Best Outdoor Bars and Restaurants In Chicago

III Forks Rooftop

The time to enjoy rooftops, sidewalk cafes, patios, beer gardens and any chair you can find outdoors is here. In A-Z order, here are a few to check out this summer. Neighborhood and the type of outdoor space is noted in parenthesis.

 

III Forks (Lake Shore East / Rooftop)
180 N. Field Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 938.4303
www.IIIForks.com

 

10 Urban Roofscape (River North / Godfrey Hotel Rooftop, Retractable Roop)
127 W. Huron
Chicago, IL
www.godfreyhotelchicago.com

 

Big Star (Bucktown / Patio)
1531 N. Damen Avenue
Chicago, IL
bigstarchicago.com

 

Cactus Bar & Grill (Loop / Sidewalk Patio)
404 South Wells
Chicago, IL 60607
www.DontDrinkAndTrade.com

 

Cantina Loredo

Cantina Laredo (River North / Sidewalk Patio, Rooftop)
508 North State Street
Chicago, IL 60654
www.CantinaLaredo.com

Castaways (Lake Michigan/Lincoln Park)
1603 North Lake Shore Drive (North Avenue Beach)
Chicago, IL 60612
www.castawayschicago.com

 

Clark Street Dog & Bar (Lakeview)
3040 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60657
www.clarkstdog.com

 

City Winery (West Loop / Patio)
1200 W Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60607
www.citywinery.com/chicago

 

Commonwealth Tavern (Roscoe Village)
2000 West Roscoe Street
Chicago, IL 60618
www.commonwealthchicago.com

 

Del Frisco’s (Gold Coast / Patio)
58 E. Oak Street
Chicago, IL
www.delfriscos.com

 

Drumbar (Gold Coast / Raffaello Hotel Rooftop)
201 E. Delaware Pl
Chicago, IL
(312) 933-4805
www.drumbar.com

 

Frontier

Dryhop Brewers (Lakeview / Patio)
3155 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL
www.dryhopchicago.com

 

Frontier (West Town-Wicker Park / 3 Season Patio)
1072 North Milwaukee
Chicago, IL 60642
(773) 772.4322
www.thefrontierchicago.com

 

High Noon Saloon (Wicker Park / Sidewalk Patio)
1560 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 227-9339
highnoonchicago.com

 

Homestead On The Roof (Ukrainian Village / Rooftop)
1924 W. Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL www.homesteadontheroof.com

 

Howells & Hood

Howell’s & Hood (Streeterville / Patio)
435 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 262-5310 www.howellsandhood.com

 

Joe’s Bar Trackside (Clybourn Corridor / Rooftop)
940 W. Weed Street
Chicago IL 60642-2540
(312) 787-9600
www.joesbar.com
www.arlingtonpark.com/trackside-otb/locations/trackside-chicago-joes

 

Hopleaf (Andersonville / Patio)
5148 N. Clark Steet
Chicago, IL
www.hopleaf.com

 

Kit Kat (Lakeview / Patio)
3700 North Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60657
www.KitKatChicago.com

 

La Madia (River North / Sidewalk Patio)
59 West Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL 60654
www.DineLaMadia.com

 

Little Goat Diner (West Loop / Patio)
820 W. Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60607
www.littlegoatchicago.com

 

Logman & Eagle (Logan Square / Patio)
2657 N. Kedzie
Chicago, IL
www.logmanandeagle.com

 

Mott Street (Wicker Park / Patio)
1401 N Ashland Ave
Chicago, IL 60622 www.mottstreetchicago.com

 

RM Champagne

Moody’s Pub (Edgewater / Patio)
5910 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL
moodyspub.com

 

Nacional 27 (River North / Sidewalk Patio)
325 West Huron
Chicago, IL 60610
www.Nacional27.net

 

RM Champagne (West Loop / Patio)
116 N. Green Street
Chicago, IL
www.rmchampagnesalon.com

 

Rock Bottom (River North / Rooftop)
1 W. Grand
Chicago, IL
www.rockbottom.com/locations/chicago

 

ROOF on theWit (Loop / Rooftop)
201 N. State
Chicago, IL
www.roofonthewit.com

 

Twisted Spoke (West Town / Rooftop)
501 N. Ogden Ave
Chicago, IL
www.twistedspoke.com

 

Sheffield’s (Lakeview / Patio)
3258 N. Sheffield Ave
Chicago, IL
www.sheffieldschicago.com

 

J Parker

Small Bar (Logan Square / Patio)
2956 N. Albany
Chicago, IL
www.thesmallbar.com

 

The Dawson (River West, Patio)
730 W. Grand
Chicago, IL
www.the-dawson.com

 

The J Parker (Lincoln Park / Hotel Lincoln Rooftop)
1816 N. Clark Street
Chicago, IL
www.jparker.com

 

The Southern (Bucktown / Patio)
1840 W. North Ave.
Chicago, IL
Thesouthernchicago.com

 

Timothy O’Toole’s Pub Chicago (Streeterville / Sidewalk Cafe)
622 North Fairbanks Court
Chicago, IL 60611

www.TimothyOTooles.com

 

The Dec

The Dec (Gold Coast / Ritz Hotel Rooftop)
160 E Pearson
Chicago, IL
www.fourseasons.com

 

Park Grill / The Plaza at Park Grill (Loop/ Sidewalk Cafe)
11 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60602
www.ParkGrillChicago.com

 

West Town Cafe (Ukrainian Village / Sidewalk Patio)
1916 W. Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60622
www.westtownbakery.com

 

ZED451 (River North / Rooftop)
739 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60611
www.ZED451.com

 

ZOCALO Restaurant and Tequila Bar (River North / Patio)
358 West Ontario
Chicago, IL 60610
www.ZocaloChicago.com

 

Best Outdoor Bars and Restaurants In Chicago

III Forks Rooftop

The time to enjoy rooftops, sidewalk cafes, patios, beer gardens and any chair you can find outdoors is here. In A-Z order, here are a few to check out this summer. Neighborhood and the type of outdoor space is noted in parenthesis.

 

III Forks (Lake Shore East / Rooftop)
180 N. Field Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 938.4303
www.IIIForks.com

 

10 Urban Roofscape (River North / Godfrey Hotel Rooftop, Retractable Roop)
127 W. Huron
Chicago, IL
www.godfreyhotelchicago.com

 

Big Star (Bucktown / Patio)
1531 N. Damen Avenue
Chicago, IL
bigstarchicago.com

 

Cactus Bar & Grill (Loop / Sidewalk Patio)
404 South Wells
Chicago, IL 60607
www.DontDrinkAndTrade.com

 

Cantina Loredo

Cantina Laredo (River North / Sidewalk Patio, Rooftop)
508 North State Street
Chicago, IL 60654
www.CantinaLaredo.com

Castaways (Lake Michigan/Lincoln Park)
1603 North Lake Shore Drive (North Avenue Beach)
Chicago, IL 60612
www.castawayschicago.com

 

Clark Street Dog & Bar (Lakeview)
3040 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60657
www.clarkstdog.com

 

City Winery (West Loop / Patio)
1200 W Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60607
www.citywinery.com/chicago

 

Commonwealth Tavern (Roscoe Village)
2000 West Roscoe Street
Chicago, IL 60618
www.commonwealthchicago.com

 

Del Frisco’s (Gold Coast / Patio)
58 E. Oak Street
Chicago, IL
www.delfriscos.com

 

Drumbar (Gold Coast / Raffaello Hotel Rooftop)
201 E. Delaware Pl
Chicago, IL
(312) 933-4805
www.drumbar.com

 

Frontier

Dryhop Brewers (Lakeview / Patio)
3155 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL
www.dryhopchicago.com

 

Frontier (West Town-Wicker Park / 3 Season Patio)
1072 North Milwaukee
Chicago, IL 60642
(773) 772.4322
www.thefrontierchicago.com

 

High Noon Saloon (Wicker Park / Sidewalk Patio)
1560 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 227-9339
highnoonchicago.com

 

Homestead On The Roof (Ukrainian Village / Rooftop)
1924 W. Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL www.homesteadontheroof.com

 

Howells & Hood

Howell’s & Hood (Streeterville / Patio)
435 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 262-5310 www.howellsandhood.com

 

Joe’s Bar Trackside (Clybourn Corridor / Rooftop)
940 W. Weed Street
Chicago IL 60642-2540
(312) 787-9600
www.joesbar.com
www.arlingtonpark.com/trackside-otb/locations/trackside-chicago-joes

 

Hopleaf (Andersonville / Patio)
5148 N. Clark Steet
Chicago, IL
www.hopleaf.com

 

Kit Kat (Lakeview / Patio)
3700 North Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60657
www.KitKatChicago.com

 

La Madia (River North / Sidewalk Patio)
59 West Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL 60654
www.DineLaMadia.com

 

Little Goat Diner (West Loop / Patio)
820 W. Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60607
www.littlegoatchicago.com

 

Logman & Eagle (Logan Square / Patio)
2657 N. Kedzie
Chicago, IL
www.logmanandeagle.com

 

Mott Street (Wicker Park / Patio)
1401 N Ashland Ave
Chicago, IL 60622 www.mottstreetchicago.com

 

RM Champagne

Moody’s Pub (Edgewater / Patio)
5910 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL
moodyspub.com

 

Nacional 27 (River North / Sidewalk Patio)
325 West Huron
Chicago, IL 60610
www.Nacional27.net

 

RM Champagne (West Loop / Patio)
116 N. Green Street
Chicago, IL
www.rmchampagnesalon.com

 

Rock Bottom (River North / Rooftop)
1 W. Grand
Chicago, IL
www.rockbottom.com/locations/chicago

 

ROOF on theWit (Loop / Rooftop)
201 N. State
Chicago, IL
www.roofonthewit.com

 

Twisted Spoke (West Town / Rooftop)
501 N. Ogden Ave
Chicago, IL
www.twistedspoke.com

 

Sheffield’s (Lakeview / Patio)
3258 N. Sheffield Ave
Chicago, IL
www.sheffieldschicago.com

 

J Parker

Small Bar (Logan Square / Patio)
2956 N. Albany
Chicago, IL
www.thesmallbar.com

 

The Dawson (River West, Patio)
730 W. Grand
Chicago, IL
www.the-dawson.com

 

The J Parker (Lincoln Park / Hotel Lincoln Rooftop)
1816 N. Clark Street
Chicago, IL
www.jparker.com

 

The Southern (Bucktown / Patio)
1840 W. North Ave.
Chicago, IL
Thesouthernchicago.com

 

Timothy O’Toole’s Pub Chicago (Streeterville / Sidewalk Cafe)
622 North Fairbanks Court
Chicago, IL 60611

www.TimothyOTooles.com

 

The Dec

The Dec (Gold Coast / Ritz Hotel Rooftop)
160 E Pearson
Chicago, IL
www.fourseasons.com

 

Park Grill / The Plaza at Park Grill (Loop/ Sidewalk Cafe)
11 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60602
www.ParkGrillChicago.com

 

West Town Cafe (Ukrainian Village / Sidewalk Patio)
1916 W. Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60622
www.westtownbakery.com

 

ZED451 (River North / Rooftop)
739 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60611
www.ZED451.com

 

ZOCALO Restaurant and Tequila Bar (River North / Patio)
358 West Ontario
Chicago, IL 60610
www.ZocaloChicago.com

 

Easter Brunch at Park Grill 4.20

photo – Park Grill

Park Grill at Millennium Park
11 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60602
(312) 521-7275
ParkGrillChicago.com

Enjoy a Holiday Meal and Live Music in Millennium Park

Sunday, April 20
10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Celebrate the Easter holiday and the arrival of spring under “The Bean” at Park Grill. On Sunday, April 20 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., the restaurant will showcase a special a la carte menu, spring-inspired cocktails, and live music by Jugo De Mango. 

The Easter brunch specials, outlined below, will be offered in addition to the regular menu. For reservations, please call 312.521.7275 or visit ParkGrillChicago.com.

Easter Sunday Brunch Menu

Omelette Station
made-to-order omelettes $12

Cinnamon-Orange Pancakes
apricot marmalata, maple syrup $12

Steak and Eggs
eggs any style, flat iron steak, bacon potato hash $15

Chorizo Hash and Eggs Herkimer
cheddar, peppers, sour cream, Sriracha ketchup $13

Chocolate Chip-Almond Waffles
caramel syrup, citrus whipped cream $11

Pork Belly Eggs Benedict
beet hollandaise, green salad $11

Vanilla Custard French Toast
strawberry gastrique, cinnamon whipped cream $12

Brunch Cocktails

Melon Patch
42 Below Vodka, Cointreau, melon liqueur, club soda, orange slice $10

Classic Bellini
Avissi Prosecco, peach purée $9

Cucumber Bloody Mary
Effen Cucumber Vodka, house bloody Mary mix, all of the fixin’s, Old-School Schlitz beer chaser $11

Easter Punch (Non-Alcoholic)
orange, pineapple, pomegranate, ginger, club soda $7

 

Fall Fest at Park Grill in Millennium Park 10.7-10.13

Park Grill

Park Grill at Millennium Park
11 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60602
(312) 521-7275
ParkGrillChicago.com

A Week of Festivities to Celebrate the Harvest Season

Monday, October 7 – Sunday, October 13

Park Grill in Millennium Park will hold a week-long “Fall Fest” this October. From Monday, October 7 to Sunday, October 13, the restaurant will celebrate the harvest season with a special harvest menu (10/7-10/13), live ESPN radio remote and Bears viewing party (10/10), “Harvest HopDown” beer tasting competition (10/11) and a local farmer’s market on the Plaza (10/12).  The week will commence with an alfresco Chicago Marathon breakfast buffet and viewing party (10/13).

Executive Chef Bernie Laskowski’s harvest menu will feature ingredients sourced from local farms and purveyors. The menu includes local roasted pumpkin soup, apple and endive salad, La Quercia ham flatbread, Rushing Waters rainbow trout, Mercotte Farms dry-aged sirloin and local apple pie. The menus and full “Fall Fest” lineup are outlined below.

Fall Fest 2013

Monday, October 7 to Sunday, October 13
Park Grill Harvest Menu:

Local Roasted Pumpkin Soup
Burton maple syrup and pumpkin seed $8

Apple and Endive Salad
Pleasant Ridge reserve cheese, Brussels sprouts, and bourbon sherry vinaigrette $11

La Quercia Ham Flatbread
Roasted tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, Rose’s Farm mushrooms, local egg $13

Rushing Waters Rainbow Trout
Caramelized cauliflower, golden raisins, curry peach relish $24

Mercotte Farms Dry-Aged Sirloin of Beef
House made steak sauce, Gills and Greens watercress $42

Local Apple Pie
Malted caramel sauce, vanilla ice cream $9

Thursday, October 10
Beers and Bears
The Plaza at Park Grill will welcome ESPN’s Carmen and Jurko for a live radio remote broadcast from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by a Chicago Bears vs. New York Giants football viewing party at 7:25 p.m.  Television monitors will be set up throughout the Plaza to catch every play of the game.

Friday, October 11
Harvest HopDown, 5 p.m.-8 p.m.
A “Harvest HopDown” beer tasting competition will take place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Participants (21+) will sample the best harvest beers in Chicago and vote for their favorite fall flavor. Tickets are $25 per person, available atParkGrillChicago.com/events.

Saturday, October 12
Farmer’s Market on the Plaza, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
This family-friendly event will bring local farmers and local wine and spirit purveyors to the Plaza at Millennium Park from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Shop and sample items from farms including: Faith’s Farm (meat, soaps, balms); Mick Klug Farms (fruit); Sunkissed Organics (vegetables, pumpkins, mums) and Greens and Gills (aquaponic greens). Prepared food by Spice, Penny Pastry and others will be available for purchase. Melissa Z. Monroe Pottery will be displayed and sold, and Mary Lane will provide face painting for children.

Sunday, October 13
Chicago Marathon Breakfast and Watch Party, 8 a.m.- 12 p.m.,
Enjoy an alfresco breakfast buffet in the heart of Millennium Park starting at 8 a.m. Catch all the Marathon action and cheer on the runners via large monitors set throughout the Plaza. Tickets are $18, available at ParkGrillChicago.com/events. Park Grill is a featured restaurant of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.

Chicago Marathon Breakfast Buffet:
$18 per person

Local Seasonal Yogurts with stone fruit compote and spiced granola

Honey and Mint Fruit Salad

Chocolate and Classical Croissants

Banana Nut Muffins

Poppyseed and traditional bagels with sliced cucumbers, marinated tomatoes, shaved red onions, capers and chive cream cheese

Nancy’s Apple and Chicken Sausage

Raisin River Bacon

Parmesan Breakfast Potatoes

Chilaquiles with salsa verde and queso fresco

Skillet Scrambled Eggs with scallions

Eggs Benedict, Canadian bacon, toasted English muffins with balsamic hollandaise

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes, cream cheese frosting

 

Christmas Eve Dining at Park Grill 12.24

Park Grill

Stroll, Skate and Dine in Millennium Park

Monday, December 24
11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Make cherished memories this Christmas Eve at Park Grill. On Monday, December 24, bring your family and friends to Millennium Park for site seeing and a lovely holiday meal. Park Grill will offer lunch and dinner service from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Executive Chef Michael Wallach will present a limited version of the daily menu along with special holiday favorites (menu below). Toast to the holiday with half-priced bottles of select wine. Before or after dining at Park Grill, gather your group and window shop along Michigan Avenue, snap fun photos at the “bean” or strap on ice skates and glide away (rink open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.). Reservations are welcomed, not required.

Throughout the holiday season, guests at Park Grill have two ways to give back. The first is to donate a new, unwrapped toy to “Toys for Tots” (box located near the host stand). The second is to order a specialty cocktail that benefits Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. 50-percent of the proceeds from every”Spiced Apple Cider” cocktail (house-made spiced apple cider, gran marnier, bourbon) sold will be donated to the Red Cross ($12 each).

Park Grill
11 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60602
312.521.7275
ParkGrillChicago.com

MENU FOR CHRISTMAS EVE

Starters

LOBSTER THERMADORE cremini mushrooms, leeks, lobster, brandy cream 16
CRISP EAST COAST CALAMARI carrot, jalapeno, red chili dipping sauce 11
BUTTERNUT SQUASH RAVIOLI hazelnuts, sage, pecorino, brown butter 14
WILD MUSHROOM FLATBREAD truffled ricotta, leeks, arugula, truffle oil, preserved lemon 8

Soup & Salad

SPICED PUMPKIN SOUP caramelized pears, chives, ginger cookie 7
CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP grilled chicken, queso fresco, tortilla strips, cilantro pesto 7
PEAR SALAD mixed greens, pears, hazelnut, blue cheese, hazelnut dressing 10
PARK GRILL CAESAR SALAD parmesan, caesar dressing, garlic pepper crouton 9
GARDEN HOUSE SALAD baby greens, heirloom tomato, radish, cucumber, white balsamic vinaigrette 7

Entrees

ROASTED RACK OF PORK walnut chorizo stuffing, wild mushroom demi, gruyere croquettes 25
SEARED SKUNA SALMON brown sugar mustard glaze, roasted fingerlings, broccoli 24
BACON WRAPPED PORK TENDERLOIN brussels sprouts, cinnamon apple compote, squash 22
AMERICAN KOBE BURGER cambozola cheese, lettuce, tomato, pretzel bun 17
WINTER RISOTTO wild mushrooms, leeks, pumpkin, basil, mushroom broth, manchego cheese 14
CRAB STUFFED SOLE roasted mushroom couscous, greens, lemon butter sauce 26
GRILLED 6OZ FILET grilled sweet potatoes, pearl onions, bordelaise 32

Sides

MASHED POTATOES red-skinned 6
WALNUT CHORIZO STUFFING sage, corn, house made sausage 6
BRUSSEL SPROUTS caramelized onion, roasted garlic 6
SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE vanilla syrup 6
HERB ROASTED ASPARAGUS mushrooms, cream, crispy onions 6

Dessert

CHOCOLATE CHERRY BREAD PUDDING whiskey caramel sauce, vanilla bean ice cream 8
ASSORTED COOKIE PLATE gingerbread, sugar, chocolate chip, brownie 7
PEPPERMINT CRÈME BRULEE crushed candy cane 7

*Children’s Menu also available