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City Cast Chicago

Emily Mack

We’re about one week into bridge-lifting season in Chicago. That means all 27 bridges along the Main and South branches of the Chicago River lift twice a week to accommodate boats.

But maybe you already knew that. Maybe you’re a bridge expert. Or maybe you just listened to 

yesterday’s podcast about the (poor) state of Chicago bridges

(Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via 

Michelle Navarro

The weather is warming up this weekend. For how long… who knows? But if you are as eager as I am and looking to take advantage, here are some of my favorite bars that offer outdoor patios to grab a drink.

This neighborhood cocktail bar has a beautiful half-enclosed patio bigger than your parents' backyard. The outdoor space lends itself perfectly for larger groups, while inside feels more intimate. Their menu offers two types of house cocktails — their “lo” picks for all-day sipping and “hi” picks for something a bit boozier. My favorites are their frozen Naked and Famous and the refreshing Cucumber Rickety — both on the stronger side.

On the corner of Grand and Damen, this cocktail bar came to West Town about a year ago and has become a local favorite. Their bar is dark, inviting, and spacious. It transitions into a proper patio with a fire pit at the back. Their $14 house cocktail names tell you exactly what to expect — my favorite is the Bright and Velvety. 

Maria’s Packaged Goods and Community Bar

Bridgeport’s beloved Maria’s is a 30-year-old liquor store-slash-bar that offers two patio spaces — one directly behind the bar and another that it shares with 

, the Korean Polish street food restaurant. Kimski is celebrating 

 May 16 with different Chicago restaurant pop-ups and DJs. Did you know Maria’s and Kimski are a family affair? The brothers who run Kimski are Maria’s sons.

We might even call Maria’s a “slashie.”

Pilsen Yards has an open-air concept in the back with a half-enclosed patio and bar. It’s the perfect spot for a patio dinner. Their weekly specials, particularly their half-off Nayarit-style mussels on Wednesdays, are worth paying attention to. As a proud 60608 resident, I love their neighborhood nights when they offer neighbors a discount.

What’s your favorite patio in the city?

Here are some of our favorite bars that offer outdoor patios to grab a drink.

Chicago’s Indoor/Outdoor Bars

The latest on the best and newest restaurants and bars in Chicago. We'll help you find where to eat, drink, and socialize.

Chicago Food & Drink

Food & Drink

After nearly 90 years in the Maxwell Street area, 

. The stand popularized and very possibly invented the flea market’s famous street snack: a sausage smothered in grilled onions, mustard, and sport pepper.

, I always encourage them to try a Maxwell Street Polish too. It’s got heft. An addictive garlicky finish. The glistening peel shines like a beacon.

Maxwell Street Market was founded by Jewish immigrants in the late 1800s, but the Maxwell Street Polish as we know it today emerged around 1939. That’s when Jim’s Original opened in its first location on Maxwell and Halsted.

Founder and Macedonian immigrant, Jimmy Stefanovich is generally considered the inventor, according to 

 though nearby Express Grill maintains its own claim. On Harrison Street, there’s also the popular Original Maxwell Street.

My mom, Chris, who emigrated from Austria with her family in 1956, fondly remembers Maxwell Street’s open-air sausage stands, too. “The smell of grilled onions was so …” she trailed off, trying to think of the right word. “It made you hungry.”

, there was a griddle in the middle of the classroom, caramelizing onions. I couldn’t focus on anything else.

Jim’s Original stood at 911 W. Maxwell St. till 2001, through the decline and 

. What was once a mecca for street vendors, blues music, and, yes, encased meats, diminished greatly under Mayor Richard J. Daley’s 

In 1957, construction of the Dan Ryan Expressway cut Maxwell Street in half. The following decade, Daley championed the opening of the University of Illinois at Chicago nearby. In 1966, the city formally deemed Maxwell Street 

 opening a path for UIC to exercise eminent domain there.

UIC expansion pushed Jim’s Original onto Union Avenue in 2001. There, it maintained its legacy and found a hungry fanbase in the UIC community.

Now, UIC is forcing Jim’s Original to move again. The school owns the restaurant property and wants to develop. Back in 2021, landlord UIC also forced Jim’s Original to 

With the move, we lose one more Maxwell Street remnant on the Lower West Side. But with plans to increase the hours back to 24 in Pilsen, new memories surely await.

After nearly 90 years in the Maxwell Street Area, Jim’s Original is moving to Pilsen. The stand popularized the Maxwell Street Polish.

Jim’s and the History of the Maxwell Street Polish

Chicago has no shortage of good bites around town. That’s why we’re highlighting the best new restaurants opening in the city.

At the new Labriola, I was delighted by the candied-orange cannoli and crunchy thin-crust pizza (though deep dish and 

 are also available). Pizza Lobo, meanwhile, has opened just around the corner. Both spots are third locations for the local chains.

 is now open in Lakeview. It recently ranked among the 

gained a fast following in Portage Park. Now, it’s expanded to Bronzeville, on the 

. Fusion highlights include a lamb cheesesteak torta and chicken pastor tacos.

.: “Delicious, fresh made halal food on the Northwest Side. Best biscuit in the city to boot.”


Like its former location inside the Emily Hotel, Bad Butter’s new standalone spot in Bucktown is 

. I tried to skip all that by going on my lunch hour, but alas! This bakery is only open till 2 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Good luck!

From the owners of lesbian hotspot Dorothy comes Fathom, which aims to be a queer neighborhood dive. According to the 

, there are just 36 — yup, you read that right — lesbian bars nationwide. “ So when we see a place like Fathom coming to life in our city, it’s something we ought to celebrate,” 

says City Cast Chicago contributor Anna DeShawn

Replacing Golden Teardrops, a limited-hours bar under Lonesome Rose, Culebra is a welcome addition to the neighborhood. The Puerto Rican and Caribbean cocktail bar maintains the speakeasy atmosphere — and adds 

. Opening night was packed, but I managed to snag two delicious daiquiris.

Congrats to 28-year-old owner Diego Garcia-Gonzalez, who spent years bartending upstairs. A Logan Square legend!


You might recognize Schneider Deli as the picturesque, old-fashioned eatery attached to Ohio House Motel. Now, a second location has opened in Lincoln Park. The corned-beef reuben is excellent, though I didn't notice any giardenera kick when I visited opening week.


, this all-day cafe is open to all. It offers coffee, cocktails, and light bites, including a popular breakfast sandwich.


Indgō Mrktō is a new food hall and event space in Pilsen featuring four restaurant concepts: a coffee shop, a multicultural seafood spot, a street food bistro, and a late-night cocktail bar. They’re all by the same chef. And there’s a chilaquiles torta on premises 👀

Crying Tiger has been generating buzz since it opened in the fall — now there’s a swanky cocktail bar in the basement: Kitty’s. The addition marks another step in 

Unsurprisingly, the food at Chubby Skewers comes on a stick. From the folks behind Chubby Cattle, it’s another cook-it-yourself spot.

Oooh Wee! IT IS! Smothered Potatoes Breakfast Bar

Oooh Wee! IT IS!, a popular soul food restaurant that closed in 2024, has a soft reopening Saturday in a new Chatham location. Formerly located on 83rd Street, this new spot is in the old Reggio’s Pizza space on Cottage Grove Avenue. Although it has 

Award-winning bartender and Speed Rack champion Katie Renshaw has opened her own bar — and it’s buzzy. The interior literally glows. The menu, meanwhile, features send-ups of classic cocktails and elevated bar bites. (I’m actually checking Bar Bambi out tonight, so I’ll keep ya posted.)

I’m skeptical of dive bar overhauls (lookin’ at you, Small Bar) but Belmont Tavern seems truly laid back. That’s a feat considering I visited on a jam-packed Friday night. And while cutesy, 

the interior doesn’t feel overly curated.

 It’s naturally eclectic. Extra points for carrying bison grass vodka!

Hero’s sub shop was an institution, and seeing the shack sit empty since 2017 hurt my soul. Now, new life has sprung in the form of Retro Pizza. The take-out only shops serves square Roman slices of ‘za plus coffee. 

. But avoid visiting on school day afternoons or face the mobs of Lane kids — a Hero’s tradition.

Tune-Up, in a former auto body shop, doesn’t 

 live up to the name. Although drink names like Anti-Freeze and Brake Fluid are fun to order, the space, affixed with flittering disco balls and mirrors, leans away from its blue collar roots. However, Tune-Up is bound to turn up — it’s open till 5 a.m. on Saturday nights. Yes, 

Logan Collective is the neighborhood’s newest coffee shop with home-roasted beans and extremely reasonable prices. $3 for a drip coffee? Hell yeah! With a comfy couch and relaxed vibe, it’s also an excellent spot to write a daily newsletter from … On that note, shout out to barista Keillor!

The return of the $10 cocktail. That’s how Radicle, a new bar in Logan Square, is billing itself. And I have to say, it’s quite the hook. Radicle arrives in the former Daisies space — find that 

 a couple blocks away — but the focus really is 

. My favorite was the ESOO, with rye and balsamic olive oil.

Carmine’s, one of Chicago’s most old-school Italian restaurants, has reopened in its original Rush Street location after 

 If you missed the red sauce, you’ll be happy to know Carmine’s 

participating in Restaurant Week. (Pasta, plus an app, salad, and dessert 

If the pared-down name didn’t tip you off, 

 is serving classic brunch in, yep, Portage Park. Located near Milwaukee and Montrose, the opening marks another boost for 

. It comes from two chefs who met working at the popular 

Quesabirria Jalisco Tacos expands beyond in Pilsen

 has opened a location in Chinatown Square, marking its first expansion to the midwest. Naturally, this place is for shrimp lovers (

) but there are plenty of seafood and non-seafood options alike, ranging from shrimp broth noodles to prawn buns to chicken rice bowls.

 opened in Bronzeville in 2019. Now, a third location has come to Lakeview. The menu draws from the owner’s family’s 

, with dishes like Creole fish and honey-butter muffins.

. The latest spot, Black-owned Brûlée, offers a comfort food take. Think fried-lobster-tail-sweet-potato waffles. And don’t worry if you sleep in — Brulee is open till 4 p.m. Non-breakfast highlights include a brisket grilled cheese.

Once the “it” cookie of New York City, Levain expanded to the West Loop in 2022, then River North. Now, there’s a third Chicago location in Lincoln Park. In addition to famously gooey chocolate chip cookies, the chain began offering savory sandwiches and flatbread this fall.

After 15 years in Chicago kitchens, Ecuadorian brothers Enrique and Luis Calderon opened their own, Savanna, in 2018. Now, it’s expanded to four locations. The newest is in North Center on Western Avenue. All serve brunch — working at the former (beloved) Ina’s Restaurant, Enrique earned the nickname 

, New York slices are great on the go. (Sorry, it’s true!) That’s exactly what Chomp Pizza is serving, straight out of a window inside the 18th Street Pink Line ‘L’ station. Portability aside, I hear it’s pretty damn good.

It’s hot pot weather. (Honestly, I’ll take anything hot at this point.) And Tasty Pot, a new Taiwanese spot in Chinatown, makes it extra accessible by focusing on 

 and Canada, but this location on Jefferson Street marks Illinois’ first.

Sourcing tea and coffee from different Asian-owned businesses, HAIBAYÔ is a nexus for Asia on Argyle. The cafe operates within the space of the HAIBAYÔ nonprofit, which aims to bring more visitors into the cultural area. As the name suggests in Vietnamese: “One, two, three, cheers!”

Pilsen brunch hub Azul 18 has opened a second location at 1230 W. Taylor St., bringing Mexican-American flavors to the heart of Little Italy. Azul 18 serves breakfast, lunch, brunch — and, for now, the spot is BYOB. Get your at-cost bubbly on while you can!

It’s all women’s sports all the time at Babe’s, a new rosy-hued sports bar on Armitage Avenue. It’s Chicago’s first sports bar of its kind, featuring eight TVs for game-watching and chile margaritas. Think Sporty Spice.

Andersonville mainstay Marty’s Martini Bar closed in 2024. Now, its former manager has opened his own neighborhood watering hole: Wil’s Martini Lounge. The featured fall cocktail with cardamom bitters sounds especially cozy.

Chicago has no shortage of good places to eat around town. Here are some of the bar, restaurant, and café openings we're watching.

Chicago's Best New Restaurants and Bars

New Spots To Dine & Drink in Chicago

May kicked off with a jolt on Friday as Chicagoans turned out to celebrate May Day all across the city. I expect the energy will stay high all month long — a lot is going on!

, true Chicago farmers market season begins in May. Twelve seasonal markets start back up this month, stretching across the city from 95th Street to Uptown. 

Maxwell Street’s Sunday market returns May 17

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May is AAPI Month. Here’s how Chicago is celebrating:

 | May 7 | Experimental Station | Woodlawn | Free

 | May 26 | Davis Theater | Lincoln Square

📆 Stay tuned all month long for more AAPI events!

catch “The Sun Never Sets” and director Joe Swanberg

 on May 17. Speakers include Padma Lakshmi, Peter Sagal, Mary Beard, John Waters (!!!), and Rep. Lauren Underwood (14th).

 have already returned to the side of Merchandise Mart. This month, the projection features works by current School of the Art Institute and Chicago Public Schools students. Catch it Thursday through Sunday evenings.

, all eyes are on the Chicago Sky. The Sky’s 

. Meanwhile, White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami is riling fans up with his home-run hot streak. The team recently had its highest April attendance for a non-opener in 19 years. 

Beginning Memorial Day weekend, twice-weekly fireworks return to Navy Pier. Catch them Wednesdays at 9 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 p.m. Chicago’s beaches open May 22. 

 returns to its original home in Lincoln Square. Grab a pint and get ready for warmer months ahead. Prost!

May kicked off with a May Day jolt, and I expect the energy will stay high.

City Cast Guide to May 2026

Your Guide to May 2026 

Everything to know about Chicago neighborhoods: Where to go, eat, shop, drink, and more.

Chicago Neighborhood Guides

Neighborhood Guides

 opened to the public Saturday — perhaps you know it as The Belmont, the name dominating its exterior marquee. Or, like my friends, you’re simply referring to it as New Berlin.

Taking up the space of the former queer club Berlin, comparisons are inevitable. They’re also welcome, according to manager Marcus Devin, who was a Berlin regular.

“We’re back, but not really. It’s not the same, but it feels the same,” he said of Decibel, which operates from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Perhaps the biggest difference from Berlin is that the space operates a cocktail bar, called The Belmont, 

I visited during Decibel hours. (At 3 a.m. if you must know.) The dance floor was so rowdy, it was hard to imagine the early-evening lounge. But it was easy to imagine this spot flourishing.

Berlin, which dominated the block for almost 40 years, was the first club I ever went to. (

.) The same is true for countless Chicagoans. Berlin’s accessible location under the Belmont “L” always seemed to entice passersby.

“It was just such a welcoming crowd, the drag queens on the stage were pulling me up,” journalist Yareni Murillo 

, remembering her first legal beverage on the dance floor.

Berlin closed in late 2023 following the 

, “The magic that happened at 954 W. Belmont will never be recreated.”

Like Berlin, Decibel is a queer space. It’s owned by HV Entertainment, which operates several 

. The goal, Devin said, is creating a place for patrons to express themselves.

On opening night, the crowd was diverse in race and gender. Large groups formed on the dance floor. Shirts were peeled off. On the sidelines, people made out passionately.

 helped keep the vibe high, although future prices are not set in stone. At the door, you can expect a cover between $5 and $10. (Also not bad, IMO.)

When I asked a bartender about other changes, he simply rolled his eyes and motioned around. Gone is 

 behind the bar, replaced with a sleek, plainer backdrop and two large screens. The frosty new bar top lights up. The (eternally flooding) bathrooms were redone, thankfully.

I’m also happy to report that the short stage running through the center club is still there. Beckoning. Climbing up can make just about anyone feel like a star.

🏳️‍🌈 Have you been to Chicago’s other legendary gay bars? 

Decibel is now open in the former Berlin space on Belmont. Comparisons are inevitable.

Welcome to The Belmont and Decibel

Welcome to The Belmont and Decibel — AKA New Berlin

Find the best of everything that Chicago has to offer.

Chicago’s Best

Chicago's Best

, is a brand-new venue for magic in Chicago, but its aim is old school. Set inside the historic McCormick Mansion, guests are invited to wander around the swanky space and experience a range of magicians close up. 

, “It marks a return to the golden age of Chicago-style live magic.”

Close-up magic, pioneered at the turn of the century by 

, is no-frills magic performed in an intimate setting. 

I grew up hearing those bar stories from my dad — specifically stories of the 

My dad, Steve, was a 20-year-old bartender there in 1975. Al was a hard-drinking, dildo-wielding magician. (He’d bang it on the bar. “The divorcees love it.”) Al also had a catchphrase: GTFM, or, “Get the f***ing money.” The acronym was emblazoned on the register. “GTFM!” he’d yell if my dad was ever distracted by 

If you were one of Al’s targets, your card might end up on his forehead. Or under your drink. You’d be looking and looking for the card while everyone else laughed.

Later, Al performed at Mycroft’s Pub on Lincoln Avenue. That was something of a magic stretch for a while, with New York Lounge and the 

The elegant Hand & The Eye mansion is a far cry from Chicago magic’s rowdy dive-bar days, but it does keep the close-up tradition alive.

 in Andersonville is also relatively upscale. However, 

entering through speakeasy laundry machines

 can make you feel like a rebel. Ticketed shows are nightly, but anyone can see close-up magic in the lobby bar.

. It’s adjacent to Goodman Theatre and Petterino's, and tickets include one drink.

 is available for bookings too. I can attest: He's spellbinding. I once saw the man do dove work in a cramped Logan Square living room!

 in Lincoln Park — not exactly a magic bar, but it’s got a fantasy vibe and, usually, a tarot card reader. Had to shout out at least one Lincoln Avenue spot!

♣️ Do you remember Heba Haba Al? I wanna know!

The Hand & The Eye is a new venue marketing Chicago-style magic. But what is Chicago-style magic?

Where You Can Still See Magic in Chicago

Chicago Was — Is? — a Magic Town

 through April 25 — which is coincidentally Independent Bookstore Day! There’s an 

However, our recs on where to find and read books in Chicago are timeless.

City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran is on a mission to hit all of Chicago’s public libraries before 

Chicago’s oldest public branch, Blackstone, looks like it could sit on Museum Campus. It's got impressive columns and a dome with 

The modern Chinatown and Northtown branches

Stretching across the building’s entire facade, Edgewater’s mural nicely frames the library sign. 

Murals at the Merlo, Greater Grand Crossing, Bessie Coleman, and Little Village branches.

Legler Regional is a big, busy branch, and the staff is attentive through all the hustle and bustle. Employees walked Jacoby through the library’s public art and food pantry.

Branch manager Valerie Carter of the Bessie Coleman Branch 💕

Da Book Joint boasts plenty of social events every month. This Saturday, cap off Indie Bookstore Day with 

Indie bookstores are undeniably romantic. Take the fantasy one step further at The Book Cellar with a glass of pinot noir. Their cafe (and patio!) is a longstanding Lincoln Square social hub.

Non-profit Open Books recently closed its Logan Square location (RIP), but Chicagoans can still score great deals in Pilsen and West Loop. The stores sell used books, plus like-new books at similarly cheap prices.

Secret World Books celebrates its two-year anniversary, I want to shout out Owner Gayle Brandeis, who has published nine books. I also know she’s a fabulous writing teacher — she was mine!

🚶🏼‍♀️ Best Stretch: Hyde Park to South Shore

It’s National Library Week through April 25 — which is coincidentally Independent Bookstore Day! There’s an official crawl across Chicagoland.

However, our recs on where to find and read books in Chicago are timeless.

Where to Read in Chicago

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Emily Mack

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