2026 Tax Refund Specials and Splurges

Jōtō Sushi

Jōtō Sushi is offering a tax refund-splurge experience on Friday, April 17, centered around a live bluefin tuna cutting. Guests can watch Chef Saul Martinez and his team carve a massive 250-300 lb tuna right in front of them, then enjoy it at its absolute freshest. While a DJ brings the tunes, the evening features passed tuna cuts, handrolls, dry-aged bites, and bone marrow shooters, alongside Suntory highballs, wine, sake and champagne. Seating is extremely limited – tickets are available through OpenTable.

aliveOne

Whether Chicagoans are celebrating a refund or recovering from writing that check, aliveOne in Lincoln Park is turning Tax Day into a reason to raise a glass. On Wednesday, April 15, aliveOne invites guests to unwind with a night of drink specials and live entertainment. The celebration kicks off with a half-price Happy Hour from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., setting the tone for an evening that proves even Tax Day can have its perks. The festivities continue with free open mic beginning at 8 p.m. and guests can also enjoy $8 craft cocktails, $6 Half Acre brews, and $1 off domestic beers available all evening long.

Central Park Bar

Central Park Bar in Avondale is marking Tax Day with drink specials available throughout the evening. Guests can order the special $10 “Tax Day” cocktail, made with Beefeater London Dry Gin, Becquer Vermouth de Garnacha, Dolin Dry Vermouth, Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao, and lemon juice. From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., the bar will offer half-price happy hour on all items excluding shots. Beer-and-shot combos will also be available for $9.50 all evening. Guests can also enjoy Central Park Bar’s “Wine Not? Wednesdays” featuring half-off glasses of wine and a $25 wine and cheese plate combo (two glasses of wine and a cheese board from Beautiful Rind).

Cody's Public House

Whether guests are celebrating a big return or just looking to forget about taxes for a while, Cody’s has the cure this Tax Day. On Tuesday, April 15, Cody’s Public House in West Lakeview will offer a 1040 EZ Menu featuring $10.40 beer and shot combos. Combinations include Guinness and Tullamore D.E.W., Old Style and Malort, Modelo and Dobel, and Schlitz and Jim Beam.

Easy Bar

Easy Bar in Wicker Park is easing the Tax Day pain with a half-price happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., featuring all drinks at half off (excluding shots). The deals continue all night with $4 Malört shots, $6 hard seltzers, and $5.50 domestic bottles and cans.

Estelle’s

This Tax Day, Estelle’s, located in the heart of Wicker Park, will ease the pain with some well-earned Tax Day deductions. Guests will enjoy a half-price happy hour from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m along with wallet-friendly specials available all evening like $7 cocktails, $5 domestic beers and $8 Chili Dogs. Patrons who stick around can nosh on late-night eats including bar bites, burgers, sandwiches, and fries available until 3:30 a.m.

Remedy 

Chicagoans can toast to surviving tax season at Remedy in Bucktown with a half-price happy hour from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tax Day. Guests can also tap into their creative side during “Weird Wednesday,” Remedy’s art night featuring coloring and painting sessions that run all evening long. Aspiring artists are encouraged to let loose and their creations might even earn a spot on Remedy’s wall of art. While creating their masterpieces, guests can sip on Remedy’s classic seasonal libations, including the El Diablo made with Olmeca Altos Plata tequila, crème de cassis, lime, and ginger beer, and the Rhubarbarella featuring Sweet Gwendoline Gin, Aperol, Giffard Rhubarb, and fresh lemon juice.

The Getaway 

For those celebrating a refund or simply ready to forget about filing season, The Getaway in Lincoln Square will host Half-Price Happy Hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., recently introduced as part of the bar’s two-year anniversary celebration. Guests can unwind with half-price drinks while shaking off the stress of spreadsheets and deadlines.The deals continue all night with $9 beer-and-shot combos available all evening. For guests that stick around, Trivia Night will begin at 8:30 p.m. hosted by Whaddayaknow Free Pub Trivia. 

The Graystone Tavern

As Chicagoans wrap up tax season, Graystone Tavern in Wrigleyville is helping guests celebrate with a tax day special of its own. On Wednesday, April 15 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Graystone will feature $4.15 happy hour specials featuring a choice of any of their 20 draft beers, a Cheeseburger, or Stateside Seltzer, giving guests a wallet-friendly way to toast the end of tax season.

The Grillroom Chophouse & Wine Bar

Nestled in the heart of the Chicago Loop and Theater District, The Grillroom Chophouse & Wine Bar is offering diners a little Tax Day relief with a special “IRS Express” prix-fixe lunch menu, available for a deducted price of $22 per person on Wednesday, April 15. The three-course lunch begins with a choice of Chicory Salad or Tomato Bisque. Entrée selections include a Prime Rib Sandwich, Blackened Mahi Sandwich, or Crispy Chicken Sandwich. To finish, guests can enjoy a choice of mini Crème Brûlée or mini Tiramisu for dessert.

The Owl 

Guests who filed their taxes early may want to treat themselves to The Owl’s early bird happy hour from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. featuring half-off all cocktails and beers. The Owl, located in the heart of Logan Square, will also feature $6 Old Style & Malort all evening for guests who want to shake off their Tax Day blues and hit the dance floor until 4 a.m.

Tune-Up

Tune-Up in Avondale is inviting guests to unwind after Tax Day with a special evening of drink deals on Wednesday, April 15. From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., guests can enjoy Tune-Up’s Tax Day Happy Hour, followed by drink specials available all evening. Highlights include $10 Beer and Shot Combos, and a $9 Tune-Up Combo featuring Garage Beer and a Ferrari Shot. Whether stopping in after work or celebrating the end of tax season with friends, Tune-Up offers a laid-back spot to relax, grab a drink, and toast to getting taxes done.