Summer is winding down, but a three-day weekend gives you another chance to get out and enjoy the warm weather. We’ve put together a guide to brunches, barbecues and other specials and events to help you relax and make the most out of Labor Day. All events happen on Monday, Sept. 2, unless otherwise stated.
Aba
302 N. Green St., 773-645-1400
The West Loop restaurant offers its weekend brunch menu from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., serving Mediterranean fare including short rib shakshuka ($13.95) and kefta and eggs ($15.95).
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All Together Now
2119 W. Chicago Ave., 773-661-1599
The Ukrainian Village shop is running an Endless Summer special from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1, offering a 10% discount on the purchase of a magnum or any three 750-milliliter bottles of rosé.
Bandit
841 W. Randolph St., 312-666-6061
Snack on $9 Chicago-style hot dogs grilled on the West Loop spot’s patio during a backyard barbecue that also features unlimited Natural Light seltzer, bloody marys and mimosas for $25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Beatrix
Multiple locations
The weekend brunch menu is offered from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at all four of the restaurant’s locations.
Bernie’s
660 N. Orleans St., 312-624-9892
The River North restaurant serves brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering dishes including brioche French toast ($13) and its signature burger ($16) along with $15 bottomless mimosas.
Bistronomic
840 N. Wabash Ave., 312-944-8400
The Gold Coast French restaurant serves its weekend brunch menu from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., offering dishes including house-cured duck confit hash ($16.50) and a smoked salmon sandwich served with truffle fries ($17). Add bottomless mimosas to any entree for $18.95.
Bub City
435 N. Clark St. 312-610-4200; 5441 Park Place, Rosemont, 847-261-0399
Both locations extend their Southern brunch and build-your-own bloody mary bar to 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., along with offering burgers, Bub City Gold draft beer and margaritas for $5.
Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba
2024 N. Halsted St., 773-935-5000
The weekend brunch menu is served from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lincoln Park tapas restaurant, which lets you mix and match dishes like a short stack of pancakes and waffle-battered chicken sticks for $2.50 each.
Castaways
1603 N. Lake Shore Drive, 773-281-1200
The North Avenue Beach spot closes after Labor Day, so they’re throwing an end-of-season party featuring DJ sets at 1-7 p.m. Aug. 31-Sept. 2.
Cortland’s Garage
1 N. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights, 847-577-2525
Enjoy $1 drafts and $12 pitchers along with the restaurant’s full lunch menu from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Crosby’s Kitchen
3455 N. Southport Ave., 773-883-2525
Brunch is served from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lakeview spot, which offers $1 mimosas to the first 50 customers.
District Brew Yards
417 W. Ashland Ave., 773-295-1270
The brewery collective is normally closed on Mondays, but it will be open at 11:30 a.m. on Labor Day. Prep for your parties by picking up the Brewer’s Case Special, six four-packs sold for $49.99 Aug. 29 through Sept. 2.
Ema
74 W. Illinois St., 312-527-5586
Head to the Near North Mediterranean restaurant for brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with options including lamb shakshuka ($13.95) and bread pudding French toast ($9.95).
Etta
1840 W. North Ave., 312-757-4444
Bid farewell to rosé season with bottomless pours for $35 starting at noon.
Frontier
1072 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-772-4322
Get your barbecue fix from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 1 at the West Town restaurant’s Labor Day Cook Out, which includes all-you-can-eat ribs and sides plus one beer for $35. For a second round, order a $5 Spiteful Brewing draft. Tickets: thefrontierchicago.com
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Ina Mae Tavern & Packaged Goods
1415 N. Wood St., 773-360-8320
Bring your pup to a “Paws and Claws” happy hour on the Wicker Park spot’s patio at 4-6 p.m. Aug. 31, where they’ll enjoy pet-friendly treats while you take advantage of specials including $6 White Claw, $25 White Claw buckets, $5 Lagunitas, $8 frozen cocktails, and $5 21st Amendment beer. The bash also includes raffles and gift bags. Feast on all-you-can-eat crawfish, corn and potatoes for $35 at 5 p.m. Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, pairing your meal with $6 rosé and $7 punch. Tickets: inamaetavern.com
La Josie
740 W. Randolph St., 312-929-2900
The West Loop Mexican restaurant serves dishes from its weekend brunch menu starting at 11 a.m., including dulce de leche toast and chilaquiles (both $10).
Long Grove Irish Days at Fountain Square
228 Robert Parker Coffin Road, Long Grove, 847-634-0888
Celebrate Irish culture at the annual fest, which features live music, dance performances, food vendors, beer, crafts and guys competing to see whose legs look best in a kilt. Admission is free and the fest runs from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 31, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 1 and 11 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Sept. 2.
Lottie’s Pub
1925 W. Cortland St., 773-489-0738
Brunch is served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and you can enjoy $2 mimosas and $4 bloody marys from noon to 4 p.m.
Morton’s The Steakhouse
Multiple locations
Share a three-course meal including lobster bisque, filet mignon and hot chocolate cake for $99 per couple Aug. 29 through Sept. 2. Dine at the bar and you can take advantage of happy hour specials, which are running all day throughout the long weekend.
Navy Pier
600 E. Grand Ave., 800-595-7437
The sixth annual Great American Lobster Fest features plenty of the signature seafood, drinks and dessert, plus live music, crafts and fireworks displays. Admission is free and you can purchase food a la carte or buy a meal for $44-$119 at americanlobsterfest.com. The event runs from noon to 10 p.m. Aug. 30 through Sept. 1.
Quality Crab & Oyster Bah
1962 N. Halsted St., 773-248-3000
Celebrate by cracking into a whole Maine lobster sold for market price and accompanied by fries and corn on the cob.
R.J. Grunts
2056 Lincoln Park West, 773-929-5363
The Lincoln Park restaurant serves its weekend brunch menu with additional specials from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Shaw’s Crab House
21 E. Hubbard St. 312-527-2722; 1900 E. Higgins Road, Schaumburg, 847-517-2722
The Chicago location serves its weekend brunch buffet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with stations offering king crab legs, roasted beef tenderloin and lobster bisque. Schaumburg extends its happy hour specials all day, offering dishes including grilled shrimp scampi and sweet corn and jalapeño hush puppies for half price.
Shore Club
1603 N. Lake Shore Drive, 312-635-8058
Celebrate with friends by booking the $750 ‘Merica package, which includes access to a daybed and cabana in the North Avenue Beach spot’s private lounge area, plus a fully stocked cooler. If that requires too much organization, you can just swing by and cool off with The Frozen, a blend of piña colada, strawberry daiquiri and blue frozen sauvignon blanc ($14).
Smoke Daddy
3636 N. Clark St., 773-227-2583; 1804 W. Division St., 773-772-6656
A $19 family style brunch served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. includes your choice of entree and unlimited monkey bread, hash browns, pancakes, bacon, sausage and fruit. Add bottomless bloody marys and mimosas for $18 at the Wrigleyville location or $17 in Wicker Park.
Sportsman’s Club
948 Western Ave., 872-206-8054
The Humboldt Park spot teams up with its neighbor Cafe Marie-Jeanne for a backyard barbecue at 4 p.m. Sept. 1 where $20 will get you a plate of food plus a drink. Additional barbecue fare will be available a la carte. Doors open at 3 p.m.
Stella Barra Pizzeria
1954 N. Halsted St., 773-634-4101
Graze on a brunch buffet accompanied by $5 bloody marys, Bellinis and mimosas from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Summer House Santa Monica
1954 N. Halsted St., 773-634-4100
The Lincoln Park restaurant offers its weekend brunch menu from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tokio Pub
1900 E. Higgins Road, Schaumburg, 847-278-5181
Select food and drinks are half-price all day
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, including sangria and barbecue braised pork tacos.Tuco and Blondie
3358 N. Southport Ave., 773-327-8226
The Lakeview spot serves brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and offers $1 mimosas to the first 50 people to show up. Kids get a free ice cream cone and adults can have one too, by donating $1 to local schools.
Samantha Nelson is a baiduhai special contributor.