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Chicago preps for a new President.
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The Best Bars to Watch Election Day Coverage in Chicago

These venues are throwing Election Day Parties with specials

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Chicago preps for a new President.
| Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

Election Day is here. While it’s perfectly all right to be anxiously awaiting the results, why not step out and spend some time with other Chicagoans? Bars and restaurants around the city will offer specials and TVs with sound. The following is a collection of some of the bars and restaurants with notable Election Day Parties.

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Eris Brewery & Cider House

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Eris, a brewery and cidery, has a full menu inside spacious quarters. They’re offering an expanded happy hour until 4 p.m. with $5 ciders or drafts, and half-off appetizers.

Nick Fochtman/Eater Chicago

The Owl

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The Owl will give customers $1 off drinks when they show their “I Voted” sticker. This Logan Square bar is good for groups and is open late night to compete with late results.

The Getaway

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Like its older sibling The Owl in Logan Square, The Getaway is also offering customers $1 off drinks when they show their “I Voted” sticker.

Lottie's Pub

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Even if you haven’t been to this friendly Wicker Park bar, odds are you’ve seen it as the popular onscreen hangout in TV’s Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, and Chicago Med where it’s called Molly’s. (Its celeb status can be found on the menu with a Chicago Fire, PD, and Med specialty burgers.) A classic, iconic corner tavern, Lottie’s celebrates its 90th anniversary this year.

Piece Brewery and Pizzeria

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Sure, this Wicker Park spot is well known for its award-winning beers and stellar New Haven-style pizza. But beyond suds and pies, Piece has a hard-earned reputation for supporting a variety of local and national causes through its charitable events. On Thursday that generosity extends to the many TVs in the spacious loft-like space.

Italian beef pizza Piece Pizza

Cleo's Bar & Grill

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This West Town neighborhood bar is a favorite for international soccer fans as well as bocce-playing aficionados, with two outdoor courts accommodating the latter. Those accommodating vibes also apply to the seven types of wings, 10 varieties of pizza, and numerous styles of beer.

Brasero

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This West Town South American restaurant will offer specials in the dining room and bar. They’ll offer their happy hour menu with specials on dishes like salmon ceviche, steak and yuca fries, and grilled oysters. There are also special half orders on its noodles —  “Moqueca-Style ramen” — with shrimp, mussel and mahi stew, coconut

broth, Brasero nuts, and Akahoshi ramen noodles.

A restaurant’s interiors with chairs and booths Chris Peters/Eater Chicago

District Brew Yards

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For $20 per person with tickets available on Tock, this West Town beer hall offers a barbecue buffet from Lillie’s Q. $5 from each ticket goes to LBFE, Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly, and 10 percent of all beer purchased on Election Day will go to LBFE.

Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

This hidden spot on the Near West Side is hosting a party with a 15 percent off special for those with “I Voted” stickers.

Nisei Lounge

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A temple to Jeppson’s Malört, this Wrigleyville dive — founded by Japanese immigrants — will be tuned into the news stations for election results.

Sidetrack

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While it’s always a fabulous party at this behemoth Boystown institution, the festive vibes will be turned up. Join other like-minded folks in the Glass and Side bars where the dozen or so TVs will have the sound turned on during headlining speeches. Toast your good fortune with one of Sidetrack’s signature frozen cocktails — a Black Cherry Buzz, perhaps?

The Dawson

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It’s fitting that this handsome two-story restaurant that prides itself as being a gathering place in River West will accommodate requests to air Election Night on its TVs. Take a break from indoor viewing on the plant-filled patio.

Manny's Deli

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This is Chicago Jewish-American staple has long been a place for politicians to hang out. Enjoy the legendary deli sandwiches in this cafeteria-style space.

Manny’s Classics Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Americano

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Grab a seat at the spacious marble-topped bar or one of the nearby leather booths at this cozy new Lincoln Park restaurant to watch Election Night streaming live on TVs behind the bar.

How many flatscreens does this cozy River North bar have? “So, so many,” we were told. Taking a slightly upscale approach to the sports bar concept, you’ll find both traditional wings and rigatoni alla vodka on the food menu and imported and domestic beers on tap, as well as an extensive spirits selection.

Billy Goat Tavern & Grill

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Looking to celebrate Thursday’s historic event at a place that has some gravitas of its own? Back in 1944 when the Republican Convention came to Chicago, the original Billy Goat, located near the Chicago Stadium (razed to make way for the United Center), posted a sign saying, “No Republicans allowed.” A kerfuffle ensued followed by some welcomed publicity for the tavern. With some 50 bar seats, Billy Goat’s Michigan Avenue location has plenty of spots to watch Election Night on the TVs and a channel change is yours for the asking.

Michael Jordan's Steak House Chicago

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Located inside the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile hotel, the glam steakhouse from the basketball GOAT will showcase Election Night events on large screens.

SPin Ping Pong

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Need to work out some of your politics-induced stress while celebrating the historic occasion? At this 18,000-square-foot multi-level River North social club you can work up a sweat at one of the many ping pong tables while you watch Election Night, available for viewing by request. Reward your efforts with comfort food and signature cocktails.

A colorful ping-pong table with chairs alongside and open windows that overlook a street. Spin

Timothy O'Toole's Pub

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Since 1992, this lower-level Streeterville family-owned tavern has been a favorite for sports-viewing fans with some 48 beers on tap, award-winning wings, and hearty burgers.

Timothy O’Toole’s

Bronzeville Winery

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This newish restaurant in Bronzeville, co-founded by the owner of Silver Room, the community hub in Hyde Park, is offering a special food menu from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Eris Brewery & Cider House

Eris, a brewery and cidery, has a full menu inside spacious quarters. They’re offering an expanded happy hour until 4 p.m. with $5 ciders or drafts, and half-off appetizers.

Nick Fochtman/Eater Chicago

The Owl

The Owl will give customers $1 off drinks when they show their “I Voted” sticker. This Logan Square bar is good for groups and is open late night to compete with late results.

The Getaway

Like its older sibling The Owl in Logan Square, The Getaway is also offering customers $1 off drinks when they show their “I Voted” sticker.

Lottie's Pub

Even if you haven’t been to this friendly Wicker Park bar, odds are you’ve seen it as the popular onscreen hangout in TV’s Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, and Chicago Med where it’s called Molly’s. (Its celeb status can be found on the menu with a Chicago Fire, PD, and Med specialty burgers.) A classic, iconic corner tavern, Lottie’s celebrates its 90th anniversary this year.

Piece Brewery and Pizzeria

Sure, this Wicker Park spot is well known for its award-winning beers and stellar New Haven-style pizza. But beyond suds and pies, Piece has a hard-earned reputation for supporting a variety of local and national causes through its charitable events. On Thursday that generosity extends to the many TVs in the spacious loft-like space.

Italian beef pizza Piece Pizza

Cleo's Bar & Grill

This West Town neighborhood bar is a favorite for international soccer fans as well as bocce-playing aficionados, with two outdoor courts accommodating the latter. Those accommodating vibes also apply to the seven types of wings, 10 varieties of pizza, and numerous styles of beer.

Brasero

This West Town South American restaurant will offer specials in the dining room and bar. They’ll offer their happy hour menu with specials on dishes like salmon ceviche, steak and yuca fries, and grilled oysters. There are also special half orders on its noodles —  “Moqueca-Style ramen” — with shrimp, mussel and mahi stew, coconut

broth, Brasero nuts, and Akahoshi ramen noodles.

A restaurant’s interiors with chairs and booths Chris Peters/Eater Chicago

District Brew Yards

For $20 per person with tickets available on Tock, this West Town beer hall offers a barbecue buffet from Lillie’s Q. $5 from each ticket goes to LBFE, Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly, and 10 percent of all beer purchased on Election Day will go to LBFE.

Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Bunker

This hidden spot on the Near West Side is hosting a party with a 15 percent off special for those with “I Voted” stickers.

Nisei Lounge

A temple to Jeppson’s Malört, this Wrigleyville dive — founded by Japanese immigrants — will be tuned into the news stations for election results.

Sidetrack

While it’s always a fabulous party at this behemoth Boystown institution, the festive vibes will be turned up. Join other like-minded folks in the Glass and Side bars where the dozen or so TVs will have the sound turned on during headlining speeches. Toast your good fortune with one of Sidetrack’s signature frozen cocktails — a Black Cherry Buzz, perhaps?

The Dawson

It’s fitting that this handsome two-story restaurant that prides itself as being a gathering place in River West will accommodate requests to air Election Night on its TVs. Take a break from indoor viewing on the plant-filled patio.

Manny's Deli

This is Chicago Jewish-American staple has long been a place for politicians to hang out. Enjoy the legendary deli sandwiches in this cafeteria-style space.

Manny’s Classics Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Americano

Grab a seat at the spacious marble-topped bar or one of the nearby leather booths at this cozy new Lincoln Park restaurant to watch Election Night streaming live on TVs behind the bar.

Theory

How many flatscreens does this cozy River North bar have? “So, so many,” we were told. Taking a slightly upscale approach to the sports bar concept, you’ll find both traditional wings and rigatoni alla vodka on the food menu and imported and domestic beers on tap, as well as an extensive spirits selection.

Related Maps

Billy Goat Tavern & Grill

Looking to celebrate Thursday’s historic event at a place that has some gravitas of its own? Back in 1944 when the Republican Convention came to Chicago, the original Billy Goat, located near the Chicago Stadium (razed to make way for the United Center), posted a sign saying, “No Republicans allowed.” A kerfuffle ensued followed by some welcomed publicity for the tavern. With some 50 bar seats, Billy Goat’s Michigan Avenue location has plenty of spots to watch Election Night on the TVs and a channel change is yours for the asking.

Michael Jordan's Steak House Chicago

Located inside the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile hotel, the glam steakhouse from the basketball GOAT will showcase Election Night events on large screens.

SPin Ping Pong

Need to work out some of your politics-induced stress while celebrating the historic occasion? At this 18,000-square-foot multi-level River North social club you can work up a sweat at one of the many ping pong tables while you watch Election Night, available for viewing by request. Reward your efforts with comfort food and signature cocktails.

A colorful ping-pong table with chairs alongside and open windows that overlook a street. Spin

Timothy O'Toole's Pub

Since 1992, this lower-level Streeterville family-owned tavern has been a favorite for sports-viewing fans with some 48 beers on tap, award-winning wings, and hearty burgers.

Timothy O’Toole’s

Bronzeville Winery

This newish restaurant in Bronzeville, co-founded by the owner of Silver Room, the community hub in Hyde Park, is offering a special food menu from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Related Maps