What we cover
Here’s what we’ve found across Chicago—and how recently the listings were checked.
Our starting point
Chicago venues licensed to serve alcohol on-site
3,308
From Chicago's business license records, counting licenses marked current in our latest roster update.
Venues with a website we've found
2,545
What’s listed
Venues listed
479
463 with a happy hour · 26 with recurring specials (16 listed for specials only)
Happy-hour time slots listed
555
Recurring specials listed
43
36 name a day without hours · 2 run all day · 5 have posted hours. Specials are not happy hours and are not screened against the happy-hour rules.
Time slots from the venue's website (automated, with an excerpt)
421
Time slots checked by a person
0
Time slots not yet verified (leads)
177
158 venues include an unverified time slot; each is labeled "Not yet verified".
Time slots checked within 30 days of the data update
313 (52%)
Listings with a patio
149
Dog-friendly listings
10
Time slots with itemized deals
254 (42%)
Happy hours with a wine deal
103
Happy hours with a pizza deal
9
Time slots with a buy-one-get-one offer
2
How the Happy Hour Grade works
Every grade blends two scores.
- Deal — The variety and value of the offers, plus how much of the week they’re available.
- Confidence — The source, how recently it was checked, and the evidence supporting the listing.
The grade compares happy-hour listings in our guide. It isn’t a rating of the venue or its service.
Not every listing has a grade. Missing deal details mean we can’t rank it yet.
How a listing gets here
- Valid City license.
- Happy-hour signal — the venue’s own site, its Google listing, or a tip.
- Website-sourced listings include an excerpt from the source. Listings we haven’t verified are labeled “Not yet verified.”
- We screen drink-special schedules against Illinois happy-hour rules (4 hours a day, 15 a week, ending by 10pm). Food-only specials are checked separately.
- Human checks take priority over automated website checks.
- Recurring specials (Taco Tuesday, all-day drink prices, late-night food) are listed separately from happy hours. They need the same source excerpt; a special with no posted hours says “hours not listed” rather than guessing a time.
Listing data updated Oct 31, 2026. Specials change without notice — call ahead.