America turns 250 this year, which means it’s time for some big parties. July 4 falls on a Saturday, so plenty of bars and restaurants are celebrating all weekend long with red, white and blue treats ranging from doughnuts to milkshakes. There are fireworks watch parties offering pig roasts and picnics, and even the chance to make a themed appetizer spread for your own gathering. Get outside and enjoy the country’s big birthday celebration at these 20 spots.
All events take place on July 4 unless otherwise specified.
The Loop and Near North Side
The Alston
An All-American Date Night special offered Friday through Sunday includes two 8-ounce filets, mashed potatoes, a four-piece shrimp cocktail, Caesar salad to share and two glasses of red wine ($250). Add on a watermelon margarita for $17.76. For a more casual night out, the bar will be offering a Wagyu beef hot dog ($22) and a prime rib beef dip ($18) all weekend. 750 N. State St., 312-548-2556, thealston.com)
Eataly
Prep for a picnic with a hands-on class from noon to 1 p.m. on July 3 that will teach you how to make a Fourth of July-themed appetizer spread. The $91 class includes a glass of prosecco, cheese and salumi samples, and a ready-to-serve platter to take home. (43 E. Ohio St., 312-521-8700, eataly.com)
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Eight Bar
Feed a group of four at home with a delivery deal offered July 3-5 including cheeseburgers, fries and coconut cream pie for $88. (8 W. Maple St., eightbarrestaurants.com)
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North Side & Northwest Side
Aura on the Lake
The beachfront spot offers an all-you-can-eat barbecue buffet or a curated plate of food with two hours of bottomless bubbles for $35. (5701 N. Lake Shore Drive, 773-654-1432, uvaechicago.com)
Cody’s Public House
The bar offers $2.50 mimosas from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and drink specials throughout the day including $6 Mamitas seltzer, $5 Sam Adams drafts and $8 Garrison Brothers bourbon. Sample drinks from Mamitas from 2-4 p.m. and you could win tickets to the Windy City Smokeout. (1658 W. Barry Ave., 773-799-8217, codyschicago.com)
Daisies
Order a four-pack of Chicago-style hot dog croissants ($25), double crust cherry pie ($39), red, white and blue bundt cake ($39) or six iced sugar cookies ($24) to pick up Friday. (2375 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-697-9443, exploretock.com/daisieschicago)
Frank & Mary’s Tavern
The Avondale bar gives away free apple pie all day and Chicago dogs and burgers starting at 2 p.m. Compete in a bags tournament and cool off with $2.50 domestic drafts, $17.76 domestic beer buckets, and $17.76 Fireball and Garrison Brothers shotskis. (2905 N. Elston Ave., 773-654-3132, frankandmarystavern.com)
The Graystone Tavern
An Independence Day happy hour offered from noon to 4 p.m. features $17.76 domestic buckets, $2.50 apple pie shots, $2.50 corn dogs and $13 Eagle Rare Mules. Compete in a corn hole contest for a shot at winning a $50 gift certificate. (3441 N. Sheffield Ave., 773-666-5450, graystonetavernchicago.com)
Kirkwood
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DJs play Friday and Saturday, and the bar offers specials Thursday through Sunday, including $7 Michelob Ultra and Miller Lite and $8 green tea shots. (2934 N. Sheffield Ave., 773-770-0700, kirkwoodbar.com)
Ranalli’s
Celebrate Wednesday through Sunday with free koozies, $4 Busch Light, $4 Firework shots, $2.50 hot dogs and $2.50 slices of apple pie. (1925 N. Lincoln Ave., 312-642-4700, ranallislincolnpark.com)
West Side & Near West Side
Lottie’s Pub
Bring your best friend to a Patio Pooch Party at 10:30 a.m. featuring $2.50 Chicago hot dogs, $2.50 mimosas, Sun Cruiser sampling, and the chance to win a bike. A happy hour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. offers $5 Samuel Adams Summer Ale, $8 Tito’s draft cocktails and $30 Sun Cruiser buckets. (1925 W. Cortland St., 773-489-0738, lottiespub.com)
Mac’s Wood Grilled
Deals offered from Thursday through Sunday include $5 cans of Revolution Brewing Freedom Lemonade, $18 hot honey buffalo chicken sandwiches with fries, $5 Smirnoff Red, White and Berry mules, and $7 Smirnoff Red, White and Berry bombs. (1801 W. Division St., 773-782-4400, macswoodgrilled.com/events)
South Side & Near South Side
Burger Bar Chicago
Decadent celebratory specials include a Red, White & Blue Shake made with vanilla ice cream, strawberry compote, blueberry lemon compote, a mini-cupcake, and sprinkles ($10), and the Smokey BBQ Rib Stacker, a burger topped with pulled smoked barbecue ribs, barbecue sauce, aged cheddar and apple cabbage slaw ($22). (1150 S. Michigan Ave., 312-988-0162, goodeatsgroup.com/burger-bar-chicago-menu)
Weber’s Bakery
Pick up some America 250 cake doughnuts covered with icing and red, white and blue sprinkles, or other treats perfect for a backyard celebration like strawberry and cheese coffee cake, banana whip cream pie and strawberry-rhubarb pie. (7055 W. Archer Ave., 773-586-1234, webersbakery.com/holiday-seasonal)
Suburban and multiple locations
Dog Haus
Pair any dog, sausage or burger with a pint of beer for $17.76. (Multiple locations, doghaus.com)
The Graceful Ordinary
Get a view of St. Charles’ fireworks at the riverfront restaurant with a bash at 6:30 p.m. that features live music from Brent Brown and kids’ activities. Food and drink are available for purchase, with the restaurant offering a pig roast plus charcuterie boxes, while Pollyanna Brewing Company, Flagship on the Fox and Dukes Northwoods offer drinks and other bites. Tickets are $12 or $20 for two adults and any kids. (3 E. Main St., 331-235-5803; resy.com/cities/st-charles-il/venues/the-graceful-ordinary)
Kings Dining & Entertainment
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Beat the heat with two drink specials offered all month long. The Rockets Red Glare ($13) features vodka, raspberry, lime juice, soda water and a Rocket Pop garnish, while the Zero Proof Pop ($7) combines raspberry, lime juice, soda water and a Rocket Pop. (1500 N. Clybourn Ave., 312- 973-4920 and 5505 Park Place, Rosemont, 847-233-0099; playatkings.com)
Publican Quality Bread
Place an order by June 30 to pick up a picnic cobbler made with local summer berries and a buttery biscuit crust that feeds six to eight ($25) at the bakery’s Oak Park or West Town locations from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (1759 W. Grand Ave., 312-605-1618 and 211 Harrison St., Oak Park, 312-736-1981, publicanqualitybread.com)
Sweet Mandy B’s
Pick up festive treats Wednesday through Saturday, including iced sugar cookies, Rice Krispies treats, brownies (Lincoln Park only), chocolate cupcakes, and a three-layer red, white and blue vanilla cake that feeds eight to 12. (1208 W. Webster Ave., 773-244-1174 and 254 E. Ontario St., 312-255-1632, sweetmandybs.com)
Taste of Oak Brook
The annual festival kicking off at 2 p.m. on July 3 features food from Oak Brook restaurants, a beer garden serving drinks from Alter Brewing + Kitchen, a fireworks show, a drone show, and live music from Sixteen Candles and Whiskey Friends. (Sports Core Fields, 700 Oak Brook Road, Oak Brook, oak-brook.org)
Samantha Nelson is a freelance writer.