Payday was last Friday and your bank account’s already close to hitting zero. Think you’re doomed to a week of tomato soup in front of the tube? Think again. These generous neighborhood bars offer free eats and reasonably priced drinks.
Griffin’s Public House
Every Sunday the Bears play, this friendly Lincoln Park watering hole grills free dogs, brats and burgers for the meat lovers in the house and veggie burgers for the herbivores. Wash it down with $3 you-call-it cocktails or $3 specialty drafts, such as Anchor Steam, Bell’s Amber Ale or Sierra Nevada. In town for Thanksgiving? Stop by and dig in to complimentary deep-fried turkey. It’s tasty, we swear. 2710 N. Halsted St. 773-525-7313.
Sedgwick’s
Feeling drained from the long week? Recharge at the free Friday buffet from 5:30-7 p.m. Don’t except to see just cheapy appetizers here–the spread features a hearty pasta, such as Southwestern chicken penne or gorgonzola rottini, along with standards such as wings, quesadillas and pizza. Owners switch it up and add in mac ‘n’ cheese or fried chicken from time to time. Plus, swig some $4 Long Island iced teas or the $4 20-ounce draft of the month, Summit Hefeweizen. Got the late-night munchies on Saturday? Chow down on a buffet stocked with egg rolls, tacos and more from midnight-2 a.m. 1935 N. Sedgwick St. 312-337-7900.
Jack Sullivan’s
If you’re looking to hit the bars on Friday night but trying to avoid that Saturday morning hangover, make sure to fuel up before you start throwing back pints. This three-level sports bar provides a generous spread from 5-7 p.m. every Friday. There’s no set menu here, but rest assured it’s all pretty tasty. Past favorites have included pizza, wings and other appetizers as well as a variety of salads. You won’t find any drink specials here, but domestic bottles are just $3.25 while imports and microbrews will cost you around $4-$5 a pop. 2147 N. Clybourn Ave. 773-549-9009.
Big Chicks
One of our favorite summertime stops was digging into the free barbecue on this Uptown standby’s back patio every weekend. Now that the temps are dropping, Big Chicks is bringing the party inside–serving burgers, brats, hot dogs and veggie burgers along with salads at 3:30 p.m. Sundays (eats usually last ’til around 7 p.m.). The picnic-like fare is the perfect antidote to the brisk days outside. Top it off with a $2.50 vodka lemonade and continue denying that winter is just around the corner. 5024 N. Sheridan Rd. 773-728-5511.
Kincade’s
With more than 40 TVs, darts and a crowd of baseball cap-wearing dudes, it’s easy to write this spot off as your typical sports bar. But not so fast: Kincade’s actually serves up a pretty classy buffet from 5-7 p.m. on Fridays. The spread changes weekly, but you can always expect a carving station of beef, turkey or ham, vegetable side dishes, potatoes and pastas. In just a couple of weeks, the chef will add his signature soups, including the sensational jambalaya. Well cocktails are $5 a pop; not the best deal, but still cheap considering the lavish (and free!) eats. 950 W. Armitage Ave. 773-348-0010.
