Memorial Day weekend in Chicago is right around the corner. Have you made any plans? Whether you plan on having a classic BBQ gathering at one of Chicago’s beautiful parks with families and friends or joining one of the Memorial Day parties at Chicago bars and restaurants, this guide will make sure your weekend is filled with fun, good food, and happy vibes.
Memorial Day Weekend Happenings in Chicago
Let’s start with the parties in Chicago! From music trivia to pre memorial day weekend parties, this year, Chicago is ready to elevate your festivity!
Memorial Day Patio Party at Central Park Bar
2924 N Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
Chicagoans can keep the Memorial Day weekend party going and join Central Park Bar in Chicago on Monday, May 29 beginning at 8 p.m. Guests will enjoy $4 Coors Light and Miller High Life in the 3,500 square foot Backyard Bar complete with covered outdoor bar, bumper pool table, picnic tables, porch swings, and fire pit.
Make-Your-Own Tailgate at Cody’s Public House
1658 W Barry Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
With easy street parking and a quick Uber ride to and from Wrigley Field, Cody’s Public House is the perfect pre or post-game stop for the Cubs vs Tampa Bay Devil Rays game on Memorial Day. Cody’s game day specials will include $4 Old Style tall boy cans, $6 Spiteful Brewing Bleacher Bum Blonde, and $6 Cubby Bombs. Guests are invited to “Bring Your Own Meat” (BYOM) and use the grill in Cody’s beer garden to grill up all their game-day favorites. Cody’s beer garden also features TVs, darts, and bean bags.
Pre-Memorial Day Party at Kirkwood
2934 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
Did you ask how you can spend Memorial Day weekend in style and action this year in Chicago? Enjoy a pre-Memorial Day party at Kirkwood! Featuring $6 Bud Light/Miller Lite Stadium Cups, and $8 Vegas Bombs, the neighborhood favorite will also have a DJ starting at 9 p.m. for all-night dancing. Burn those calories before you head into the BBQ feast the next day — that sounds like a plan to me!
Memorial Day White Party at Lottie’s
1925 W Cortland St, Chicago, IL 60622
Lottie’s Pub is celebrating this Memorial Day with its very own Memorial Day White Hot Summer Kickoff Party, sponsored by White Claw! Happening on Monday, May 29th from 12-4 pm, guests can enjoy food and drink specials including $25 White Claw & White Claw Vodka buckets, $8 housemade draft margaritas, $8 white cheddar mac & cheese, and $14 white pizzas! Guests will also have the chance to win prizes from White Claw (from coolers to gift cards!) through Lottie’s “Best White Outfit” contest and Memorial Day-themed trivia that will be happening at 7 pm.
Memorial Day Music Trivia at aliveOne
2683 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614
After the barbecues, patrons can head to aliveOne at 5 p.m. for half-off all beer and cocktails from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. along with specials like a $7 PBR and whiskey shot combo. At 8 p.m., guests will enjoy free music trivia from Whaddayaknow and a free pool all night.
Explore the Best of Chicago at The Godfrey Hotel
For those preferring the best views of the city over sitting outside on the grass, The Godfrey Hotel’s rooftop lounge, I|O Godfrey offers travelers the opportunity to see Chicago from new heights. Known as Chicago’s largest and most iconic rooftop, I|O Godfrey not only provides some of the best cityscape views but also summer cocktails to complement the unofficial kickoff to the summer. The hotel is also within walking distance of some of the best restaurants in the city and just a few blocks west of the famous Magnificent Mile for shopping and sightseeing.
A Ride on the Chicago Fireboat Tours
Back on the water, Chicago Fireboat Tours is pleased to offer Chicagoans and tourists alike a chance to cruise on a piece of Chicago history! The Fred A. Busse houses a miniature museum with artifacts, photos, and firefighting paraphernalia from the boat’s time in service. Historical & Architectural Cruises take passengers through the Chicago Locks and onto the Chicago River, with an expert tour guide narrating highlights of Chicago’s magnificent architecture. This year, the beloved firework cruise has returned for Memorial Day weekend in Chicago!
Memorial Day Restaurant Deals
Don’t want to cook at home? No problem. From brunch, and lunch, to dinner parties, these Chicago restaurants have your Memorial Day meal covered!
Memorial Day Shrimp Boil at Ina Mae Tavern
1415 N Wood St, Chicago, IL 60622
Ina Mae Tavern will be kicking off Summer 2023 with their Memorial Day Shrimp Boil on Monday, May 29th from 11 AM-5 PM. For only $39 per person, guests can enjoy 1 ½ pounds of boiled shrimp, corn, and potatoes, as well as Ina Mae’s special punch! Perfectly complementing this bayou feast are Ina Mae’s $12 Hurricanes, $9 Hornitos Palomas, and live music!
Memorial Day Specials at Mac’s Wood Grilled
1801 W. Division St. Chicago, IL 60622
Mac’s Wood Grilled celebrates the unofficial beginning of the summer season with food and drinks specials and expanded hours. In addition to the daily drink deals, look for holiday specials such as $4 Watermelon Vodka Mules, $4 Topo Chico Hard Seltzers, and $4 Pink Whitney Vodka Lemonades. Mac’s augments the regular menu with a $12 Chicago-Style Polish with yellow mustard, white onions, sweet pickle relish, a dill pickle spear, tomatoes, sport peppers, and celery salt (served with fries).
The Wicker Park bar opens at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 29 to celebrate the official Memorial Day holiday (normally open at 3 p.m.). The drink specials are available daily from Friday, May 26 through Monday, May 29. Both sidewalk cafes are open daily, weather permitting.
Memorial Day Brunch at CheSa’s Bistro
3235 W Addison St Suite C, Chicago, IL 60618
CheSa’s Bistro & Bar will celebrate Memorial Weekend Brunch on May 27 and 28. Entertainment will be provided by a DJ from 11 AM to 4 PM on Sunday only. Reservations are recommended by calling 773-754-8523. All menu items are 100% gluten-free and 100% delicious. The Memorial Day brunch special includes savory dishes such as lobster or crab cake benedicts, garlic lambchop, salmon croquettes, etc., and sweet decadences like CheSa’s famous bourbon peach cobbler waffle.
Half-Price Burgers at Estelle’s
2013 W North Ave. Chicago, IL 60647
Burgers are a must for Memorial Day celebrations! For Chicagoans looking for a casual spot to wind down after Memorial Day weekend, Estelle’s will open at 10 p.m. on Monday, May 29. Guests will enjoy a late-night barbecue with half-price BYO (build-your-own) burgers all evening.
Memorial Day Specials at Pony Inn
1638 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
Start your Memorial Day Weekend in Chicago early and head to The Pony Inn for good food and great beer. Cheers to Friday’s Happy Hours, 5-7 pm, featuring $3 Frosty Beer Mugs, $8 Select Cocktails, and ½ Priced Appetizers. Game Day Specials include $18 Domestic Buckets,
$10 Pizzas, $8 Cocktails, and $3 All Day Mimosas! Feed your hangover with The Pony’s delicious Brunch Saturday and Sunday beginning at 11 AM.
Lirica
900 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Salsa your way to the start of summer at Lírica this Memorial Day Weekend! Located on the East End of Chicago’s Navy Pier, Lírica is offering a once-in-a-lifetime performance on their prime patio locations this MDW. The patio will be open and the cocktails will be pouring, enjoy Spanish-inspired menus while watching Lírica’s live Flamenco and Guitar performance on Saturday, May 27 from 5 pm to 7 pm. Reserve your table for the show on OpenTable here.
Order Your To-Gos
Don’t want to cook? Perfectly understandable. Order your memorial day weekend kits from our favorite spots! Let the pros do the cooking, you just have fun.
Memorial Day Grill Kits from Tanta
118 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60654
Tanta will be offering customizable Memorial Day grill kits for those looking to celebrate the holiday with Peruvian favorites in the comfort of their own backyards. With a variety of kits available for purchase, including anticucheros (skewers), prime tomahawk (28 oz), fried chicken, empanadas, and more, Tanta will also be offering prepared cocktails (serving four), with options including Tanta’s Prickly Pear Margarita, El Cholito, and El Chingon.
Orders can be placed via Tock from now until Sunday, May 28th at 12 pm. Orders can be picked up at Tanta on Monday, May 29th from 11-3 pm.
To-Go Baskets from All Too Well
352 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
Chicagoans staying in town over Memorial Day weekend can enjoy an easy-to-plan picnic in the park with a “Park Pack” from All Too Well in Lincoln Park. Available daily beginning Friday, May 26, the Park Packs will range from $12 to $18 each and include charcuterie, cheese, a pickled item, fruit, crackers, and olives.
Breakfast Sandwich Tray from Hannah’s Bretzel
400 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654
This Memorial Day weekend, don’t stress about feeding friends and family as Hannah’s Bretzel has got breakfast covered, perfect for large parties. Hannah’s Bretzel offers a breakfast sandwich tray, creating a truly customizable morning pick-me-up satisfying every loved one’s cravings. With a minimum of eight sandwiches in the build-your-own tray, each order comes with the option to add a freshly prepared fruit salad and/or freshly brewed organic coffee or tea to any order. Don’t let the stress of breakfast for a large group stress you out this MDW weekend, Hannah Bretzel has got everyone’s cravings covered.
BBQ Platter from Soul & Smoke
This Memorial Day Weekend dive into your favorite barbecue with Soul & Smoke’s Northshore Special. Enjoy 1 lb of Chef D’Andre’s smoked prime brisket, 1 lb of Smoked Pulled Pork, 6oz of Apple Slaw, 6oz Bread & Butter Pickles, Large Mac + Cheese, 1 dozen slider buns, 8oz Original BBQ Sauce, there is truly something for everyone at the party. Those watching on their own can order from Soul & Smoke’s a la carte sides menu, perfect for a customizable meal that everyone will love. Standout favorites included the Mac + Cheese, Apple Slaw, Cornbread Muffins and more are available for pickup and delivery from all three locations. Pre-order your favorites here and don’t miss a second of celebrating.
Catering from Bell’s Heir BBQ
704 W. 47th St., Chicago, IL 60609
If you’re feeding the entire family, why not let Bell Heir’s BBQ do the cooking so you can relax and have a memorable and delicious time? Bell Heir’s BBQ has an extensive catering menu, so bring these scrumptious goodies home and serve them family style. Everything at Bell Heir’s BBQ is made from scratch with skill and loving care.
Bell’s Heir is also running a standalone special for Memorial Day weekend where diners can get a BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich with American Cheese and Fried Pickles for only $12.99.
Memorial Day Package at Prairie Grass Cafe
601 Skokie Blvd, Northbrook, IL 60062
Pre-order everything you need for Memorial Day! Let the chefs do all the prep so that you can sit back and relax this Memorial Day. We have heat-and-eat options, sustainable and natural raw proteins, and local produce. The package includes All Natural Beef Sloppy Joes, Grilled Chicken Wings, approximately 60oz of Raw Ora King Salmon Filet, strawberry pie, and beverages including Red Wine Sangria and other wine options. Order by Friday, May 26th for pickup on Sunday, May 28th. Call the team at (847) 205-4433 to place your order.
Featured Image: Mistey Nguyen for Tanta