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A hand pouring an orange cocktail into a coupe glass.
The Bamboo Room’s complementary daiquiri.
Three Dots and a Dash [Official Photo]

Where to Find Free Food and Drink Around Chicago

A guide to some of the best complimentary items in town

by Kat Odell
View as Map
The Bamboo Room’s complementary daiquiri.
| Three Dots and a Dash [Official Photo]
by Kat Odell

Everyone likes a good deal. And, luckily, Chicago is home to countless happy hour specials. But, beyond discounts, what about bites and sips that are on the house? Like, The Bamboo Room’s welcome daiquiri, or the truffle popcorn over at downtown steak seller Ocean Prime. Below, how to eat and drink in Chicago, gratis.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Mango Pickle

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For anyone who orders the naan or whole wheat tepla bread at Edgewater modern Indian restaurant Mango Pickle, expect to score a freebie order of mango pickles in flavors like lemon pickle, and dried garlic chutney with fenugreek seeds.

5842 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 944-5555
(773) 944-5555

Also featured in:

Artango Bar & Steakhouse

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Over at Lincoln Square’s Argentinean eatery Artango Bar & Steakhouse, every Wednesday night when guests order the steak flight for two, executive chef Saul Roman will send out one complimentary glass of malbec per person.

4767 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
(872) 208-7441
(872) 208-7441
A wooden board with assorted steaks.
The steak flight at Artango Bar & Steakhouse
Artango/Neil Burger

Also featured in:

Scofflaw

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A revered neighborhood drinking hole where customers will be comfortable with a fancy drink or shot of malört in their hand, Scofflaw has endeared itself to guests in Logan Square. For years, the bar has handed out fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies to customers at midnight. This friendly gesture is both an ideal nightcap and a nice bit of sustenance to continue the night’s activities. 

3201 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 252-9700
(773) 252-9700

Also featured in:

etta

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Wicker Park’s new American engagement etta likes to keep guests on their toes. On some weekend nights, the staff will come around to guests randomly and pour complimentary wine into their mouths from a porron.

1840 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Mity Nice

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Since opening in 1993, Streeterville’s American eatery Mity Nice has offered guests warm and cheesy gluten-free popovers to start their meal, totally gratis.

835 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 335-4745
(312) 335-4745
A dish containing popovers.
Mity Nice’s popovers.
Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises/Anjali Pinto

Also featured in:

WoodWind

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At newish Streeterville addition WoodWind, executive chef Don Young is offering his take on Outback Steakhouse’s Bloomin’ Onion, in the form of the Bloomin’ Maitake (a whole-fried maitake mushroom with burnt sesame caramel, furikake, and bonito flakes). Guests who order the dish will snag a glass of Kawatsuru’s Crane of Paradise Junmai sake.

259 E Erie St 18th floor, Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 283-4270
(312) 283-4270
View this post on Instagram

Have you indulged in our Bloomin’ Maitaki yet?! If not, this creation is awaiting your tastebuds.. • Not only will this dish please your culinary soul but these fun-guys (all puns intended) are nutritional powerhouses. You might know Maitaki as “Hen of the Woods” or the “Dancing Mushroom”, coined for the way it grows at the base of oak trees. But Its healing properties make this mushroom a medicinal force. • DID YOU KNOW: One of the main healing constituents in Maitaki is beta-glucan, which regulates your immune system to kill off existing bacteria, viruses and fungi. Maitake is also a hepatic which detoxifies your body while ensuring that your liver is protected. • Thank you for providing us @mushroommikellc. Get yourself into WoodWind this week, #MeetTheIngredients yourself.

A post shared by WoodWind (@woodwindchicago) on

Also featured in:

Tanta Chicago

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River North’s creative Peruvian eatery Tanta offers a couple of freebies. While all guests receive complimentary house-made taro chips with minty aji huacatay dipping sauce, those seated at the bar also score snacky roasted and salted Peruvian corn kernels.

118 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 222-9700
(312) 222-9700
A metal basket with taro chips.
Tanta’s taro chips
Tanta/Mistey Nguyen

Also featured in:

The Bamboo Room at Three Dots and a Dash

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For guests who have reservations at covert River North cocktail bar The Bamboo Room within Three Dots and a Dash, beverage director Kevin Beary is serving a complimentary welcome daiquiri. He’s offering the frosty two sip libation in a mini coupe glass with hand-shaven Japanese ice.

435 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 610-4220
(312) 610-4220
A hand pouring an orange cocktail into a coupe glass.
The Bamboo Room’s welcome daiquiri.
Three Dots and a Dash [Official Photo]

Also featured in:

Ocean Prime

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Steak-centric chain Ocean Prime in The Loop is doling out free truffle popcorn to those seated in the restaurant’s lounge from 4 p.m. to close.

87 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 428-4344
(312) 428-4344
Ocean Prime at night.
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Also featured in:

ROOF on theWit

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This past December, The Loop’s rooftop hang ROOF on theWit launched a new promo valid Sunday to Thursday, and Friday and Saturday before 9 p.m. Drop in and present a ticket from a local theater performance, art exhibit, or architecture tour (from venues such as the Chicago Theatre, the Art Institute, James M. Nederlander Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Cadillac Palace, CIBC Theatre, or the Chicago Architecture Foundation) and score a free drink with the purchase of another drink.

201 N State St 27th floor, Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 239-9502
(312) 239-9502
A table with two glasses of wine and snacks.
Drinks at ROOF on theWit
ROOF on theWit [Official Photo]

About Last Knife

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Mod steakhouse About Last Knife on North Michigan Avenue is teaming up with American Writers Museum for a Wednesday deal. Guests who dine at ALK and donate a book to the library of neighbor Hotel Julian score a complimentary drink from ALK’s new literary-inspired drink menu. Pick from options like Hemingway Daiquiri (rum, Maraschino, grapefruit, and lime), and The Giving Tree (sherry, cherry, and demerara sugar).

168 Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 392-2440
(312) 392-2440

Also featured in:

The Florentine

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Last week, The Florentine — the Italian eatery within The Loop’s JW Marriott — rolled out a pretty sweet happy hour deal. Groups who drop by Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. and order cocktails will score a complimentary wood-fired pizza.

151 W Adams St, Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 660-8866
(312) 660-8866
A table with drinks and pizza.
Pizza and cocktails at The Florentine
The Florentine [Official Photo]

Also featured in:

Lou Mitchell's

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This classic Chicago breakfast spot in the Loop continues to please customers. During weekend mornings, when customers are perhaps a little dazed from staying out late the night before, the free doughnut house are the perfect mix of sugar and starch to stave off hunger pangs.

565 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60661
(312) 939-3111
(312) 939-3111

Also featured in:

Davanti Enoteca

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Rustic Italian haunt Davanti Enoteca wants guests to end their meals on a sweet note. The restaurant pours 1.5-ounce shots of house-made limoncello for all guests to close out their meal.

1359 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 226-5550
(312) 226-5550

Also featured in:

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Mango Pickle

5842 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60660

For anyone who orders the naan or whole wheat tepla bread at Edgewater modern Indian restaurant Mango Pickle, expect to score a freebie order of mango pickles in flavors like lemon pickle, and dried garlic chutney with fenugreek seeds.

5842 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 944-5555
(773) 944-5555

Artango Bar & Steakhouse

4767 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625

Over at Lincoln Square’s Argentinean eatery Artango Bar & Steakhouse, every Wednesday night when guests order the steak flight for two, executive chef Saul Roman will send out one complimentary glass of malbec per person.

4767 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
(872) 208-7441
(872) 208-7441
A wooden board with assorted steaks.
The steak flight at Artango Bar & Steakhouse
Artango/Neil Burger

Scofflaw

3201 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

A revered neighborhood drinking hole where customers will be comfortable with a fancy drink or shot of malört in their hand, Scofflaw has endeared itself to guests in Logan Square. For years, the bar has handed out fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies to customers at midnight. This friendly gesture is both an ideal nightcap and a nice bit of sustenance to continue the night’s activities. 

3201 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 252-9700
(773) 252-9700

etta

1840 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Wicker Park’s new American engagement etta likes to keep guests on their toes. On some weekend nights, the staff will come around to guests randomly and pour complimentary wine into their mouths from a porron.

1840 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Mity Nice

835 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

Since opening in 1993, Streeterville’s American eatery Mity Nice has offered guests warm and cheesy gluten-free popovers to start their meal, totally gratis.

835 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 335-4745
(312) 335-4745
A dish containing popovers.
Mity Nice’s popovers.
Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises/Anjali Pinto

WoodWind

259 E Erie St 18th floor, Chicago, IL 60611

At newish Streeterville addition WoodWind, executive chef Don Young is offering his take on Outback Steakhouse’s Bloomin’ Onion, in the form of the Bloomin’ Maitake (a whole-fried maitake mushroom with burnt sesame caramel, furikake, and bonito flakes). Guests who order the dish will snag a glass of Kawatsuru’s Crane of Paradise Junmai sake.

259 E Erie St 18th floor, Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 283-4270
(312) 283-4270
View this post on Instagram

Have you indulged in our Bloomin’ Maitaki yet?! If not, this creation is awaiting your tastebuds.. • Not only will this dish please your culinary soul but these fun-guys (all puns intended) are nutritional powerhouses. You might know Maitaki as “Hen of the Woods” or the “Dancing Mushroom”, coined for the way it grows at the base of oak trees. But Its healing properties make this mushroom a medicinal force. • DID YOU KNOW: One of the main healing constituents in Maitaki is beta-glucan, which regulates your immune system to kill off existing bacteria, viruses and fungi. Maitake is also a hepatic which detoxifies your body while ensuring that your liver is protected. • Thank you for providing us @mushroommikellc. Get yourself into WoodWind this week, #MeetTheIngredients yourself.

A post shared by WoodWind (@woodwindchicago) on

Tanta Chicago

118 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60654

River North’s creative Peruvian eatery Tanta offers a couple of freebies. While all guests receive complimentary house-made taro chips with minty aji huacatay dipping sauce, those seated at the bar also score snacky roasted and salted Peruvian corn kernels.

118 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 222-9700
(312) 222-9700
A metal basket with taro chips.
Tanta’s taro chips
Tanta/Mistey Nguyen

The Bamboo Room at Three Dots and a Dash

435 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

For guests who have reservations at covert River North cocktail bar The Bamboo Room within Three Dots and a Dash, beverage director Kevin Beary is serving a complimentary welcome daiquiri. He’s offering the frosty two sip libation in a mini coupe glass with hand-shaven Japanese ice.

435 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 610-4220
(312) 610-4220
A hand pouring an orange cocktail into a coupe glass.
The Bamboo Room’s welcome daiquiri.
Three Dots and a Dash [Official Photo]

Ocean Prime

87 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601

Steak-centric chain Ocean Prime in The Loop is doling out free truffle popcorn to those seated in the restaurant’s lounge from 4 p.m. to close.

87 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 428-4344
(312) 428-4344
Ocean Prime at night.
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

ROOF on theWit

201 N State St 27th floor, Chicago, IL 60601

This past December, The Loop’s rooftop hang ROOF on theWit launched a new promo valid Sunday to Thursday, and Friday and Saturday before 9 p.m. Drop in and present a ticket from a local theater performance, art exhibit, or architecture tour (from venues such as the Chicago Theatre, the Art Institute, James M. Nederlander Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Cadillac Palace, CIBC Theatre, or the Chicago Architecture Foundation) and score a free drink with the purchase of another drink.

201 N State St 27th floor, Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 239-9502
(312) 239-9502
A table with two glasses of wine and snacks.
Drinks at ROOF on theWit
ROOF on theWit [Official Photo]

About Last Knife

168 Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60601

Mod steakhouse About Last Knife on North Michigan Avenue is teaming up with American Writers Museum for a Wednesday deal. Guests who dine at ALK and donate a book to the library of neighbor Hotel Julian score a complimentary drink from ALK’s new literary-inspired drink menu. Pick from options like Hemingway Daiquiri (rum, Maraschino, grapefruit, and lime), and The Giving Tree (sherry, cherry, and demerara sugar).

168 Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 392-2440
(312) 392-2440

The Florentine

151 W Adams St, Chicago, IL 60603

Last week, The Florentine — the Italian eatery within The Loop’s JW Marriott — rolled out a pretty sweet happy hour deal. Groups who drop by Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. and order cocktails will score a complimentary wood-fired pizza.

151 W Adams St, Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 660-8866
(312) 660-8866
A table with drinks and pizza.
Pizza and cocktails at The Florentine
The Florentine [Official Photo]

Lou Mitchell's

565 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60661

This classic Chicago breakfast spot in the Loop continues to please customers. During weekend mornings, when customers are perhaps a little dazed from staying out late the night before, the free doughnut house are the perfect mix of sugar and starch to stave off hunger pangs.

565 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60661
(312) 939-3111
(312) 939-3111

Davanti Enoteca

1359 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL 60607

Rustic Italian haunt Davanti Enoteca wants guests to end their meals on a sweet note. The restaurant pours 1.5-ounce shots of house-made limoncello for all guests to close out their meal.

1359 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 226-5550
(312) 226-5550

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