Memorial Day Weekend in Chicago, Where to Eat, Drink, and Sit Outside
By 312Deals Team · Updated July 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. 24 Memorial Day specials across 17 venues are live now, plus 529+ 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(7 deals)
- Dialtone Cafe
4th of July Weekend Wine Sale
15% off all retail wine bottles for the 4th of July long weekend. Includes crisp whites, bold reds, and everything in between. Stop by to stock up for your holiday celebrations.
- 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.
Lakeview(3 deals)
- Frasca
Summer Lunch Menu
Special lunch menu celebrating 20 years of Frasca, available every Friday between Memorial Day and Labor Day
- Frasca
Summer Lunch Service
Special lunch menu celebrating 20 years of Frasca, available every Friday between Memorial Day and Labor Day
- Frasca
Friday Lunches: Open at 11:30 AM every Friday from Memorial Day until Labor Day
Discovered via freshness check for Frasca
North Center(3 deals)
Andersonville(2 deals)
- Fiya Restaurant
Daily Happy Hour
Daily happy hour during Memorial Day Weekend
- Fiya Restaurant
Fourth of July Weekend Features
Holiday weekend feature menu running July 3–6 for Fourth of July. Highlights include a Dry-Aged Sirloin & Wagyu Brisket Burger, Spiced Lamb Burger, and customizable Mixed Grill, paired with gazoz, cocktails, craft beer, or natural wine.
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
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
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
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
Avondale(1 deal)
- Soul And Smoke
Memorial Day Open
Soul & Smoke is open on Memorial Day serving their full menu of BBQ and comfort food including prime brisket, pulled pork, baked mac & cheese, and gumbo. No special pricing or discounts mentioned — standard menu available all day.
BBQ Specials Worth a Memorial Day Visit
Year-round BBQ deals running this weekend, ribs, brisket, pulled pork, smoked everything.529+ in the index, top 16 below (max 2 per neighborhood).
- Ella's BBQLincoln Park
Happy Hour
Ella's BBQ in Lincoln Park offers happy hour Monday through Friday from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. This daily smoked BBQ and neighborhood cafe features drink specials during happy hour. The venue has patio seating available. Specific pricing and menu items are shown on their happy hour menu dated 10.21.24, but individual items and prices are not detailed in the available content.
- Sheffield's Beer GardenLakeview
Happy Hour
$4 PBR tallboys, $5 select drafts, $6 wells. One of Lakeview's best beer gardens with BBQ.
- L.Woods Tap & Pine LodgePark Ridge
Happy Hour
American classics and BBQ with happy hour pricing, Wisconsin Fish Fry Friday
- ShinhwaChinatown
Lunch All-You-Can-Eat
All-you-can-eat Korean BBQ and hot pot lunch special
- ANVIL BAREdgewater
Labor Day BBQ
Special Labor Day BBQ event
- SwordfishBatavia
Lunch Specials
A variety of lunch options including Bento Boxes, Sushi, Sashimi and Maki Combos, Poke Bowls, and Korean BBQ. All lunch specials include miso soup and ice-cream dessert for dine-in customers.
- Bistec Bar & GrillRiver North
Happy Hour
Gio’s BBQ Happy Hour Fri, 3:00pm-6:00pm
- Sanders BBQ Supply Co.Beverly
Sanders BBQ Supply Co. Rewards Program
Join rewards program to earn points every time you order online and redeem points for free food
- Coluta's PizzaElmwood Park
Sunday Specials
Sunday daily specials featuring BBQ ribs and stuffed shells
- Mindy's RibsMokena
Tuesday BBQ Chicken Dinner Special
Tuesday special featuring BBQ Chicken Dinner for $10.50
- Smoke Daddy BBQ - WrigleyvilleWrigleyville
Thursday: Half Off Pulled Pork/Chicken Sandwich
1/2 off pulled pork or pulled chicken sandwich every Thursday.
- THE NEW CONGRESS PIZZAHumboldt Park
24 Pieces Fried Chicken Saturday Special
24 pieces of fried chicken, choice of plain or BBQ, available Saturdays only
- Carson'S RibsStreeterville
Heat & Eat BBQ Family Feasts
BBQ Family Feasts are cold-packed meals, perfect to grab & go. Feeds 2-4. Ready to heat & eat in less than 20 minutes.
- Offset BbqHumboldt Park
Weekend Brunch
A special weekend brunch menu featuring BBQ-inspired breakfast dishes such as Chilaquiles, Brisket Chili and Egg Skillet, and Brisket Breakfast Sandwiches.
- WOODLakeview
Tuesday Nightly Special - 12-Hour Smoked Brisket
12-hour smoked brisket with bbq baked beans, cornbread, house-made coleslaw
- Bailey's Restaurant & BarTinley Park
Sunday BBQ Pulled Pork Special
Sunday BBQ pulled pork sandwich special
Plan the rest of the weekend
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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 24 Memorial Day weekend specials across 17 Chicago venues right now. River North has 7 deals, Lakeview has 3 deals, North Center has 3 deals. Plus 529+ 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, 24 Memorial Day weekend deals across 17 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: July 2026.