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A round metal bowl holds a circle of raw oysters on the half shell. It sits on a table beside two beers in tall pint glasses.
The ocean may be far away but Chicagoans are still hungry for oysters.
Swift & Sons Tavern

Where to Find Oyster Specials in Chicago

Slurp beautiful, briny bivalves all over town

by Naomi Waxman and Ashok Selvam Updated
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The ocean may be far away but Chicagoans are still hungry for oysters.
| Swift & Sons Tavern
by Naomi Waxman and Ashok Selvam Updated

Despite its significant distance from both coasts, oyster specials in recent years have become a happy hour staple for seafood-hungry Chicagoans. The raw bar scene took a hit (alongside the rest of the hospitality industry) during the first years of the COVID-19 pandemic, but many local offers have now returned — albeit with some slightly higher prices due to inflation, staffing issues, and a variety of other increased expenses.

Below, find an updated list of Chicago restaurants that offer $1 to $3 oyster deals — yes, inflation is affecting meal deals. Most are happy hour specials, which usually means discounts on drinks, too. Hours and prices are subject to change, so diners would be wise to double-check before making plans.

Do you know of any $1 - $3 oyster deals that we didn't mention? Let us know via the tipline.

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; it may still pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission. The latest CDC guidance is here; find a COVID-19 vaccination site here.

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Uvae Kitchen and Wine Bar

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This mellow Andersonville wine bar includes $2 oysters during its happy hour, 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday. There’s also $2 shrimp cocktail and $5 draft bubbles.

5553 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 654-1432
(773) 654-1432

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Swift & Sons Tavern & Oyster Bar - Wrigleyville

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Wrigleyville’s casual seafood companion to Boka’s Swift & Sons steakhouse in Fulton Market serves $1.50 oysters and rotating drink specials during happy hour from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

3600 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 360-0207
(773) 360-0207

Quality Crab & Oyster Bah

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Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises operates several seafood spots around town, but when it comes to oyster specials, fans of the group should head straight to New England-style spot in Lincoln Park. Oysters on the half shell go for $2.50 each, alongside fry-and-oyster towers ($18 for six oysters, $33 for 12) with a rotating weekly fry special. Notably, this happy hour comes with a major drinks deal: every Bah beverage is half price from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

1962 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 248-3000
(773) 248-3000

Chop Shop

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Score $1 oysters from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays this meat-centric spot and music venue in Wicker Park. There are also half-price bottles of wine available all day.

2033 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 537-4440
(773) 537-4440

Queen Mary

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Heisler's British sailor-inspired cocktail bar in Wicker Park serves $1 oysters Sundays (3 p.m. to 7 p.m.) and Mondays (5 p.m. to 7 p.m.) while supplies last. The briny bites pair well with $6 martinis.

2125 W Division, Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 697-3522
(773) 697-3522

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The Signature Lounge at the 96th

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The Hancock Center, the 100-story landmark on Michigan Avenue, may be a tourist trap, but take a pro tip and head to the lounge on the 96th Floor for $2 oysters, $2 jumbo shrimp, and several drink specials available all day on Wednesdays.

875 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60610

Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar

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Drop by chic Eastern European-inspired Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar for $2 oysters (and a number of other food and drink deals) during happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily in Humboldt Park. The team gives a playful nod to Chicago with giardiniera mignonette.

2700 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 661-9577
(773) 661-9577

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Lure Fishbar - Chicago

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New York-based seafood spot Lure Fishbar, known for an energetic and crowd-pleasing vibe, has gotten in on the oyster game with a happy hour special featuring a half-dozen Blue Points for $12 and a dozen for $24, served with classic cocktail sauce and mignonette. Snag this deal from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

616 N Rush St, Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 660-6180
(312) 660-6180

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Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

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A joint operation between Lettuce Entertain You and Miami's Joe’s Stone Crab this Streeterville steakhouse is famous for surf and turf. Fortunately for Chicago, that approach includes a happy hour special featuring a half-dozen oysters for $7 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday in the lounge.

60 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 379-5637
(312) 379-5637

Bar Sótano

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Celebrity chef Rick Bayless and daughter Lanie’s popular Mexican-inspired cocktail den features $1 oysters all day on Wednesdays and from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursdays.

In the alley behind Frontera Grill, 443 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 391-5857
(312) 391-5857

Also featured in:

Hubbard Inn

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This clubby River North bar and lounge adds $1 East and West Coast oysters to the mix during its “spritz and shuck” happy hour, which runs from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Spritz cocktails are available for $10.

110 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 222-1331
(312) 222-1331

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The Smith

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New York import the Smith doesn’t skimp on happy hour offerings: find a half-dozen oysters for $13 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday at the bar. Other specials include $10 cocktails and a $13 spicy fried chicken sandwich.

400 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 312-5100
(312) 312-5100

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Tortoise Supper Club

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Swanky throwback Tortoise Supper Club in River North showcases $1 oysters (plus $1 shrimp and half-price cocktails) from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays in the lounge and patio spaces.

350 N State St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 755-1700
(312) 755-1700

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Fisk & Co.

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Kimpton Hotel’s mussel and beer bar offers a “$2 Buck Shuck” oyster special from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday with a curious maximum of two-dozen oysters per person. There are also $6 glasses of select red, white, and rosé wines.

225 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 236-9300
(312) 236-9300

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The Publican

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One Off Hospitality’s pork palace the Publican is a reliable local favorite for $2 happy hour oysters. The salty treats are available from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday alongside drink specials, frites, and a pub burger.

837 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 733-9555
(312) 733-9555

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Prime & Provisions

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Loop steakhouse Prime & Provisions typically charges $22 for a half dozen oysters and $44 for a dozen, but from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, they’re just $1 a pop. The selection can change daily and all come with lemon ginger mignonette and cocktail sauce.

222 N LaSalle St, Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 726-7777
(312) 726-7777

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Venteux Brasserie, Cafe & Oyster Bar

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Venteux, the luxurious French restaurant inside the Pendry Hotel (which resides in the stunning and historic Carbide & Carbon building off the Mag Mile), offers an oyster of the day for $1 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

224 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 777-9003
(312) 777-9003

The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant

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Housed inside a beautifully restored historic firehouse in the South Loop, this upscale restaurant offers an all-$5 food and drink happy hour with options such as a pair of oysters with the usual accouterment and lobster bisque crowned with a puff pastry. It’s available from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

1401 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 786-1401
(312) 786-1401

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Uvae Kitchen and Wine Bar

5553 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640

This mellow Andersonville wine bar includes $2 oysters during its happy hour, 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday. There’s also $2 shrimp cocktail and $5 draft bubbles.

5553 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 654-1432
(773) 654-1432

Swift & Sons Tavern & Oyster Bar - Wrigleyville

3600 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60613

Wrigleyville’s casual seafood companion to Boka’s Swift & Sons steakhouse in Fulton Market serves $1.50 oysters and rotating drink specials during happy hour from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

3600 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 360-0207
(773) 360-0207

Quality Crab & Oyster Bah

1962 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614

Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises operates several seafood spots around town, but when it comes to oyster specials, fans of the group should head straight to New England-style spot in Lincoln Park. Oysters on the half shell go for $2.50 each, alongside fry-and-oyster towers ($18 for six oysters, $33 for 12) with a rotating weekly fry special. Notably, this happy hour comes with a major drinks deal: every Bah beverage is half price from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

1962 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 248-3000
(773) 248-3000

Chop Shop

2033 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Score $1 oysters from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays this meat-centric spot and music venue in Wicker Park. There are also half-price bottles of wine available all day.

2033 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 537-4440
(773) 537-4440

Queen Mary

2125 W Division, Chicago, IL 60622

Heisler's British sailor-inspired cocktail bar in Wicker Park serves $1 oysters Sundays (3 p.m. to 7 p.m.) and Mondays (5 p.m. to 7 p.m.) while supplies last. The briny bites pair well with $6 martinis.

2125 W Division, Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 697-3522
(773) 697-3522

The Signature Lounge at the 96th

875 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60610

The Hancock Center, the 100-story landmark on Michigan Avenue, may be a tourist trap, but take a pro tip and head to the lounge on the 96th Floor for $2 oysters, $2 jumbo shrimp, and several drink specials available all day on Wednesdays.

875 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60610

Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar

2700 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Drop by chic Eastern European-inspired Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar for $2 oysters (and a number of other food and drink deals) during happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily in Humboldt Park. The team gives a playful nod to Chicago with giardiniera mignonette.

2700 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 661-9577
(773) 661-9577

Lure Fishbar - Chicago

616 N Rush St, Chicago, IL 60611

New York-based seafood spot Lure Fishbar, known for an energetic and crowd-pleasing vibe, has gotten in on the oyster game with a happy hour special featuring a half-dozen Blue Points for $12 and a dozen for $24, served with classic cocktail sauce and mignonette. Snag this deal from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

616 N Rush St, Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 660-6180
(312) 660-6180

Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab

60 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

A joint operation between Lettuce Entertain You and Miami's Joe’s Stone Crab this Streeterville steakhouse is famous for surf and turf. Fortunately for Chicago, that approach includes a happy hour special featuring a half-dozen oysters for $7 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday in the lounge.

60 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 379-5637
(312) 379-5637

Bar Sótano

In the alley behind Frontera Grill, 443 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

Celebrity chef Rick Bayless and daughter Lanie’s popular Mexican-inspired cocktail den features $1 oysters all day on Wednesdays and from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursdays.

In the alley behind Frontera Grill, 443 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 391-5857
(312) 391-5857

Hubbard Inn

110 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654

This clubby River North bar and lounge adds $1 East and West Coast oysters to the mix during its “spritz and shuck” happy hour, which runs from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Spritz cocktails are available for $10.

110 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 222-1331
(312) 222-1331

The Smith

400 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

New York import the Smith doesn’t skimp on happy hour offerings: find a half-dozen oysters for $13 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday at the bar. Other specials include $10 cocktails and a $13 spicy fried chicken sandwich.

400 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 312-5100
(312) 312-5100

Tortoise Supper Club

350 N State St, Chicago, IL 60654

Swanky throwback Tortoise Supper Club in River North showcases $1 oysters (plus $1 shrimp and half-price cocktails) from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays in the lounge and patio spaces.

350 N State St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 755-1700
(312) 755-1700

Fisk & Co.

225 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60601

Kimpton Hotel’s mussel and beer bar offers a “$2 Buck Shuck” oyster special from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday with a curious maximum of two-dozen oysters per person. There are also $6 glasses of select red, white, and rosé wines.

225 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 236-9300
(312) 236-9300

The Publican

837 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607

One Off Hospitality’s pork palace the Publican is a reliable local favorite for $2 happy hour oysters. The salty treats are available from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday alongside drink specials, frites, and a pub burger.

837 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 733-9555
(312) 733-9555

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Prime & Provisions

222 N LaSalle St, Chicago, IL 60601

Loop steakhouse Prime & Provisions typically charges $22 for a half dozen oysters and $44 for a dozen, but from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, they’re just $1 a pop. The selection can change daily and all come with lemon ginger mignonette and cocktail sauce.

222 N LaSalle St, Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 726-7777
(312) 726-7777

Venteux Brasserie, Cafe & Oyster Bar

224 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60601

Venteux, the luxurious French restaurant inside the Pendry Hotel (which resides in the stunning and historic Carbide & Carbon building off the Mag Mile), offers an oyster of the day for $1 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

224 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 777-9003
(312) 777-9003

The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant

1401 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605

Housed inside a beautifully restored historic firehouse in the South Loop, this upscale restaurant offers an all-$5 food and drink happy hour with options such as a pair of oysters with the usual accouterment and lobster bisque crowned with a puff pastry. It’s available from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

1401 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 786-1401
(312) 786-1401

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