Summer is approaching and as the temperatures are heating up, restaurants and bars across the city are tearing down their winterized patio structures and letting the cool breeze blow through.
Chicagoans know to savor any and all bouts of warm, sunny weather. Parks and beaches are a natural draw, but so are restaurants and bars with outdoor seating, where we can laugh with a drink in one hand and a fork in the other amid peaceful vistas or vibrant cityscapes.
But where to snag a coveted chair? To help you out, the Tribune food team’s guide for outdoor patios contains spots where you can read or work for a spell, places with after-work happy hours to treat your team, plus patios fit for date night.
Alfresco your future afternoons away with our list below:
Scroll the map to see where you can find the best patios in Chicago. Click on a marker to see more information about that location.
A rooftop patio: Raised in the Loop
Take in skyscrapers and Chicago River vistas at the Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel’s Raised, where a patio three stories above street level makes fending off the corporate crowd and tourists worth the toil. While sometimes downtown bars skimp on flavor and service for million-dollar views, neither was sacrificed on my recent weeknight visit. Choose from cushioned couches or high-top tables to dine on shared snacks from the new California-inspired summer menu from chef Oliver Melgar, like crunchy-savory ahi tuna tacos with wonton taco shells and avocado mousse, or crispy Taiwanese popcorn chicken with sweet chili sauce. Drinks like a jammy bourbon and red wine concoction or a creamsicle-like mocktail with orange juice and vanilla syrup are the perfect complement to a night out in a city with such stunning views. — Lauryn Azu
1 W. Upper Wacker Drive, 312-795-3308, raisedbarchicago.com
Other rooftop patios: Gene’s Sausage Shop and Delicatessen in Lincoln Square, Tavern on the Point in Edison Park, Twisted Spoke in West Town, Open Outcry Brewing Co. in Morgan Park
A newly opened patio: Goose Island Salt Shed Pub in West Town
Goose Island Salt Shed Pub started pouring drinks May 3. Founded by John Hall in 1988 on Clybourn Avenue in Lincoln Park, the Chicago brewery closed that original location in December and moved to its new home right next to the Salt Shed. The new pub’s patio looks out onto the river and downtown skyline, and has tables with umbrellas and couches to lounge on. Treat yourself to snacks such as pretzels with beer cheese and mustard or fill up on larger meals such as a smash burger with fries. And yes, you can visit the pub without a ticket to see a show. — Kayla Samoy
1221 W. Blackhawk St., 312-915-0071, gooseisland.com
Other new patios: 101 Club in Streeterville, Casa Chi in Streeterville, Maxwell’s Trading in the West Loop, Kindling in the Loop
A patio to sip coffee and send emails: Beatrix Fulton Market in the West Loop
I usually do my cafe writing cramped in a poorly lit corner, rotating like a sunflower to the nearest open window. Beatrix is a wonderful alternative. There’s flexibility, abundant space and a motivating amount of lovely green plants at the Lettuce Entertain You restaurant, bakery and cafe. You could start your morning on the comfy patio couches with a coffee, move into the shaded indoor/outdoor area with a pastry as the heat rises and then grab brunch with colleagues under umbrellas on the restaurant side. The main attraction (besides the free WiFi) is the cafe and bakery with a gorgeous display case of visually sumptuous baked goods. Beatrix’s pastry counter also opens as early as 7 a.m. and the restaurant closes at 9 p.m. at the earliest. — Ahmed Ali Akbar
834 W. Fulton Market, 312-733-0370, beatrixrestaurants.com/beatrix/fulton-market
Other patios to sip coffee and send emails: Build Coffee in Woodlawn, Dark Matter Osmium in Lakeview, Afro Joe’s Coffee and Tea in Beverly, Cafe 53 in Hyde Park
A patio with an after-work happy hour: Nicky’s of Beverly in Beverly
Soak up the sun after work underneath blues-themed murals on stacked shipping containers at this recently redesigned South Side restaurant that has been serving Chicago classics like pizza puffs for two decades. A three-hour happy hour Mondays through Fridays includes deals on beer, wine and craft cocktails, including a delicious watermelon basil vodka smash from mixologist Lizzy Benner. Situated on a bustling stretch of Western Avenue, Nicky’s family-friendly patio is perfect for casual hangouts and people-watching, and its cozy fire pits will keep you warm after the sun sets. — L.A.
10500 S. Western Ave., 773-233-3072, nickysofbeverly.com
Other patios with happy hours: Franklin Tap in the Loop (all day, rotating specials), Diego in West Town (Tuesday through Friday 4-6 p.m., Sunday 6 p.m.-midnight), Pilsen Yards in Pilsen (Wednesday through Friday 3-5:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 3-4:30 p.m.), Bixi Beer in Logan Square (Sunday and Wednesday through Friday 3-5 p.m.)
A patio that’s dog-friendly with Chicago-style flavor: Justice of the Pies in Avalon Park
If your dog needs a little more space for that big stretch while you’re dining out and enjoying some favorite Chicago-style flavors, then my dog Kōl gives his big paws up to the patio at Justice of the Pies. Chef and owner Maya-Camille Broussard — and her chocolate goldendoodle Milo — clearly had comfort and style in mind when designing the bakery she opened just last year that’s accessible inside and out. You can easily move the lightweight metal chairs to make space for your pup. Then get some sweet and savory treats, including the seasonal Pie La Mode, a cup filled with warm peaches, a salted caramel sauce, vanilla soft serve ice cream and a whole slice of her salted caramel peach pie. The pie is one of Broussard’s signature flavors that goes back to her earliest days at the farmers market on Daley Plaza. — Louisa Chu
8655 S. Blackstone Ave., justiceofthepies.com
Other patios that are dog-friendly with Chicago-style flavor: The Wiener’s Circle in Lincoln Park (char dog), Johnnie’s Beef in Elmwood Park (combo sausage and beef), Bungalow by Middle Brow in Logan Square (Tavern Tuesday veg supreme), Sweet Rabbit Bakery in Roscoe Village (seasonal fruit danish)
A patio for date night: Volo Restaurant Wine Bar in Roscoe Village
Impress your date with an intimate night out dining on flatbreads and charcuterie boards in cozy outdoor cabanas at Volo Restaurant Wine Bar, all underneath twinkling lights once the sun sets. A sizable wine menu features flights of rose on Wednesdays and selections from New Zealand, France and Spain. Pair your bubbly with chef-partner Stephen Dunne’s spring menu including croque-monsieur with ham, gruyere and tender greens, and finish the meal the romantic way with a decadent chocolate mousse. Summer weather calls for spritzes too, and Volo’s six prosecco-based spritzes are $7 during happy hour. — L.A.
2008 W. Roscoe St., 773-348-4600, volorestaurant.com
Other patios fit for date night: Gemini in Lincoln Park, The Hi-Low in Humboldt Park, Kubo in Lake View, Chez Joël in Little Italy
A patio with activities to keep you entertained: Central Park Bar in Avondale
If you’re looking to engage in some friendly competition while relaxing with a beverage, Central Park Bar in the Avondale neighborhood is one of my favorite spots thanks to its bumper pool table. Not nearly as prolific of a bar offering as the standard pool table, bumper pool tables are smaller with built-in obstacles that change up the game. There’s bingo on Mondays, trivia on Tuesdays and crafting events on Wednesdays from June to August, so there’s plenty to do. The bar offers a few prepackaged snacks provided by Beautiful Rind Chicago, but you can bring in food, so grab a poke bowl from Poke Okie just down the street. — K.S.
2924 N. Central Park Ave., 773-698-6063, centralparkbarchicago.com
Other patios with activities: Park and Field in Logan Square (bocce ball), Kaiser Tiger in West Loop (bocce ball and bags), Parson’s in Logan Square (pingpong), District Brew Yards in West Town (board games)
Big screen or home stream, takeout or dine-in, Tribune writers are here to steer you toward your next great experience. Sign up for your free weekly Eat. Watch. Do. newsletter here.
