Shake it up, baby! Don’t miss Ferris Bueller’s “Eat the Scene” for a night out this June

Bucket Listers puts a delicious twist on movie night with the Eat the Scene event. This month’s feature film is the cult classic, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” Celebrating its thirty-ninth anniversary, a Ferris-approved cocktail and dinner menu accompany an immersive screening. Guests are transported straight into the carefree, mischievous spirit of 1986 Chicago. Every bite and sip pays tribute to the iconic day that taught us all the art of playing hooky.

Hosted at Hubbard Inn, Bucket Listers’ “Eat the Scene” series turned an ordinary evening into a cheeky celebration of one of Hollywood’s most beloved truants: Ferris Bueller. With a three-course dinner, themed cocktails, and nostalgic nods to the movie throughout, the night captured the bold, carefree vibe of Ferris’s legendary day off in the heart of Chicago.

Stepping through the doors felt less like entering a restaurant and more like stepping into the ultimate dinner‑and‑a‑movie experience. Guests enjoy themed dishes that correspond to pivotal movie moments in real time, without needing an algebra quiz.

Themed cocktails were as clever as Ferris himself, with bar staff rolling out drinks in miniature red Ferrari toy cars, an irresistible nod to Cameron’s dad’s prized possession and one of the film’s most iconic symbols. The Ferrari 250, made with rum, Campari, and sweet vermouth, is the signature cocktail for the evening. Other cleverly named cocktails are titled for iconic moments in the movie. The Mood Swing, a coffee liqueur and Irish Cream-based drink, pays homage to the volatile emotional rollercoaster that Cameron (Ferris Bueller’s best friend) experiences throughout the film.  An inspired version of a Bloody Mary, featuring vodka, tomato juice, pickle brine, and a sausage skewer, is cleverly renamed The Truancy, staying true to the hooky-playing trio.

Left: Mood Swing, Right: Ferrari 250

Classic bar fare is transformed into gourmet delights that embody the event’s playful spirit and sophistication. Sick Day Soup is a Chicago-style minestrone packed with chunks of fresh vegetables and beans, served with a fun sick day thermometer prop.

Sick Day Soup

Movie-goers choose from three themed entrees for the main course. The classic sausage sandwich is overflowing with Italian sausage and dripping with sweet pepper juices - each bite evoking the energy of the movie’s iconic parade scene. Playing off the film’s trio of well-off truants, the Snooty Steak Frites lives up to its name: a tender, expertly seared steak paired with crisp, golden fries and a hint of upscale sass, finished with a drizzle of herb butter and a side of tongue-in-cheek sophistication. There is also a Michigan Avenue deli sandwich that pays homage to the laid-back, hearty, and unpretentious theme of the movie.

Left: Snooty Steak Frites, Right: Famous Sausage Sandwich

 Continuing with the cheeky creativity, for dessert, guests have their pick of a playful strawberry shortcake, a decadent "Helmut Sundae" (a nod to the iconic ice cream helmet cups served at Wrigley Field), or the boldest option of the night: a Malört-vanilla milkshake that delivered a nostalgic sugar rush with a distinctly Chicago bite.

The “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” night at Hubbard Inn wasn’t just a clever event gimmick; it was a love letter to a generation raised on eight-track meaningfulness, friendship, and the bravery of a day spent off-script. Through cuisine, cocktail craftsmanship, and cinematic homage, Hubbard Inn and Bucket Lister host a curated escape: a night that moved fast, felt full, and reminded us to find the extraordinary in the everyday. The Ferris Bueller-themed “Eat the Scene” event will continue its delicious rebellion on Wednesday, June 18, Wednesday, June 25, and Saturday, June 28, so there’s still time to fake a fever and book your table. For more information, follow the link.