5 Perfect Summer Happy Hour Specials in Chicago

By Urbanmatter Chicago @UMatterChicago

A Happy Hour List You Can Rely On for When You’re Counting Down to 5 O’Clock

For those of us nine-to-five’ers who seek after-work refuge from our busy urban lifestyles, happy hour is easily one of man’s greatest inventions. Now that the weather’s warm, it’s prime time to hunt down specials at your favorite outdoor bar or scope out a place to gather when your office has Summer Fridays.

Luckily, Chicago offers some pretty enticing happy hour specials from corner to corner. Here are our recommendations, and yes, they all have outdoor seating. Cheers!

Bar Toma
Photo Credit: Bar Toma Chicago

110 East Pearson Street

Happy Hour Specials: Monday – Friday, 4:30pm – 6pm and 9pm – 10pm

One of the city’s most popular happy hour spots is Bar Toma in the heart of the Gold Coast. Designated daily specials include half-off punch bowls, half-off glasses and bottles of wine, and $8 craft cocktails. Appetizers are half-off each weekday!

The Hampton Social
Photo Credit: Eater Chicago

353 West Hubbard Street

Happy Hour Specials: Monday – Friday, 2pm – 6pm

Who doesn’t want rosé in the summer? This New England getaway-themed restaurant in River North welcomes you to enjoy $8 craft cocktails, half-off glasses of rosé, and half-off select apps.

Longman & Eagle
Photo Credit: Land and Sea Dept

2657 North Kedzie Avenue

Happy Hour Specials: Monday – Friday, 3pm – 5pm

The famous whiskey tavern in Logan Square recently launched their happy hour menu that includes $1 PBRs, $3 Woodford Reserve shots, and a $4 draft that rotates weekly.

Oak + Char
Photo Credit: Crain’s Chicago Business

217 West Huron Street

Happy Hour Specials: Monday – Friday, 4:30pm – 6:30pm

This new, cozy spot in River North offers $2 Miller High Lifes, $4 craft draft beers, and $8 house cocktails. Happy hour eats include $8 burgers and $6 wings.

Red Door
Photo Credit: On the Grid

2118 North Damen Avenue

Happy Hour Specials: Tuesday – Friday, 4pm – 7pm

Bucktown’s popular gastropub invites patrons to enjoy a variety of specials on designated days, including $3 sangria with a free tapa, $5 classic cocktails, half-off local brews, and $1 Sconnie beers and cheese curds.

Looking forward to trying any of these out, or have any go-to happy hour spots of your own? Tell us about it below!