Summer is in full swing, and Chicago’s bars and restaurants are embracing the warm weather with cold drinks and barbecues. See who brings the heat at a spicy margarita competition, sip rosé on the terrace at Miru, or feast on a whole roasted pig at Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba. Neighborhoods are showing off their unique flavors with a Rogers Park taco crawl and the third annual Taste of Bronzeville, while a cocktail pop-up offers a taste of Singapore. Feast on all the city has to offer at these 10 dining events happening in July.
Paulie Gee’s Logan Square 10-year anniversary
Celebrate with two hours of all-you-can-eat pizza, draft beer and other drinks, plus some extra treats. Ticket holders get an extra drink after the package ends, when the restaurant will be offering $10 pizzas and cocktails plus free Costco birthday cake.
5-7 p.m. July 9 at 2451 N. Milwaukee Ave.; $60 tickets at pauliegee.com
“New School Barbecue” book signing
Try the smoked and seared L&L Burger served at LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue in Austin, Texas, prepared by Evan Leroy, who will be signing copies of his new cookbook.
10:30 a.m. July 10 at Bub City, 435 N. Clark St.; $30 tickets at bub-city.com/chicago/happenings
World’s Best Spicy Marg Cocktail Competition
Bartenders from six spots including The Radicle, Moneygun and Trivoli Tavern make their spins on a spicy margarita and you can taste them all and vote for your favorite. A welcome cocktail is included, and additional food and drinks are available to purchase.
6-9 p.m. July 12 at TRUCE, 1935 N. Damen Ave.; $61 tickets at eventbrite.com
Fire and Flavor
South Asia Institute launches a new series with culinary historian Colleen Taylor Sen moderating a discussion of live-fire cooking in South Asia with Basant Modern Indian chef/owner Jeet Singh. A tasting menu of regional barbecue dishes includes paneer tikka, chicken sliders and mushroom kabab.
6-8:30 p.m. July 14 at Basant Modern Indian, 1939 W. Byron St.; $120 tickets at saichicago.org/calendar/gather
French Bistro Classic wine dinner
Celebrate Bastille Day with a celebration of the food from France’s northern coast, including baked scallops, cider-brined chicken with wild mushroom cream sauce and apple tarte tatin served with wine pairings.
6 p.m. July 14 at Le Sud, 2301 W. Roscoe St.; $99 tickets at lesudchicago.com
Rogers Park Taco Crawl
Visit 10 restaurants along one of two routes during the annual celebration to enjoy tacos, tamales, churros and ice cream. Margaritas and palomas are available along both paths.
3-7 p.m. July 16 at 6950 N. Clark St.; $25 tickets at rpba.org/2026/06/taco-crawl-2026
Cat Bite Club pop-up
Jesse Vida, co-founder of Singapore’s Cat Bite Club and former head bartender at Atlas Singapore, shows off his use of agave and rice spirits by taking over the bar at Kitty’s Cosmopolitan Club to serve four cocktails throughout the night.
6-8 p.m. July 20 at Kitty’s Cosmopolitan Club, 51 W. Hubbard St.; $75 tickets at kittyscosmopolitanclub.com
Rosé Soirée
Take in the views of the Chicago River, Navy Pier and Lake Michigan on the St. Regis Terrace while sipping more than 20 varieties of still and sparkling wine paired with Japanese-inspired small bites, sushi and sweets.
1-3:30 p.m. July 25 at Miru, 401 E. Wacker Drive; $89 tickets at mirurestaurant.com/events/rose-soiree
Taste of Bronzeville
Caseras, Versie’s Cookie & Bake Shop, The Good Root Grove Co. and Two Brothers that Cook provide food at the third annual community celebration, which also features yoga, dance lessons and music.
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 25 at 37th Street and King Drive; free tickets at tasteofbronzeville.com
Basque Pig Roast
Chefs Eric Jorgensen (Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!) and David Koehn (Mon Ami Gabi) team up to cook a whole pig from Slagel Family Farms at the third annual bash, which features tapas, pintxos, salads and beverage pairings.
1-3 p.m. July 29 at Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba, 2024 N. Halsted St.; $95 tickets at cafebabareeba.com/events/basque-pig-roast
Samantha Nelson is a freelance writer.
