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Chicago's Patio Season Finally Springs This Weekend

The weekend temps should top out around 70 degrees

Moody's Pub
Ashok Selvam is the editor of Eater Chicago and a native Chicagoan armed with more than two decades of award-winning journalism. Now covering the world of restaurants and food, his nut graphs are super nutty.

It only took until tax day, but the temperatures have finally reached spring-like levels in Chicago. The forecast over the weekend looks like bars and restaurants will finally be making use of sidewalk seating and roofs, all those romantic outdoor spaces that Chicagoans appreciate for the all-too-brief al fresco dining season.

It's been a couple weeks since the folks at Happy Camper put together their wooden benches on Wells Street. It's going to be quite the contrast in crowds compared to the refined ambience across the street at The Glunz Tavern when they eventually put out their seating.

Happy Camper patio

[Photo: Ashok Selvam]

Over in River North, Rick Bayless and Co. are prepared over at Frontera Grill. Bill Shores, who maintains the restaurant's rooftop garden, has tended to the patio with exotic plants to evoke a Mexican fiesta.

Frontera Grill patio

[Photo: Frontera Grill]

Nearby, the Fremont is getting major use of its new retractable roof in the former American Junkie space.

Fremont Rooftop

[Photo: Fremont]

Down Chicago Avenue, restaurants are frantically prepping for crowds. Over at Roots Handmade Pizza, a worker was sweeping the area around the patio. Further west at Whisk, staff hoped their patio would be ready by Saturday.

whisk patrio

[Photo: Ashok Selvam]

It's no surprise that over on the South Side that Plymouth Restaurant & Rooftop is ready to rock. They're ready for the Blackhawks' Stanley Cup playoff games.

But Wicker Park is ready for the king of patios at Big Star. They're encouraging groups to make reservations to skip the line.

WHISK

2018 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 (773) 252-9060 Visit Website

Roots Handmade Pizza

1924 West Chicago Avenue, , IL 60622 (773) 645-4949 Visit Website

Bar Sotano

445 North Clark Street, , IL 60610 (312) 391-5857 Visit Website

Big Star

1531 North Damen Avenue, , IL 60622 (773) 235-4039 Visit Website

Plymouth Restaurant & Bar

327 S Plymouth Ct, Chicago, IL 60604 (312) 362-1212 Visit Website

Moody's Pub

5910 North Broadway, , IL 60660 (773) 329-5694 Visit Website

Glunz Tavern

1202 N Wells, Chicago, IL 60610 (312) 642-3000 Visit Website

Happy Camper Chicago

1209 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610 (312) 344-1634