Posted 3 years ago in Things to Do, Eat & Drink
3 MIN READ - Kick off summer with refreshing cocktails and exclusive patios in the Chicago Loop. We’ve selected spots where you can enjoy the view, soak up the sun, and get together with friends. You’d better get started now if you want to get through all 16 of these delicious drinks—a Chicago summer always flies by!
Grant Park Bistro
Grant Park Bistro is a contemporary American eatery with an exclusive view of Grant Park. The outdoor patio has reopened for the summer! Sip cocktails on the bistro’s large outdoor patio, located right off of Michigan Avenue. Grant Park Bistro offers a variety of craft cocktails including: Heat of the Moment with gin, jalapeño thyme syrup, lime, and grapefruit, and Strawberry Splash with tequila blanco, strawberry purée, and lime juice. All cocktails are available for $12. There are also select drinks included in the daily happy hour for $6. See what’s on the drinks menu here.
Land & Lake Kitchen
Soak up the sun and cool off with summer cocktails at Land & Lake Kitchen’s patio. The restaurant is on the ground floor of the LondonHouse Hotel, offering a fine selection of refreshing cocktails. Favorites include the Spritz with Apologue persimmon liqueur, orange liqueur, and sparkling wine, and Papa Don’t Peach with house infused peach vodka, ginger peach iced tea, ginger syrup, and lemon juice. Some of the summer drinks are featured on the happy hour menu. Read the drinks menu here.
The Dearborn
The Dearborn is a down to earth American tavern, featuring leather booths, subway tiles, vintage-inspired lights, and murals of Chicago's history. Cool off with a Hot Girl Summer cocktail with Playpen vodka, Soho lychee liqueur, Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur, lemon juice, orange bitters, and butterfly pea flower, topped with Prosecco. Or sip on the Smokey Van Gogh with El Silencio mezcal, Windmill mango ginger beer, lime juice, and Tajin rim. See more cocktails here.
Beatnik on the River
This bohemian venue is an exotic escape with food from around the world and eccentric cocktails. The riverfront patio is decorated with Indonesian daybeds, Moroccan lanterns, and plush greenery. Try the Spiked Coconut with rum, pineapple, lime, and ginger, or maybe the Holy Watermelon with soju, green chile vodka, Thai basil and pink peppercorn syrup, lemon, and sumac salt. See more cocktails here.
Cafe Bonhomme
Café Bonhomme has the elegance of a European cafe with the casual atmosphere of a neighborhood restaurant. They also have a chic outdoor patio right off of Wacker drive. Drink a Barefoot in the Park with vodka, fino sherry, melon, mint, lemon, and guajillo spice or try the Half Moon Beach with vimto black currant cordial, ginger, lemon, and club soda. See the drinks menu here.
ROOF on theWit
For extravagant rooftop dining 27 stories above it all, ROOF on theWIT is offering elevated service. Their venue features a stunning design, sweeping views of Chicago, private event spaces, entertainment, and a unique dining experience. Savor classy cocktails and drifty city views. Drink a ROOF Pina Koala with Bacardi Superior rum, coconut creme, banana, mango nectar, and pineapple, or go classic with a Margarita with Patron Reposado, Patron Citronge, Rich Simple, and a lime. Find more cocktails here.
Raised
Raised is an Urban Rooftop Bar with exceptional service and breathtaking views of Chicago. Their venue features an industrial aesthetic with cabanas and fire pits to provide a relaxing atmosphere. For a view overlooking the Chicago River, Raised welcomes you to their indoor/outdoor bar, open roof deck, and private outdoor areas. Grab a drink, like Watered Flowers with Hanger One Vodka, Aperol, strawberry, cucumber, lemon, egg white, and rose water, or maybe the Raised Rooftop Sangria with Rose, Grey Goose peach rosemary essence, St. Germain, peach puree, and lemon. See more drinks here.
AIRE
A chic ambiance and fun decor are staples at AIRE, the rooftop bar at the Hyatt Centric. With a lengthy list of craft cocktails and wines, AIRE is the place to be for an exciting summer night out. Get in the spirit of being #BackInTheLoop with their In the Loop cocktail with vodka, strawberry, mint, lemon, and Prosecco. Or try On the Lake with gin, blackberry lavender syrup, lemon and soda. Sip your drink of choice, and check out the stellar view. Find more cocktails here.
