Memorial Day Weekend in Chicago, Where to Eat, Drink, and Sit Outside
By 312Deals Team · Updated August 2026
Memorial Day 2026 lands on Monday May 25, a full three-day weekend (May 23–25) and the unofficial kickoff of Chicago patio season. 21 Memorial Day specials across 16 venues are live now, plus 508+ BBQ specials and 9,500+ patio deals running all weekend.
The Weekend Shape
Three days, three rhythms. Plan around the weather and book the high-end rooms by Thursday.
- Saturday May 23, Patio Saturday. Rooftops in River North, beer gardens in Logan Square, sidewalk patios in Wicker Park. If it's sunny, the whole city is outside by 1 PM.
- Sunday May 24, Brunch into late afternoon. Slower start, longer linger. The day for an 11 AM table and a 4 PM second drink.
- Monday May 25, The actual holiday. BBQ specials at restaurants and bars, cookouts at home for everyone else. Many spots run abbreviated holiday hours.
Neighborhoods with Memorial Day Specials
Memorial Day Deals by Neighborhood
River North(6 deals)
- The Kerryman
Happy Hour
Happy Hour on Friday (Memorial Day Weekend) from 4pm to 7pm. No specific items or prices mentioned.
- RPM Seafood
Fourth Annual Seafood Boil by the river
Fourth Annual Seafood Boil event by the river during Memorial Day Weekend
- Chicago Chop House
Isla 75 Summer Special
New summer cocktail special featuring champagne, agave tequila, and lime twist. Available chilled neat or on the rocks starting Memorial Day Weekend (May 22nd) for the entire summer.
- Solita Tacos
Margarita Monday
Memorial Day Margarita Monday special — $2.99 margaritas. Recurring Monday margarita deal coinciding with Memorial Day holiday.
- The Kerryman
Weekend Brunch
Brunch served until 4pm on Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend. No specific items or prices mentioned.
- The Kerryman
Live Music with Jimmy Keane
Live music performance by @jimmykeane on Sunday from 5pm to 7pm during Memorial Day Weekend.
North Center(3 deals)
Lakeview(2 deals)
Wicker Park(1 deal)
- Libertad Sur
50% Off Craft Cocktails
50% off all craft cocktails Sunday through Thursday until Memorial Day at the Wicker Park location
Andersonville(1 deal)
- Fiya Restaurant
Daily Happy Hour
Daily happy hour during Memorial Day Weekend
West Loop(1 deal)
- Good Night John Boy
Yacht Rock Sundays
Yacht Rock themed event starting Memorial Day weekend
Lincoln Park(1 deal)
- Beck'S
Comedy Bingo with Tessa
Comedy Bingo hosted by Tessa on Memorial Day Monday with fun prizes, great food and cold beer available
Lincoln Square(1 deal)
- Bayan Ko
Windy City Wiener Wars Round 1
Special hot dog competition event between Filipino chefs from Boonies Chicago and Bayan Ko at Perilla Fare Patio on Memorial Day
La Grange(1 deal)
- Lucca's Pizzeria
Military Discount
15% discount for all military members during Memorial Day weekend
Hyde Park(1 deal)
- Ja Grill Hyde Park
Extended MDW Happy Hour
Extended Memorial Day Weekend Happy Hour from 4PM until close
Brookfield(1 deal)
- Imperial Oak Brewing
Pizza 750 Grill Service
Pizza 750 grill starts serving at noon on Memorial Day
The Loop(1 deal)
- St. Regis, Chicago Hotel
Miru offers Fireworks on the Terrace every Wednesday and Saturday from Memorial Day through Labor Day
BBQ Specials Worth a Memorial Day Visit
Year-round BBQ deals running this weekend, ribs, brisket, pulled pork, smoked everything.508+ in the index, top 16 below (max 2 per neighborhood).
- Ambar ChicagoRiver North
Happy Hour: Mon-Fri 4-6pm, small plates, cocktails, beer + wine all under $9 each (Crispy Corn Ribs, Lamb Sliders, Cheese Pie & Balkan Kebabs)
- Eddie Merlot'sLincolnshire
Happy Hour: Monday-Thursday 4pm-6:30pm in the lounge, featuring premium bar bites, cocktails & wine starting at $10, including items like Wagyu Beef Ribs ($25), Crab & Avocado Cocktail ($20), Eddie's
- Famous Dave's Bar-B-QueNorth Riverside
Happy Hour: Monday-Friday 3-6pm with food specials including $4 Famous Fries, $4 Fried Pickles, $4 Southside Rib Tips, $5 Georgia Chopped Pork Sandwich, $5 St. Louis-Style Ribs (2 Bones), $6 Smokehous
- Barrel + RyeGeneva
Happy Hour Food Specials: Mon-Thu 2-5pm - $10 FLATBREAD, $12 Sticky Ribs
- Famous Dave's Bar-B-QueOrland Park
Happy Hour (Monday-Friday 3-6pm): $4 Famous Fries, $4 Fried Pickles, $4 Southside Rib Tips, $5 Georgia Chopped Pork Sandwich, $5 St. Louis-Style Ribs (2 Bones), $6 Smokehouse Grilled Cheese, $6 Tradit
- Home2 Suites Chicago River NorthRiver North
Ambar Restaurant Chicago Happy Hour: Monday-Friday 4-6pm, small plates, cocktails, beer + wine all under $9 each (e.g., Crispy Corn Ribs, Lamb Sliders, Cheese Pie, Balkan Kebabs). $8 cocktails, $7 win
- Chicago Street PubJoliet
Saturday: BBQ Ribs Half Rack ($19.95) or Full Rack ($29.95) with french fries and a house salad (Dine In or Carry Out, 4pm to 9pm)
- Manny's Ale HouseElmhurst
Half Slab Baby Back Ribs $14.95 Dine in only! (Thursday August 6th, 11:00 AM - 10:30 PM)
- Robinson's No. 1 RibsOak Park
Daily Specials (11 am - 3 pm): Boneless Rib Sandwich w/ Fries ($7.95), BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich w/ Fries ($8.95), Angus Burger w/ Fries ($7.95), BBQ Rib Tip w/ Fries ($8.95), Fish Sandwich w/ Fries ($
- The Dock on FrontMokena
Every Thursday: All You Can Eat BBQ Ribs for $22.00 + tax per person from 5-8pm
- Greek Islands RestaurantWest Loop
Happy Hour: $20 entrees (Chicken Souvlaki, Keftedes Fourno, Schnitzel Fromage, 1/2 Rack Ribs (greek or BBQ), Baked Lasagna, Chef's Daily Choice)
- Greek Islands LombardLombard
Happy Hour: $20 entrees (Chicken Souvlaki, Keftedes Fourno, Schnitzel Fromage, 1/2 Rack Ribs, Baked Lasagna, Chef's Daily Choice)
- BraseroWest Town
Happy Hour: Tuesday-Sunday from 5-7 PM at the bar, and all night Sundays. Deals include: Grilled Oysters (5ea), Grilled Prawns (5ea), Paulista Pork Fried Rice (9), Half Ribs (13), Petite Endive Salad
- MARTINO'S ITALIAN CUISINE & PIZZERIA, INC.Lincoln Square
Sunday: Tub of Lasagna (spinach or meat), $30.95; Tub of Ribs, $31.95; 12 pc. Chicken (fried or broiled), $16.25.
- TAQUIZAS VALDEZAvondale
Family Feast Fridays: $50 for 8 Signature Tacos, 1 order of Mexican Corn Ribs OR 1 order of Chips & Dip, 2 slices of Tres Leches Cake
- JL's Pizza and Sports BarPalatine
Daily food specials: Monday - 1/2 Fried Chicken $8.95, Tuesday - 21 Shrimp Basket $8.95, Wednesday - Full Slab Ribs $19.95, Thursday - Lasagna $9.95, Friday - Fish & Chips $10.95, Saturday - 1lb Rib T
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Frequently Asked Questions
- When is Memorial Day 2026?
- Memorial Day 2026 falls on Monday, May 25, giving Chicago a three-day weekend from Saturday May 23 through Monday May 25. Most restaurants run weekend-long specials; bars run Sunday and Monday daytime deals.
- What are the best Memorial Day weekend deals in Chicago 2026?
- We're tracking 21 Memorial Day weekend specials across 16 Chicago venues right now. River North has 6 deals, North Center has 3 deals, Lakeview has 2 deals. Plus 508+ year-round BBQ specials worth a visit.
- Which Chicago patios are open for Memorial Day weekend?
- Most patios are open by Memorial Day, it's the unofficial start of patio season in Chicago. River North rooftops, Logan Square beer gardens, Wicker Park sidewalk seating, and West Loop dinner patios all run. Browse our live patio guide for the full inventory of 9,500+ outdoor deals.
- Are restaurants open on Memorial Day Monday?
- Most restaurants and bars are open on Memorial Day, often with abbreviated holiday hours. Brunch-focused spots typically open by 10 AM; full-service dinner runs as normal. Call ahead for the high-end rooms, many run reduced staffing on Monday afternoons.
- Where can I get BBQ in Chicago for Memorial Day?
- Smoque BBQ in Portage Park is the city benchmark. Sanders BBQ Supply Co. (Beverly), Briny Swine Smokehouse (Lincoln Park), and The Levee (Belmont Cragin) all run weekend specials. Miller's Ale House runs full-rack rib specials Monday–Tuesday at $15.99, Memorial Day falls right on the deal day.
About This Guide
Live data from 312Deals, 21 Memorial Day weekend deals across 16 Chicago venues, refreshed from venue websites and verified within the last week. Prices and availability change without notice; call ahead for the high-traffic spots. Last updated: August 2026.