Memorial Day Weekend in Chicago — Where to Eat, Drink, and Sit Outside
By 312Deals Team · Updated May 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. 17 Memorial Day specials across 15 venues are live now, plus 142+ 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(5 deals)
- RPM Seafood
4th Annual Memorial Day Seafood Boil
Kick off the summer riverside! Celebrate Memorial Day with us and indulge in our fourth annual all-you-can-enjoy RPM Seafood Boil, perfectly complemented by refreshing spritzes and wines
- RPM Seafood
Fourth Annual Seafood Boil by the river
Fourth Annual Seafood Boil event by the river during Memorial Day Weekend
- Howl At The Moon
90's Night - Memorial Day Weekend
90's Night special event for Memorial Day Weekend with potential free admission giveaway
- Electric Shuffle
Memorial Day Weekend Package
$40 per person Memorial Day Weekend package including unlimited drinks, food, and high-tech shuffleboard for 2 hours
- RPM Seafood
4th Annual Memorial Day Seafood Boil: Monday, May 25, with seatings from 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM.
Discovered via freshness check for RPM Seafood
Edgewater(2 deals)
- ANVIL BAR
Memorial Day BBQ
Memorial Day BBQ event
- Gino'S North Pizzeria
Live music on the patio every Friday from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day
Discovered via freshness check for Gino'S North Pizzeria
Gage Park(2 deals)
- New Archview Restaurant— The Chicago Room
Memorial Day Celebration
Come celebrate the long weekend with us!
- LA MICHOACANA
Memorial Day Extended Hours
Open Memorial Day from 12pm until midnight for sweet treats
Lincoln Park(2 deals)
- Wild Hare
BLISS - Memorial Day Weekend Party
Memorial Day Weekend party featuring Caribbean and global music with DJs playing Soca, Dancehall, Afrobeats, and Reggae from 9PM-3AM
- Halligan Bar
Memorial Day Drink Specials
Memorial Day drink specials with $3 bottled beer and $3 Jameson shots, open from 12PM and partying all day/night long
Lincoln Square(1 deal)
- Bistro Campagne
Memorial Day Meal Kits
Memorial Day meal kits with option to add beer or wine, curbside pickup available
West Town(1 deal)
- Friends Of Friends
Schlitz Memorial Day Special
Memorial Day special on draft Schlitz beer as they finish their remaining stock before the brand stops production
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
Lakeview(1 deal)
- Kirkwood Bar & Grill
Pre-Memorial Day Party
Pre-Memorial Day party with drink specials and DJ starting at 9pm
North Center(1 deal)
- Altitude Park
Red, White & Blue Jumps for Memorial Day Weekend (May 23–25) for $39.99 includes 2 jumpers for 2 hours each
Discovered via freshness check for Altitude Park
BBQ Specials Worth a Memorial Day Visit
Year-round BBQ deals running this weekend — ribs, brisket, pulled pork, smoked everything.142+ in the index, top 16 below (max 2 per neighborhood).
- Jimmy's CharhouseLibertyville
Family Carry-out Meal - Two Full Slab Ribs
Family-sized carry-out meal package with two full slab ribs, mashed potatoes, salad and bread
- Josh's Hot DogsWheeling
Friday Rib Special
Friday special featuring full slab of ribs with fries, coleslaw, and garlic bread for $19
- Coluta's PizzaElmwood Park
Sunday Specials
Sunday daily specials featuring BBQ ribs and stuffed shells
- The Evergreen Pub & GrillGeneva
Wednesday Ribs & Burger Special
1/2 slab of ribs $14, full slab $22, $8 burgers and chicken sandwiches.
- Mindy's RibsMokena
Tuesday BBQ Chicken Dinner Special
Tuesday special featuring BBQ Chicken Dinner for $10.50
- 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.
- Poretta'S RestaurantPortage Park
April 1st Special Menu
April 1st special pricing on full slab BBQ ribs, rottolo primavera, chicken parm, with discounted Peroni and Aperol Spritz
- WOODLakeview
Family Style Supper Club Menu
Family-style dining package where everyone can enjoy a variety of dishes, choose two main courses from selection including chicken, ribs, salmon, and steaks
- Off Color BrewingRiver North
Hawksmoor x Chef John Manion x Off Color Brewing Dinner
One-night-only collaborative dinner on April 23 featuring beef-focused menu with shortloin, chateaubriand, beef ribs, and specialty items. $5 from each ticket benefits Pilot Light Chefs.
- Miller's Ale HouseSchaumburg
Monday & Tuesday BBQ Ribs Special
Full rack of BBQ baby back ribs with one side
- Gale Street InnPortage Park
Mother's Day Brunch Buffet
Mother's Day brunch buffet featuring chilaquiles, bananas foster french toast, chicken & waffles, salmon, ribs, rib benedict, shrimp & grits, glazed ham carving station and more
- Church Street Brewing CompanySchaumburg
BarbaTuesday
Tuesday BBQ special featuring smoked ribs and hotlink platter with choice of sides, plus limited menu favorites
- Miller's Ale HouseOrland Park
Monday & Tuesday Ribs Special
Full rack of barbecue baby back ribs with one side for $15.99
- THE NEW CONGRESS PIZZAHumboldt Park
Full Slab Ribs Dinner Wednesday Special
Wednesday special on full slab ribs dinner
- Vini's PizzaAlbany Park
Full Slab BBQ Ribs Sunday Special
Sunday full slab BBQ ribs special includes coleslaw, fries, and bread or garlic bread
- Pete'S PizzaNorth Center
Thursday Special - Ribs Deal
Thursday special offering 1kg Ribs with chips and onion rings, with optional Large Cheesy Garlic Pizza add-on
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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 17 Memorial Day weekend specials across 15 Chicago venues right now. River North has 5 deals, Edgewater has 2 deals, Gage Park has 2 deals. Plus 142+ 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 — 17 Memorial Day weekend deals across 15 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: May 2026.