Your dad deserves some recognition for all the advice he’s given you over the years (even if you didn’t appreciate it at the time) and for all the times he’s tried to make you laugh with corny jokes. Restaurants and bars throughout the Chicago area are making it easy to celebrate Father’s Day however your dad likes best, whether it’s going out for brunch, sipping some whiskey or picking up a grill kit so he can wow the family with his own backyard cooking skills. From pig roasts to golf watching gatherings, these 35 Father’s Day celebrations are sure to make dad proud.
All events take place on June 16 unless otherwise stated.
The Loop and Near North Side
Adalina
Come for brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a waffle station, cigar rolling and giveaways or book a table for dinner, where $85 gets you a 22-ounce wet aged bone-in rib-eye, Parmesan fries, a smoked old fashioned and a slice of chocolate cake. 912 N. State St., 312-820-9000, adalinachicago.com
Bar Pendry
Treat dad to a wagyu burger served with a side of herb-seasoned fries and a beer for $28. 81 E. Wacker Place, 312- 777-9000, pendry.com
Chef Art Smith’s Reunion
A three-course Papa’s Menu ($45) includes a mimosa, deviled eggs, shrimp and grits, and beignets. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 700 E. Grand Ave., 312-224-1415, reunionrestaurants.com
Chicago Burger Company
Start celebrating early with a barbecue along the Chicago River featuring smoked chicken wings and barbecue burnt ends sliders served with housemade coleslaw and pickles (both $12), loaded bloody marys ($14) and margarita towers. 1-4 p.m. Saturday. 301 E. North Water St., 312-464-1000, marriott.com
Ema
Dine in to take advantage of a crispy lamb ribs special served with cherry barbecue sauce, smoked almond and mint Friday through Sunday. 74 W. Illinois St., 312-527-5586, emachicago.com
Hard Rock Cafe Chicago
A special menu features steak frites with bourbon coffee mushroom sauce and chives ($36) and a $15 smoked old fashioned. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 63 W. Ontario St., 312-943-2252, cafe.hardrock.com/chicago
Maple & Ash
The steakhouse offers $375 grilling kits for four that include bone-in rib-eye, New York strip, asparagus, whipped potatoes and an old fashioned. The package is available to pick up from 2-4 p.m. Friday and Saturday. If you don’t want to do any work, the restaurant offers brunch from 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Sunday for $160 or $65 for kids. 8 W. Maple St., 312-944-8888, mapleandash.com
Michael Jordan’s Steak House
Treat dad to a $145 special 34-ounce tomahawk rib-eye served with bone marrow mashed potatoes ($145) and a tobacco old fashioned ($23). 505 N. Michigan Ave., 312-321-8823, michaeljordansteakhouse.com/chicago
RPM Steak
Get everything you need for a backyard barbecue by picking up a filet ($120), New York strip ($180) or grass-fed rib-eye grill kit ($200). All of the packages include two steaks, asparagus, beef butter, steak salt and grilling instructions. Noon to 8:45 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. 66 W. Kinzie St., 312-284-4990, rpmrestaurants.com
Schneider Deli
Pick up a hot dog grilling kit with Vienna dogs, poppy seed buns, sauerkraut and chopped corned beef ($42) or a corned beef burger package with onion rolls, pickled red onions, cheese and Russian dressing ($50). Both come with pickles, deli mustard and a choice of two sides. 600 N. LaSalle Drive, 773-590-1345, schneiderdeli.com
Venteux
The French brasserie offers $18 bottomless beer pours plus a $29 steak and eggs dish with roasted potatoes and braised tomatoes. 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 224 N. Michigan Ave., 312-777-9003, venteuxchicago.com
Yardbird
A $67 Father’s Day family-style menu includes St. Louis short ribs, mac and cheese, and chicken and waffles. 530 N. Wabash Ave., 312-999-9760, runchickenrun.com/chicago
North Side and Northwest Side
Avenue Tap & Kitchen
The Lakeview bar offers an $18 combo featuring a cheeseburger and side, a pint of Modelo and a shot of Tullamore D.E.W. 3407 N. Paulina St., 773-858-7679, avenuetapchicago.com
Bar Roma
Share specials including wood-grilled bone-in rib-eye with garlic herb butter ($40), jumbo lump crab cake with sweet corn ($18) and ricotta cheesecake with strawberry rhubarb sauce ($11). 4-8:30 p.m. 5101 N. Clark St., 773-942-7572, barromachicago.com
Cody’s Public House
Watch the U.S. Open and enter a raffle to win a golf bag and a day of golf while sipping themed drinks including $7 John Dalys, $5 Goose Island pints and $8 Proper 12 mules. 1658 W. Barry Ave., 773-799-8217, codyschicago.com
Easy Street Pizza & Beer Garden
The Portage Park bar offers two hours of bottomless Modelo during brunch for $20. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 3750 N. Central Ave., 773-993-0464, easystreetpizzachicago.com
Lark
Pixel and Daddy Hunter perform during a Who’s Your Daddy drag brunch featuring $5 Bud Light and bottomless drink packages. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 3441 N. Halsted St., 773-799-8968, larkchicago.com
Le Sud
Dig into a cowboy-style rib-eye with Cajun compound butter, onion rings and a loaded potato ($68). 2301 W. Roscoe St., 773-857-1985, lesudchicago.com
The Patio at Café Brauer
Spice up your celebration with a $19 wing sampler with flavors including Thai chili and smoked chipotle honey. Fries are included and you can substitute loaded tots for $2. 2021 N. Stockton Drive, 312-507-9053, lpzoopatio.org
Pilot Project Chicago
Buy one of the brewery incubator’s draft beers and get a second one for $1. 2140 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-270-5995, pilotprojectbrewing.com
West Side and Near West Side
Aba
Aba means father in Hebrew and Arabic, so the restaurant is a particularly appropriate spot to celebrate with specials offered Friday through Sunday including grilled angus hanger steak with black garlic and rosemary jus and a Drop Dad Gorgeous cocktail made with Uncle Nearest whiskey, bourbon barrel-smoked demerara, bitters and a beef chip. 302 N. Green St., Floor 3, 773-645-1400, abarestaurants.com
Carnivale
Stop in the Rumba Lounge for photos, complimentary whiskey tastings, giveaways and games. 1-5 p.m. 702 W. Fulton Market, 312-850-5005, carnivalechicago.com
Guinness Open Gate Brewery
Chef Taylor Bishof hosts a cookout with live music and 10-ounce filet ($80) dinners that include two sides, a roll and two beers. One dad at each table will receive an engraved 20-ounce pint glass. 3-8 p.m. 901 W. Kinzie St., 312-521-0900, guinnessbrewerychicago.com
Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar
Chef Guy Meikle roasts a whole lamb on the patio, serving $45 platters with lamb sausage, romesco and olive tapenade. Noon to 6 p.m. 2700 W. Chicago Ave., 773-661-9577, heritage-chicago.com
Nettare
Come for brunch starting at 10 a.m. and get steak and eggs plus a bloody mary for $29. 1953 W. Chicago Ave., barnettare.com
WineStyles
A pig roast includes two sides and a drink. $20-$25. 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. 6182 N. Northwest Highway, 847-518-9463, winestyles.com/norwoodpark
South Side & Near South Side
Pearl’s Place
Tuck in to an absolute feast from this Bronzeville mainstay. The Father’s Day buffet ($33) includes barbecue rib tips, fried jumbo shrimp, jerk chicken, smothered steak, collard greens and cornbread. Finish the meal off with desserts such as sweet potato pie or peach cobbler. Guests can dine in or grab a take-home meal package for a more intimate feast. 3901 S. Michigan Ave., 773-285-1700, pearlsplacerestaurant.com
The Quarry Event Center
Real Men Cook’s 35th annual Father’s Day celebration features home chefs serving sweet and savory dishes plus live music. $25; $15 for kids. 3-6 p.m. 2423 E. 75th St., 312-259-1143, thequarrychi.com
Suburban and multiple locations
Amerikas
Dads can get the restaurant’s signature smoked mezcal old fashioned for half price and dig into a Tomahawk steak special. 734 Lake St., Oak Park, 708-613‑4254, amerikasrestaurant.com
The Capital Grille
The steakhouse chain offers a special 22-ounce prime bone-in rib-eye with caramelized shallot jus and truffle butter paired with a glass of Caymus 50th anniversary cabernet sauvignon. Multiple locations, thecapitalgrille.com
The Hampton Social
Dads get a free pour of rosé when they dine in. Multiple locations, thehamptonsocial.com
Oaken Bistro + Bar
All attendees will have the chance to win a weekend with a Bentley during a brunch buffet featuring a whiskey tasting, smoked salmon with bagels, carved rib-eye, omelets and French toast. Cigars are available for purchase. $65; $35 for kids. 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. 200 N. Field Drive, Lake Forest, oakenbistro.com
Old Town Pour House
A $30 Brews and Bites taster offered this week through Father’s Day features pretzel bites, smoked chicken wings, a mini cheeseburger and a Snickers pie shooter paired with Midwestern beers. 8 Oak Brook Center, Oak Brook, 630-601-1440 and 1703 Freedom Drive, Naperville, 630-448-6020; oldtownpourhouse.com
Perry’s Steakhouse & Grill
The restaurant’s Oak Brook, Schaumburg and Vernon Hill locations open early to offer $13 bloody marys, mimosas and rosé sangria until 4 p.m. and a $69 22-ounce bone-in caramelized prime rib. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Multiple locations, perryssteakhouse.com
Q-BBQ
The chain offers special Father’s Day platters for dine in and carryout June 14-16 featuring a choice of meat, two sides and hush puppies for $15 to $19. Add on a Hamm’s beer for $2. Multiple locations, q-bbq.com
Samantha Nelson is a freelance writer.