This is just one installment of 37 Things a Man’s Gotta Do This Summer, our annual compendium of everything worth seeing, doing, eating, drinking and generally making time for in your neck of the woods between now and September.
You know the summer drill:
Find al fresco spot that you will anoint your local. Eat. Drink. Be merry. Repeat.
Next question: Where? Find those answers here, in our roundup of Chicago’s best new outdoor dining venues.
A rooftop with a pool. Brewskis with a pooch. The backyard to end all backyards.
Dine on and drink well, fellas.
For a Backyard Party: Lawrence House Flats
Because we all need the occasional break from urbanity, but can’t always get away, the massive new backyard at the beautifully renovated Lawrence House Flats awaits. What to expect when the patio opens some time this June: seating for up to 100, broken into three sections. You’ve got plush loungers for two in the grass, a twinklelight-draped patio with tables and chairs and a huge stone fire pit surrounded by adirondack chairs. The masterful barmen at Uptown’s best tippling den Larry’s will keep you satiated with seasonal drinks. If that still doesn’t grab you, there’ll be movie nights, live music and rotating food pop-ups all summer long. How about it?
www.larryschicago.com
1020 W. Lawrence Ave.
For Drinking Among Swimsuits: The Cabana Club
New to Wicker Park’s outdoor dining options this year: a rooftop. With a pool. Yep, ya heard right. And it’s all thanks to The Robey’s sexy new indoor/outdoor rooftop bar. With 180-degree views extending down Milwaukee Ave. to downtown, there are vacation vibes aplenty here. Margaritas help. But don’t plan on dipping in that triangular pool unless you’re a guest at the hotel. If you’re looking for more of a South Beach after-2 a.m. atmosphere, come back most Saturday nights, when the whole place transforms into a DJ-powered pool party, complete with buckets of Corona and rosé all night.
www.therobey.com
2018 W. North Ave., 6th floor
For Beer and Vaudeville Antics: Tour de Fat
Back at it for god knows how long, this eccentric New Belgium-sponsored bike, beer and music fest is moving to Northerly Island to accommodate even more revelers and one larger-than-life headlining musical act. Because if anything can top ice-cold brews, vaudeville acts, magicians, comedians and mind-blowing provocateurs, it would be hip-hop legends the Roots. July 29th ain’t far away, so grab those tickets. Proceeds benefit West Town Bikes. Costumes and antics encouraged.
www.newbelgium.com/events/tour-de-fat
1300 S. Linn White Dr., Northerly Island
For Bringing Man’s Best Friend: Broken English II
Cold brewskis and tacos all but scream summertime in our fair city. Even better when the doggo can come along. You’ll have 60 seats (10 up front, 50 in back) to pick from outside the bustling Lincoln Park outpost of taco joint Broken English. We’d suggest heading straight for the sprawling, greenery-enclosed back patio, overseen by graffiti master JC Rivera’s always-melancholy Bear Champ. There’s even a walk-up bar so you don’t have to leave the pooch unattended to grab the next round.
www.brokenenglishlincolnpark.com
2576-2680 N. Lincoln Ave.
For the Best Rooftop Makeover: Apogee
Out with the old, in with the absolutely outrageous. That’s what you’ll get at Apogee — the new destination-worthy indoor/outdoor cocktail spot that replaced the Vertigo Lounge on the 26th floor of the Dana Hotel. Several cocktails are designed for sharing, so bring the whole crew to sample barman/mad scientist Benjamin Schiller’s (The Sixth, The Berkshire Room) handiwork. Fancy a Mr. Nice Guy (vodka, white sage and pineapple) from a blackberry smoke-filled bong? Check. Or a tiki drink in a real coconut? Done. Try to snag a spot on the 1,100 sq.-ft. outdoor patio, where the only thing that hasn’t changed is the killer views.
www.apogeechicago.com
2 W. Erie St., 26th Floor
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