Where to Celebrate Memorial Day 2026

aliveOne

After the barbecues, patrons can head to aliveOne at 8 p.m. for specials like a $7 Old Style and whiskey shot combos and $1 off domestics. At 8 p.m., guests will enjoy free music trivia from Whaddayaknow along with FREE pool all night. aliveOne has a lineup of new seasonal cocktails for $12 each including the LowSun with El Jimador, Aperol, lime Orgeat, the Disco Infiltrator with Screwball, Campari, lime, pineapple and more.

Central Park Bar

Chicagoans can keep the Memorial Day weekend celebrations going with a festive patio party at Central Park Bar on Monday, May 25. Beginning at 4 p.m., guests are invited to unwind at a half-price happy hour running through 7 p.m. Weather permitting, party-goers can enjoy the expansive 3,500-square-foot Backyard Bar. The space features a covered outdoor bar, bumper pool table, picnic tables, porch swings, and a cozy fire pit. Central Park Bar will host FREE Bingo from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Cody's Public House

Cody’s invites Chicagoans and their pups to join them for an afternoon dedicated to everyone’s favorite fluffy companions. In partnership with Chicago Doodle Meets, this tail-wagging social on Sunday, May 24 at 1 p.m. invites doodle owners and dog lovers alike to mix, mingle, and sip on drink specials while pups play. Guests will enjoy specials like $5 Kona Big Wave Golden Ale, $5 Golden Monkey, and $5 Goldschläger. Four-legged attendees will be treated with free pup cups and complimentary dog swag to keep tails wagging all afternoon long. On Monday, May 25, Cody’s will host a Memorial Day Happy Hour from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. featuring $5 Mimosas, $10 Aperol Spritz and $30 Surfside Buckets.

Easy Bar

This Memorial Day, Easy Bar is kicking things off at 4 p.m., when guests can enjoy a half-price happy hour til 6 p.m. Drink specials available all evening will include $4 Montucky Cold Snacks, $5 Espolón Blanco shots, $5 Underbergs, and $5.50 domestic bottles and cans. Patrons can also enjoy a lineup of new summer sippers like Cherish the Day with lemongrass-infused Cachaça, Coconut Rum, lime, simple syrup or No Ordinary Love with Vanilla Vodka, Yogurt Soju, Pomegranate Syrup, lime, triple sec, and rose water.

Estelle's

Opening at 10 p.m. on Monday, May 25, the neighborhood bar invites guests to keep the celebration going with a late-night barbecue. Diners can indulge in half-price, build-your-own burgers available all evening (dine-in only). To complement the menu, guests can enjoy a lineup of $14 seasonal cocktails, including the Mighty Fine with Glendalough Rose Gin, Brovo Boomerang, Demerara syrup, lemon juice, Peychaud's bitters or the Star Jammer featuring a house-made hard seltzer on draft with Tito's, Strawberry syrup, and lemonade.

Remedy

Chicagoans can enjoy low-key drinks and vibes all weekend at Remedy until 5 a.m. Saturday and 4 a.m. on Sunday and Monday. On Sunday, guests sip on a $7 beer shot combo featuring Highlife paired with Tequila, Fernet, Malört, or Bourbon. On Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, Remedy will open at 10 p.m. for post-barbecue drinks and $5 drafts will be available all evening. New seasonal sips include the Pontiac Bandit with Rey Supremo Rosa, Pamplemousse liquor, pineapple, prickly pear syrup or the Alaska Question with Sweet Gwendoline Gin, Leopold Bros Lime Cordial, Yellow Chartreuse, and glitter.

The Getaway

This Memorial Day, Chicagoans are invited to escape the ordinary and kick off summer at The Getaway in Lincoln Square. Doors open at 8 p.m., where guests can ease into the night with a $9 beer-and-shot combo available all evening. The lineup includes a choice of High Life, Coors Light, Modelo, or Right Bee Semi Dry paired with a shot of Evan Williams, El Jimador, Fernet, or Malört. Starting at 10 p.m., the energy turns up with Taking Back Monday: Alt Music Night, keeping the party going until 2 a.m. with throwback hits and crowd-favorite anthems. Weather permitting, guests can also sip and socialize al fresco on The Getaway’s cozy sidewalk patio, a 20-seat outdoor oasis.

The Graystone Tavern

Chicagoans heading to the Cubs vs Astros series over Memorial Day weekend can kick off game day just steps from Wrigley Field at The Graystone Tavern. Located only a block away, the neighborhood favorite is serving up a lineup of game-day food and drink specials for pregame fuel or postgame celebrations. Highlights include $5 corn dogs, $5 Old Style tall boys, $6 Cubbie Bombs, $8 cold brew Irish coffee, $10 Chicago Handshakes, and $30 Surfside buckets. Fans who don’t have a ticket to the game can watch every play on 9 TVs inside or in the weatherproofed patio, complete with string lights, six TVs, and plenty of games like bags, giant Jenga, and giant Connect 4. 

The Grillroom Chophouse & Wine Bar

The Grillroom Chophouse & Wine Bar will open on Sunday, May 24 to host a special Memorial Day Eve Happy Hour from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The happy hour features $10 select wines and House Margaritas, $12 barrel-aged Old Fashioneds, and crave-worthy bites including East Coast Oysters, Meatballs, Tuscan Toast, and Filet Skewers. Guests can enjoy happy hour on The Grillroom's patio, which situated right on bustling Monroe Street. In honor of National Burger Month and the unofficial start of barbecue season, The Grillroom is also serving up a happy hour–only combo featuring their signature Smashburger paired with a Stella draft for $22 (available exclusively during happy hour in the bar area only). The burger stacks two four-ounce Australian Wagyu patties with American cheese, Grillroom Special Sauce, and dill pickles on a soft potato bun, served with Cajun-seasoned fries. Happy Hour is regularly available Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The Owl

For Chicagoans looking to keep the Memorial Day festivities going into the early hours, The Owl in Logan Square is hosting a laid-back late-night party from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. Guests can enjoy a $10 cocktail special all night featuring The Owl’s menu of seasonal drinks including the Tipsy Rose with Strawberry Dolin, Sfumato rhubarb amaro, bubbles, sparkling rosé, Blue Drank with Stoli Vanilla, Giffard passionfruit, blue curaçao, simple, lime, bubbles and more.

Tune-Up

Chicagoans looking to soak up the holiday outdoors can head to Tune-Up in Avondale, home to one of the neighborhood’s newest al fresco destinations. Kicking off at 4 p.m., guests can ease into the evening with half-price happy hour from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., best enjoyed on the expansive 1,200-square-foot patio. The space features an outdoor counter and convenient pickup window for seamless patio service. Guests can pair the sun with sips and enjoy seasonal libations from Tune-Up like the Dead Beat Beet with Los Vecinos mezcal, Giffard Ginger of the Indies, Supasawa, lemon juice, beet syrup, celery bitters, the Spicy Boy with El Jimador Blanco tequila, lime juice, Giffard Caribbean Pineapple, chili-hibiscus syrup and more.

Mayfestiversary by Begyle Brewing and Dovetail Brewery 

Begyle Brewing and Dovetail Brewery are back hosting their 10th annual spring celebration, commemorating the 10th anniversary of Dovetail Brewery. In celebration of the milestone, the festival will feature Dovetail Brewery’s annual Maibock alongside a special 10th Anniversary Lager brewed for the occasion. 

Taking place on Memorial Day Weekend - Saturday, May 23rd (11am-10pm) & Sunday, May 24th (11am-9pm) - the event invites the community to indulge in beer, food, music, and camaraderie. All ages are invited to come together in support of The Friendship Center, the neighborhood food pantry serving the Northwest side since 1969.

Expect special beer tappings alongside favorites from both breweries throughout the weekend, complemented by entertainment from DJs and cuisine from Chicago food trucks. 

City Works Eatery and Pour House

City Works Eatery and Pour House is offering families an atmosphere with a chef-driven brunch menu. Think dishes like Stuffed French Toast, Breakfast Tacos and Brisket Biscuits and Gravy with green onion cheddar biscuits.