UPCOMING EVENTS
Cabra Cookout is BACK!
Chicago summers never last long enough, so Chef Stephanie Izard and her teams are giving this one a proper send-off! The annual Cabra Cookout returns to Cabra’s rooftop pool deck on Thursday, September 17, from 6pm to 9 pm, bringing together bites from all of Goatland: Cabra, Girl & the Goat, Duck Duck Goat and Little Goat Diner, plus cocktails, music and - of course - the best sunset views.
Tickets are $80 per person, including food from each of the restaurants, two drinks, and a chance to soak up summer before Chicago packs it away for the year, and can be purchased here.
Sip & Stroll Along Lincoln Avenue with the Return of Uncorked!
The Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce (LPCC) is excited to announce the 11th Lincoln Park Uncorked: A Lincoln Avenue Wine Stroll returning on Thursday, September 17, 2026, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. The event will feature wines curated by Vin Chicago for a unique tasting experience to welcome the fall season.
Sip and stroll your way along Lincoln Avenue as local businesses transform into pop-up wine tasting rooms featuring seasonal selections. Along the way, enjoy delicious bites from Lincoln Park restaurants and eateries and take a free pedicab ride to explore the avenue in style.
Tickets for Lincoln Park Uncorked: A Lincoln Avenue Wine Stroll are on sale now here. Tickets include a souvenir tasting glass, wine samples, and light fare from local businesses!
Chicago Gourmet 2026 Returns With NEW Events + Huge National & Local Chef Lineup!
When the food sings, your tastebuds will dance! One of the nation’s premier culinary festivals, Chicago Gourmet, powered by Invesco QQQ, is turning up the tempo in 2026. The culinary event of the year is thrilled to announce this year’s ensemble of award-winning chefs, a vibrant lineup of dance-inspired events, and the official launch of ancillary event ticket sales on July 22.
From September 23–27, with opening act festivities kicking off early, Chicago Gourmet returns with the theme “Let Your Tastebuds Dance” - a celebration of the shared energy, rhythm, and passion found in both food and movement. Whether you’re here for a cha-cha-infused sip or a perfectly choreographed bite, this is the main event for food lovers who move to the beat of flavor.
New events include a Global Stage Dinner, Asian Night Market, Chef Demos and Dine Around Series while main events will still include favorites like Tacos & Tequila, Somm Sessions, Hamburger Hop, Grand Cru + Rise & Shine Gourmet. Tickets to Chicago Gourmet are now available for purchase here.
El Che Brings Argentina’s Aperitivo Culture to Chicago
This September, El Che Steakhouse & Bar is bringing a taste of Argentina’s aperitivo culture to Chicago with a special Aperitivo Hour featuring La Fuerza Vermouth on Thursday, September 24. From 4pm-5pm, guests are invited to take a seat at El Che’s bar for an intimate tasting led by Agustín Camps, a partner of Argentina’s acclaimed La Fuerza Vermouth. Camps will guide guests through expressions of La Fuerza while sharing the history of vermouth in Argentina, the traditions surrounding aperitivo hour, and what distinguishes the Mendoza-made brand.
Each vermouth will be served as a 2 oz. pour alongside an aperitivo plate prepared by the El Che team, designed specifically to complement the wines. Following the tasting, guests are welcome to stay as El Che opens and continue aperitivo hour with special cocktails featuring La Fuerza.
Tickets are $35 per person, including four vermouth tastings and an aperitivo plate, and can be purchased on Tock here.
Chicago Taste of Hope 2026
Taste of Hope brings award-winning chefs and Chicago foodies together to celebrate the American Cancer Society’s progress in the fight against cancer. Taste of Hope has always featured our wonderful Chicagoland restaurants, and this year is no different. Taste of Hope 2026 will showcase over 30 Chicagoland restaurants, each offering a tasting station with the best food and drinks Chicago has to offer.
Now in its thirteenth year, the event is hosted annually by the American Cancer Society’s Taste of Hope Executive Leadership Committee and has raised over $5,860,000 to support the American Cancer Society’s mission and goal of eliminating cancer as we know it, for everyone!
Early Bird tickets are now available here.
Pilot Light's 'Feed Your Mind Gala' Returns!
Dedicated to bringing food education into schools across the country, Pilot Light is pleased to announce the return of the annual Feed Your Mind Gala on Friday, November 6 at Rockwell on the River (3057 N. Rockwell St). Presented by Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation, the evening will feature over 20 of Chicago’s most award-winning and celebrated chefs coming together for a one-of-a-kind interactive and tableside dining experience for each guest. Individual tickets are now available for $700, as well as full Chef table buy-outs, via Pilot Light’s website here.
Unlike traditional galas, Pilot Light’s Feed Your Mind Gala delivers a front-row seat to world-class culinary craftsmanship for one-night-only. Founding Chefs Matthias Merges, Jason Hammel, Paul Kahan and Justin Large have curated a lineup spanning the city’s rich gastronomic landscape, including James Beard Award winners and MICHELIN-starred recipients. Culinary leaders such as Thai Dang (HaiSous), Tim Flores and Genie Kwon (Kasama), Doug Psaltis (Andros Taverna), Beverly Kim and Johnny Clark (Parachute) and others will curate a personal, tableside cooking experience for each guest, raising funds for Pilot Light’s mission of childhood food education nationwide.
Tickets are available to purchase here.
Three Dots & a Dash Brings Award-Winning Cocktails to Lake Michigan
On August 27, award-winning cocktail destination Three Dots and a Dash is partnering with Shoreline Sightseeing for a one-night-only cocktail cruise departing from Navy Pier.
Known for its award-winning tropical cocktail program, immersive atmosphere, and innovative approach to rum-forward drinks, Three Dots and a Dash will bring its signature drinks to Lake Michigan for a 90-minute evening cruise featuring curated cocktail tastings, light bites, music, and breathtaking skyline views. It's a unique opportunity for guests to experience one of the city's most celebrated bars in an entirely new setting while enjoying a sunset on the water!
Tickets are $62 per person and are available here.
$15 Special Menu for Michael Jordan’s Steak House’s 15th Anniversary!
Michael Jordan’s Steak House in the InterContinental Chicago is celebrating its 15th anniversary this August 23 with a special $15 menu! All dishes listed usually cost more, so it’s a great deal for foodies and basketball fans alike. Come try their famous Banana Old Fashioned, Garlic Bread, Mixed Greens Salad, and Cheez-It Mac and Cheese.
Reservations can be made on OpenTable!
Bodegas Naveran Sparkling Wine Dinner at Sifr
On Wednesday, August 12 at 7:30 pm, Sifr welcomes guests for an intimate evening in partnership with Bodegas Naveran. Led by winemaker Marta Sanvicente, the dinner will feature a specially curated four-course menu paired with three sparkling wines, highlighting Sifr's signature Middle Eastern mezze alongside new seasonal dishes inspired by the wines.
Hosted on Sifr's rooftop (weather permitting), guests will gather at communal tables for an evening centered around connection, conversation, and the harmony between Sifr's woodfired Middle Eastern flavors and Bodegas Naveran's elegant Spanish sparkling wines. Sanvicente will guide guests through the pairings, with special additions from Olé & Obrigado and Cream Wines rounding out the experience. Tickets are $90 per person and available on SevenRooms.
From Hive to Table: Farm Bar’s First Honey Bee Fest
This August, Farm Bar is celebrating the sweet side of summer with its first-ever Honey Bee Fest, a two-week celebration highlighting owner-owned Brown Dog Farm honey, seasonal farm to table cooking, and the importance of pollinators. Taking place at both their Lakeview & Ravenswood locations from August 1–16, the festival will feature a limited-time Honey Fest menu, a honey hive raffle, family-friendly activities, and more, with proceeds benefiting the Driftless Area Land Conservancy.
Throughout the festival, guests can enter the Honey Hive Raffle for a chance to win their own Brown Dog Farm hive experience, complete with a beekeeper visit, bee suit experience, custom honey harvest, and more. Farm Bar will also offer Adopt-a-Bee, a $5 family activity with 100% of proceeds benefiting the Driftless Area Land Conservancy.
Tanta's Peruvian Independence Day Bash Is Bigger Than Ever
Inspired by the flavors, music, and festive spirit of Peru, Tanta's Peruvian Independence Day party will transform the restaurant, with each floor offering something different. DJs, live music and traditional dancers will bring the spirit of Fiestas Patrias to life across Tanta. Enjoy a live ceviche table, criollo buffet, passed bites, and festive dishes that showcase the freshness, color, and tradition of Peruvian cuisine. On the rooftop, the celebration continues with the fire and aroma of the anticucho grill, alongside cocktails and the energy of city views. Families are also invited to join the celebration, with a dedicated kids’ area featuring face painting, balloon artists and entertainment for younger guests.
Designed as a timed 3-hour experience, move through the restaurant to discover live food stations, cocktails, music, entertainment, and Peruvian culture throughout the day. Timed entries are available beginning at 12pm, with the event ending at 10pm.
Tickets include access to the food experience and family-friendly entertainment. Prices are $100 for adults (includes 2 drink tickets) and $45 for kids under 14 and tickets can be purchased here.
Kitty’s Cosmopolitan Club Brings Singapore’s Acclaimed Cat Bite Club to Chicago For One Night Only
Kitty’s Cosmopolitan Club, the latest concept from the award-winning team behind Gus’ Sip & Dip and Three Dots and a Dash, is hosting an exclusive, one-night-only guest shift with acclaimed bartender Jesse Vida, co-founder of Singapore's celebrated Cat Bite Club.
Since opening in 2023, Cat Bite Club has taken the global bar scene by storm, earning the Campari One To Watch Award from The World's 50 Best Bars and multiple Spirited Awards nominations. Jesse, an industry veteran and the former Head Bartender at Atlas Singapore, is widely respected for his pioneering approach to agave and Asian rice spirits.
Guests will enjoy a four-cocktail fixed menu created exclusively by Jesse for the evening, highlighting the curiosity, precision, and playful spirit that have made Cat Bite Club an international destination for drinks enthusiasts. The experience is offered at $75 per person and includes all four cocktails served sequentially throughout the evening. Tickets can be purchased on OpenTable here.
9th Annual Ravenswood on Tap Craft Beer Festival Returns
Get your koozies ready! The 9th annual Ravenswood on Tap festival hosted by the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce (GRCC) returns July 18th & 19th for a weekend celebrating the local Malt Row community!
Featuring beer and spirits from local breweries and distilleries, Ravenswood on Tap is a two-day celebration of Malt Row – one of the most prolific craft brewing communities in the country. The spotlight is put on local businesses in the neighborhood from restaurants to retailers, artisans, makers, and more. Enjoy an extensive line-up of live music and entertainment, street food, handmade goods, and more for a weekend of summer fun in the heart of Chicago’s north side community. For more information and to pre-purchase tickets, click: here.
Windy City Smokeout Is Back!
Windy City Smokeout, the two-time Academy of Country Music’s “Festival of the Year” music and BBQ festival from Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, is thrilled to announce its full 2026 pitmaster lineup of more than 20 pitmasters, representing the best in American barbecue from across the country and local to Chicago. Returning for its 13th year outside of the iconic United Center, the festival will feature an all-star roster of nationally-acclaimed names and local favorites from July 8-12. Making their Smokeout debut are the legendary Terry Black’s Barbecue out of Austin, Texas, a pioneer of “slow and low” Central Texas-style brisket, Richmond’s ZZQ Texas Craft Barbeque, featuring a “Texas-rooted, Virginia-smoked” approach, and Tennessee’s Blake’s at Southern Milling, which brings authentic, wood-fired Southern flavors to Chicago. Guests can enjoy the deep-rooted traditions of Mississippi’s Ubons BBQ, the award-winning ribs of St. Louis’ Pappy’s Smokehouse, and the “Rocky Mountain flair” of Denver’s G-Que BBQ. The lineup also features James Beard-recognized Little Miss BBQ (Phoenix, AZ), and local Chicago favorites like Lexington Betty Smokehouse and Smoque BBQ.
Wristbands for Windy City Smokeout are available to purchase here.
Over 50 of Chicago's Top Chefs Unite to Fight Childhood Hunger at Taste of the Nation
As childhood hunger continues to impact families across the country, more than 50 of Chicago’s prominent culinary talents, including Top Chef winners and Michelin-star talent, will unite for Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry on Friday, June 26th at Rockwell on the River. The high-profile culinary event brings together award-winning chefs like Joe Flamm and Paul Virant to raise critical support for the No Kid Hungry, a national campaign to end childhood hunger in America. This is an exclusive one-night-only event where guests will sample scrumptious bite-sized fare, craft cocktails, and delectable desserts all crafted by the best Chicago culinary experts have to offer. The chefs, restaurateurs, tastemakers, and mixologists in attendance will consist of Top Chef winner Joe Flamm, Michelin Star restaurants such as Atelier and Galit, and multiple James Beard Award winners and finalists.
Click here for more information and to purchase tickets!
Lincoln Park Chamber Introduces Cravings on Clark, A One-Night-Only Tasty Stroll
The Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce (LPCC) is kicking off summer with a delicious new event that takes a bite out of the neighborhood! Cravings on Clark will offer a flavorful tour of Clark Street, featuring curated bites from local restaurants and bars.
Join the Lincoln Park community on Wednesday, June 24, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m., to support local small businesses during this one-night-only opportunity. Stroll in and out of more than 15 participating stops for a craveable bite from each, along with additional drink specials for lingering at your favorite spots. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here. (Tickets include 15+ tasting samples from participating businesses.)
Chicago Cocktail Classic Returns!
The second-annual Chicago Cocktail Classic is back! On Sunday, June 14, more than 30 world-renowned bars from across the globe will come together for a one-night-only immersive tasting experience. Set against the backdrop of the iconic city skyline, the event will be hosted by 167 Events on the 17th floor of 167 Green Street, offering guests an elevated tasting in the heart of the Fulton Market District.
Confirmed participants include Chicago’s own Bisous (North America’s 50 Best Bars) and Bar Bambi, alongside global heavyweights such as New York City’s Sip & Guzzle (North America’s 50 Best Bars), Panda & Sons (World’s 50 Best Bars), Bangkok’s BKK Social Club (World’s 50 Best Bars), Caretakers Cottage (World’s 50 Best Bars), and Paris’ celebrated Superfine. Tickets are now available for purchase via Tock, priced at $100 per person, not including tax and gratuity. Each ticket includes 10 drink tokens, redeemable for expertly crafted, mini-sized cocktails, and access to all indoor and outdoor areas of the venue.
Three Sheets at Hawksmoor Chicago
Hawksmoor Chicago is delighted to welcome Max & Noel Venning from Three Sheets – one of London's most celebrated, multi-award-winning bars – for a night of exceptionally delicious cocktails at the Beef & Liberty Bar on our second floor. This is a one-night-only opportunity to experience Three Sheets’ signature elegant, minimal style right here in Chicago.
Drinks will all discounted for the night and complimentary bites from Hawksmoor will be shared and passed. The event is free to attend.
NoMI Garden Spring Soirée: Opening Night!
As summer returns to Chicago, the Park Hyatt’s 7th floor restaurant, NoMI, welcomes the season with its most anticipated night of the year; the opening of the rooftop garden! For one evening, the terrace transforms for golden hour. Guests will enjoy unlimited sushi and seafood; seasonal chef stations showcasing NoMI’s summer menu, and an open bar featuring free-flowing champagne, highballs, and cocktails – all set against skyline views. A live DJ, saxophonist, and violinist set the mood, while George Stanton, The Magician, moves through the space with unexpected moments throughout the night.
General admission tickets start at $185 per person and can be purchased here.
Derby Day at The Bellevue
The Bellevue is bringing Derby Day to the Gold Coast with a chic, fashion-forward celebration on Saturday, May 2, starting at 9am. Guests can sip on classic race-day cocktails like Mint Juleps and Oaks Lilies while taking in the excitement in style, with Derby attire encouraged, from statement hats to seersucker suits. The Oaks Lily, the official cocktail of the Kentucky Oaks race, is a refreshing mix of vodka, sweet and sour, cranberry juice, and triple sec, created as a lighter, fruit-forward alternative to the classic Mint Julep.
Blending Southern tradition with The Bellevue’s signature elegance, this is a perfect local destination for those looking to celebrate the Kentucky Derby without leaving Chicago, ideal for groups, brunch-to-afternoon plans, and festive photo moments. Reservations can be made on OpenTable here.
The Dearborn Brings Its Menu to the Farm at Mint Creek Farm’s Farm Dinner Tour
On Saturday, April 25th, The Dearborn will partner with Mint Creek Farm for a one-night-only farm dinner that brings their long-standing sourcing relationship to life. The experience begins with a 2:30 p.m. immersive farm tour, offering guests the opportunity to explore the grounds, meet the animals, and gain insight into Mint Creek’s thoughtful approach to farming. Following the tour, guests will gather for a seasonal, multi-course dinner crafted by Executive Chef Aaron Cuschieri, highlighting the farm’s harvest and trusted local partners in a refined yet welcoming countryside setting.
Curated beverages by The Dearborn’s beverage team, Sarah Clark and Bryan Rojas, will be available throughout the evening, alongside live music to create a warm, communal atmosphere under the open sky. Tickets are available for General Admission Adults at $150, General Admission Children at $98, and VIP Admission at $300, and can be purchased on their website.
Ravenswood Kicks Off Spring with 5th Annual Munch March
Munch March is the Ravenswood neighborhood's unofficial spring celebration, inviting neighbors and friends to enjoy over a dozen sample-sized treats and drinks from local restaurants while exploring local businesses along Montrose Avenue. The event takes place on Wednesday, April 22nd, and tickets are only $32 for 14+ tasting-sized portions of appetizers, desserts, and drinks!
Tickets can be purchased on eventbrite here.
Chef Jonathon Sawyer Returns with April + May Installments of Suppers with Sawyer at Kindling Celebrating Spring and His Birthday!
Chef Jonathon Sawyer returns to the hearth this spring with two standout evenings at Kindling on Friday, April 17th and Friday, May 8th, the latter celebrating chef’s birthday in true indulgent fashion.
On April 17th, guests are invited to gather around Kindling’s live-fire hearth for a playful, nostalgia-driven six-course supper. Highlights include deluxe potato skins with caviar, a browned butter peanut butter and bacon sandwich, a wood-fired Crunch Wrap Supreme, tonkatsu-style ramen, and braised beef poutine, ending with a decadent Neapolitan-style banana split. On May 8th, the birthday installment leans into luxury and personal favorites, featuring stone crab claws, chips and caviar (Chef Sawyer’s “last supper” dish), smoked fish dip, ikejime fluke meunière, and an A5 wagyu steak, followed by a French cheese plate. Pricing for this dinner will reflect the elevated menu.
Both evenings begin with a welcome cocktail at 6:00 PM followed by a 6:30 PM seated dinner, offering the signature blend of fireside cooking, storytelling, and immersive dining that defines the series. Tickets will be available via OpenTable beginning March 30th.
The Fish Guy x Burl Sustainable Seafood Dinner
Celebrate Earth Month on April 16th with a sustainable seafood dinner collaboration between Burl and The Fish Guy! This four-course dinner tells the story of closed-loop farming through its cyclical courses. It will also include guest speaker Midland Co., an Iowa-based shrimp farm making significant strides towards lowering water waste in agricultural practices. Tickets are $125 per person and can be purchased on OpenTable here.
Two of Chicago’s Finest Tasting Concepts Collide: Atsumeru x Duck Sel Collab
Since taking over the former Temporis space in West Town, Atsumeru has been making waves with its unique Nordic-Japanese culinary identity. Now, Chef Devin Denzer is partnering with one of the city’s most sought-after "underground" dining experiences: Chef Donald Young's Duck Sel.
This collaboration brings together two chefs who share a deep pedigree in Michelin-starred kitchens and a passion for redefining the traditional tasting menu. While Atsumeru explores the intersection of Nordic and Japanese cuisine, Duck Sel is known for its whimsical, high-technique approach to modern ingredients. Together, they are crafting a one-night-only menu that bridges these three distinct worlds. Tickets are $195 per person (excluding tax + gratuity) and can be purchased on OpenTable here.
Charity Shuck Off Brings Gus’, Bar Bambi, Radicle, Delilah’s + MORE together at The Publican for ONE NIGHT ONLY
The Publican, from One Off Hospitality, the 12-time James Beard Award-winning restaurant group, is hosting its fifth annual Shuck Off charity event on Wednesday, April 8th. Here’s the gist: Guests can reserve a spot with a $20 donation to Pilot Light, unlocking access to $2 oysters shucked by some of Chicago’s top Bar Stars and Beverage Legends. Each featured guest will also have their own signature drink on The Publican’s menu for this event only, making this year’s Shuck Off a boozy celebration of the city’s stellar beverage scene, all in support of a great cause.
Limited spots for walk-ins and bar tables will be available, but you’ll want to secure a reservation for this event via OpenTable, link HERE. The full à la carte dinner and drink menu will be served in addition to the $2 oysters and specialty featured cocktails. Each reservation will require a non-refundable $20 per person deposit, which will be donated entirely to Pilot Light. And special merch will be available for sale on-site!
Celebrate National Filipino Month at Sunda New Asian!
April is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and Sunda continues to be in the forefront of providing elevated new Asian creations in Chicago. With deep roots in the Philippines, Billy Dec, the Founder of Sunda New Asian, and Executive Chef Mike Morales, take great pride in presenting creative interpretations of their cherished Filipino recipes all year round, with a special focus during April, designated as National Filipino Food Month. Located in River North (110 W Illinois) and Fulton Market (333 Green St), Sunda New Asian offers the ideal setting to indulge in these culinary delights throughout the entire month.
Some Filipino menu highlights include Adobo Pork Belly, Adobo Fried Rice, Lumpia, Pancit Canton, Chicken Inasal, Lychee Simoy + more!
March Installment of Chef Jonathon Sawyer’s ‘Suppers with Sawyer’ at Kindling
Chef Jonathon Sawyer returns to Kindling on Friday, March 27th, for an intimate, chef-guided, six-course wood-fired dinner showcasing Chef Sawyer’s signature storytelling and culinary craft. Guests will begin the evening with a welcome cocktail at 6:00 PM before sitting down for supper at 6:30 PM. This six-course supper leans into depth and richness of fish and seafood, beginning with ike jime jumbo flounder, followed by thoughtfully crafted dishes like wild halibut menuiere with brown butter, and wild king salmon accompanied by red wine bourdelaise and rocket salad. The evening finishes with a do rite done wrong donut, with gochujang butterscotch, vanilla creme, and toffee almond crumble.
Priced at $90 plus tax and gratuity, with optional beverage pairings for $55, this dinner kicks off an experience that blends fireside warmth, culinary creativity, and lively storytelling. Tickets available on OpenTable.
Casa Chi’s 'Viva Abejas' Celebrates Bees & Flavor
This spring, Casa Chi by Chef Richard Sandoval invites guests to celebrate the full food ecosystem with Viva Abejas 2026, a 30-day culinary experience running March 24-April 22 in honor of Earth Day. Centered on the theme “Bloom to Table,” Viva Abejas highlights how pollinators like bees transform blossoms into the food and flavors we love, turning every bite into a lesson in sustainability. Every dish and drink incorporates honey or pollination-dependent ingredients, bringing the invisible work of bees to the forefront of taste. Proceeds from the program support The World Bee Project, helping to restore and sustain pollinator populations globally.
Champagne Row Presents: The Collector's Pour
Champagne Row at the Park Hyatt Chicago Library is devoted to the world’s most revered and rare beverages. The ‘Collector’s Pour’ series invites guests to a limited tasting spotlighting iconic producers and exceptional releases. For one evening only, on March 19, the focus will turn to Ireland in celebration of Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day traditions with an intimate Midleton Whiskey Tasting led by a Midleton distiller. Each whiskey will be complemented by a thoughtfully prepared culinary pairing and guests will also receive a complimentary Champagne welcome drink to start the night.
Tickets are priced at $250 per person (excluding tax + gratuity) and can be purchased here.
Raised’s St. Patrick’s Day Party
Raised | An Urban Rooftop Bar at the Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel is throwing their iconic river dyeing party on March 14! Join them for themed signature cocktails like the Lucky Clover and Irish Old Fashioned, draft beer & wine, Irish-inspired buffet, swag bag, live bagpiper, and DJ. With incredible views of the Chicago River dyeing event, you’ll have a front-row seat to one of the city’s most iconic traditions—paired with amazing vibes and endless fun. Make this St. Patrick’s Day one for the books and buy your tickets here.
St. Patrick’s Day @ Guinness Open Gate Brewery
As Chicago preps for its 2026 River Dyeing and the sea of green downtown, the Guinness Open Gate Brewery is ready to serve as the West Loop’s headquarters for a proper Irish celebration. From March 13-15, OGB is opening the gates for a weekend-long festival that blends Dublin tradition with Chicago energy. Most notably, the team is getting an early start on Saturday, March 14 (9 AM) to welcome the post-river-dyeing crowd.
The Vibe: Live entertainment featuring local bands and DJs.
The Experience: Festive programming including professional face painting, interactive photo-ops, Guinness swag giveaways (while supplies last), and classic Irish snugs open for seatings at the brewery.
The Details: Early Bird tickets are just $10 (entry only), available on a first-come, first-served basis. Available for purchase HERE.
February Installment of Chef Jonathon Sawyer’s Suppers with Sawyer at Kindling
Chef Jonathon Sawyer is back firing up the hearth on Friday, February 27th for those who have missed his last few installments of Suppers with Sawyer! On Friday, February 27th guests are invited to gather around Kindling’s iconic hearth to celebrate the art of live fire-roasted cooking. This next installment offers an intimate, chef-guided, six-course wood-fired dinner showcasing Chef Sawyer’s signature storytelling and culinary craft. Guests will begin the evening with a welcome cocktail at 6:00 PM before sitting down for supper at 6:30 PM.
Priced at $90 plus tax and gratuity, with optional beverage pairings for $55, this dinner kicks off an experience that blends fireside warmth, culinary creativity, and lively storytelling. Tickets available on OpenTable.
Lunar New Year Celebrations at The Peninsula Hotel
As Asia’s oldest luxury hospitality brand, The Peninsula is paying homage to its roots with a series of activations, including a Lion Dance, traditional tea ceremony, and much more to ring in another year of excellence in Chicago. The hotel will also be decorated with traditional red lanterns, tangerine trees, and other festive décor, with the exterior illuminated red, which signals joy and luck in Chinese culture, to add to the spirit of the season.
At Shanghai Terrace from Wednesday, February 18 through Sunday, February 22, 2026, guests can indulge in a six-course Chinese menu of authentic favorites. Reservations may be made via OpenTable.
A special Chinese New Year Afternoon Tea will be served at 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm in The Lobby on Friday and Saturday and at 3:30 pm on Sunday. Reservations may be made via TOCK.
An annual Chinese New Year Brunch will take place on Sunday from 11:30am-1:30pm with a Lion Dance taking place at 1pm and 4pm in The Lobby. Reservations may be made via TOCK.
First Wine Happy Hour at il Carciofo with Fongoli Wines
On Monday, February 16, Beverage Director Kyle Davidson is hosting two family members, Ludovica and Letizia Fongoli from Fongoli Wines for an exclusive wine dinner and tasting open to the public at il Carciofo. From 4:30pm-6:30pm, the Fongoli family will be pouring signature wines from their natural wine collection that are typically available only in limited quantities to guests across the country.
Tickets are only $25 and allow guests to enjoy two glasses of wine from this collection, to accompany an extended happy hour menu from Chef Joe Flamm and the team at il Carciofo. Tickets can be purchased here.
Celebrate Galentine’s Day at The Bamboo Room
For couples looking to start their Valentine’s Day celebrations a bit early this year, or girl groups looking to celebrate over world-class cocktails, The Bamboo Room in River North is hosting a Galentine’s Day bar takeover event on Tuesday, February 11 from 4pm-10pm.
For $100 per person, guests can join the award-winning tropical mixology team for a night of Renaissance Era melodrama, featuring a series of curated cocktails and small bites, and an evening of mischief, magic and love. Guests can anticipate to enjoy four full-sized cocktails during the evening accompanied by the incredible hospitality found inside The Bamboo Room lead by the female mixology team – Shannon McSweeney & Erin Dassler & Lexy Rae.
Seatings are available from 4pm-10pm (21+ over event) and tickets can be purchased HERE.