While it was frowned upon in the movies, there’s no shame in indulging in a cold one (or two) after a long day alongside your littles, given the increasing number of restaurants that pair free or discounted kids’ meals and crayons with half priced cocktails and apps.
Raise your glass to our favorite spots to enjoy happy hour in Chicago, family-style.
Barn & Company
This Lincoln Park BBQ joint is known for its varieties of smoked meat (pulled pork, beef brisket, ribs) and tasty housemade go withs (coleslaw, herb bread crumbs, sweet potato fries).
Grown-up special: Half off whiskey & $12.99 all-you-can-eat wings
Kiddie special: Kids eat free
When: Monday-Thursday 5-7 p.m.950 W. Wrightwood, Chicago
Café Babareeba
Featuring sharable Spanish tapas in a casual atmosphere, loyal customers flock to Café Babareeba for staple menu items (bacon wrapped dates, paella, spicy potatoes) and signature sangrias.
Grown-up special: $16 pitchers of Sangria & $1 pintxos (potato and onion bite, deviled egg, stuffed olive)
Kiddie special: Complimentary carrot sticks and hummus dip with Tiny Tapas meals
When: Daily 4-6 p.m.2024 N. Halsted, Chicago
Dunlay’s on the Square
This cozy Lincoln Square eatery serves a wide array of American dishes (mac and cheese, chicken pot pie, baby back ribs) that pair with an extensive menu of wines.
Grown-up special: $5 glasses of wine (Tuesday) & $4 drafts (Thursday)
Kiddie special: Kids eat free
When: Tuesday& Thursday 4:30-6:30 p.m. 3137 W. Logan Blvd., Chicago
Frasca Pizzeria & Wine Bar
Specialty pizzas (speck and honey, rustica, carbonara) and hearty Italian dishes (pasta rags, rigatoni gigante, roasted brick chicken) are the stars of the show at this Lakeview bistro.
Grown-up special: Half price bottles of wine (Monday) & half price glasses of wine (Tuesday)
Kiddie special: Kids eat free
When: Monday and Tuesday, 4:30-6 p.m.3358 N. Paulina, Chicago
Hutch American Bistro
Hutch lives up to its mission – to serve delicious, affordable food that guests will want to return to week after week. Lobster nachos, skillet shrimp and baked crab cakes are sharable favorites here.
Grown-up special: $1 champagne, $2 well drinks, $3 drafts, $4 wines, $5 craft cocktails & half off appetizers
Kiddie special: Kids eat free
When: Daily 5-6:30 p.m. (kiddie special); 4-6 p.m. (grown-up special)
3301 N. Clark St., Chicago
Oyster Bah
Designed to resemble a New England seafood shack, Oyster Bah features 12 varieties of oysters and hand selected wines to pair with each one.
Grown-up special: $1.50 East and West coast oysters
Kiddie special: Kids eat free (don’t worry, Oyster Bah has child approved options like chicken mittens and fish and chips)
When: Monday-Thursday 5-6 p.m., Friday-Sunday 3-6 p.m.1962 N. Halsted, Chicago
Pork Shoppe
This Andersonville BBQ hangout is a favorite for many northsiders who come in for hand-crafted meats (Carolina style pulled pork, memphis dry rubbed ribs, Texas beef brisket), local draft beer and homemade cocktails.
Grown-up special: Half off drafts of craft beer every weekday; Monday, $4 craft beer; Tuesday, $1 tacos; Thursday, 25-cent wings
Kiddie special: Kids eat free
When: Monday-Friday 4-6 p.m.5721 N. Clark St., Chicago
Rocks Northcenter
Chicago’s home for whiskey, beer and burgers, the lively atmosphere of this neighborhood bar is perfect for families.
Grown-up special: Monday, half off beer; Tuesday, half off cocktails& $2 tacos; Wednesday, half off burgers; Thursday, half off bottles of wine; Friday, half off apps
Kiddie special: Half off food
When: Monday-Friday 5-7 p.m.3463 N. Broadway, Chicago
Southport & Irving
Southport & Irving features seasonally-driven American cuisine, handcrafted cocktails, craft beers and an international wine list.
Grown-up special: $6 signature cocktails featuring gin, whiskey and bourbon
Kiddie special: Kids eat free
When: Daily 5-6:30 p.m. 4000 N. Southport Ave., Chicago
Wilde Bar & Restaurant
An upscale Irish pub, Wilde serves authentic comfort food (fish& chips, seafood chowder, meatloaf) and a seemingly endless selection of adult beverages.
Grown-up special: ½ price bottles of wine
Kiddie special: Kids eat free
When: Monday & Tuesday 4:30-6:30 p.m.3130 N. Broadway, Chicago
Know any other great spots to enjoy family friendly happy hour? Let us know in the comments below!
Shout out to the lovely ladies of MamaTribe for contributing to the research in this article.
