Chicago’s June Dining Events

Summery weather offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor dining and drinks in Chicago. Discover fresh spots with a Malt Row stroll or Lincoln Park restaurant crawl, or savor barbecue fare on Sportsman’s Club’s patio. Chicago hosts the James Beard Foundation awards this month, attracting talented chefs and bartenders nationwide. Explore these events to experience Chicago’s vibrant culinary scene.

Sunday BBQ Series at Sportsman’s Club

Visit the Ukrainian Village tavern’s spacious patio on Sundays throughout the summer to enjoy barbecue fare from local eateries such as Maxwell’s Trading on June 7, Creepies on June 21, and Boeufhaus on June 28. Experience New Orleans-style cooking on June 14 when Bacchanal and Nightbloom appear for the James Beard Awards weekend. Events are held from 4-7 p.m. Sundays through September 27 at Sportsman’s Club, 948 N. Western Ave.

Thursday Night Beats & Bites

After work, visit the open-air mall for dinner where four different food trucks circulate weekly, including Wagyu House by The X Pot, Chkn Box, and Polombia. Enjoy live music spanning Motown to Brazilian jazz from 5-8 p.m. on Thursdays through July at Roosevelt Collection, 150 W. Roosevelt Road.

‘The Chicago Way’ Q&A and Signing

Relish bites from chef Carrie Nahabedian and drinks from Sparrow’s beverage director, Peter Vestinos, while journalist Monica Eng conducts a Q&A with Michael Gebert, the author of “The Chicago Way: An Oral History of Chicago Dining.” The book, featuring nearly 200 culinary professionals, explores the city’s evolving dining scene over the past 50 years. Attendees receive an autographed copy. The event is on June 8, from 1-4 p.m. at Brindille, 534 N. Clark St. Tickets are $50.

Chicago Cocktail Classic

The second annual event gathers over 30 bars globally, including Bar Mauro from Mexico City and Superfine from Paris. Local spots like Meadowlark and Nine Bar also participate. Tickets provide 10 drink tokens. The event is on June 14, 6-10 p.m. at 167 Events, 167 Green St.; tickets cost $100.

Up South Pop-Up

Maya-Camille Broussard, chef and owner of Justice of the Pies, highlights South Side culinary excellence in the Up South series. The event features her smoked desserts alongside chef Dominique Leach of Lexington Betty Smokehouse. Enjoy the event on June 14, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Justice of the Pies, 8655 S. Blackstone Ave. RSVP by June 12.

Sanders BBQ x Mahari

Sample Sanders BBQ Prime before its launch as chef James Sanders teams up with Mahari’s chef Rahim Muhammad, creating signature brunch dishes. It’s a BYOB event on June 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Mahari, 1504 E. 55th St.; tickets are $75.

Barrio BBQ

Join the second annual celebration of Mexican grilling traditions, benefiting the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. Enjoy dishes like birria tacos with mole negro and cochinita pibil tamal from Manchamanteles, Diego, and more on June 14, 4-7 p.m. at Manchamanteles, 2009 N. Western Ave.; tickets cost $69.

Cravings on Clark

Participate in a restaurant crawl hosted by the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce, featuring over a dozen Lincoln Park restaurants. Sample signature bites from The Fat Shallot and others on June 24, 6-9 p.m., starting at Briny Swine Smokehouse & Oyster Bar, 2577 N. Clark St.; tickets range from $55-$65.

Malt Row on Damen

Enjoy drinks from a dozen breweries and distilleries, including Jeppson’s Malört and Gnome Brew. Stops include Amy’s Candy Bar and Falcon’s Handcrafted Sandwiches. The event is on June 24, 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Damen Avenue between Wilson Avenue and Argyle Street. Tickets are $32.

Chicago’s Taste of the Nation

Experience bites from over 50 restaurants, paired with beer, wine, and cocktails at this benefit for No Kid Hungry. The event includes cooking and mixology demonstrations and a chance to win a fully stocked wine cellar. Join on June 26, 6-9 p.m. at Rockwell on the River, 3057 N. Rockwell St. Tickets are $150.

Samantha Nelson is a freelance writer.