. They lure you in with free wi-fi, then hook you on their heavenly selection of chocolates, cakes and pastries. This gourmet place is known as the best chocolatier in Philadelphia. If you are a true connoisseur of fine chocolate, you will be blown away by the quality and integrity of the “food of the Gods” found in this desert bar.

Chapterhouse Cafe & Gallery
620 South 9th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147

Get cozy with your laptop and enjoy the view overlooking the garden. Residents of Washington Square West have made this hotspot a favorite when it comes to local coffee houses. On a cold winter day, you can warm yourself on a cushy couch near the fireplace. The beautiful and inviting interior space features cool artwork on the walls. With high ceilings, lots of natural sunlight and wide open spaces, you are sure to be creatively inspired.

Philadelphia Restaurants with Free Wi-Fi

Almaz Café
140 South 20th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103

Don’t let the neighborly, inconspicuous space fool you. Residents of Rittenhouse Square and Penn Center love this local ethnic restaurant for browsing the Internet and eating a tasty meal. Vegetarians enjoy the Ethiopian menu, and the coffee is some of the best in Philadelphia.

Soy Café
630 North 2nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123

If you happen to be in the Northern Liberties or Spring Garden neighborhood, check out Soy Café. This is a haven for vegetarians that need free wi-fi, but the food is so good that even meat lovers will be satisfied with the delicious and hearty menu items. There are three or four outlets to plug in your laptop. The atmosphere is on the artsy side with an earthy, peace-loving feel.

Satellite Café
701 South 50th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19143

Located in Cedar Park, Satellite Café is a restaurant where you can sit for hours at a time, get some work done and enjoy a unique ambiance with fresh, homemade food. If you happen to be in the neighborhood in the morning, try the breakfast burrito with beans, cheese and spicy tomato sauce. There is a down-to-earth community vibe here, and the menu is mostly geared for breakfast or lunch.

Bars in Philadelphia with Free Wi-Fi

Intermezzo Cafe
3131 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104

If you are looking to link and drink, this bar has free wi-fi, and you won’t be harassed for making yourself comfortable. They have live music on Friday nights and feature Open Mic Night on Wednesday nights. Intermezzo Café serves food late, so it is the perfect location for nearby hospital staff to relax and have a drink after their late shifts.

Photo by: Tabooz on flickr

World Café Live

3025 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Located In the neighborhood of University City, World Cafe Live creates a fun and interactive live music experience for kids and parents. This is a place you’ll want to take the kids for lunch as the doors generally open at 11 a.m. with the show starting at 11:30 a.m. The Dodge Caravan Peanut Butter & Jams series is a popular Saturday morning show followed by a family friendly lunch buffet (not included in ticket price). World Café Live was voted “Best Kids Concert Series” by Philadelphia Magazine.

Hibachi Japanese Steak House & Sushi Bar

Pier 19
325 North Columbus Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19102

Kids will enjoy the fire shows from the chef’s open grill. Best of all, young gourmets can enjoy an entree of fried rice and grilled veggies with teriyaki chicken, shrimp, scallops, salmon, red snapper or steak for less than $10. Specials include early bird specials for the whole family and a wide selection of appetizers. Get ready for the show as soon as the chef arrives at the hibachi table. Your kids will get a kick out of the squirting mustard bottles prank, flaming onion volcanoes and food tossing to guests. Adults will enjoy a beautiful view of the water from Penn’s Landing.

Nifty Fifty’s
2491 Grant Avenue at Roosevelt Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19114

If you are looking for a fun, themed restaurant, check out Nifty Fifty’s, built and decorated like a classic 1950′s diner.  Complete with retro music and bright neon lights, kids will enjoy the constant action of this 50’s themed diner. The food is not too shabby either. The rich milkshakes are the restaurant’s signature item, as well as the custom soda flavors. Order any flavor of soda, including banana, bubble gum or cotton candy, and a Nifty Fifty’s server can create it for you. They have more than just burgers. For more sophisticated palates, try the Maryland Crab Cake Sandwich.

Hard Rock Café
1113-31 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107

If you happen to be in the Market East neighborhood with your kids visiting Independence Hall, check out the Hard Rock Café located in the historic Reading Terminal train station. It’s fitting that this rock ‘n’ roll themed restaurant is just blocks away from the birthplace of America. Hamburgers are just one of the menu items that can be enjoyed by the kids. The adults will appreciate the wide variety of drinks available at the bar while music and videos play in the rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia-decorated restaurant.

Friendly’s
9165 Ridge Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19128

Any restaurant with a tagline like Friendly’s, “where ice cream makes the meal”, is going to please kids. Friendly’s has a kids menu that includes a kid-pleasing variety of drinks, meals and desserts.  Adults can tap into their inner child while ordering healthy options such as soups and salads, sandwich wraps and even steaks and seafood. For a fun treat at any age, order the Fribble with Butterfinger and Reeses and get the straw that changes colors when it gets cold.

April writes for Apartment Guide in Philadelphia. If you are looking for a cool place to live in Center City, check out the wide variety of apartments in Philadelphia.

Where to Cha Cha in Chicago

Nacional 27
325 W Huron St
Chicago, IL 60610

During the week, this classy place serves up some of the finest food and drinks in Chicago. They have a large tapas menu and the staff is very attentive, keeping the mojitos, martinis and caprihanas coming your way. Be prepared to drop some money, however. While they make some of the most delicious drinks you have ever put to your lips, they are not cheap. Just when you are ready to work off all those calories, they clear the chairs and make room for the action. On Fridays, free dance lessons begin at 9pm and the dancing begins at 10pm. If you like salsa, with the occasional meringue and bachata song, this a great place to get busy on the dance floor.

Rumba
351 W Hubbard St
Chicago, IL 60654

Located in downtown Chicago, Rumba offers guests a Latin dining and dance experience in a seductive, lavish atmosphere. The décor is kind of a throwback to the 50’s, a sort of palladium-style mambo Cuban club, but it’s still sexy looking. The Rumba hosts live entertainment Thursday through Saturday, and you will find their dance floor packed four days a week beginning as early as 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, which is “Salsa After-Work” night.  Many salseros complain that the dance floor is small. However, be assured that you will never be alone on the dance floor, and the great live music alone may make up for the lack of space for fancy salsa moves.

Circuit Night Club
3641 N Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60613

The first thing you may notice about Circuit Night Club is that it hosts a lot of big into theme nights. Fortunately for Latin dancers, there are many Latin-themed nights that feature all kinds of Latin music, including salsa, merengue, cumbia and bachata. Sunday night is Noche Latina and caters to a Latino crowd. Thursdays are La Noche Loca (“the crazy night”) and feature the latest Latin dance music. You may want to note that this dance club has a large gay and lesbian crowd. Also, if you are squeamish about seeing scantily clad entertainers, you may want to avoid a night when the go-go dancers are out. But even if you are one of those rare dancers with reservations about frequenting an alternative night club, it’s a small price to pay for some good Latin music and dancing.

Martini Club
3124 N Central Ave.
Chicago, IL 773-403-8288

At the Marini club you will find old school salsa, bachata and merengue dancers. Thursday is Latin night, and ladies get in free until 12pm. This is not your down-to-earth dance dive. There is a steep $15 cover charge, and be prepared to dress to impress. The décor in this club is impressive, considering it used to be a bowling alley.

Green Dolphin Street
2200 North Ashland Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614

For serious salsa dancers, the Green Dolphin is the only place to go to show off some dance moves and get noticed. If you are a beginner salsa dancer, try the place out on a Tuesday night when it is less crowded and a dance instructor gives out free dance lessons. The Green Dolphin in Chicago has a more intimate setting than most dance clubs, but the dancing and music do not get more authentic.

April Lentini writes for Chicago Apartment Guide. Browse the wide variety of apartments available near your favorite Chicago Latin dance club.

Free Wi-Fi in Detroit

Photo by: Ed Yourdon on Flickr Creative Commons

Detroit Coffee Shops with Free Wi-Fi

Toast
203 Pierce St
Birmingham, MI 48009

If you happen to be in the trendy Detroit suburb of Birmingham, Toast is a comfy visit for some coffee and some gourmet food in a casual, comfortable atmosphere. While they also serve lunch and dinner, Toast is most notable for its signature breakfast. Try the Alice in Wonderland Omelet with beets.

Java Hutt
207 S Old Woodward Ave
Birmingham, Michigan 48009

The best thing about this coffee shop located in the trendy neighborhood of Birmingham is that it is open 24 hours a day. You can find college students pecking away at their laptops at all hours of the night. Enjoy one of their specialty coffee drinks or sandwiches while you surf the net.

Bean & Leaf
106 S Main Street
Royal Oak, MI 48962

Bean & Leaf is located in a busy area of Royal Oak in the Detroit Metro area. Independently owned and operated by a family that lives in the area, it is the perfect place to frequent if you support using Environmentally-friendly cups and drinking fair-trade coffee.

Detroit Bars with Free Wi-Fi

Jacoby’s German Biergarten
624 Brush St
Detroit, MI 48226

Jacoby’s has been a favorite downtown Detroit eatery and hangout since 1904 and thankfully, is still thriving today. Located in Bricktown Detroit at the corner of Brush and Congress, Jacoby’s German Biergarten is an old-fashioned institution with a wide variety of domestic, international and German beer.

Woodbridge Pub
5169 Trumbull Ave
Detroit, MI 48208

This pub has great food and drink specials if you are looking for a long session “drink and link.” This pub is a favorite among locals who like to be connected to the internet as well as hooked up with alcohol. If you happen to be in the neighborhood on a Sunday, check out the $11 bottomless mimosas.

Motor City Brewing Works
470 West Canfield Street
Detroit, MI 48201-1220

Located just south of Detroit’s culture center, this is a good bar for getting to know strangers. The intimate and cozy atmosphere is conducive for socializing. This micro brewery is the second oldest in the state of Michigan and not many people know that in addition to being a small and friendly drinking hole, it also is has free Wi-Fi.

Detroit Restaurants with Free Wi-Fi

24 Grille
204 Michigan Ave
Detroit, MI 48226

If you are looking for an upscale place to dine, 24 Grille in downtown Detroit has you covered and connected. The entrance has a huge rectangular bar with more than two dozen comfortable seats to get to work.

Bucharest Grill
2040 Park Ave
Detroit, MI 48226

If you like the flavors of the Middle East, Mediterranean and Eastern Europe, you will love the Bucharest Grill in downtown Detroit. Park Bar is trendy neighborhood bar that attracts young adults who are looking to relax, drink a beer and dine on the finest Chicken Shawarma in Detroit.

Lily’s Seafood
410 S Washington Ave
Royal Oak, MI 48067

This popular seafood restaurant in Royal Oak has it all: a kid-friendly menu, a happy hour, a romantic atmosphere and best of all, free Wi-Fi. Lily’s seafood restaurant has a lot of character and the food is not too shabby either. Lily’s Seafood was voted Best Seafood by the Detroit News, Real Detroit, Metro Times and Arts Beasts and Eats to name a few.

April Lentini writes for Apartment Guide in Detroit.  Browse the many apartment listings in trendy areas of the Detroit metro area such as Royal Oak, Ferndale and Birmingham.