Guide: Where to Celebrate on the 4th of July

Celebrate the independence of America in style tomorrow with food and drink specials around the city. From rooftop views to lobster boils, there's no better way to show your patriotism than by stuffing yourself until you're red, white and blue in the face. So if you're tired of the traditional barbecue, check out our list and find a spot to kick back, relax and maybe watch some fireworks.

1) Oak Street Beach Food & Drink
Where: 1001 N. Lake Shore
What: Celebrate the Fourth on the beach with the ultimate barbecue party. For $35, enjoy a plate of pulled chicken, brisket and pork with sides such as baked beans, potato salad and watermelon. Stay hydrated too as each plate includes two cocktails or drinks. The waterfront bash takes place from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Call: 312-988-4650

2) Wave
Where: 644 N. Lake Shore
What: Watch the Navy Pier fireworks from one of the best views in the city on the 7th floor Wet Deck of the W Chicago Hotel. A $75 ticket gets you into the party, which features a live DJ, specialty drinks and grill fare. Tickets can be purchased online.
Call: 312-255-4460

3) Drumbar
Where: 201 E. Delaware
What: Live it up on the rooftop of the Raffaello Hotel at Drumbar for the 4th of July starting at 2 p.m. Chow down on food from the grill as well as some other fun items like $10 spiked Cosmo popsicles.
Call: 312-943-5000

4) e.leaven Food Company
Where: 54 E. Ontario
What: Show your national pride by savoring a variety of American classics such as an assortment of sliders, BBQ chicken sandwich and fresh roasted corn salad, each for only $8.95. Compliment your meal with an apple or blueberry pie for $4 (small) or $16 (large). The specials are available for catering or dining in.
Call: 312-202-0899

5) Frontier
Where: 1072 N. Milwaukee
What: Commemorate your independence at a “Frontier Days” party featuring $8 housemade sausages and $8 bison burgers, served with beer chips. Drink specials include $5 watermelon punch, $3 American whiskey shots and $4 Coors Light tallboys. Relax in the beer garden and enjoy DJ sets all day long.
Call: 773-772-4322

6) The Southern
Where: 1840 W. North
What: Kick back and relax with some comfort food and live music on the Fourth. Specials include a $14 fried chicken dinner, $5 Evan Williams Black cocktails and $3 Coors Light bottles.
Call: 773-342-1840

7) Rockit Bar & Grill
Where: 22 W. Hubbard
What: Rock out on Independence Day and show your patriotism with these food and drink specials, which include a $12 foot long Chicago style hot dog with truffle fries, $12 BBQ chicken burger with sweet potato fries, $15 pitchers of red or white sangria or Rockit lemonade, $5 Bud tallboys and $5 ‘Merica shots.
Call: 312-645-6000

8) Epic
Where: 112 W. Hubbard
What: It’s a rooftop party of epic proportions featuring red, white and blue drink specials all day on July 3rd. Enjoy $8 red sangria, white wine spritzers or blue lemonade cocktails and munch on burgers, beer-braised brats, grilled chicken sandwiches, grilled corn on the cob, housemade potato salad and chilled watermelon.
Call: 312-222-4940

9) Hub 51
Where: 51 W. Hubbard
What: Start your day off right with brunch beginning at 10 a.m. on the Fourth. Imbibe on $6 Bloody Marys and mimosas and $2 Miller High Life as well as rib specials.
Call: 312-828-0051

10) Tavern on Rush
Where: 1031 N. Rush
What: Kick things off with brunch between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., then enjoy an Independence Day Lobster Fest featuring a Maine Lobster boil. $55 gets you a pound and a half of lobster, sweet corn, baby red potatoes, cornbread and choice of blueberry cobbler or key lime pie.
Call: 312-664-9600

11) Shaw’s Crab House
Where: 21 E. Hubbard
What: Get your oyster fix on the 4th of July as Shaw’s will be shucking half-priced oysters all day.
Call: 312-527-2722

12) Toni Patisserie & Cafe
Where: 65 E. Washington
What: Celebrate independence, both American and French (Bastille Day is July 14) with an assortment of French- and American-inspired dishes like ratatouille tart; peach galette; Eiffel Tower cookies; apple pie; red, white and blue pie; and patriotic cupcakes.
Call: 312-726-2020

13) Magnolia Bakery
Where: 108 N. State
What: Pick up July 4th cupcakes (vanilla or chocolate with vanilla or chocolate buttercream and red, white and blue decorations) for $3.50 or grab the Patriot Pack, a DIY cupcake project for $24, available in the store on July 4 or pre-order by phone.
Call: 312-346-7777