Best Places To Grab A Drink In Chicago's Airports
Being near the center of the country, Chicago airports are often a busy hub for travel whether you're a local or just passing through and grabbing a connecting flight. Unfortunately for travelers, Chicago winters often cause a flight delay or two, so knowing where to drown your sorrows can be an essential coping skill to possess. Here are a few good watering holes in those transitional travel depots.
Bubbles Wine Bar
O'Hare International Airport
10000 Bessie Coleman Drive
Terminal 3, Gate H4
Chicago, IL 60666
(773) 686-6180
www.flychicago.com
If you're looking for a relaxing little splurge (that's not too splurgey) try Bubbles Wine Bar. It offers a small but well selected menu of wines and there is an outlet at every alcove. Seating can be tricky, but if you're able to get a seat, you're in for a comfortable time. The atmosphere is modern and relaxing, and the piano music (either played by a live musician or just the piano automaton) adds a bit of class. There's also a nice selection of food items to go with your wine, shrimp, cheese and the like. Stop in and put a pause on your hectic travel day.
Tortas Frontera
O'Hare International Airport
10000 W. O'Hare
Terminal 1, Gate B11
Chicago, IL 60666
www.rickbayless.com
If you want good food with your drinks, definitely check out Frontera. Reputed to be the best food in Terminal 3 (if not the entire airport), it also has fresh-squeezed orange juice. There's an outlet at every bar stool if you need to charge your phone between flights and some unique drink offerings as well. The delicious Mexican cuisine does take 10 minutes (at least) to prepare, so one of the margaritas would be a perfect way to pass the time while you wait for food. In addition to the classic cocktails, it also has seasonal drinks to spice up your holiday travel.
Miller's Pub
Midway Airport
5700 S. Cicero Ave.
Chicago, IL 60638
(773) 948-6300
If you're not really looking to dive into some culinary delights and just want to get a simple drink while you wait for your flight, Miller's Pub may be just what you ordered. It's a no-frills bar with a decent amount of seating and your drinks will be served cold and quick. If you're just looking to grab a quick one and don't have the time (or perhaps just don't have the desire) to wait around, Miller's Pub has what you're looking for. It has simple bar food as well if you're looking to nosh on some chicken fingers over your beer or bloody mary.
Related: Best Airport Bars In Chicago
Stanley's Kitchen and Tap
O'Hare International Airport
Terminal 2 Gate E3
Chicago, IL
(773) 686-6105
www.stanleyskitchenandtap.com
Want a little patriotic Chicago flair while you hang in O'Hare? Head to Stanley's Kitchen and Tap and drink amongst the Blackhawks-themed decor. The burgers are also decent if the sports decor inspires you to try a burger with your beer. The cook is quick with the orders and the servers are friendly and fast. This is a great stop while you're waiting for your flight or if you only have a short layover without a lot of time.
Lalo's Mexican Restaurant
Midway Airport
5700 S. Cicero Ave.
Cicero, IL 60804
(773) 838-1604
www.lalos.com
If you're in a hurry and are happy to have just beer or wine, Lalo's is quick and has seating overlooking the terminal so that you can keep an eye on your gate, or people watch while you sit. The food is airport quality, but will come out quickly if you're in the mood for a quick snack while you drink. The decor is also vibrant and festive, which can be uplifting if you rushed through a snow-encrusted Chicago to power through the holiday security lines and now find yourself with a few extra minutes of down time before your flight takes off.
Meredith Lyons is an actor, competitive fighter and fitness instructor in Chicago who also owns an amazing cat named Jake. Meredith has been writing on Examiner as the Chicago Martial Arts Examiner since 2008. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
