Jul 22, 2025 - Food and Drink

Happy Hour Hop reviews across the Chicago area

Monica Eng

Two white dishes on a marble bar counter: one with three meatballs topped with grated cheese, another with thinly shaved white vegetable curls garnished with herbs and cheese. Two drinks, amber beer in a tall glass and a red cocktail with an orange slice, are behind the dishes. — Meatballs, kohlrabi salad and drinks at Nic & Juniors. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

In honor of the 10th anniversary of the state re-legalizing happy hours, we're taking a year-long look at these bargain bites and drinks around town.

Nic & Juniors

The time: 4-6pm weekdays.

The vibe: This Brazilian-Italian eatery tucked away in River Plaza between the Wrigley Building and Trump Tower exudes a quiet, grown-up elegance.

Close-up of a juicy cheeseburger with melted white cheese sauce dripping over a toasted golden-brown bun, served on a white plate with orange paper. A person holds another burger in the background. — Double cheeseburger at Nic & Junior's. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

The bites: From a double cheeseburger with gruyere and beer mustard ($15) to a kohlrabi Caesar ($7) that looked better than it tasted.

The drinks: Enjoy a well-made old-fashioned for $7, draft beer ($5) or wines by the glass ($9).

Best bets: Brazilian cheese fritters with silky mortadella and housemade giardiniera ($7), arancini with roasted garlic ($7) and a beer.

🍺 Seven-word review: Thoughtful innovative bites, affordable drinks and elegance.

Common Decency 3154 W. Diversey Ave.

Buffalo chicken wings with dipping sauce, a cheeseburger on a brioche bun, and thick-cut fries with dipping sauce on gray and brown plates on a white table. — Thrice cooked wings, a double cheeseburger and wedge fries at Common Decency. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

The vibe: Young hipsters in high-waisted jeans bask in '80s neon at this Logan Square bar.

The time: Weekdays, 4-6pm.

The bites: Artsy veggie crudite with green goddess, hummus and house ranch ($8), crispy wedge fries with garlic aioli ($5) and the Decent Cheeseburger ($10) with American Swiss, bacon jam, pickles and dijonaise on a brioche bun.

Close-up of a plate with seasoned sliced vegetables including green celery, orange carrots, green cucumber, red radish, and white turnip on a blue plate. — The veggie plate at Common Decency is served with three sauces. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

The drinks: $3 Hamms, $5 Boochraft Hard Kombucha and $11 cocktails.

Best bet: The thrice-cooked (brined, baked, smoked and fried) wings for $10.

🍺 Seven-word review: Neon-lit hipsters, cheap beer and tasty food.

Boeufhaus, 1012 N. Western Ave.

Plate with a cheeseburger topped with sesame seed bun, lettuce, and sauce, served with golden French fries, a pickle spear, and a small cup of dipping sauce garnished with green herbs. — Burger, fries and wine or beer cost $25 at Boeufhaus. during Happy Haus hour. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

The vibe: Rustic French-German pub meets American farm-to-table eatery.

Happy time: 3:30-5pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday.

Four golden brown fried pastries in a green bowl with a small white cup of dark dipping sauce on a white plate, accompanied by a white napkin on a marble surface. — Short rib beignet at Boeufhaus Happy Haus time. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

Bites: Roast beef sandwich with horseradish mayo ($24) and cheesesteak ($24) on a D'Amato's roll.

Drinks: Old fashioned ($10), amaro shot ($4) and Franconia amber lager ($6).

Best bet: Burger and fries with beer or wine for $25, with a shortrib beignet ($2) on the side.

🍺 Nine-word review: A beer and beignet for eight bucks, oh my!

Fat Rosie's, with seven suburban locations

A table with Mexican dishes including queso fundido topped with chorizo and a flour tortilla, a bowl of guacamole with diced tomatoes, a bowl of salsa, a red drink with ice in a goblet glass, and a yellow drink with ice in a plastic cup. — Queso fundido, guacamole, a margarita and Berry Chico drink. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

The time: 3-6pm Monday-Friday

The vibe: Festive, bright and airy with a modern Mexican flair.

The bites: From a $5 queso cup and $8 flautas to $18 steak nachos.

The drinks: $5 beers, $6 margaritas and $2 off mocktails, which makes the giant sparkling "Berry Chico" drink $9.

Green rectangular plate with a serving of diced marinated meat topped with sliced green jalapeños and sesame seeds, accompanied by plantain chips and a lime wedge. — The Tuna Stack with plantain chips. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

Skip: The poke-like tuna stack ($12) that was in sore need of lime and salt.

Best bet: A margarita and queso fundido ($7) or guac ($8).

🍹 Four-word review: Refreshing, suburban afternoon treat.

Community Tavern, 4038 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Three dishes on wooden table: shredded salad with peanuts and herbs on blue patterned plate, roasted carrot sticks with sauce and nuts on similar plate, and four dumplings with greens on white blue-rimmed plate. — Papaya salad, roasted carrots and mushroom dumplings. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

The vibe: Comfy, elegant, family -friendly neighborhood joint.

The time: 5-6 pm Tuesday through Sunday.

The bites: Generous plates of green papaya salad, spicy Chinese dan dan noodles, mushroom dumplings and cheesy kimchi fries for $10 each.

The drinks: $5 draft beer, martini, old fashioned and juicy cherry bomb mocktail ($10 each).

Two bowls on wooden table: left bowl with fries topped with orange sauce and kimchi; right bowl with stir-fried noodles, vegetables, sesame seeds, and crushed nuts in blue patterned bowl. — Kimchi fries and dan dan noodles at Community Tavern in Portage Park. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

Best bet: Roasted Werp Farm carrots with grilled leeks,Thai basil curry, almonds and miso mayo ($10) with a cold IPA ($5).

Skip: The dumplings, which underdeliver at 4 for $10.

Eight word review: Cheap beer, friendly service and life-changing carrots.

Avaspi 1258 W. Belmont Ave.

Table set with black plates, red napkins, and purple glasses; a white wine glass and a white plate hold five bowls of colorful dips garnished with herbs on a dark marble surface. — Happy hour dips include babaghanoush (clockwise), red pepper muhammara, yogurt-based haydari, chopped ezme, and hummus. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

The vibe: This Lakeview eatery in the former Fahlstrom's Fish Market space bills itself as an Anatolian tapas bar, but the interior oozes dark Euro nightclub.

Request outdoor seating if you like more light.

The time: 4 to 6pm, Tuesday-Thursday

The bites: Kebabs, dips, stuffed eggplant and grape leaves at a small discount from regular menu prices.

The drinks: $6 beer, $10 cocktails and $12 glasses of wine.

Cooked squid pieces in a brass bowl with chopped green herbs, two lemon wedges, and a pink orchid flower garnish on top. — Calamari meze at Avaspi. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

Best bet: A glass of wine ($12) from an excellent list and tender calamari meze ($16).

Skip the pretty-looking but flavor-challenged cold dips ($10 each).

Eight-word review: Pricy eats, moderate drinks in dark Euro bar.

R.J. Grunts, 2056 N. Lincoln Park West

A meal at a bar with half a cheeseburger, homemade potato chips, a dill pickle slice, side salad with tomatoes and carrots, a martini with lemon twist, a glass of beer, and a hazy beer. — Martini, salad, a tuna melt with cottage fries and beer at R.J. Grunts. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

The time: 8 -10pm Thursday through Saturday.

The vibe: Your friend's groovy 1970s basement but with cool grown-ups hanging around.

The bites: R.J.'s usual pubby menu of burgers, nachos and salads (but RIP the old salad bar) at regular prices.

Orange-yellow cocktail in a tall glass with crushed ice, garnished with an orange slice and a dark cherry, on a wooden bar counter with metal fixtures in the background. — Amaretto sour. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

The drinks: Classic cocktails (martinis, old fashions, margaritas and amaretto sours), wines and beer for $5 that are normally $10.

Perfect pairing: An amaretto sour ($5) and fried pickle chips ($9.50).

My choice of a martini and salad was just too ascetic.

🍺 Five-word review: How can this be real?

Shaw's Crab House, 21 E. Hubbard St.

Plate of oysters on crushed ice, served with sauces in metal cups, next to a glass of sparkling white wine on a wooden table at a seafood restaurant. — Oysters and champagne. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

🦀 The spot: The 41-year-old Blue Crab Lounge at , where, in the '90s, I used to grab bargain oysters right after I got off deadline at the Sun-Times and Tribune.

Hours: 3 to 5pm weekdays.

⚓️ The vibe: Nautical but comfy for tourists, neighbors and after-work business types.

Three lobster rolls on a rectangular white plate, fried potato chips with a creamy dip in a basket lined with a white cloth, fried seafood bites with sauce on a leaf, and a glass of champagne at Shaw's Crab House. — Kettle chips, mini lobster rolls, blanc de blancs sparkling wine and crispy rice bites with spicy tuna at Shaw's happy hour. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

🦞 Dig in: Half-priced oysters ($24 a dozen), chewy crispy rice bites topped with spicy tuna ($10), mini lobster roll trio ($12) and shrimp ceviche with tortilla chips ($8).

🥂 Drink up: Select beer ($5), oyster wine of the month ($7), bloody mary ($10) and mignonette martini ($10)

🦪 Perfect pair: Sparkling blanc de blancs wine ($7) and oysters, of course.

🍺 Best bargain: Goose Island pilsner ($5) and housemade Old Bay kettle chips with créme fraiche ($5).

Labriola Ristorante, 535 N. Michigan Ave.

Chips, a cocktail and sliders on a table. — Cacio e pepe chips, a bellini and sliders at Labriola. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

⏰ The hours: 3-6pm Monday-Friday.

🎄 The vibe: Super warm and festive, especially as it's decked out for the holidays and filled with office workers and tourists this time of year.

🍔 The bites: Chicken parm or meatball sliders ($3), cacio e pepe chips ($6), margarita pizza ($12) or a burger and salad $20.

🍹 The drinks: $5 draft Peroni, bellini, sangria, glass of wine, select cocktails or a giant Aperol spritz for $8.

🍻 Perfect pair: Chicken parm slider and a beer or cacio e pepe chips and a spritz.

📜 Eight-word review: Holiday warmth and affordability on the Mag Mile.

Bar Roma, 5101 N. Clark St.

Table with plates of garlic bread with tomato and basil spread, charcuterie with meats, cheese, olives, bite-size snacks with lemon and sauce, a glass with lemon drink, water bottle, and a small plate of bread with olive oil. — Ceci bean hummus, an antipasti platter, and fritters at bar Roma in Andersonville. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

⏰ The hours: 4-6pm Tuesday-Sunday.

🎉 The vibe: Fun, convivial, grown-up and LGBTQ-friendly

🍝 The bites: From a bowl of tomatoey bucatini ($12) and fried shrimp ($12) to ceci bean hummus ($10) and an antipasti plate ($12), the happy hour menu brims with Italian-inspired classics.

🍷 The drinks: Red or white house wine ($9) or the cocktail of the day ($10).

🍟 Perfect pair: Get the plump, crispy quartet of fritters ($11) studded with zucchini, sweet corn and garlic, and served with a tomato sauce, with a glass of house wine.

🍺 Seven-word review: A breezy trip to Rome in Andersonville.

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