Chicago bars & restaurants plan big Labor Day weekend with food & fun

Chicago bars and restaurants are getting ready for a big Labor Day weekend with special events, food deals, and drink specials from Friday, August 29, through Monday, September 1. According to a press release, several places across the city will have extended hours and outdoor seating to help people enjoy the last unofficial weekend of summer.

Aura on the Lake will be a hotspot for the weekend, sitting right on Kathy Osterman Beach in Edgewater. The restaurant will be open from Friday through Monday, starting at 11 a.m. each day. Visitors can eat and drink right by the water, and they can also bring along their pets. According to the press release, there will be live music on Friday evening and a DJ playing on Sunday afternoon. People who want extra comfort can book private cabanas for a more special experience.

For sports fans, both Cody's Public House and The Graystone Tavern are preparing for Monday’s Cubs game, who will play against the Braves at 3:05 p.m. Cody's will open at noon with cheap drinks like $5 beer and $7 shots, the press release reports, plus the bar has 16 large-screen TVs to watch the game. 

The Graystone Tavern is even closer to Wrigley Field and will open two hours before the game starts. This bar will boast game-day food like pizza puffs and nachos, plus deals on beer buckets.

Several bars are planning late-night events for people who want to keep celebrating after dinnertime. The Owl in Logan Square will open at 10 p.m. and stay open until 4 a.m., serving special drinks with names like "Holy Mountain" and "Lil Miss Sunshine," according to the press release.

Remedy in Bucktown will also open late at 10 p.m. with $5 draft beer all night long and craft cocktails for $14 each. Estelle's in Wicker Park will have a special late-night deal where burgers will be half price when purchasing a drink.

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Many places are offering happy hour deals to make celebrating more affordable. Central Park Bar in Avondale will have half-price drinks from 4-7 p.m. on their vast outdoor patio. According to the press release, Easy Bar in Wicker Park will offer the same deal from 4 -6 p.m., plus offer cheap beer and shot deals all night. The Getaway in Lincoln Square will have happy hour drinks starting at $4 for regular beer and going up to $10 for house cocktails.

Even dessert places are joining the celebration. Sweet Mandy B's will make special red, white, and blue cupcakes that come in packs of six. They will be open on Labor Day Monday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at both their Lincoln Park and Streeterville locations.