“Hot Ones,” the popular YouTube interview show hosted by Chicago-area native Sean Evans where celebrity guests test their strength against incredibly spicy chicken wings, is bringing its first live event to Chicago this month.
Moonlight Studios will host the event Aug. 28 from 6-9 p.m. as part of Stella Artois’ Let’s Do Dinner Summer Series. The series will also have stops in Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Atlanta and New York City.
More than 300 contestants at the event will take part in the “Wings of Death” in an eat-along experience with 10 mouth-watering hot sauces. Evans will be joined by a special celebrity guest, who will be announced the week before the event.
Attendees will also be the first to see clips from an upcoming “Hot Ones” episode.
Evans grew up in Crystal Lake, graduated from Crystal Lake Central High School in 2004 and went on to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he graduated with a broadcast journalism degree. He told the Post Tribune in 2020 that he’s inspired by interviewers such as Howard Stern and David Letterman.
One of his most memorable recent guests was Conan O’Brien, whose interview has over 10 million views since it was posted four months ago. The First We Feast channel, which distributes “Hot Ones,” has 13.7 million subscribers and recently posted an interview with actor Vince Vaughn for its latest episode. The show began in 2015 and is currently in its 24th season.
Chicago eateries Al’s Beef and Do-Rite Donuts are releasing exclusive items ahead of the event. Al’s is adding the “Hot Ones” hot sauce to their giardiniera, while Do-Rite will launch a fried chicken sandwich featuring a doughnut bun with Honey Nugget Hot Sauce, pickles and pimento cheese.
The special menu items will be available Aug. 7-28, with downtown locations providing in-store sweepstakes opportunities Aug. 7-23 for a chance to attend the event.
Entry into the “Hot Ones” live event is only possible through a sweepstakes at stellaartois.com/letsdodinner, which closes Aug. 18.
