The Real Chicago

Top Menu

  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

Main Menu

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
Sign in / Join

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login
  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

logo

Header Banner

The Real Chicago

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
  • Chicago’s hidden gems: Kiss Kiss Cabaret, Unabridged Bookstore, Lulu Belle’s Pancake House and TNT at The Annoyance

  • New on the scene: Recapping recent restaurant and bar openings in Chicago

  • The Big City Blog: A Chicago summer bucket list

  • Outdoor drinking: A guide to some of our favorite beer gardens and rooftops in Chicago

  • A day at the museum: Exploring the iconic Field Museum in Chicago

Around TownGeneral Features
Home›Around Town›Drinks by the lake: Exploring some of Chicago’s best beach bars

Drinks by the lake: Exploring some of Chicago’s best beach bars

By TheRealChicagoOnline
August 18, 2012
1544
0
Share:

Summer’s not over, so here are a few good spots to hit after a day at the beach

By Zak Waltner

Wells on Wells and Corcoran’s

Located side by side just blocks from North Avenue Beach, these two local mainstays are a great choice for a pre- or post-beach snack and cocktail. As Corcoran’s manager John Goodwin describes it, “If you take the normal path back from the beach, we’ll be the first bar that you run into.” Wells on Wells features great daily food and drink specials, including $12 buckets of Miller Lite on the weekends and half-price wine every Thursday and Sunday. At Corcoran’s, stop by on Sundays for their garden beach party, showcasing their large, wrap-around outdoor seating area. The party is fueled by $5 mimosas, $6 Bloody Marys, $4 Miller Lite pints, $15 buckets of Corona and $6 peach Arnold Palmers all summer long on Sundays.

www.WellsOnWells.com
1617 North Wells St.
(312) 944-1617

www.MysticCeltChicago.com/Corcorans
1615 North Wells St.
(312) 440-0885

Duffy’s

Seated prominently at the corner of Diversey and Sheridan, Duffy’s Tavern and Grille is the place to go before or after a day at North Avenue or Fullerton Beach. A local hotspot for University of Michigan alumni and part the popular Bar1Events group, Duffy’s offers a fun and vibrant environment to enjoy a meal before the beach, or host your post-beach night out. Highlighted by their annual local singing competition “The Big Break,” Duffy’s sets out to offer unique events for its patrons. Every Monday from July 16-Aug. 20, “The Big Break” competition takes place, with the finals beginning Aug. 27. Duffy’s also offers one of the city’s favorite Sunday brunches, which includes unlimited mimosas and a buffet that features a chocolate fountain for $19.95 and a $6 build-your-own Bloody Mary bar.

www.Bar1Events.com/Duffys
420½ W. Diversey
(773) 549-9090

Oak Street Beach Food & Drink

A newcomer to the city this summer, Oak Street Beach Food & Drink aims to offer the perfect beachside cantina atmosphere. Located at the epicenter of the fun at Oak Street Beach, this will be the place to be this summer for the Air and Water Show Aug. 18-19, as well as Red Bull’s Flutag Sept. 8-9. “We’re trying to offer a relaxed but enjoyable place to stop by during your day at the beach,” assistant manager Rob Harmon says. “Stop in, grab a drink and a quick bite, and then head back out to the sun.” Oak Street Beach Food and Drink is highlighted by their own unique “Good Libations” menu of beach cocktails, which includes three different hand-muddled mojitos. Don’t forget the live music every weekend all summer long.

www.OakStreetBeach.com
1001 N. Lake Shore
(312) 988-4650

Timothy O’Toole’s

One of the more popular pubs you’ll find anywhere downtown, Timothy O’Toole’s offers friendly service and a lively atmosphere, complete with 60 TVs, pool tables, dart boards, interactive trivia, Golden Tee, private party rooms and more. Since 1992, they’ve poured more than four million pints and served more than seven million wings, boasting a menu, weekend brunch (Bloody Mary bar) and daily specials that are hard to match. Just a short walk from Oak Street Beach and Navy Pier in the Streeterville neighborhood, it’s a basement-level oasis that shouldn’t be missed.

www.TimothyOTooles.com
622 N. Fairbanks
312-642-0700

The Dock at Montrose

Just before the Montrose Harbor, The Dock at Montrose is a great place for a tasty meal and refreshing drink smack dab on Kathy Osterman Beach. Besides its fantastic location, The Dock features a relaxing seating area and live music every Wednesday-Sunday. Every Wednesday night is reggae night, Thursdays offer live karaoke and Friday-Sunday showcases local acts on their beachfront stage. “While the local acts are great and can sometimes set the perfect beachside mood, Reggae nights are where it’s at,” according to the bartender, Patrick. Be sure to stop in and check out The Dock at Montrose Aug. 11-12 for the Chicago Beach Festival, featuring live entertainment and plenty of activities for kids.

www.TheDockAtMontroseBeach.com
200 W Montrose Harbor Dr.
(773) 704-8435

R.J. Grunt’s

A Chicago favorite since 1971, R.J. Grunt’s offers up world-famous burgers and chicken wings just a short walk from North Avenue and Fullerton Beaches. Boasting a robust food menu, seasonal drink specials and “the world’s first salad bar,” R.J. Grunt’s offers the best dining experience one could hope for just steps from the beach. Sporting its classic ‘70s style, music and décor, its not hard to see why R.J. Grunt’s has been a local hotspot for decades. The next time your day at the beach evokes some serious hunger pangs, take a stroll over to R.J. Grunt’s and see what all the fuss is about.

www.RJGruntsChicago.com
2056 N. Lincoln Park West
(773) 929-5363

Caffe Olivia

Another promising fresh face in the city’s bar scene this summer has been Caffe Olivia. Since opening their doors on Memorial Day, Caffe Olivia has been looking to make a name for itself in a city that’s not exactly ripe with beachside eateries. Located on the beautiful Ohio Street Beach, Caffe Olivia features a unique menu with items such as grilled pizzas and panini sandwiches. In addition to the edibles available, the drinks warrant just as much of a spotlight. Offering what would seem to be an obvious innovation in beachfront cocktails, Caffe Olivia serves up its adult refreshments ice cold right from the tap. Boasting 10 frosty cocktails daily (including the house-special mojito), Caffe Olivia looks poised to become one of Chicago’s go-to beach bars.

www.CaffeOliva.com
400 North Lake Shore
(773) 828-9841

TagsBar 1 EventsCaffe OliviaChicago SummerCorcoran'sDuffy'sFullerton BeachNorth Avenue BeachOak Street BeachOak Street Beach Food & DrinkR.J. Grunt'sThe Big BreakThe Dock at MontroseTimothy O'Toole'sWells on Wells
Previous Article

First Look review: “Three Sisters” at the ...

Next Article

Weekend Warriors: Conquering your fear of heights ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

TheRealChicagoOnline

Related articles More from author

  • OldThe Big City Blog

    The Big City Blog: New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day parties, brunches and specials throughout Chicago

    December 25, 2013
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • My Chicago

    My Chicago: What is one of your favorite summertime activities in the city?

    June 8, 2011
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • My Chicago

    My Chicago: What is your go-to sports bar to catch the big game?

    September 28, 2014
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Around TownOldThe Big City Blog

    The Big City Blog: A Chicago summer bucket list

    July 15, 2013
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • General Features

    Soccer central: With the World Cup on the horizon, we scoped out Chicago’s best soccer bars

    May 26, 2014
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • The Big City Blog

    The Big City Blog: “The Bachelor” viewing parties, Sketch Comedy Fest, STOMP on sale and kids for free at Museum ...

    January 9, 2015
    By TheRealChicagoOnline

You might be interested

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Bring your own bottle: Save some money at these Chicago dining establishments

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    A very good year: Check out some of Chicago’s top new restaurants

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Relationship rejuvenation: Try these unique ideas for adding some romance and fun

Originally launched in 2006, The Real Chicago — as a glossy entertainment magazine, website and email newsletter — has consistently provided the very best insider information, features and reviews to help both tourists and active locals get the most out of exploring the greatest city on Earth.
© Copyright The Real Chicago. All rights reserved.