Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, and the city’s bars and restaurants are not wasting any time embracing the warm weather with patio parties and refreshing drink specials. You can get messy with an all-you-can-eat seafood boil, feast on a wide variety of grilled fare or enjoy a lazy day that starts with bottomless brunch. There are also ways to give back, with a beer festival benefiting a local food pantry and a cornhole competition raising money for military families. Make the most of the long weekend by celebrating at these 14 spots.
The Loop and Near North Side
RPM Seafood: Welcome summer with an all-you-can-eat seafood boil ($175) from noon to 1 p.m. Monday featuring blue crab, shrimp, sliced sausage, potatoes and roasted corn paired with white and rosé wines. The menu includes caviar deviled eggs, mini lobster rolls and a welcome limoncello or Aperol spritz. (317 N. Clark St., 312-900-9035, rpmrestaurants.com)
North Side & Northwest Side
Avenue Tap & Kitchen: The Lakeview bar opens at 11 a.m. Saturday through Monday to offer a $25 bottomless brunch, 99-cent wings, $5 Yuengling drafts and $30 Surfside buckets. (3407 N. Paulina St., 773-871-1200, avenuetapchicago.com)
Cody’s Public House: The dog-friendly bar hosts a doodle meetup from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, including free swag and pup cups, plus $5 Kona Big Wave golden ale, Golden Monkey and Goldschlager. A happy hour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday features Surfside sampling, a cooler giveaway, $5 mimosas, $10 Aperol spritz and $30 Surfside buckets. (1658 W. Barry Ave., 773-799-8217, codyschicago.com)
Fiya: Chef Ben Blum offers a special Al Ha’esh menu inspired by Israeli open-fire grilling Friday through Monday, with dishes including lamb burgers ($24), corn ribs ($16), watermelon salad ($16) and summer slaw ($12). (5419 N. Clark St., 773-543-7074, fiyarestaurant.com)
Kirkwood: The sports bar hosts a pre-Memorial Day party at 11 a.m. Sunday featuring $7 select stadium cups, $8 green tea shots and $9 Svedka transfusions with a DJ at 9 p.m. The beer special will also be offered Monday, when the bar opens at 3 p.m. (2934 N. Sheffield Ave., 773-770-0700, kirkwoodbar.com)
Lark: The Northalsted bar celebrates all weekend with $5 Bud Light and drag brunches featuring bottomless drinks 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Catch performances by Pixel on Saturday and Sunday, Vanya on Monday, and Venus the whole three-day weekend. (3441 N. Halsted St. 773-799-8968, larkchicago.com)
Lottie’s Pub: Play cornhole for the chance to win Revolution Anti-Hero swag from noon to 3 p.m. Monday, and buy a $6 Hero IPA to support the families of veterans and active military receiving medical care at Fisher House. The bar offers specials including $5 mimosas, $8 Tito’s bloody marys and $10 breakfast tacos. (1925 W. Cortland St., 773-489-0738, lottiespub.com)
Mayfestiversary: The 10th annual bash hosted by Begyle Brewing and Dovetail Brewery from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday features special beer tappings, food trucks, live music and kids’ activities. A $5 suggested donation benefits The Friendship Center, a local food pantry. (1800 W. Cuyler Ave., mayfestiversary.com)
The Oasis at Shore Club Chicago: Rent a cabana or daybed ($50-$200) for a group of between eight and 25 guests Friday through Monday and enjoy the lakefront views along with DJs, signature cocktails, bottle service and bites. (1603 N. Lakeshore Drive, 312-635-8058, shoreclubchi.com)
West Side & Near West Side
Ina Mae: Cool off with $10 frozen cocktails offered all weekend. (1415 N. Wood St., 773-360-8320, inamaetavern.com)
Guinness Open Gate Brewery: Kick off summer with a flight ($26) served May 21-28 that includes mini versions of a Chicago dog, crab dip dog and Polish dog paired with tastes of three of the brewery’s most popular beers. Catch live music from 1-3 p.m. Sunday. (901 W. Kinzie St., guinnessbrewerychicago.com)
Mac’s Wood Grilled: Celebrate throughout the weekend with summery specials including $16 smoked cheddar brats with fries and $5 Suntory hard seltzers and Skyy vodka lemonades. (1801 W. Division St., 773-782-4400, macswoodgrilled.com)
Suburban and multiple locations
Easy Street Pizza & Beer Garden: Stop in after the Park Ridge Memorial Day Parade for half-price pizza, $5 Michelob Ultra drafts and $8 Lemonade Stands from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday. Meanwhile, the Portage Park location opens early to offer $5 Modelo and $8 diner burgers with a side from noon to 9 p.m. Monday. (711 Devon Ave., Park Ridge, 847-823-4422; 3750 N. Central Ave., 773-993-0464; easystreetpizzachicago.com)
Ema: Swing by the carryout window after 6 p.m. Friday through Monday to get the restaurant’s signature frozen Greek yogurt with olive oil and sea salt for $1. (1320 Patriot Blvd., 847-262-9500, emarestaurants.com)
Samantha Nelson is a freelance writer.
