Top, Best & Fun Rooftop Bars in Joliet

"Frequently recognized as one of Chicago’s best brunch spots, the family-owned Nana in Bridgeport has just reopened in May 2021. Boasting a delicious brunch menu made with sustainably and ethically sourced organic ingredients from local farmers, Nana offers a unique array of Mexican-American food. There are some extraordinary Latin-influenced brunch options that you’re unlikely to find anywhere else in the Windy City."

"This organic, sustainable Bridgeport eatery is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They feature everything from a fresh veggie burger to a cubano pulled pork sandwich to pan-seared salmon and BBQ braised pork. Their food is sourced directly from farmers and orchards in the Midwest, including 9 in the greater Chicago area."

"GAYOT presents the Wine of the Week, featuring tasting notes as well as history on the vineyards and winemaker. For those that love chocolate and whiskey, this is a match made in heaven.Read GAYOT's review. © Copyright © 1996-2021 GAYOT All Rights Reserved GAYOT (pronounced guy-OH)   The Guide To The Good Life - All Rights Reserved - Terms of Use - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy"

"Although the Blue Island Beer Company taproom is located in the Historical District of Blue Island, you can find their classically-influenced beer on menus throughout Chicago, including at South Side Social Neighborhood Kitchen & Tap. At South Side Social, Blue Island Beer is paired with dishes that accentuate everything you love about beer, like brisket nachos with beer cheese. Blue Island Beer Company’s taproom menu features a variety of styles, including IPA, sour ale, imperial stout and more."

"Weekly Gospel Brunch at Norman’s Bistro is a lively and fun Sunday brunch buffet. Weekly Gospel Brunch includes warm sweet potato pancakes, tasty barbecue spare ribs, extraordinary fried chicken, fresh house-made pastries, a fully loaded omelet station, a great carving station, and non-alcoholic beverages. Weekly Gospel Brunch offers the added pleasure of live music."

"A southside brewery that edges so far down, it’s hardly considered urban territory, Open Outcry is an unexpected oasis in this part of the city, encouraging you to quench your thirst in their garage-style taproom. Featuring a flight inspired by the colors of the original Rainbow Cone—Palmer House IPA, Strawberry Imperial Stout, Orange Milkshake IPA, Pistachio Brown Ale—Open Outcry promises that you can’t go wrong with any of their signature brews. And their blissful beer garden with yellow accents is the go-to lounge for the summer!"

"Since the 1930s, this Bridgeport bar has been serving beer and shots to a customer base that fawns over this low-ceilinged space. Current ownership, the Badauskas family, took over the bar the 1950s. This charming corner bar even has an open mic for musicians."

"The first Latin American-inspired brewery in the U.S., 5 Rabbit infuses Hispanic culture into American beer styles. The brews, named for days on the Aztec calendar, include an avocado stout, Mexican lager, and fruit-forward styles inspired by Mexican paletas. Try them all in their cozy taproom — they’re the perfect complement to the tacos (served on Thursday evenings) and tamales (every Saturday afternoon)."

"After you find a seat in this Irish pub’s beer garden in Beverly, it’s decision time: Which of the 20 draft beers will you try first?. (To make your choice even harder, there are 40 varieties of bottled and canned suds to choose from, too.) If you visit on a Friday night, you can snag snacks from local food trucks; recent visitors have included Cheesie’s and Aztec Dave’s. 10614 S Western Ave.; 773-445-2675 or corkandkerry.com"

"Cork and Kerry is an award-winning Irish pub in the heart of Chicago. The tavern serves a classic pub-style menu that features favorite dishes such as burgers and fries, grilled cheese, pulled pork sandwiches, mac and cheese, and a variety of salads and sides. A full-service bar offers an excellent selection of beers and brews on tap and by the bottle."

"Its sprawling patio is a great place to spend a summertime afternoon—and if your stay extends into the evening, no one will judge you."

"The first Latin American-inspired brewery in the U.S., 5 Rabbit infuses Hispanic culture into American beer styles. The brews, named for days on the Aztec calendar, include an avocado stout, Mexican lager, and fruit-forward styles inspired by Mexican paletas. Try them all in their cozy taproom — they’re the perfect complement to the tacos (served on Thursday evenings) and tamales (every Saturday afternoon)."

"Chicago summer is here, which means it’s time to roll up your sleeves, put your hair up, and eat accordingly—we’re talking ice cream, of course, that frosty refresher that is wildly hard-earned after every Chicago winter. Luckily, our fine town is continuing to up its scoop game in big, memorable ways each year, serving up enough sundaes, fro-yo, gelato, and soft serve to keep you cool all season long. From ice-cold curls and koala-inspired cones to avocado scoops and vegan soft serve, here are this summer’s most scream-worthy ice cream shops."

"This ice cream shop and its stacks of chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House (vanilla with walnuts plus cherries), pistachio, and orange sherbet have been a total staple of summer in Chicago for more than 80 years now. This year, the Original Rainbow Cone is spreading some love all across Chicago with its brand spanking new van, complete with ice cream paint job, so make sure to follow the rainbow (van)!. You can find the Original Rainbow Cone at 9233 S Western Ave or Navy Pier."

"With over 40,000 unobstructed-view seats, the White Sox stadium is a good spot to capture your ice cream cone, the crowd, AND the field in one shot. Unless you’re going for the 3lb ice cream sundae in a batting helmet… you’re probably gonna need two hands for that."

"Rainbow Beach Park boasts beautiful views of the Chicago skyline in the distance and is located in the southern part of Chicago. This park is one of the few that offers visitors free WiFi. Whether you want to work on the beach or simply relax, you’ll be connected."

"Kicking it old school, you slice and bake the chocolate chip dough roll ($6) to yield a dozen cookies. Brothers Lalo and Uva Leon opened their bakery last summer in the McKinley Park neighborhood, where they’re still making wildly popular croissants. Check their Instagram stories for the daily changing availability or just call."

"There are only a few flavors of donuts to choose from at Butterdough in McKinley Park. But that’s fine, the horchata is what you want. The lightly-spiced glaze is poured on the donut right in front of you and pools in the container in a satisfying (and useful for extra dipping) way."