These 21 Chicago and suburban spots are offering specials and parties if you don’t feel like firing up the grill at home. With Independence Day falling on Thursday, some of them are even keeping the patriotic fun going all weekend long.
All the events and specials below are for the Fourth, unless otherwise stated.
Cantina Laredo
508 N. State St., 312-955-0014
Cool off with a USA ‘Rita, a frozen margarita layered with blue curacao and strawberry puree, for $5 through July 7 at the River North spot.
Casati’s
444 W. Fullerton Parkway, 773-857-1237
Eat the American flag in the form of the 4th of July Pinsa Pizza, with a crust made from a mix of wheat, rice and soy topped with mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce and pepperoni ($18). Go during lunch when the Lincoln Park restaurant will offer specialty cocktails and wine for 40 percent off.
Castaways
1603 N. Lake Shore Drive, 773-281-1200
DJs provide music at the North Avenue Beach spot from 1-7 p.m. and you can sip the Stars & Stripes, a blend of pina colada and strawberry daiquiri topped with blue curacao ($14). The drink special is available July 1-7.
Cerise
203 N. Wabash Ave., 312-940-4774
A DJ spins all day at the Virgin Hotels Chicago rooftop as part of a 4th of July Grill Out celebration featuring a beef or vegetarian burger, a shot and a PBR for $9 and PBR for $5.
City Tap
850 W. Fulton Market, 312-888-3055
Celebrate in the style of the 50th state at the Fulton Market’s spot’s 4th of July luau, which features patio games and Hawaiian food and drink specials for $4-$7, including Spam fried rice, tuna poke and Hyper Coconut, a blend of Malibu, Kahlua, Bacardi, fernet and cold brew coffee.
Country Club
3462 N. Clark St., 773-975-2010
The Wrigleyville bar transforms into The All American through July 7, decking out the two-story space with red, white and blue. Listen to classic party jams while enjoying barbecue fare like beer brats and sliders (both $12) and playing games of bags and beer pong. Themed drinks include the Sparkler, a blend of Malibu, muddled blueberries, lemon juice and ginger ale served with a coconut rim ($14) and the Star Spangled Hammered, a flight of red, white and blue Jell-O shots ($10).
Gibsons Italia
233 N. Canal St., 312-414-1100
Take in the views of the skyline and Chicago River from the West Loop Italian steakhouse’s patio on the river, which will host a barbecue from noon to 7 p.m. including porchetta (Italian roast pork), shrimp and house-made pasta for $65. Pair your meal with summery drink specials, including $9 watermelon spritzes and $3 Gibsons Gold lager.
The Hampton Social
Various locations
The chain colors its signature frosé, made with rosé wine, peach puree and vodka ($10), blue for the occasion and offers its smash burger, a double patty with cheddar cheese, house-made pickles and mustard aioli ($10).
Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap
41 E. Superior St., 312-266-0400
Heat things up with a Firecracker chicken sandwich ($10) spiced with sweet Thai chile and Sriracha, and cool off your taste buds with cans of Temperance National Anthem Blueberry Raspberry Wheat Ale ($6).
JoJo’s Milk Bar
23 W. Hubbard St., 312-624-8963
The River North spot known for its elaborate desserts serves a Fourth of July vanilla, raspberry and blueberry milkshake decorated with red, white and blue sprinkles, a sprinkle-coated giant marshmallow, a white chocolate Twizzler, and a star cookie ($14).
Joy District
112 W. Hubbard St., 312-955-0339
Uncle Sam’s Rooftop Party kicks off at noon, offering $5 hot dogs and $14 frozen cocktails including a red, white and blue pina colada and the Spray Tan, a blend of Red Bull orange, mango puree and strawberry rum. Downstairs sports bar Parlay offers a 40-ounce beer paired with a whiskey shot ($12) and three sliders with waffle fries ($15).
Morton’s The Steakhouse
Various locations
The restaurants extend the happy hour specials to 5-11 p.m., offering deals including $5.50 beers, $8.50 glasses of wine, $9.50 martinis, $8 iceberg wedge bites, $9 cheeseburgers and $10 mini-crab cake BLTs.
Odyssey Lake Michigan
600 E. Grand Ave., 312-321-1241
Watch the Navy Pier fireworks from the water and enjoy a three-course dinner including lobster bisque and braised beef short rib and a top-shelf open bar. 7:30-10:30 p.m., boarding begins at 6:30 p.m. $199.90. Tickets: odysseycruises.com
Offshore
1000 E. Grand Ave. (at the end of Navy Pier), 312-535-6660
The world’s largest rooftop deck celebrates its first Independence Day with a bash offering views of the Navy Pier fireworks, an open bar and food stations. 7-10 p.m. $150. Tickets: drinkoffshore.com
Old Grounds Social
950 W. Wrightwood Ave., 773-832-4000
The Lincoln Park sports bar hosts a patio party including games and well and domestic drinks for $35-$40 from 1-4 p.m. They’ll also offer $5 Jameson shots. Tickets: eventbrite.com
Picnic Wine & Provisions
7301 N. Sheridan Road
Join the Rogers Park Community Barbecue Party from noon to 4 p.m., where grills will be available for you to cook free bratwurst and burgers while supplies last. Snacks and soda will also be provided.
Remedy
1910 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-698-7715
Keep the party going after the fireworks by heading to the Bucktown bar for free hot dogs and chips and the Yankee Doodle cocktail, a mix of Aperol, gin, rhubarb bitters and lemon juice ($8).
SafeHouse Chicago
60 E. Ontario St., 312-313-1007
Groups of two to six can share the Nathan Hale cocktail, named for the Revolutionary War spy, a red, white and blue layered drink made with grenadine, vodka, lemonade and blue curacao and decorated with sparklers and the American flag ($30). The special is available at the River North bar July 1-7 and is half-price for veterans.
Shore Club
1603 N. Lake Shore Drive, 312-635-8058
Hit North Avenue Beach for some fun in the sun and order The Frozen, a swirled blend of pina colada, strawberry daiquiri and a blue wine slushie ($14).
STK
9 W. Kinzie St., 312-340-5633
The restaurant extends its happy hour all day on the 4th, offering half-price specialty cocktails, $2-$8 bites, and select glasses of wine for $10. Make a dinner reservation from July 1-7 and you’ll get a $25 credit on your bill. You can also make your meal more patriotic by adding a red, white and blue steak topping, a lobster tail, strips of blue corn tortilla and garlic cream, appropriately priced at $17.76.
Windy City Ribfest
Lawrence Avenue and Broadway
The 11th annual Uptown bash provides a chance to try ribs from local and national vendors and vote for your favorite. You can also catch performances by tribute band Wedding Banned, new wave act Martha Davis & The Motels and “The Voice” finalist Spensha Baker. Noon to 10 p.m. July 4-6. $5 donation.
Samantha Nelson is a freelance writer.
