Top Dining Events in Chicago This June

Summer is here, and with it comes a variety of opportunities for outdoor dining and drinking. Enjoy a stroll through Malt Row or a restaurant crawl in Lincoln Park. You can also savor barbecue on the patio at Sportsman’s Club. This month, Chicago hosts the James Beard Foundation awards. Chefs and bartenders from across the country will showcase their talent in the city. Here are 10 must-visit dining events in June.

Sunday BBQ Series at Sportsman’s Club

Spend your Sundays this summer on the spacious patio of Sportsman’s Club in Ukrainian Village. Enjoy barbecue from local spots like Maxwell’s Trading (June 7), Creepies (June 21), and Boeufhaus (June 28). On June 14, experience New Orleans flavors by Bacchanal and Nightbloom during the James Beard Awards weekend. The event runs 4-7 p.m. every Sunday through Sept. 27 at 948 N. Western Ave., more details at drinkingandgathering.com.

Thursday Night Beats & Bites

Head to the open-air mall after work for a meal from four rotating food trucks, including Wagyu House by The X Pot, Chkn Box, and Polombia. Enjoy live music from Motown to Brazilian jazz. The event takes place 5-8 p.m. every Thursday through July at Roosevelt Collection, 150 W. Roosevelt Road. Check rooseveltcollectionshops.com/events for more information.

The Chicago Way Q&A and Signing

Enjoy bites from chef Carrie Nahabedian and drinks from Sparrow’s beverage director Peter Vestinos. Journalist Monica Eng will host a Q&A with author Michael Gebert about “The Chicago Way: An Oral History of Chicago Dining.” It features insights from nearly 200 chefs, restaurant staff, critics, and diners. The event is 1-4 p.m. on June 8 at Brindille, 534 N. Clark St. $50 tickets available at eventbrite.com.

Chicago Cocktail Classic

The second annual Chicago Cocktail Classic brings over 30 bars worldwide, such as Bar Mauro (Mexico City), Superfine (Paris), and BKK Social Club (Bangkok), featuring cocktails alongside local favorites like Meadowlark and Nine Bar. Tickets come with 10 drink tokens. The event is 6-10 p.m. on June 14 at 167 Events, 167 Green St. $100 tickets at chicagococktailclassic.com.

Up South Pop-Up

Maya-Camille Broussard of Justice of the Pies offers smoked desserts, collaborating with chef Dominique Leach of Lexington Betty Smokehouse. Join the event from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 14 at Justice of the Pies, 8655 S. Blackstone Ave. RSVP by June 12 at justiceofthepies.com.

Sanders BBQ x Mahari

Get a preview of Sanders BBQ Prime with brunch dishes from chefs James Sanders and Rahim Muhammad. The event is BYOB and takes place 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 14 at Mahari, 1504 E. 55th St. $75 tickets available at exploretock.com/sanders-bbq-supply-co.

Bario BBQ

Celebrate Mexico’s grilling traditions with dishes from Manchamanteles, Diego, Pizza Lobo, and Santa Masa Tamaleria. The event supports the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. Enjoy birria tacos with mole negro and pizza with carnitas. Join from 4-7 p.m. on June 14 at Manchamanteles, 2009 N. Western Ave. $69 tickets at exploretock.com/manchamanteles.

Cravings on Clark

Over a dozen Lincoln Park restaurants, including The Fat Shallot, Tanaka Ramen, and The Wiener’s Circle, offer bites during a restaurant crawl. Hosted by the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce, the crawl is from 6-9 p.m. on June 24, starting at Briny Swine Smokehouse & Oyster Bar, 2577 N. Clark St. $55-$65 tickets at lincolnparkchamber.com/cravings.

Malt Row on Damen

Explore a dozen breweries and distilleries such as Cultivate by Forbidden Root and Jeppson’s Malört. The stroll includes stops at Amy’s Candy Bar and Falcon’s Handcrafted Sandwiches. Enjoy the event from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on June 24 on Damen Avenue, between Wilson Avenue and Argyle Street. $32 tickets at ravenswoodchicago.org.

Chicago’s Taste of the Nation

Over 50 restaurants, including Obelix, Daisies, Avec, and Girl & the Goat, offer bites with drinks to benefit No Kid Hungry. The event includes cooking and mixology demonstrations, along with a chance to win a stocked wine cellar. Attend from 6-9 p.m. on June 26 at Rockwell on the River, 3057 N. Rockwell St. $150 tickets at events.nokidhungry.org.