These Chicago happy hours make summer dining easier on your bank account
Chicago summer feels so short, it’s easy to fall into the habit of treating the entire season like a celebration. And that’s fine — until your “one quick drink after work” turns into dinner, then another round, then a few desserts for the table … and OK, fine, one more spot for a nightcap.
It’s summertime Chi! It’s all fun and games! Until the bills gets dropped off, that is.
And that’s why a good happy hour should be on your radar all year round — but especially in the summer, when the urge to dip out of the office early for a patio drink (or three) is often too strong to resist. These deals have summer written all over them: They’re early, casual, often outside and all affordable. Like, ridiculously affordable.
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Because this isn’t just a roundup of happy hours. In fact, just about every bar in the city has some sort of happy hour. We set out to find the best happy hour deals Chicago has to offer, where you can get real bang for your buck. If you want to go out without feeling it in your wallet in the morning, these spots are all worth checking out.
Summer House Santa Monica
Summer House Santa Monica’s Martini Hour has a few deals in particular that keep my friends and I coming back. The standout is undoubtedly the $5 wagyu cheeseburger, served with special sauce and a pickle spear (or you can dress it up with lettuce and tomato for $1 more). You can also get bottomless truffle fries for up to four people for just $10. The burger is also available as part of the “Triple B” special (a burger, a local draft beer and a brownie) for $12.
A selection of martinis is available for $10 each, while house wines are $5 and rotating draft beers are available for $4. Martini Hour is in the bar area only (seating is first come, first served), Monday through Friday, 3-6 p.m.
Summer House Santa Monica, 1954 N. Halsted St. Open Monday to Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Americano
If you’re in Lincoln Park at happy hour time on any day of the week, you can find a good deal on a drink and a bite at Americano.
The best deals here are the $ 1 oysters and $5 truffle fries, but you’ll also find $5 drafts and a selection of classic cocktails for just $10 apiece, including gin and vodka martinis, cosmos, lemon drops and old fashioneds. Possibly the best part is that happy hour is seven days a week, from 4-6 p.m.
Americano, 1816 N. Clark St., Instagram: americanochicago. Open Monday to Thursday, 4-10 p.m., Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!
Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! has a happy hour that you should only go to if you’re really hungry. Because while the happy hour menu only offers small plates, they’re so affordable and shareable, you’ll find yourself ordering a table full of them and eating to your heart’s content (and washing them down with $22 sangria pitchers, obviously). I can’t tell you how many times my friends and I have eaten until we’re uncomfortably full (and tipsy) here, then split the check only to discover we owe like, $14 each.
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I highly recommend the bacon-wrapped dates, patatas bravas and “crystal bread,” but you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.
Happy hour is seven days a week from 4-6 p.m., and takes place in the bar area only. Seating is first come, first served. It fills up fast, so get there early, especially if you have a group and want to snag a table.
Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!, 2024 N Halsted St., Instagram: cafebabareeba. Open Monday to Thursday, 4-9 p.m., Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The Publican
The Publican in Fulton Market has a great happy hour, in part because of its range. It’s another happy hour to check out when you’re hungry, because there are a few great food deals. If you’re just looking for a snack, grab $2 oysters or $5 finger foods and dips (including pork rinds, marinated olives, caesar fries, pimento cheese and smoked trout dip — or $20 for all five). If you want to go all out, the seafood plate (which includes tarama, smoked fish dip, shrimp cocktail and more and serves up to four) is only $30.
Drink specials include $10 for select martinis and $6 for “Pork and Beam” (a Hamm’s & shot of Jim Beam).
Happy hour at The Publican is Monday to Friday from 4-6 p.m.
The Publican, 837 W. Fulton Market, Instagram: publicanchicago. Open Sunday to Thursday, 4-9 p.m., and Friday to Saturday, 4-10 p.m.
Xoco
One great thing about Xoco’s happy hour is that it’s in a sea of expensive restaurants. Another great thing about it is Xoco just has amazing food.
During happy hour at Xoco, the best deals are the $5 chicharrones, a pair of chorizo potato tacos for $6, or an order of the mini churros for $4. They also offer $3 Tecate, $5 micheladas and a selection of $9 cocktails, including the house margarita, a vodka paloma and the batanga, a delicious mix of tequila, lime and Mexican Coke.
Xoco’s happy hour takes place Tuesday to Friday from 3-6 p.m.
Xoco, 65 W. Illinois St., Instagram: xocochicago. Open Tuesday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Kraken
At Kraken, you can use happy hour to build yourself a snack dinner, or just have an affordable actual dinner. The North Center Japanese spot’s happy hour menu features a long list of bar snacks that range from $3-$8 (think edamame, egg rolls, crab rangoon, gyoza, chicken karaage, etc.). One of the best deals, however, is the $12 ramen — choose tonkatsu, roasted garlic miso, spicy roasted garlic miso or classic shoyu.
Drink deals include $4 beers (domestics and imported Japanese bottles and cans), $7 sake and cocktails specials from $8-$10.
The Kraken’s happy hour is dine-in only, Monday to Thursday from 4-6 p.m.
The Kraken, 4022 N. Western Ave., Instagram: krakenchicago. Open Sunday to Thursday, 4-9 p.m., and Friday to Saturday, 4-9:30 p.m.
Moonflower
Moonflower is where to go if you want to drink on a real budget this summer — during happy hour, select cocktails are just $7, including white negronis, lemon drops, margaritas, gimlets, old fashioneds and more.
If you’re hungry, you can get that taken care of without dropping a lot of cash too. The happy hour food special is a burger or corndog served with fries for $12. On Tuesdays only, you can get an even better deal: a mystery grilled cheese, a Miller High Life and a shot of tequila, bourbon or coffee Malort for just $6.
Happy Hour at Moonflower is every day from open until 6 p.m.
Moonflower, 4359 N. Milwaukee Ave., Instagram: moonflowerbar. Open Tuesday to Thursday, 4-11 p.m., Friday to Saturday, 3 p.m. to midnight, and Sunday, 3-10 p.m.
Bungalow by Middle Brow
Middle Brow’s Bungalow is a favorite spot for Logan Square locals, but it’s worth traveling to even if you don’t live off the Blue Line. During happy hour, Middle Brow beers are $5 each, and the house-made sourdough pizzas are half price, which, if you’ve ever had one, you know is an incredible deal. If you haven’t had one, try the sausage and olive (the sausage is made in house) or the mushroom. My mouth is watering just thinking about them.
Happy hour at Bungalow by Middle Brow is Wednesday to Friday from 4-6 p.m., and seating fills up fast, so come early to nab a spot. Keep in mind also that at peak times, pizzas can take up to an hour to cook.
Bungalow by Middle Brow, 2840 W. Armitage Ave., Instagram: middle__brow. Open Tuesday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The Warbler
The Warbler doesn’t offer a traditional happy hour, but it has one of the best dinner deals in town during typical happy hour times, so it absolutely earns a spot on this list. Monday to Friday from 4:30 to 6 p.m., you can order the Warbler Supper Club menu, which is $35 per person and includes a selection of five dishes: one salad, any two appetizers, vegetable dishes or house made pasta, a flatbread and a dessert.
The kitchen staff will portion everything according to the number of people in your party. And to sweeten this deal even more, any kids at the table ages 9 and under are included for free.
Supper Club is available for dine-in only.
The Warbler, 4535 N. Lincoln Ave., Instagram: thewarblerchicago. Open Monday to Thursday, noon to 9 p.m., Friday to Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Cafe Bionda
You’ll want to head to this South Loop Italian spot’s happy hour if you’re loroking for the perfect affordable date night. Cafe Bionda offers $9 happy hour cocktails, including their spritz, negroni and sangria (all perfect for summer), and a selection of $4 beers.
You can also choose from $10 bar bites that include a half-dozen oysters, arancini, calamari and more.
But the best deal by far is this: any pizza plus a bottle of the house red, white, prosecco or rosé for just $30. It’s available in the bar area only during happy hour, which runs Monday to Friday from 4-6 p.m.
Cafe Bionda, 1924 S. State St., Instagram: cafebiondachi. Open Sunday to Thursday, 4-11 p.m., and Friday to Saturday, 4 p.m. to midnight.
Farm Bar
Finally, there’s a happy hour for families (yes, families). Farm Bar offers half-priced glasses of wine, well spirits and beer, plus half-priced appetizers during happy hour at both its Lakeview and Ravenswood locations. But the even better deal is that kids get a free meal from the kids’ section of the menu (dine-in only, with the purchase of a regular adult entree).
That means serious savings when you bring the whole family to enjoy this delicious farm-to-table fare. Happy hour at Farm Bar is Monday to Thursday from 4-6 p.m.
Farm Bar, 1300 W. Wellington Ave. and 1970 W. Montrose Ave., Instagram: farmbar_chi. Open Monday to Thursday, 4-9 p.m., Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
