There are two kinds of Chicagoans: those who await the annual Air and Water Show with breathless anticipation and head to the North Avenue Beach early to stake out the spots with the best view of the Blue Angels, and those who get twitchy at the sound of airplanes flying low overhead and rejoiced last summer when the event was cancelled due to the pandemic.
Event organizers once again cancelled the event this year due to COVID-19 concerns, but a major component of the show will still take place. As sort of a compromise, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels will take part in a solo demonstration on Saturday, August 21 and Sunday, August 22.
Technically, the Air and Water Show took place between Fullerton Avenue and Oak Street, but the strafing planes have been known to fly as far north as Rogers Park. There are options for escape. One is leaving town. Another is hiding in a basement. A third is finding a nice, peaceful patio far from the lake, ordering some nice food and drinks, and gazing up into a clear, quiet summer sky.
So here are 20 great bars and restaurants to escape the two-day event. Take back the weekend.
As of August 20, the city has mandated that everyone wear facial coverings while indoors. For updated information on coronavirus cases, please visit the city of Chicago’s COVID-19 dashboard. Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; the latest data about the delta variant indicates that it may pose a low-to-moderate risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial transmission. The latest CDC guidance is here; find a COVID-19 vaccination site here.
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