As temperatures heat up, restaurants and bars are tearing down their winterized patio structures and letting the cool breeze blow through. Chicagoans know to savor any and all bouts of warm, sunny weather. Parks and beaches are a natural draw, but so are restaurants and bars with outdoor seating, where we can laugh with a drink in one hand and a fork in the other amid peaceful vistas or vibrant cityscapes. But where to snag a coveted chair? To help you out, the Tribune food team’s guide for outdoor patios contains spots where you can read or work for a spell, places with after-work happy hours to treat your team, plus patios fit for date night. Tap on our bio link to read more. —— Photo 1: Jon Young, center, managing partner at Volo Restaurant Wine Bar (@volowinebar), pours wine for diners at a table in the back patio on May 16, 2024. Photo 2: People eat and drink on the patio at the Goose Island Salt Shed Pub (@gooseislandchicago) on May 3, 2024, in Chicago. Photo 3: Natalie Mitchell feeds her son, Xavier Kuzma, while Daniel Kuzma watches on May 18, 2024, on the patio at Nicky’s of Beverly (@nickysbeverly) in Chicago. ? Lauryn Azu, Kayla Samoy, Ahmed Ali Akbar and Louisa Kung Liu Chu / Chicago Tribune ? John J. Kim and Vincent Alban / Chicago Tribune / @johnkimpictures

As temperatures heat up, restaurants and bars are tearing down their winterized patio structures and letting the cool breeze blow through.

Chicagoans know to savor any and all bouts of warm, sunny weather. Parks and beaches are a natural draw, but so are restaurants and bars with outdoor seating, where we can laugh with a drink in one hand and a fork in the other amid peaceful vistas or vibrant cityscapes.

But where to snag a coveted chair? To help you out, the Tribune food team’s guide for outdoor patios contains spots where you can read or work for a spell, places with after-work happy hours to treat your team, plus patios fit for date night.

Tap on our bio link to read more.

——

Photo 1: Jon Young, center, managing partner at Volo Restaurant Wine Bar (@volowinebar), pours wine for diners at a table in the back patio on May 16, 2024.

Photo 2: People eat and drink on the patio at the Goose Island Salt Shed Pub (@gooseislandchicago) on May 3, 2024, in Chicago.

Photo 3: Natalie Mitchell feeds her son, Xavier Kuzma, while Daniel Kuzma watches on May 18, 2024, on the patio at Nicky’s of Beverly (@nickysbeverly) in Chicago.

? Lauryn Azu, Kayla Samoy, Ahmed Ali Akbar and Louisa Kung Liu Chu / Chicago Tribune

? John J. Kim and Vincent Alban / Chicago Tribune / @johnkimpictures