Last Hurrah for Patio+ Rooftops
via NoMI Garden
Summer isn’t over until we say it’s over! Since we refuse to believe that colder weather is heading our way, we’ll be taking FULL advantage of this gorgeous September weather by soaking up all the patios and rooftops Chicago has to offer. If you feel the same, check out our list of scenic outdoor dining spaces to take advantage of RIGHT NOW:
Shanghai Terrace {108 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL; 312.573.6744}
Fine-dining Chinese cuisine and ritzy rooftop vibes unite at The Peninsula Chicago’s 4th-floor restaurant, Shanghai Terrace. While the interior dining room shows off a more dark + sultry Shanghai-inspired feel, the outdoor terrace garden leans more towards a lush Zen garden complete with trees, florals + twinkling lights. Dine on a feast of Shanghainese, Cantonese, and Sichuanese classics with contemporary twists, sip on hand-crafted cocktails and soak up a gorgeous golden hour with the city skyline as your backdrop.
via Shanghai Terrace
City Winery Riverwalk {11 West Riverwalk, Chicago, IL; 312.229.5593}
City Winery Riverwalk is a waterfront destination that should be moved to the top of your patio list since their doors officially close for the season come Thanksgiving. This unbeatable riverside location offers options for patio dining, wine garden sipping or grabbing a glass from the walk-up bar to enjoy while sitting on the Riverfront steps. City Winery Riverwalk is the most tranquil + scenic setting to enjoy a meal or bottle while taking in the city skyline and passing boats. And if you’re lucky enough to actually BE on one of those passing boats, we highly recommend docking restaurant-side for the ultimate outdoor dining experience…
via City Winery Riverwalk
SUNNYGUN {664 West Lake Street, Chicago, IL; 312.600.0600}
If you’re already a fan of West Loop’s Moneygun, you’re sure to enjoy its patio counterpart, SUNNYGUN, which gives off the same good drinks, good vibes + good music, just in a sunnier atmosphere! Tucked behind the restaurant off of Lake Street, SUNNYGUN avoids the chaos but still remains walkable to all that the West Loop has to offer. Enjoy a patio-inspired menu of bright, refreshing cocktails, beer + wine and a variety of tasty bar snacks to pair your sips with while you relax under twinkling lights and desert-inspired décor. Pro tip: Stop by Tuesday-Thursday from 5-7pm for a Happy Hour special of a $10 ‘Wafflefreezie’ aka a frozen drink + waffle fries.
Cache 310 {310 South Canal Street, Chicago, IL; 312.967.3030}
Cache 310 is a swanky speakeasy-style cocktail lounge located adjacent to one of the city’s beautiful public park spaces, The Green at 320. Cache 310’s Parisian, prohibition-inspired lounge provides a stunning backdrop for date nights and after-dinner drinks, but that trip can hold-off until winter! Warmer weather calls for a round or two outside on the sidewalk patio with serene views of The Green at 320, including any special events they are hosting through September. Enjoy a spread of bar bites + custom cocktails daily, an exclusive ‘$7 heaven’ on signature cocktails every Friday-Saturday or an unbeatable Happy Hour every Monday-Thursday.
via Sportsman’s Club
Sportsman's Club {948 North Western Avenue, Chicago, IL; 872.206.8054}
If your idea of a patio perfect day involves an intimate outdoor BBQ from a local Chicago restaurant, then Sportsman’s Club is the place for you every Sunday from May through September. Normally, Sportsman Club highlights classically inspired, spirit-forward cocktails in a moody tavern-inspired bar setting, but the warmer months (especially Sundays) are for the patio parties. Their hidden back patio is laid-back and intimate, giving off a homey ‘backyard hangout’ vibe where one round of drinks with the group can quickly turn into three or four. Every Sunday starting in May, Sportsman’s Club also plays host to a rotating BBQ pop-up from a knockout Chicago restaurant, each serving up their own unique family-style BBQ dishes to dive into on the patio with the last pop-up of the season happening on Sunday, September 27th!
NAIA {300 North La Salle Drive, Chicago, IL; 312.219.5790}
Brought to you by DineAmic Group and ‘‘Top Chef Greece’ winner Chef Athinagoras Kostakos, NAIA is a new riverfront restaurant that entered the Chicago culinary scene this year. This chic new restaurant highlights authentic flavors from the islands of Greece and the Mediterranean, showcasing the region’s freshest, boldest + brightest ingredients on their rotating seasonal menus. Located at the bottom of a dramatic staircase entrance, NAIA’s spacious river-facing patio spans almost an entire city block, offering unobstructed views of the river and city skyline. With an abundance of shared plates + an extensive beverage program, NAIA is the perfect place for groups looking to end patio season over a delicious meal on the water.
NoMI Garden {800 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL; 312.239.4030}
Looking to ring in the final patio days on one of the city’s swankiest rooftops? Head over to NoMI Garden, the 7th floor terrace of the Park Hyatt Chicago. A serene urban oasis on the Magnificent Mile, NoMI Garden features a menu of elevated American classics, artisanal cocktails and a robust wine list to indulge in for lunch, dinner and late night outings. And, if you really want to end the outdoor season on a high note, head to NoMI Garden’s exclusive ‘Golden Hour’ for a lavish Happy Meal of a martini, 4pc salmon avocado roll + truffle fries all for just $38 every Wednesday from 5-7pm.
Gin Alley {114 North Green Street, Chicago, IL)
Nothing says ‘last patio hurrah’ like getting to enjoy two separate patios in one giant outdoor space. Nestled in the West Loop’s Gin Alley, a dynamic business + restaurant hub, is a hidden, but not-so-secret, cobblestone corridor home to two beloved restaurants - Green Street Smoked Meats and Trivoli Tavern. Green Street’s communal-style outdoor picnic tables provide the perfect set-up for enjoying some of the best BBQ + smoked meats that Chicago has to offer while Trivoli’s European-inspired dining area is where you come to enjoy a leisurely meal of savory New American fare, crisp cocktails + bold wines. Bring your appetites, because both restaurants deserve a visit before patio season ends!
Carlyle Club {316 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL; 312.701.1000}
Opening in late September, Carlyle Club is a brand new addition to the Chicago culinary scene. Residing in the historic Reid Murdoch Building where the old Kitchen American Bistro once stood, Carlyle Club is an elegant restaurant highlighting flame-fired steaks, fresh sushi and world-class cocktails. The biggest draw during the warmer months is most definitely Carlyle Club’s riverfront patio. Book those patio reservations ASAP before it closes for the season - indoor dining can wait for later!
