Photograph: Courtesy Kaiser Tiger
Get in gear for alfresco season with our guide to the best outdoor bars and patios in Chicago.
Sure, going to one of the best bars in Chicago is always fun, but there’s something exhilarating about having a drink outdoors. And after making it through another winter in the city, we rightly deserve to order a few cold ones while basking in the sun. If you’re looking for a Saturday rager or calm post-work happy hour, these excellent wine programs or beer gardens have everything you might be looking for. We’ve tracked down waterfront patios, hidden gardens and rooftop bars where you can mix a little bit of alcohol with a lot of fresh air. Make a reservation (if necessary), pack some sunscreen, hit up the group chat and prepare to spend an afternoon at one of the best outdoor bars in Chicago.
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Outdoor bars and patios in Chicago
Though its kitchen and bar are housed in a former auto repair garage, Park & Field’s main draw is its gigantic 6,000-square-feet patio, which features a bocce court, hammocks, fire pits and a camper that has been retrofitted to serve as an outdoor bar. Even if you visit during the coldest months, you can stay warm by cozying up next to a fire. Summer, though, is when Park & Field turns into a lively adult playground packed with fun and games.
People come to the Big Star patio to eat tacos al pastor while munching on chips and salsa, but they stay because someone at the table orders a second pitcher of margaritas or another round of beers. The moment temperatures in Chicago begin creeping up, the outdoor seating at the Wicker Park location seems to fill up instantly—and the newer locations in Wrigleyville and West Town. Be prepared to wait for your turn, but know that chips, guac and margs are in your future.
Set among a pile of shipping containers next to West Loop event space City Hall, Recess bills itself as one of the city’s largest patios, complete with a multi-level set-up and multiple bars.
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